The Beaton Sisters

**Nathan** · 5th April 13, 11:41 AM

Just came across this new fiddle duo. Dawn & Margie Beaton from Mabou, Cape Breton. They're smokin' on this You Tube clip. It's no surprise given that they're Beatons from Mabou (See also Andrea, Kinnon & Betty Lou, Joey and Karen....)

Anyway, this set from last year's Celtic Colours festival is just marvelous and Jason Roach from Cheticamp holds it down very nicely on the keys.

Notice Patrick Gillis chording on the guitar. He plays a right handed axe, left handed, so the lighter guage strings are on top (closer to his chin rather than his lap). This is because he learned to play on his right handed brother's guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

**Jock Scot** · 5th April 13, 12:02 PM

I am sure the good lassies and their accompanying colleagues are very accomplished musicians and speaking as one who cannot get a note from a triangle, I honestly find that sort music grates on the ear, so its just not to my taste. Sorry.

**Singlemalt** · 5th April 13, 01:20 PM

I think they are wonderful, they sound and look great to me. Nathan, thank you for introducing me to the Beaton sisters. Please keep the great music coming from wherever you find it.

**Nathan** · 5th April 13, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

I think they are wonderful, they sound and look great to me. Nathan, thank you for introducing me to the Beaton sisters. Please keep the great music coming from wherever you find it.

Glad you enjoyed it. They are a real treat for fans of Celtic music especially traditional Scottish music!

I'll keep it coming for sure.

Jock: I know a guy in Inverness who teaches triangle and Gaelic culture appreciation classes. Let me know if you need his number ;)

**Jock Scot** · 5th April 13, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Nathan

Glad you enjoyed it. They are a real treat for fans of Celtic music especially traditional Scottish music!

I'll keep it coming for sure.

Jock: I know a guy in Inverness who teaches triangle and Gaelic culture appreciation classes. Let me know if you need his number ;)

Thank you Nathan that's really helpful. Sadly though, my musical education ended rather disastrously some 60 years ago! As to Gaelic culture its a bit like the curate's egg for me. "Its good in parts."

**CameronCat** · 5th April 13, 02:31 PM

I honestly find that sort music grates on the ear, so its just not to my taste.

Aw, Jock, up until that we had thought so much of you! <wink>

Now, about that triangle...

**unixken** · 5th April 13, 03:39 PM

Great video... Nice performance.

**TheOfficialBren** · 5th April 13, 03:49 PM

A lot of times I'm a sucker for this sort of thing but to be honest it seemed to be largely filler to occupy their timeslot. The arrangement seemed to wander a lot and didn't ever completely find its way.

I'm with Jock on this one. There are enjoyable bits but not my overall cup o' joe.

**Singlemalt** · 5th April 13, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

A lot of times I'm a sucker for this sort of thing but to be honest it seemed to be largely filler to occupy their timeslot. The arrangement seemed to wander a lot and didn't ever completely find its way.

I'm with Jock on this one. There are enjoyable bits but not my overall cup o' joe.

Bren, I understand that you are a musician and I will without hesitation admit that I am not. However, I do understand the roots of this traditional music and "time slots" had nothing to do with it. The foundation of Cape Breton Celtic music has nothing to do with the time contrainst imposed by commercial radio or MTV. The roots are in the kitchen ceilidh, which I feel priviledged to have participated in a few. In that area and culture it seems almost everyone is a musician (humbling for me) and they all take their turn in the attention of the assembled audience. While there is no sense of formal "competition" neither does anyone want to reduce their moment in the "spotlight" to a single 2 minute 40 second song. Carefully selected medelys and "sets" are well rehersed and presented to impress all who have gathered. Time contraints are only the dawning of the sun or when the rum runs out. I suggest you listen again within this context.

**CMcG** · 5th April 13, 08:05 PM

For those people who didn't enjoy this: did you give it a fair shake and actually listen to the whole thing? If not, then shhhhhh

If you did listen to the whole thing and still didn't dig it, then you should brush up on your Gaelic musical aesthetics or we may have to confiscate your kilts

It's not to say that everyone who wears a kilt needs to be a fan of traditional music, but rather that they should at least be able to recognize a good performance when they hear it and to appreciate that style of music, even if they don't necessarily like it.

The introduction was a bit moody, but once they got into the tunes, they killed it (in a good way). Their set progressed nicely, with good variety in the transitions, but what really struck me was the way they dug into the groove. Those folks are embodying step dancing on their instruments in a way that is sometimes absent from folks who play tunes but either don't dance, don't play for dancers, or both.