CAPE BRETON, let's talk

Subject: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: mactheturk
Date: 27 May 00 - 09:49 AM

As I get older, I'm impressed with how little I know.For all these years I've been missing the music of Cape Breton. Just recently a friend brought this to my attention. We had attended a John Hartford concert, I enjoy his dancing, shuffle whatever, as much as the music, and my friend said "If you love fiddle players that dance then you have got to check out this out". Next thing I know my friend is introducing me to the likes of Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac the Rankin Family etc.

I told my friend of a trip I'm planning for this fall to visit Scotland and he's trying to convince me to change my plans and head for Cape Breton. "That's where you'll find the real Scottish culture" he claims.

I think I've caught the bug and you might find me step- dancin' my way to "New Scotland".

Any thoughts on this topic would be appreciated.

fit as a fiddle,

Mac

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 27 May 00 - 09:58 AM

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From:
Date: 27 May 00 - 10:09 AM

Mac, as a biased speaker, I would suggest you come here to Nova Scotia's beauty, Cape Breton. Since you are talking fall, there is a music festival that's called the Celtic Colours which is held for 9/10 days, starting the Friday of OUR Thanksgiving Weekend. For more information, check out my web-site. I have a link for Cape BReton Music links and it includes a link to the festival as well as a number of performers who are from Cape Breton.

Also, I have a link to Tourism sites. You can check those out, and request tourism catalogues from some of those sites.

George's Main site

I've just added a link to Folk Music Links in my area as well.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 27 May 00 - 11:15 AM

Don't know why this didn't get on the first time but I'll try again Mac.. If you are going to Cape Breton, and you like to dance... think WEST MABOU.. they have dances there almost every weekend.. the music is great and sometimes will feature the names you mentioned.. If you go to the Cape be sure to also make a trip to PEI especially the eastern end.. Rollo Bay Fiddle festival held this year in July 14,15,16th.. is a treasure trove of Scottish music and dance.. there are year rould celdhi's in Montecello ...KGH

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 May 00 - 01:22 PM

Check out the May's "Boat Who Wouldn't Float" restaurant at Margaree Harbour (Cheticamp is overcrowded) for an eccentric, but very local good time!

I can't comment on the seasonality of it, but there is good whalewatching off the northern tip, if you have an interest.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: GUEST,Newfoundland Born
Date: 28 May 00 - 01:00 AM

I don't know if Cape Breton would replace Scotland as far a a trip is concerned. But you're guaranteedto get the next best thing cheaper. The way your friend is talking, I'd listen to him.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 28 May 00 - 02:40 AM

What I've learned about Scottish fiddling, is that Cape Breton is a densely populated with fiddlers MECCA for Scottish music of the old highland style. When the highlanderrs were chased out of their homes, the ones who settled in Cape Breton kept their highland culture and their vibrant style of playing music going, which is a more "wild" and less refined style than what you hear in Scotland. Haven't been to Cape Breton yet myself, but love that music. If you do, look up Glencoe Hall. It's a dance hall well known for attracting some of Cape Breton's best musicians to play for the dances. Have you heard Buddy MacMaster? He's Natalie's uncle and a great fiddler!He has taught workshops at Valley of the Moon camp in California, and is a true inspiration. If I were in your shoes, and had to choose one or the other, I'd choose Cape Breton.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Willie-O
Date: 28 May 00 - 08:46 AM

Hey Peter, do the Mays still own...what's it called...'Schooner Landing'? They were trying to sell it nine years ago when we passed through. Wonderful little entrepeneurial cultural centre.

To demystify the puzzled--"The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" is a hilarious book by Farley Mowat which chronicles the leaky passages of a funky little "South Shore bummer" called "Happy Adventure" which he bought in the early sixties. "Happy Adventure" has come to rest on permanent display in the parking lot at Schooner Landing. It's a must-stop the southerly part of the Cabot Trail. Great scones,great gift shop (bought my first Natalie tape there, that long ago) and the lounge is on another waterborne relic...

