Annotation:Black Velvet Waltz (1)
Back to Black Velvet Waltz (1)
BLACK VELVET WALTZ [1]. AKA and see "Whiskey Waltz." Canadian (originally), American; Waltz. USA, Mo. Canada; Ontario, Prince Edward Island. C Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Perlman (1996) notes that Fred Mann (who had the tune from Howard Beyer) named this tune for a brand of Canadian whiskey. It has also been attributed to Winnipeg radio fiddler Andy De Jarlis, and (by Al Cherny) to Canadian radio CKNX Barn Dance fiddler Ross Mann. The tune entered Midwest U.S. repertoire probably from Canadian broadcasts, and older fiddlers from the region (e.g. Les Raber, Charlie Walden) are aware of its Canadian Roots. Fiddlers in Oregon sometimes call it the Cowboy Waltz.
Sources for notated versions: Hank Haley [Phillips]; Sidney Baglole (b. 1912, Southwest Lot 16, West Prince County, Prince Edward Island; now resident of Freetown) [Perlman].
Printed sources: Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; p. 175. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; p. 241.
Recorded sources: Marimac 9017, Vesta Johnson - "Down Home Rag."