This month we return to the fiddle as the Tune of the Month features Rev. John MacPhail. A native of St. Andrew’s, his first fiddle teacher was his father, Roderick. His passion for music led him to form several groups, namely a band composed of his family members and, later on, the St. Finnan’s Orchestra. He also fostered strong links between local and Cape Breton fiddlers and entertainers.
The bulk of tapes in the Hall of Fame’s possession come from Rev. MacPhail’s collection.
The first tune of the month is unknown, followed by The Laddie with the Pladdie, Bonniest Lass in Ayer and Connaught Lasses’ Reel. The pdf files are below. Mary Frances MacPhee accompanies Rev. MacPhail on the piano.
***UPDATE*** The title of the first tune is Miss Delicia Chisolm and the sheet music is below. Thanks to Paul Cranford who managed to identify the tune and transcribe the music!
This recording was part of the collection of reel-to-reel tapes donated by Father MacPhail and can be found on Small Reel 50, Side 1.
Sheet Music
MissDeliciaChisholm Laddie with the Pladdie (StrathD) Bonniest Lass in Ayer (StrathD) Connaught Lasses (ReelD)
Source: https://glengarrycelticmusic.com/rev-john-macphail/
Thanks to Donald Joseph MacPhee and David MacPhee for their help in identifying the tunes in the set.