This outstanding player of the MacCann Duet concertina was highly popular in the first decades of the twentieth century as a stage and recording artist. He was a native of Aberdeen who ultimately settled in Nottingham. While his repertory reflected the international popular music of his day he did feature a number of traditional Scottish pieces. The examples offered here are only a small selection from his vast output on cylinder and 78 rpm record.

Schottische

Scotch Reels

Lads of Scotland

From 78 rpm record Regal G7003 28055.

Tam o’ Shanter

From 78 rpm record Regal G7512 69626.

Hornpipe Medley

From 78 rpm record Zonophone 450 Matrix X-49113 # 78 rpm # 10 inch. File supplied by Chris J. Brady who wrote: “Severe scruff mark for first 10 seconds and possible groove jump.Recorded using Goldring / Lenco electric deck at 45 rpm (this was stable, 78 rpm was not). Audacity was used to ’speed up’ recording to 78, and also to remove pops and clicks etc. Interestingly when played at 45 rpm the Hornpipe Medley sounded very good. When speeded up to 78 rpm the high notes sounded impossibly high, and the speed of playing impossibly fast.”

Silver Heels

From 78 rpm record Zonophone Serial no. 450 Matrix X-49117 # 78 rpm # 10 inch.

The recording file was kindly supplied to rareTunes by Chris J. Brady who wrote:

Severe scruff mark for first 10 seconds and possible groove jump. Recorded using Goldring / Lenco electric deck at 45 rpm (this was stable, 78 rpm was not). Audacity was used to ’speed up’ recording to 78, and also to remove pops and clicks etc.

Woodland Flowers (Schottische)

Music by Felix Burns. From 78 rpm record Winner 334 2167. This tune was absorbed into the Irish tradition as Mrs Kenny’s Barndance. See: https://thesession.org/tunes/1603/

Honest Toil

c. 1916. Music by William Rimmer.