Annotation:Donald John the Tailor

Back to Donald John the Tailor

---

DONALD JOHN THE TAILOR (Domhnull Iain an Taillear). AKA and see "Ardrishaig." Canadian, Strathspey (can also be played as a reel). Canada, Cape Breton Island. A Dorian (Jerry Holland recorded it in G Dorian). Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. Donald John 'the Tailor' (Domhnull Iain an Taillear) Beaton {who was known as Dan} was a fidder from the picturesque Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, village of Mabou Coal Mines who lived from 1856 to 1919. Kate Dunlay and co-authors (1986, 1996) note that during his day he was a popular and accomplished musician who garnered a legendary reputation in Cape Breton music circles, to the extent he is remembered and venerated to modern times. Pipers call the tune "Ardrishaig," a place name, which was originally published as a strathspey in Robert MacKinnon's Collection of Highland Pipe Music (1901-1906).

Source for notated version: Colin Boyd [Dunlay & Reich]; Mary MacDonald [Dunaly & Greenberg].

Printed sources: Dunlay and Greenberg (Traditional Celtic Violin Music from Cape Breton), 1996; p. 26. Dunlay and Reich (Traditional Celtic Fiddle Music from Cape Breton), 1986; p. 33.

Recorded sources: Boot (BOS) 7231, Jerry Holland- "Master Cape Breton Fiddler" (1982). Celtic CX001, Colin J. Boyd (1934). Decca 14026 (78 RPM), "Colin J. Boyd" (1934). Rounder Records , John L. MacDonald - "Formerly of Foot Cape Road: Scottish Fiddle Music in the Classic Inverness County Style" (2005). Shanachie CB1, Colin J. Boyd - "Pioneer Scottish Fiddle" (1979). 02 50399, Dave MacIssac - "Nimble Fingers" (1995). See also Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recording index [1].

---

Back to Donald John the Tailor