Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin (Sept 2012)

Subject: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 12 - 07:55 PM

An amazing vocalist,Raylene Rankin has passed away today at 52. A member of the internationally renowned Rankin Family of Mabou and a voice of an angel. Just listen.....

We Rise Again


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Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 12 - 08:01 PM

A live version of the same song from 2010. Still could pull off the high notes at the end...incredible!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: meself
Date: 30 Sep 12 - 08:19 PM

Very sad news. The second of this generation of the family to go.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 30 Sep 12 - 09:38 PM

Many tears are being shed in Cape Breton!
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Effsee
Date: 30 Sep 12 - 09:55 PM

RIP bonny lass, so sad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: ollaimh
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 12:06 AM

she was both a great singer and band member but also a ground breaking traditional music collector and interpreter. she was part of the first generation of canadian highland gaels who did their own collecting and presentation rather than be collected and categorized by bourgeois folk collectors who put their non traditional stamp on everything.

this seems normal now but back in the sixties whn i was young the scotts gaerls of canada were a subjest to be collected by amglo bourgeois and used as almost a commodity. those old collectors bowldeized the music to reflect their class and cultural biases. raylene was one of a generation who presented the music as it really was, beautiful and part of a living culture.

i met her at dalhousie law school. she was in first year when i was in third year. she was bright talented and did a great service to our music.   condolences to her family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Beer
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 06:51 AM

Thanks ollaimh for what you wrote.
Sad days for sure in Cape Breton.
Condolences to her family and friends.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 09:29 AM

What very sad news..Whenever I hear the wonderful music of the Rankins I cannot help but think of Nova Scotia...they truly brought beauty to life..very sad indeed to have such a wonderful soul for such a short time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: GUEST,999
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 01:11 PM

"Many tears are being shed in Cape Breton!"

More than a few here in Quebec, too. What a singer she was and is.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: GUEST,Mooh
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 02:21 PM

One of The Rankin's big gifts was their ability to reach every age group. As a youngster, my eldest was infatuated with The Rankin Family. She could listen to them endlessly. She still likes to sometimes.

Sad times. God rest her soul.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 01 Oct 12 - 04:07 PM

Great singer, rest in peace.

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Oct 12 - 08:31 AM

Heaven lent us an angel but for much too short a time!
Raylene's obituary here:

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 03:50 PM

I only had a hint of what I was missing when the timing of our Mabou visit several years ago was such that we missed the singing evening at the Red Shoe. I'm even more sorry now.

I just came upon this tribute to her on the Hark! A Vagrant blog by comic illustrator Kate Beaton. I might have guessed by the name that she was a Cape Breton native -- turns out, she's from Mabou: Just a note, on the passing of Raylene Rankin.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Obit: Cape Breton's Raylene Rankin
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 05:58 PM

Becky, I hope that someday you'll return to Cape Breton! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! We miss Raylene and her departed siblings as well, but their legacy will survive for many years!