Annotation:Rags (The)

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RAGS, THE (Les Guenilles). AKA - "Guenille (La)." French-Canadian, Reel and Air. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCCCC (Phillips): AA'BB'CC' (Reiner & Anick). A common French-Canadian reel, according to David Green in liner notes to “Louis Beaudoin” (Philo Records, 1973). The title refers to a piece of cloth, not 'ragtime' rhythm. The tune was popularized through the performances of accordion player Alfred Montmarquette (1871-1944) and singer Mary Travers (La Bolduc), who set words to it.

Source for notated version: Dennis Mathieu via Louis Beaudoin (1921-1980, Burlington, Vt.) [Reiner & Anick]; Ken Kosek [Phillips].

Printed sources: Hart & Sandall (Dance Ce Soir), 2001; No. 14, p. 47. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; p. 194. Reiner & Anick (Old Time Fiddling Across America), 1989; p. 64.

Recorded sources: Folkways Records RBF 111, Alfred Montmarquette - "Masters of French-Canadian Music, Vol. 2" (1980). Grooveless Records, Arm & Hammer String Band - "Stay on the Farm" (1978). Philo 2000, "Louis Beaudoin" (1973. Learned in Burlington, Vt., from Dennis Mathieu). Calvin Volroth - "Tunes From My Past." Philo Records, Louis Beaudoin" (1973). RCA Victor CGPS-215, Isidore Soucy - "La veillée chez Isidore" (1968). SOCAN MPCD 2039, La Bottine Souriante - "En spectacle" (1996). Starr Records 15491 (78 RPM), Alfred Montmarquette (1928).

See also listing at:
Hear Fernando Soucy's 1972 recording on youtube.com [1]
Hear Alfred Montmarquette's recording on youtube.com [2] [3]