Joe MacLean - Old Time Scottish Fiddle Music From Cape Breton Island

In the '50s and '60s Joe MacLean made a number of influential recordings. This album was recorded in 1977, but has only recently been released. As with all of Joe's recordings, the repertoire is inspiring. . His bowing seems to cut and slide across the strings with frolicking abandon, while his left hand fingering is precise and flowing. The result is a collection of 11 tracks, played in MacLean's distinctive style, which demonstrates the vibrant community into which today's fiddlers were born. It comes as no surprise that we now have the likes of Natalie MacMaster. Accompaniment is provided by Lila Hashem on Piano and Peter Dominic on drums, All the musicians work well together, recapturing on record some of the tunes Joe MacLean had learned throughout his life. "When you have a great gift," says MacLean, "you have a responsibility to share it with others to make their lives a little better if you can.".

1.  Nancy

2.  i. Inverness Strathspey (by Wm.Morrison)

    ii. Margaret MacDonald's Delight Reel

    iii. Atholian Hills

    iv. Miss Proud

3.  i. Mabou Jig

    ii. Orange and Blue

    iii. Annie Golletti ... Little Judique Donald

4.  i.Duke of Gordon's Birthday

    ii. Green Grow the Rushes

    iii. King of the Clans

5.  i. Memories of Joe MacInnis

    ii. Untitled strathspey

    iii. Reel

    iv. Stephanie Marie MacLean (Dan. R. MacDonald)

    v. Foxie Mary (aka Roaring Mary)

6.  i. Captain Campbell of Melford

    ii. Mrs. MacDonald

    iii. Untitled Jig (Maybe Dan R.)

7.  i. The Bonnie Lass of Headlake (Gordon MacQuarrie) march

    ii. Miss Stewart Menzies

    iii. ??? dancing strathspey (maybe composed by Joe)

    iv. Miss Gordon's Reel

    v. ...traditional

    vi. Dolmar Reel (Dan R. MacDonald)

8.  i. Mr. Able Banks

    ii. The Tweedale Club (Nathaniel Gow)

    iii. Lady Gordon of Gordonstown

    iv. Miss Jean Aberdeen

    v. Mrs Campbell of Lochnell (Robert MacIntosh)

    vi. traditional

    vii. Kelvack (sometimes high bass)

    viii. traditional

    ix. The Old Bog Hole

9.  i.Fiddlers Joy

    ii. Charlie Hunter (Bobby MacLeod)

    iii. Joe's Favourite Jig

10. i. The Headlands March (Ronnie Cooper)

    ii. Miller of Camserney

    iii. Killravock

    iv. Visits With Joe MacLean

    v. Old Bog Hole

11. Kitchen Party Medley

    i. traditional slow strathspey

    ii. strathspey ...Mr. MacAndrew

    iii. Jenny Pippin

    iv. trad reel

    v. The Trussel Reel

    vi. Wedderburn House, (Abraham MacIntosh)

    vii. General Stewart

    viii. Uist Lasses

    ix. Sir David Davidson (Lowe)

    x. Your Welcome Charlie

        xi. MacKenzie Fraser (Skinner) Scottish Maker

        xii Donald MacGuigan

        xiii Steer Gill

link to the free album

Joe MacLean - Old Time Scottish Fiddle Music From Cape Breton Island