I saw Eddy Arsenault play last summer, for the first time in several years. Good to see him still at it - but he wasn't looking great, I'm afraid, and seemed a little weak. He was playing with his (adult) children. We had taken my 90-year-old mother up to Abram Village to take in a bit of a fiddling festival there, and she had a great time, as she grew up with Eddy's type of music and person, and has always enjoyed both.

Since the last time I was there, the fiddling and, particularly, its accompaniment has moved away from the 'traditional' somewhat, with a more contemporary, sophisticated sound and presentation. Which is fine and dandy - but I prefer the old-fashioned, straight-ahead style.