Dave Wiesler is one of the premier pianists for folk dance music of many styles -- Scottish and English country dance, contra dance, waltz and swing -- and a prolific composer of tunes in those genres. Cracks and Shadows is his now classic album from 2001, featuring original melodies drawn mostly from elements of Celtic and English dance traditions, infused with classical influences and structure, and richly arranged for folk ensemble. The Washington Post called it "an enchanting mosaic of melody and rhythm." Other reviewers have called it "full of both intricate ensemble musicianship and improvisational joy" and noted that it is "lush and complex, and well worth paying attention to... [with] quite a few ingenious moments where the unexpected happens." It features Dave Wiesler on piano, with fiddlers Earl Gaddis, Andrea Hoag, sliver flutist Susan Brandt, multi-instrumentalist Paul Oorts, Ralph Gordon on bass and cello, and Karen Ashbrook on the hammered dulcimer.