1971s Vanishing Cape Breton Fiddler w Rankin Family

This clip is from the program The Vanishing Cape Breton Fiddler and is not available anywhere to my knowledge so I post it here for educational purposes since I don't own the copyright. It was directed by its host Ron MacInnis.

Widely lauded for prompting a revival of fiddling in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia this clip features composer Dan R. MacDonald and a very young Rankin family circa 1971. Dan R. was John Allan Cameron's uncle and influenced the youg Rankins when he lived next to them on Back St. in Mabou.

I'm finishing a book on Dan R.'s life and have collected a fair bit of info on him and his family. The last scene in the broadcast version of this film has Dan R. and a young John Morris Rankin walking down the road hand in hand. Touching scene.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cape
• Breton
• Celtic
• Fiddle
• Rankin
• Family
• Dan
• R.
• MacDonald
• Fiddling

[mvmacneil]

Thanks

[oceanstone333]

I haven't looked at this in ages. It brings back a flood of fond memories. Long live the Cape Breton Fiddler! - Ron MacInnis

[Bougcrazy]

Fantastic! John Morris was the best, and very humble. He was on everyone's recordings, but never made a CD himself.  His loss was a tragedy.

[mactcampbell]

The first tune is "Jimmy's Favorite Jig". It's Irish. The second is a reel called "Heather on the Hill ", one of Dan R's (the other fiddler in the clip) compositions.

[GingerLassie]

Hi, The Celtic Music Centre Archives in Judique has permission to show the video for educational purposes. There's no charge to arrange a viewing.

[robingillan]

What a feel for living music John Morris Rankin had at such a young age . I miss the feller even thogh I am a million miles away and never knew his music before he died

[GPS1356]

What a great piece of history - any chance you know the names of the Rankins playing along with John Morris?

[FiddlingJamie]

This Video Is amazing..my favorite part is John Morris Rankin!

[mvmacneil]

Thanks so much.

Are you a caper? Better yet, are you from Boisdale?

Cheers,

Mike MacNeil

[eileenmclain]

Anyone know the names of the songs the young fella plays at the end? The first one sounds sooo familiar.