Page 17 - Our Uncle, Dan R. MacDonald From Talks with John Donald and John Allan Cameron

ISSUE : Issue 53

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1990/1/1

And Dan R. had brains--don't let anyone tell you he didn't. He could recite from Dante's Inferno, you know. He used to re? cite that a lot. And he was well read. And very interested in religion, too--in the Bible, and that kind of thing. And very deep. He'd ask questions, you know, that many people wouldn't even think of, or dare to ask. Because he wanted to know, he wanted to know. There was much more to him than just his fiddle, really. I don't want to sound--just because he's my uncle--to go on like that. But I want to be frank with the way I really feel, that he wasn't just.... I've often heard people, you know, perhaps take him in a light sense. They think that he just went around from house to house and played the fiddle. But there's a lot more to him than that. There was, for sure. If he had had education, no telling how far he would have gone in life. (How much further do we want a man to go?) Well, that's it, you know! That's right. You're right. I'd have to agree with you. He really has contributed something. I mean, you see people getting awards all the time for this, that, and the other thing. Dan R. hadn't received an award in his life? time. Except medals he had received be? cause of his service. But other than that, he hadn't received any awards. But yet, he's given--he's given an awful lot--he's given back to us something that--it's an intangible, but we're better off for him being here. Above photo by Ailister MacGillivray. Photo of Dan R. on page 1 by Sil? ver Donald Cameron. Photo of Dan R. Mac? Donald and Dan Hughie MacEachern on page 11 by Frank Maclnnis, cour? tesy Port Hastings His- torical Society. Neil R. MacDonald*s - Strathspey "Fiddlers who play this tune play the low G notes as G naturals." • Paul Cranford Thanks to Alex Francis & Jimmy MacKay, Kingsviile, for Dan R.'s manuscript. The other tunes are from Ttie Heather Hill Collection. The cassette tape "A Tribute to Dan R. MacDonald" has been is? sued by Cranford Publications and was gathered from 22 musi? cians by Paul Cranford and Paul M. MacDonald. The book Ttie Heather Hill Collection: The Music of Dan R. MacDonald, Vol. 1 (over 200 Dan R. tunes) was complied and edited by John Don? ald Cameron. It sells for $17.95 in stores. A special offer of the book and tape together is available from Cranford Publications for $19.95. The tape alone is $8.95. For book, tape, or set, write Cranford Publications, Box 42, Eng- llshtown, N. S. BOC 1H0. Postage and handling: $2.00. Doug MacPhee's new album, "Master of the Cape Breton Key? board," has a mixed repertoire that includes 7 Dan R. tunes. It is available in stores, or from 682 Sharpes Lane, New Waterford, N. S. B1H 4H2. (Or phone (902) 862-6235 or 539-5300.) Price Of $12.00 for LP or cassette, includes tax, postage, and handling. "?? SHOOTERS LOUNGE FAMILY DINING Featuring Fresh l • ?iU?(o)(2l and Homestyle Cooking WE OPEN AT 7 A. M. Monday to Saturday 9 A. M. Sunday RESTAURANT OPEN till 11 P. M. LOUNGE OPEN till 2 A. M. $1.99 Truckers' Special Breakfast ' Every Morning ' Live Entertainment Thursday, Friday, and Saturday J) Old-Fasliioned Ceilidh Every Saturday at 2 P. M.! j' CAPE BRETON SHOPPING PLAZA 539-5247 'lZ::X''. SYDNEY RIVER

Cape Breton's Magazine