Angus Campbell

Kind of Tune
reel
Composer
James Scott Skinner, Scotland (1843-1927)

James Scott Skinner composed Angus Campbell as a reel to follow in medley his well-known strathspey, Laird o' Drumblair. The reel can be regarded as a musical variation of the strathspey. Its probable first publication was in Skinner's Harp & Claymore (1903-4), and it was re-published in Skinner's more widely circulated work, The Scottish Violinist (c. 1910). Skinner recorded the tune several times between 1899 and 1922.

Angus Campbell has been circulating on PEI for at least a few generations. Observe that the melody for the high-turn has undergone a subtle evolution in both the Attwood O'Connor and Dennis Pitre renditions. In short, these versions both feature strong a E-major (V-chord) arpeggio in the second phrase instead of the B-minor (II-chord) arpeggio from Skinner's original version.

Notation for this tune as played by Francis MacDonald is in Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island.

Tune Selections

Pride of the Ball / Angus Campbell / Sandy MacIntyre's Trip to Boston Musician: Wilfred Gotell, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Kevin Gotell, pno Central Kings info
Angus Campbell Musician: Dennis Pitre, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Vincent Doucette, gtr West Prince info
Angus Campbell Musician: Attwood O'Connor, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Stanley Bruce, gtr South Kings info
Hughes, Earl - EarlHughes Strathspey #1 / Mr. Murray / King's Reel / St. Kilda Wedding / Angus Campbell / Speed the Plough Musician: Earl Hughes Accompanied by: Joan Hughes pno & Gary Hughes gtr Eastern Queens info
Miss Lyall Strathspey / Miss Lyall Reel / Angus Campbell / Picnic Reel Musician: "Old Peter" Chaisson, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Ken Perlman, bjo Northeast Kings info