REEL DE L'HÔTELIER. AKA and see “Chamberlain Reel (The),” “Gordon's Reel,” “Reel à Rémi,” “Remi Laporte," "Set américain 2ème partie (Soucy), "Set du Lac St. Jean," "Sets canadiens (1).” French-Canadian, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. The tune under the "l'hôtelier" title was in the repertoire of highly influential Québec fiddler Joseph Allard (1873-1947), who was originally from Woodland, Maine, but who lived much of his adult life near Montréal. However, Allard's 1937 recording of the reel was predated by Montreal fiddler Isidore Soucy's 1926 recording entitled "Set américain 2ème partie (Soucy)," which itself was predated by fiddler Georges Frappier's version released as "Sets canadiens (1)" in 1921. See also Don Messer’s version under the title “Chamberlain Reel (The),” a translation of the word l'hôtelier. The first strain is shared with Shetland fiddler Arthur Scott Robertson’s “Laxo Burn” and with Montreal fiddler A.J. Boulay's "Reel de Verchères." Fiddler Louis Beaudoin (1921-1980, Burlington, Vt.) played it simply as “Galope.” Isidore Soucy also recorded the tune in 1930 as the 5th figure of his “Quadrille des Laurentides” (Star 15737A). The title "Reel à Rémi" comes from the group La Bottine Souriante and honors fiddler Rémi Laporte. Joseph Allard
Additional notes
Printed sources : - Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 57, p. 43 (appears as “Gordon’s Reel”). Cuillerier (Joseph Allard), 1992; p. 16.
Recorded sources : - Bluebird B-4894-a (78 RPM), Joseph Allard (1937). La Bottine Souriante – “Chic & Swell” (1983. Appears as “Reel à Rémi,” learned from fiddler Rémi Laporte). Association Québécoise des "Loisirs Folkloriques" CAM 105.2, Yvon Cuillerier – “Joseph Allard, Grand violoneux, Hommage.”
See also listing at : See Pascal Gemme's blog entry and standard notation transcription [1]
Hear Gaspé fiddler Erskine Morris's (Douglastown, Quebec) version [2]
