The Music of Michael Anthony MacLean

It was a night out for me, and by far one of the best kinds of evenings out a person could ask for.  The concert was held at the Highland Village in Iona, Cape Breton.  The evening paid tribute to Michael Anthony MacLean and was too notable a time to simply exist as an event of the past.  It was an event to be remembered for years to come.

On July 22, 2010, locals and tourists climbed their way to the top of the hill at the Nova Scotia Highland Village to sit in the historic Malagawatch Church which is now perched high up on the landscape overlooking the Barra Strait at Iona.  “Good Boy M.A.” was a tribute concert to a lovely individual whose fiddling style, humor and overall approach to life left quite a mark on family and friends.  The music heard during this concert was provided in its’ entirety by Michael Anthony’s family and close friends.   One of the highlights of the evening was when 4 of M.A.’s grandchildren, joined by a good friend, entertained the crowd with a blast of tunes on the fiddle.  Five fiddles.  The medley was deluxe.  It was a March-Strathspey-Reel medley in the key of “G” which can be heard on Michael Anthony’s CD entitled “Good Boy, M.A.”.  The group played the tunes with the same tastes applied by M.A. himself in his day.  If anyone in the audience was unfamiliar with Michael Anthony’s music when they came in, they surely left with good insight to the fiddling style he played as well as knowledge of his incredible sense of humor. 

Nearly all medleys performed had a direct connection to this fine man.  Stories abounded, different ways of playing common tunes were heard, and an identity which had an unquestionable connection to the culture and lifestyle of Washabuck and Gaelic Cape Breton was showcased.  If you haven’t had the privilege of hearing Michael Anthony’s style, do yourself a favor and pick up the CD.  And then get in your car and drive to Washabuck.  Both are ingredients to a recipe for pleasure and tons of fun!