Annotation:Ottawa Valley Reel (1) (The)

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OTTAWA VALLEY REEL [1], THE. Canadian, Reel. Canada, Prince Edward Island. G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. Named for a region in Ontario Province. Perlman (1996) states this is one of the most widely played tunes on Prince Edward Island. It is often attributed to New Brunswick fiddler Earl Mitton, though Perlman says his widow denies he wrote it; Perlman still thinks the tune may have originated in the Maritimes. It has also been attributed to Don Messer. New Brunswick fiddler Ned Landry's "Ottawa Valley Reel (2) (The)" is a different tune.

Source for notated version: Edward P. Arsenault (b. 1921, Chrysostom, East Prince County, Prince Edward Island) [Perlman].

Printed sources: Perlman (The Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island), 1996; p. 53.

Recorded sources: Birchmount - BM503, Earl Mitton & the Valley Rhythm Boys - "Down East Fiddle Favourites" (1958). Rounder CD7014, Eddy Arsenault - "Fiddlers of Western Prince Edward Island" (1997). Voyager 310, Gerry Robichaud - "Down East Fiddling" (1973).

See also listing at:
Hear Earl Mitton & the Valley Rhythm Boys play the tune on youtube.com [1]




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