Book Descriptions
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NEW!! Move Your Fingers: The Life and Music of Chris Langan

List begins with Cape Breton Books
follows with
Irish | Scottish | Pipe Music

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The Cape Breton Musical Heritage Series: Traditional and original music featuring arrangements not found in older collections. The repertoire presented reflects a solid foundation in older traditions and composing styles, as well as a freshness essential to a continuing musical tradition.

NEW: Jerry Holland: The Second Collection

• Jerry Holland's Collection of Fiddle Tunes
• Brenda Stubbert's Collection of Fiddle Tunes
• The Lighthouse Collection (book-CD set)
• Winston Fitzgerald: A Collection of Fiddle Tunes
• Jerry Holland: The Second Collection

Jerry Holland's Collection of Fiddle Tunes 282 tunes in all. Third edition of a book from one of the world's most respected fiddlers.A healthy balance of Irish and Scottish traditional standards and contemporary Cape Breton compositions. PERENNIAL FAVORITE. . . . . . . . .Related recordings.
. . . . . . . . . . Example tune . . . . . . . Index. . . . . . . . . .Lay-flat softcover

Brenda Stubbert Collection: Brenda Stubbert's Collection 131 tasty tunes from the heart of today's Cape Breton dance music tradition. Features 75 originals from Brenda, other originals from friends, and a raft of popular traditional standards. Brenda is an accomplished fiddler, piano accompanist and step dancer who is steeped in both the Cape Breton Irish and Cape Breton Scottish dance music traditions.Editor Paul Cranford first met Brenda and her family back in 1976 when he was stationed as a lighthouse keeper at Point Aconi near their home. . . . . . .Related recordings
. . . . . . . . . . . Example tune . . . . Index . .. . . Softcover book

The Lighthouse Collection - compiled by lighthousekeeper Paul Cranford. Suited to both beginners and advanced players alike, this music book and recording contains 294 original jigs, reels, strathspeys, marches, hornpipes, pipe tunes and airs. 57 of these tunes can be heard on the included CD recording, a great help to both 'sight' and 'ear' musicians
. . Example tune . . . Index. . . . Lay-flat softcover book-with-CD
CD available separately The Lighthouse: Paul Cranford & Friends

The Winston Fitzgerald Collection: A generation of fiddlers have already followed the recordings of Winston 'Scotty' Fitzgerald. Today his style and repertoire is universally thought of as traditional Cape Breton music. Scottish, Irish and Cape Breton dance music, pipe tunes, and airs as interpreted by one of the greatest fiddlers of the 20th century. Includes music notation for 230 melodies, historic photos, indexes, notes and cross-references. . . . . . . . . Related recordings
. . . . . . . . . .Example tune . . . . . . Index. . . . . . . . . . Lay-flat softcover

Jerry Holland: The Second Collection: Volume Five of the Cape Breton Musical Heritage Series, this new book contains 322 tunes including 120 new Holland compositions. Not only is Jerry one of the best fiddlers around, he is also a fine backup musician on both guitar and piano. This collection includes Jerry's tasteful and experienced choices for chordal accompaniment
. . . . . . . related recordings . . . . . . . . Index . . . . . . . . Lay-flat softcover

Cape Breton Music (other publishers)

The Beaton Collection: Over 600 tunes, including 50 compositions by the late Donald Angus Beaton have been published as a book by his son, fiddler Kinnon Beaton. This is the largest single compilation of original Cape Breton music ever assembled.

The Heather Hill Collection (The Music of Dan R. MacDonald Vol. 2*)- compiled 1994 by John Donald Cameron. FINALLY BACK IN PRINT
Over 200 Fiddle tunes from Cape Breton's most famous and prolific composer. In his lifetime (1912-76) Dan R. reputedly composed over 1000 tunes. Many of his tunes are played in the currently Cape Breton repertoire ... dozens of which are found in this book.

Special offer > Book-Cassette Set $19.95
(cassette is free while supply lasts)

The Trip to Windsor Collection (The Music of Dan R. MacDonald Vol. 2*)- compiled 1994 by John Donald Cameron. 233 Fiddle tunes from Cape Breton's most famous and prolific composer. In his lifetime (1912-76) Dan R. composed over 1000 tunes. Hundreds of his tunes are currently in the Cape Breton repertoire and many are circulating by musicians who don't realize they are playing his tunes.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .Index. . . . . . Example Tune . . . . . . . Lay-flat softcover
* Note: These are completely different tunes from those presented in The Heather Hill Collection (Dan R. Vol.1 - currently at the printers.).

Currently being revised - DunGreen Collection - David Greenberg & Kate Dunlay. Accurate transcriptions of tunes by recognized greats of Cape Breton fiddling. Includes details seldom seen in books of fiddle music (bow pressure, intelligent discussion of how modes affect harmony, a discography & history for every tune, a listing & explanation of ornament symbols and a truly informative introduction ... a must read for anyone new to Cape Breton music. David can be heard on recordings by Puirt a Baroque.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .index . . . . . sample . . . . . Lay-flat softcover Out-of-print

The Cape Breton Fiddler by Allister MacGillivray - consists of photographs, interviews and biographies. A good over view of the 20th century's influential players. Also included are a handful of classic locally composed tunes including Sandy MacIntyre's Trip to Boston and Space Available.

