"A gift works like a talisman for him who gives it, he proposers whichever way he turns."
by Raylene Rankin
Mabou Cape Breton
The gift of music is a beautiful thing and even the inexperienced ear can appreciate a tune gladly given. To me, sharing your talent freely is a difficult thing but it is a sign of greatness. That is why Dougie's talent is such a unique one.
Douglas (Dougie for short) Ian MacDonald was born and raised in Queensville, Cape Breton. He is the second youngest of five children. When Dougie was five years old he began playing the little fiddle his parents bought him in Sydney. With the little fiddle and in the musical environment provided by his family and relatives Dougie's playing developed. Soon he began playing at Scottish concerts all over Cape Breton Island. As Dougie approached his teen years, the lessons came from different sources. Dougie's own words express his respect for the established masters of the fiddle, through his comments about one of them:
"I think I played that second record of Jerry Holland's so much I wore it out."
The Split-level Reel was the first of several tunes written by Dougie. Some of these tunes, such as the Imitation Reel are on the album. But the album also draws from the work of other composers. Dougie's goal when planning the album was to combine the "Cape Breton" style playing with new ideas. The album certainly has its own flare. As you listen to it you may find your mind wandering to sandy shores and white-crested waves, or high up on a hill where a Scottish warrior tunes his pipes to march into battle. And then there are parts of the album that take you to the doorway of a crowded square dance where the dancers' feet swish in time across the floor. It is all here on this album. You just have to let your imagination take you where the music flows.
credits
released October 30, 1987
Produced by Dougie MacDonald, John Morris Rankin, and David MacIsaac.
Recording Engineer: Harold Tsistinas
Photographs: Tony McGrath
Front cover design by Malcolm MacPhail and Jerry Holland
*Note*
This bandcamp album is a digitized version from a vinyl record.
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