Annotation:Frenchie's Reel

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 FRENCHIE'S REEL. Canadian, Reel. B Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB (Hinds): AA'BB' (Songer). Composed by Canadian fiddlers Ward Allen and Mel Lavigne, recorded by Allen in 1957. It has been a New England contra dance staple for decades. According to Lavigne's widow, the tune was written by her husband, although popularized by Allen.  Source for notated version: Todd Silverstein [Songer].  Printed sources: Hinds/Hébert (Grumbling Old Woman), 1981; p. 15. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; p. 81.  Recorded sources: Banff SBS 5296 (reissued on Canadian Cavalcade CCLP 2010), "Graham Townsend and His Country Fiddle." Folkways 8826, Per's Four--"Jigs and Reels." Rounder 0216, John McCutcheon - "Step by Step" (1986). Front Hall FHR029, The Fourgone Conclusions - "Contra Dance Music of Western Massachusetts."  See also listing at: Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources

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