Cape Breton Step Dancing tunes by John MacDougall

John MacDougall: live outdoor recording
Captured Oct 5, 2001
Glenville, Cape Breton

The octogenarian MacDougall still plays every Saturday and Sunday night at the Glenora Inn & Distillery in Glenville. They would have him play more dates, but MacDougall likes to give students a chance in the limelight, Glenora manager Sandra Scott says. His generosity toward young players and his prolific songwriting have made him a legend in these parts — quite a feat in a region known for its eccentric players.

"People are amazed that he's still playing so lively ... and they are fascinated with his story," Scott says.

MacDougall is descended from a long line of bagpipers, but it was the fiddle that engrossed him as a wee lad. He spent hours practising his bowing technique, using wood kindling before graduating to a cheap tin fiddle.

"It was a craving I always had," he says. "I could see a fiddle in front of me even then."

MacDougall, who worked in a sawmill for $2 a day in his early 20s, eventually saved enough money to buy a $35 book on how to read and write music. Later, he learned how to fix broken violins.

Although a long-time fixture at local barn dances, it wasn't until his 50s that MacDougall felt compelled to write tunes. He explains his compulsion in metaphysical terms: "I think that someone wants to send the music over from the other side. People have asked me if I'm scared about that. Why should I be scared? If it's not the devil, then let it happen. Let them send all that they feel like."

But with compulsion comes obsession. MacDougall is fiercely private, and until now has refused to publish until he hits his magic benchmark of 35,000 tunes. The sheets of music, neatly transcribed in 155 notebooks, are kept in two small safes in the back of his trailer. He plays some of his originals over at the distillery and for family, but worries that they might be stolen before he has copyrighted them.

"I don't know what's holding me back [from publishing]," he says.

"I better smarten up and forget about these things and take whatever time I have left to get them published."

Those who have heard his music are convinced of his genius and believe his work may one day be viewed as the most important collection of Cape Breton tunes. Whatever the case, MacDougall is sure of one thing: "These tunes will be played a hundred years from now."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• fiddle
• cape
• Breton
• reel
• jig
• step
• dance
• nova
• Scotia
• Scottish
• Glenora
• Distillery
• bow
• Folk
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[PublicDisgrace2]

I watched and enjoyed this video only to learn he has given up the ghost. May he live long in his music and in the hearts of those who knew him and of him. God Bless.

[MattTrecartin]

thanks for the comments

[MattTrecartin]

RIP John

[cbfiddler1975]

when i was a kid- joh woudl come tothe house to tunemy piano- then playthe fiddleforawhuile- and we got some goodtaspes from those days sittin gin my basement- -someone should get aposting opf john talknig aobut wherewe getsallthe tunes hewirtes- iveheardit is from beyondthe grave!

ashley

[MattTrecartin]

Yes indeed, check out the link to the article above in the video's info. Its a TV show waiting to happen...

[shawnyboie]

can listen to him all day want more of him

[MattTrecartin]

yes I have a lot more from that night, I will try to post soon. thanks

[lakefielder]

There's a load of "dirt in that bow"!!

Great authentic Cape Breton sound!

(Interesting technique....you can always spot the Cape Breton fiddler who learned his craft at "someone's knee", as opposed to the ones who could afford to have lessons.)Thanks for posting this little gem of "aural" history!

Slainte!

[sailen2]

AWSOME! Thanx. Please post more, and please tell us the name of that tune! I play a couple of strathspey's on concertina (Lime Hill & Teviot Bridge)and they are alot of fun.

[nozecone]

@cbfiddler1975 Ashley - I'd give the very eye teeth out of my head to hear some of those John MacDougall tapes. Is there any chance of somehow in some form making some of them available ... ?

[maidenrulz73]

@lakefielder and there's nothing better than a "dirty bow"........great vid

[klrietmann]

Ah, that's grand. He was a lovely musician - only had a couple of tracks of him and it's nice to hear and see him play. Have always enjoyed telling the story of his idee fixe, too. 33k tunes is probably more than has been composed in the last 50 years in some nations. Funny that he'd play some old chestnuts here, too.

[jadexoxo1]

i made up a dance to this. i love this songg

[MacGirvan]

We will miss your awesome fiddling!

RIP Mr, MacDougall.

[seonidh]

Our condolencies from scotland, talent like Johns was great Scottish canadian music has lost a wonderful player and man. I'll raise a glass of Whisky to the man. Slan

[piobmhor2]

"The Chroncile Herald"-

MacDOUGALL, John

83, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Born at home in Egypt, Inverness County on April 17,

1925, he was a son of the late George and Margaret (MacLellan)

MacDougall. He was a member of the Cape Breton

Fiddlers Association and was the first teacher of now known fiddlers.

John was well-known for his love of the fiddle and played at Glenora

Disterely and many a dance and house party. He will be missed by his

friends, neighbors and community.