Ward Allen Plays Maple Sugar

Ward Allen Tribute 2- Ward played with Wilf Carter, appeared on the Grand Ole Oprey and had a radio show with Frank Ryan on CFRA in Ottawa Canada. He played with his band the Happy Wanderers with Joe Brown on base who later created (literally the Brown family). I love Ward because he represents the high point of Canadian fiddling, based on the farming life in the 50s, 60 as opposed to the nouveau fiddling of today aka Celtic or Cape Bretonish. He played more single string, as opposed to the double bowing by our friend south of the border and never used the infamous jerkoff bowing methods. He made the fiddle ring but had a real sweet real note that came from his being. A special person who I never met but I understand through his music.I go overboard stressing the fact that this was a unique tune composed by Ward Allen in the best tradition of old timey music. Often people here in the US will play variations of the the song and say 'Hey this was a song brought over from the old country' but that is not true. The fact is old time music is still evolving as it is a people's music, work music and dance and fun music, like real folk music. Yes play it anyway you like but remember it is Ward Allen not you know what. It really bugs me when people absorb things liek this without really knowing or caring about the history. I went to Washington DC and checked out the Library of Congress to prove my point on this one. They would not classify it with Ward's name on it if it wasn't true ad Lomax etc who were out in the field recording this type of music always noted if it was 'traditional'. This is a unique peak on the old time music, or people's music as I all it.
thanks for all the comments. I appreciate it.
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• Ward
• Allen
• Tribute
• fiddle
• ottawa
• valley
• canadian
• fiddling
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[The1Bushman]

You reallly need to get yer history and facts straight .. this song, a variation of an old eastern Canadian ( Maritimes) jig/reel was being played loooong before Ward Allen came along . .and was popularized by the great Don Messer . .who I grew up watching on tv .. in the late 50's .... when it was an amazing lil box that showed black and white images . .and only had one channel ... also played in a small town country band then. It is NOT HIS SONG !!! Although he does play it very well.

[wardalien]

@The1Bushman That is complete bullshit you idiot. Stuff that crap down your cod liver face. Messer made a mess of the song. Why can't you get over your envy of Ontario and the great music that came out of it. I will grant Winston Scotty Fitzgerald was a unique player. You are tone deaf as well. It's a polka tune BTW. I won't waste my breath on you.

[wardalien]

Cool. Where do you live? Can you scan a copy and send it me? BTW I am back in tthe Ottawa Valley now. Gidday eh.

[wardalien]

Great - send me the link. i would like to hear it. thx for visiting. I want to start an International Maple Sugar day celebrating the sweetness of life and good fiddling. Any ideas are helpful :)

[Delore1946]

I'm from The Ottawa Valley and I heard Ward Allen play Maple Sugar so many times one Sunday afternoon at the Lakeside Hotel in Portage du Fort You could smell the Maple Sugar, Everyone who dropped in for a drink requested Maple Sugar and that day there were many who had a thirst for Ward's Fiddle music and a cold beer God Bless You Ward You were "The Greatest"

[hucktunes]

That is my all time favorite rendering and recording of the tune. I could listen to it for hours.

[butlandh]

Wardalien you are a first class ashole

[Bobladavies]

I just started learning this tune for a classic country band. Hard to believe you guys are so punk about it. Rock and Roll!

[99sco]

I strongly believe that some the very best fiddlers in the world come from Ontario. ward allen. graham townsend ed gyurki chuck joyce. The list goes on and on.

[The1Bushman]

@groseliers And you forgot to bring what little class you were born with along as well. The opinion of people like you stay with me about as long as water stays on a ducks back you pitiful little wanna be. My heart goes out to the people that have to endure your presence in the real world . . they are saints for sure :-)

[The1Bushman]

@wardalien I played, and sang in a band for many years . .I may have my faults . .but being 'tone deaf' is not one of them .. nor is being blind to reality . . as you so very obviously are. And I as well am finished wasting breath on you . . classless .. pathetic moron :-)

[The1Bushman]

@wardalien Your lack of class, and weak command of the English language is only matched by your total ignorance. Your "assumption " that I have any envy of anything that came . .or comes from Ontario is more proof of that. I just happen to know obviously a lot more about music history, and origins than you. But carry on with your little bit of glory on this little bitty spot here . .and . .another place you really need to research is the dif tween polka and reel sir

[groseliers]

@The1Bushman.. Go back to the bush man....you forgot to bring your brain with you.

[MrGcarpen]

@freethoughtmusic can u sendme what key this is in is it A ?? guitar chords gcgcarpen@gmail.com thanku