Various Artists – The Music of Cape Breton 1

This anthology of traditional, Gaelic singing and instrumental music has been selected from recordings made in the spring and summer of 1976 in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Until recent decades Cape Breton has existed in relative cultural isolation, and is now the only region in North America to have retained the Gaelic language, along with the wealth of songs and instrumental tunes, that arrived with the early 19th-century immigrants from the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland. Since that time a highly evolved and varied folk-culture has flourished in the Gaelic-speaking rural communities down to the present, making this small corner of the Canadian Maritimes one of the most important areas of living Gaelic tradition remaining today.

1. An t-Each Ruadh Alexander Kerr with the North Shore Singers
2. Slow Air: Coilsfield House Dan Joe MacInnis violin with Theresa MacLean piano
3. Hinn, Heinn Thog Iad Amach. Mrs Rod McLean
4. March, Reel & Jig: The Glencoe March / The Sandpoint / Untitled Joe Burke harmonica with Marie MacLellan piano
5. Mo Nigh An Donn As Baidche Malcolm Angus MacLeod
6. Strathspeys & Reels: Captain Campbell / Marnoch Strathspey / Mrs General Campbell / Allt a’Ghobhainn (The Smith’s Burn) / O, She’s Comical /Sandy MacIntyre’s Trip to Boston / Sir Reginald MacDonald / Dan J Campbell’s Reel Mike MacDougall violin with Mary Jessie MacDonald piano
7. Ma Phosas Mi Lauchie MacLellan
8. Maili Dhonn, Bhoidheach Dhonn John Shaw with the North Shore Singers
9. Tha Mo Ghaol Air Aird a’ Chuain Tommy MacDonald
10. Strathspeys & Reels: Sir Thomas Sinclair Ray / The Highlanders’ Farewell / Miss Lyle’s Strathspey / Miss Lyle’s reel / Sandy is my Darling / Bonnie Annie Alex Francis MacKay violin with Fr. John Angus Rankin piano
11. O a Hu A, Nighean Dubh, Nighean Donn Neil MacLean with the North Shore Singers
12. Jig & Hornpipe: Paddy’s Resource / The Flowers of Edinburgh Alex MacNeil mandolin with Charlie Dobbin mandolin and and Kevin McCormick piano
13. Na h-Ighneagan Donna, Boidheach Lauchie MacLellan
14. Ma Bhuannaich Thu Nighean Ghrinn Murdo MacAskill with the North Shore Singers