Scottish Music

The Skye Collection One of the best source books for 18th and 19th century strathspeys and reels. The Skye Collection is an 1887 Scottish compilation of over 400 fiddle tunes and has long been a Cape Breton favorite.
. . . . . . . . . . . Index . . . . . . spiral-bound book for fiddle or piano

The Simon Fraser Collection reprint of 1816 Scottish Collection of Gaelic melodies
. . . . . . . . . .index. . . . . . . . . .spiral-bound book for fiddle or piano

........ Cape Breton Musicians Play Music from the Simon Fraser Collection ... CD

Alexander Walker Collection: Original 19th century Scottish fiddle tunes. A complete repertoire in itself, the tunes demonstrate all the common keys and tune types. This 1997 Cranford Publications revision includes some melodic variation from Cape Breton fiddlers.

. . . . . . . . . Example tune . . . . . .Index . . Lay-flat softcover

The Scottish Violinist - by James Scott Skinner. In Cape Breton, this has been J. Scott Skinner's most popular compilation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index. . . . . .softcover

The Harp and Claymore - Originally issued in 1903 this is one of Skinner's most famous books

• Irish Music

  NEW!! Move Your Fingers: The Life and Music of Chris Langan

  Allan's Irish Fiddler by Hugh McDermott. Standard settings of Irish dance music. This classic book has been in print for the best part of this century and has remained popular. For many older musicians it is remembered fondly as their first source of tunes.

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .softcover

  The Collected Compositions of Ed Reavy: One hundred & twenty seven tunes by one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Originally from Ireland Ed spent most of his life in Philedelphia.

  The Music of Corktown: Ed Reavy's arrangements of old favorite traditional Irish tunes as played in Philedelphia during the 20th century. Sample Tune

  A Dossian of Heather is a charming new book providing an opportunity to get to know Packie Manus Byrne, a bard of song, story, recitation, dance and the tin whistle. The 85 tunes and song-airs include 14 original compositions, complemented with extensive background information and delightful stories, photos and drawings. The accompanying CD features 33 pieces, played skillfully by the authors, who demonstrate a genuine affection for their friend and musical mentor. Includes song-airs, jigs, highlands, germans, hornpipes and reels.

  Musical Memories - aka - Charlie Lennon's Collection. New compositions by one of Ireland's most respected musicians.Unlike most tune collections this book contains much more than just the melodies. There is well written text about the background of both the tunes and Charlie's musical history
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .softcover
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CD available

  The Hidden Ireland - Sean Ryan. 82 compositions from Tipperary fiddler Sean Ryan. A prolific composer, Sean composed over 250 tunes before passing away in 1985. His tunes are popular at sessions worldwide.
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .softcover

  The Compositions of Paddy O'Brien: Paddy O'Brien was an infulential Irish accordion player who made his first recordings at the end of the 78 era. He played with both the Tulla and Aughrim Slopes Ceili Bands. He developed an accordion style on his B-C box which gave him the flexibility to play all the keys used by fiddlers. A few of his tunes are widely played at sessions.

  Ryan's Mammoth Collection first appeared in Boston (1884). Coles published it as 1000 Fiddle Tunes (Chicago, 1940). Always influential, this new 1996 Mel Bay edition contains 1050 tunes plus history.
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .softcover

  O'Neill's Music of Ireland reprint of the original 1903 edition compiled in Chicago by Francis O'Neill. 1850 tunes.
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .softcover book

  A Harvest Saved - Biography of Francis O'Neill by Nicholas Carolan. Not a tune book, this is simply one of the best presented, most interesting and carefully researched books about the history of the music available. Nicholas Carolan is the Curator of The Traditional Music Archives in Dublin.
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ossian Publications softcover

  Complete Works of O'Carolan - Irish Harper and Composer (1670-1738) O'Carolan was a legendary blind harper from the 17th century. His music has been very popular with groups like the Chieftains etc. Included in this edition is a concise biography. There are 214 tunes arranged for single line melody
  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ossian Publications softcover .... out of stock

• Pipe Music

  Allan J. MacKenzie's Collection: A new book by a fine Cape Breton Piper. Allan J. is the grandson of the legendary piper Black Jack MacDonald.

  The Gathering of the Clan's Collection (Vol. 1) collected, compiled and arranged by Barry Shears. In addition to the tunes, this one also goes into depth regarding the various piping families of the island. ........................ Index

  The Gathering of the Clan's Collection (Vol. 2) - Another fine book collected, compiled and arranged by Barry Shears, this is his most recent collection (2001). Like the others in the series in addition to the pipe music it includes lots of photos and a historical essay on piping in Nova Scotia.

  The Cape Breton Collection of Bagpipe Music collected, compiled and arranged by Barry Shears, a piper who exemplifies the old style of Cape Breton dance piping. A pipe book derived from four sources:

  1. turn of the century handwritten manuscripts.
  2. taped performances and interviews.
  3. fiddle tunes arranged for the bagpipe.

  compositions and arrangements by Canadian and Scottish pipers
  . . . . . example notation. . . . . . Softcover book of Pipe Tunes

  TEMPORARILY OUT OF PRINT

  Quebec

  Dance Ce Soir: The Fiddle and Accordion Music of Quebec by Laurie Hart & Greg Sandell. A bilingual overview of the rich musical traditions of La Belle Province.Through precise transcriptions one meets in print a who's who of Québecois music. Several dozen musicians both past and present, are profiled. Softcover