Alec Fraser is no stranger to the Blues Scene in Canada, and yet, this album is only his first solo project.
To my ear, it is one of the purest and most diverse projects I have heard this year. Alec’s distinctive voice is perfectly suited to the simple truth he sings of in these twelve songs.

Although not specifically toned as an acoustic album, On The Wings of The Wind flows through brilliant acoustic guitar, augmented by beautifully subtle accompaniment in this genre spanning collection. “Let Me Be Your Break In The Clouds” is the perfect opening cut for this album, a plea to put aside all the productional stigma attached to music today and just sit back, relax and allow your soul to soar with beautiful tunes and thoughtful lyrics.

Up next is “Ocean of Emotion” a pure acoustic performance from Alec that speaks to the heart and soul of anyone who has ever felt alone. “My Fathers Ashes” is a hopeful and up beat little ditty with an old country blues feel, followed by another thoughtful acoustic piece, “Terlingua Night”, that sounds like it drifted up on a breeze from the mexican border.

The next three cuts features a richer, more full sound. “Don’t Cry for Me” is a full band cut that instantly gets the toes tapping, followed by the haunting title track, “On The Wings of The Wind.” Then a folk rocker that would sound at home on the road to Woodstock, “All In A Day”.

Up next, Fraser pays tribute to the land of his birth with a set of songs that start with “Will Ye Go Lassy”, a homey adaptation of a Scottish/Irish classic, followed by an original piece that bears a striking resemblance to that style, a duet with Chris Bartos on violin, “You Cannae Take It With You”. This is brilliantly followed by “Red Haired Girl”, which strikes up ghosts of kitchen parties and highland cèilidh’s. Alec brings back the whole band and a country blues with the next cut, “Fly In Dreams”. The album closes with a touching tribute to “Grandma’s House”.

Overall, a beautifully crafted collection of truth and music, created by a true Canadian musical treasure. Alec Fraser has a winner here! (Terry Parsons)