tune information, links and notation
Track 12
Moxham
Castle
Moxham Castle
Mr. Thomas Forbes(J. Scott Skinner
The Moving Cloud (Neil O'Boyle)
Sheldon
MacNeil's
(Raymond Ellis)
London Lasses (Traditional)
- Almost every Cape Breton fiddler plays a few Dan R MacDonald tunes. Moxham Castle is one of his most popular strathspeys. It was published in The Heather Hill Collection, the 1st volume of Dan R's compositions a book which although out of print remains in great demand.
- Mr. Thomas Forbes is a Skinner strathspey which is often associated with Winston Fitzgerald. His setting is in his book. Skinner's original is found in the Skye Collection
- The Moving Cloud is a tune which Natalie picked up from Irish sessions. Neily Boyle was a fine fiddle player from Donegal who recorded a few 78s and allegedly composed this three part reel. He can be heard on Milestone at the Garden (a CD compilation of 78s) The Moving Cloud apparently started out as a fiddle tune in F ... but eventually the aural traditions ... sessions with flutes, boxes etc. moved it to the key of G which is the key Natalie heard it in.
- Sheldon MacNeil's is a new tune by Cape Breton fiddler Raymond Ellis. Raymond teaches and performs regularily in the Baddeck area.
- The late Donald Angus Beaton of Mabou is the likely source of London Lasses. Natalie plays a setting much like Donald Angus ... a version which is more or less as notated in Jerry Holland's Collection. The Irish setting differs. It cn be seen in the O'Neill Collection.
Cranford Publications
8/24/99