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Cranford Publications
Cape Breton Island
Contact information
Search for references to any tune, book or recording on this site

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2019 marked Cranford's
40th Year Publishing
 

Paul Cranford receiving the Katherine McLennan Award, an acknowledgement of contribution to culture and historical preservation on Cape Breton.

In 1979 Cranford’s work began with a reissue of a classic 19th century Scottish compilation, The Skye Collection.

Cranford Publications specializes in Celtic fiddle music from Cape Breton, Ireland and Scotland. Proprietor Paul Stewart Cranford is a fiddler, composer and retired lightousekeeper well-grounded in the traditions of music he sells, performs and arranges.

This site provides resources for a continuing tradition by supplying books of music notation and related recordings.

The secure online store has remained more of less the same since 1999. Working alone, as time permits I plan to upgrade the look, feel and functionality of the store and website evenually making it mobile friendly. I am also looking at the making publications available digitally.

As you explore the site you will find links to thousands of tunes. Check out any page which features a book or CD that interests you - on most you will find links to tunes. As CDs go out of print I still post support material as free, on-screen musical notation and sound clips or link to articles, photos and descriptions - all relating to books and CDs which we make or have made available in our on-line store.

Cape Breton's
Musical Heritage

Our on-line store allows secure credit card purchases for all the books and recordings we feature. We also take phone and mail orders.

SPECIAL - any eight books - $100

The Cape Breton Musical Heritage Series (currently 9 books) is still being compiled.

 

The Cape Breton Musical Heritage Series
(links to descriptions of the individual books)

The Cape Breton Irish Collection

More than 40 years in the making, still a work in progress,

this will be the next book in the series.


More than 750 tunes
Cover photos is
Johnny Wilmot in the 1950s.

Paul learned Irish music from Johnny from 1976-92

Select DVDs from Antigonish Film-maker Peter Murphy
Buddy MacMaster
Cape Breton Island
Step Dancing instruction

Paul worked as a lighthousekeeper from 1975-2009. Lighthouses proved to be an ideal place to research, write and practice. Working month on - month off, he started publishing books of fiddle music in 1979 and over the years has published over a dozen collections. His final lighthouse posting was Machias Seal Island a bird sanctuary located on the Canadian-US border in the Bay of Fundy.

Since retiring from lighthouses, Paul has settled into full-time life in Cape Breton.

If you are touring Cape Breton during the summer months Paul lives across the road from Wildfire Books and Pottery. Located on the Cabot Trail, the shop also carries a good supply of the music books and CDs described on this site.

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2/19/2021