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.