Fiddle Music 101
Ashley MacIsaac (Linus Entertainment)

Crude, outspoken, extremely talented, and known to crack open lobster shells with his combat boots - what isn't there to love about Ashley MacIsaac? As a controversial Canadian figure who can both offend and charm the Church marms, I've always loved the man, but not always the music.

A few years ago, when Ashley was doing penance for some of his more public sins, I had an opportunity to see him at the Vancouver International Folk Festival. He had recently left A&M Records, and had released an independent recording of traditional fiddle tunes, Fiddle Music 101, with Halifax musician David MacIsaac on guitar. At the festival, the accompaniment was provided by his cousin on piano, but the material was the same, and I quickly understood why this man, then just into his late-20s, was already considered to be a legend in his native Cape Breton.

With a heavy foot and shredded bow, Ashley stunned not only the audience, but also the international fiddlers featured in the festival's workshops (one Scottish champion actually bowed down at his feet). On his best behaviour throughout, Ashley paid homage with singular skill and passion to a tradition that, no doubt, became a refuge for a gay and unusually gifted boy growing up in a small maritime town.

If I was allowed only one track of Cape Breton fiddling on my MP3 player, it would without question be Ashley MacIsaac playing "The Beauties of The Ballroom." But this is only one of the highlights of Fiddle Music 101. Forget whatever you may have heard about Ashley MacIsaac and buy this album.

GB

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