Aye'M Not Kidding
Willie-O

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: mactheturk
Date: 28 May 00 - 08:49 AM

C-Ranger,

Coincidentally, my friend has recommended a number of albums(CD'S) one of which is "Glencoe Hall", by Buddy MacMaster on BM Records.

Small world,

Mac

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From:
Date: 28 May 00 - 09:53 AM

As far as I know, I'd say Jim May still owns the Schooner restaurant. They usually have a Gaelic Song sessions weekly during the summer. It used to be on Tuesday evenings.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 28 May 00 - 07:19 PM

Mac -

Glencoe Hall is a fine recording. There is also a video on Buddy MacMaster which contains some footage of him and Natalie playing for a dance at Glencoe Hall. It's called Buddy MacMaster: The Master of the Cape Breton Fiddle, and is available from Seabright Murphy Video, P.O. Box 1801, Antigonish, NS B2G 2M5 Tel: [phone]. Seabright has produced several videos on Cape Breton's music. I've only seen this one, but it's a safe bet all of them are excellent.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Peter T.
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:26 AM

Willie-O, As far as I know Schooner Landing is still there, the Mays are still at it (though the father has been ill for awhile). They still have the piper in the summer, I believe, and are (to adapt your word) entrepenurial in the Margaree sense -- penurious but lively. Elizabeth May is an old friend of mine (we are environmentalists in league together), and the last time I was there I fell for Cape Breton hard!!!!!!!!!! (course it was the summertime)

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: GUEST,James
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:43 AM

I sure would not say that Nova Scotia is the next best thing to Scotland....Nova Scotia is a glorious place in it's own right. I would also suggest to anyone going there that there is much more to Nova Scotia than Cape Breton. Beautiful as Cape Breton is, the rest of the province has has some great beauty spots and wonderful music....The French shore is well worth investigating, as are many other places.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: mactheturk
Date: 29 May 00 - 01:03 PM

I've been given a few CD recommendations such as Doug MacPhee, The Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster. Any others come to mind?

Thanks,

Mac

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: keltcgrasshoppper
Date: 29 May 00 - 01:11 PM

For some other CD's... give Mary Jane Lamond a listen she is amazing sings in gaelic...also J.P. Cormier and Ashley MacIsac

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 30 May 00 - 01:13 AM

Jerry Holland is another great fiddler. He composed the popular "Brenda Stubbert's Reel" as well as many other tunes. You might want to also check out a recording of Cape Breton piano by Barbara Magone, called "The Fiddler's Friend." It's on Alasdair Fraser's label, Culburnie Records.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Aodh
Date: 30 May 00 - 05:12 AM

I would just like to say that if you do come to Scotland head for the west. Islands like Mull, Skye, Islay,and the Uists all have strong folk traditions. If you look hard enough you will also find music untouched by the Mod. Out in the Western Isles we have dances every weekend. Friday night in one of the village halls, Saterday night in one of the local pubs. We also kept the traditional step-dances longer than any other part of Scotland. Finngalian traditions thought to have died in the 1746 were found in Uist in the 1940's, and since preserved. I'm not trying to discredit Nova Scotia, but the old ways still live on, on the other side of the pond as well.

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Aodh
Date: 30 May 00 - 05:14 AM

You just have to look a wee bit harder!

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Aodh
Date: 30 May 00 - 05:19 AM

You just have to look a wee bit harder!

Subject: RE: CAPE BRETON, let's talk
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 30 May 00 - 05:34 PM

Mac - I've been to CBI twice, for the music and the scenery. Yes, Cheticamp may be crowded but there was fiddlin' everywhere, and I got a kick out of hearing Scottish music in a French language. As others have said, I doubt it's a substitute for Scotland but it's worth experiencing in its own right.

If you drive from Halifax TAKE THE BACK ROADS along the southeast coast - it's like stepping back in time. ANd if you like hiking save some time for Highlands National Park.