Jerry Holland: Master Cape Breton Fiddler

Jerry Holland

Piano: Hilda Chiasson
Guitar: Dave MacIsaac
RELATED BOOKS
Jerry Holland's Collection of Fiddle Tunes
Jerry Holland: The Second Collection

In 1982, when Jerry Holland recorded Master Cape Breton Fiddler, he set a new standard for the up and coming generation of Cape Breton fiddlers. Although long out of print, this classic album continues to influence the tradition, and today, many of the tunes remain popular standards throughout the world.
Digitally remastered for the first time, this recording and accompanying booklet provide a glimpse of the flowering career of one of Cape Breton's finest fiddlers and composers. Tune listing.

Notation Links
Clips

Mom's Jig (J.H.)

MP3

Father John Angus Rankin's (J.H.)

MP3

Andy Dejarlis Jig (traditional)

MP3

Reichswall Forest (Dan R. MacDonald)

MP3

Brenda Stubbert's Reel (J.H.)

MP3

Mutt's Favourite (J.H.)

MP3

The Sweetness of Mary (Joan MacDonald Bowes)

MP3

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1. Reels

Reichswall Forest - Dan R. MacDonald (SOCAN)
Easter Elchies - William Marshall
Winston in the '50s
Mrs. Gordon of Knockspoch - William Marshall
Dan R. MacDonald, a 20th century Cape Breton fiddler, is generally considered Cape Breton's greatest composer. William Marshall was 18th century Scotland's greatest. "Winston in the '50s" is Winston Fitzgerald's reel setting of a Niel Gow strathspey, "Miss Erskine of Torry."

2. Jigs

Andy Dejarlis
Ingonish Jig
Mrs. McGee - John Riddell
The first two tunes were heard from fiddler Mike MacDougall of Ingonish, Victoria County.was Jerry adapted "Mrs. McGee" from the setting found The Glen Collection after his friend Willie Joe Chiasson of Cheticamp suggested it. The composer, John Riddell, was an 18th century blind fiddler from Ayr, Scotland.

3. Slow air, strathspey and reel

My Lily
The Sweetness of Mary - Joan MacDonald Boes
Hughie Jim Paul's - Joan MacDonald Boes
Jerry learned this medley from pianist Joan MacDonald Boes. Originally from Foot Cape, Inverness County, as a young woman Joan moved to the Detroit, Michigan area where she played with The Five MacDonald Fiddlers.

4. Irish Reels

The Street Player - Ed Reavy (ASCAP)
Mrs. Crehan's
Gerry Commane's
"The Street Player" was leaned from an LP of Andy McGann. The last two reels came from Irish tin whistle player Mary Bergin.

5. Strathspeys and Reels

Cutting Ferns
Alex Dan MacIsaac's
Brenda Stubbert's Reel - Jerry Holland (SOCAN)
Mutt's Favorite Reel - Jerry Holland (SOCAN)
Bernadette's Reel - Jerry Holland (SOCAN)
Lady Gordon of Gordonstown - William Morrison
"Cutting Ferns" is a popular Scottish strathspey which is often sung as a puirt a beul. "Alex Dan MacIsaac's" was learned from Dave MacIsaac. William Morrison was a 19th century Scottish composer.

6. Hornpipes and Reel

Dundee
Forester's
Lord Gordon's

Popular tunes Jerry learned from Winston Fitzgerald and later played during his tenure with The Cape Breton Symphony.

7. Irish Reels

Miss Johnson
Micho Russell's
Carrigaline
Many settings of the first and last reels are circulating in Irish sessions. In the '30s Paddy Killoran recorded "Carrigaline" as "The Steeplechase".

8. Jigs

Mike MacDougall's
Mom's Jig - Jerry Holland (SOCAN)
Carrickfergus
The first tune is a popular traditional jig heard all over Cape Breton. The name "Mike MacDougall's" simply refers to Jerry's source. The last jig came from a house-tape of Donald Angus Beaton.

9. Strathspey and Reels

Sir Archibald Dunbar
The New Brig of Dee
Glenlyon
Jerry associates these older Scottish book-tunes with Bill Lamey.

10. Strathspeys and Reels

Donald John the Tailor
Alex Beaton's - Dan Hughie MacEachern (SOCAN)
Billy the Hook - Jerry Holland (SOCAN)
Pigeon on the Gate
The first two tunes were learned directly from Dave MacIsaac. Dan Hughie MacEachern was a fiddler and composer from Queensville, Cape Breton. Dave and Jerry are particularly fond of Dan Hughie's music.

11. Jigs

Beauties of the Ballroom
The Tripper's
Miss MacGregor's Favourite
Many remember Little Jack MacDonald playing "The Beauties of the Ballroom". A popular melody in the 18th century, it first appeared in G minor as "The Lads of Leith." Later it was adapted to song by Robert Burns. The last two tunes come from the highland bagpipe repertoire.

12. March and Reels

John MacColl's Farewell - John MacColl
Father John Angus Rankin - Jerry Holland (SOCAN)
Jock Wilson's
Kay Girroir - Joey Beaton (SOCAN)
Dan Rory MacDougall's
Sleepy Maggie
Many John MacColl tunes are circulating in Cape Breton. He was an early 20th century, highland piper from Scotland. One of his students, piper Sandy Boyd, immigrated to Cape Breton during the 1940s. Joey Beaton is a piano player from Mabou, Inverness County. He was the accompanist on Jerry's first LP.

Other Recordings | Music Notation and abc samples

6/11/2001

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