Golden Slippers

Kind of Tune
set tune
Composer
James A. Bland, US (1854-1911)

Golden Slippers (first published in 1879) is one of several late 19th and early 20th Century US popular song melodies that are employed extensively by Island fiddlers as square dance tunes. Some others include Darlin' Nelly Grey, Red Wing, When You and I Were Young Maggie, and Wreck of the Old Number 9.

Of particular interest:

- Pat Doucette's version on "the cans": two tobacco tins with a guitar string suspended in between. The string is plucked with a flatpick, and pitch is altered by pulling on or relaxing one's grip on the tins, which in turn changes the length of the string.

- Dave Thomson's twin fiddle version (Thomson actually plays harmony, or second fiddle; the melody is played by Alan MacRae).

Tune Selections

Golden Slippers ("cans") Musician: Pat Doucette, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Ernie Gallant, gtr West Prince info
Golden Slippers Musician: Harry Lecky, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Bernice Leard, pno; Eugene Gallant, gtr West Prince info
Golden Slippers / Silver & Gold Musician: Dave Thomson, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Margaret Ross MacKinnon, pno; Rupert Vessey, gtr Western Queens info
Golden Slippers Musician: Jimmy Halliday, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Eddie Martin, pno; Ken Perlman, bjo Eastern Queens info