Amazing Fiddler.mov

Busking in Victoria, BC Canada, on August 06, 2011. Great fiddle player Mack Jonsson, originally from Quesnel, BC.
Performing 'Reuben's Train'
Contact him at: [e-mail]
Tell your friends about this and let's hear more from Mack in future!!

[@ferengoid]

Hey y'all, this little random moment has taken on a life of its own. I'm so pleased. But it's not the only time for me that this has happened. The two other times are when I heard Rose Ranger www.roseranger.com/ at Granville Island (I ended up hiring her for some sessions) also I first heard the great Don Alder www.donalder.com/ I think at the Arts Club on Granville whilst having a beer with some musician friends. They actually didn't think much of him. But come on!!! I had the pleasure to play on Don's last album and he's another Canadian treasure, IMO. Thanks to you all and keep dreamin' the dream!!! Mark

[@darrengodfrey1614]

This guy has me dancing around my flat like a wild wind blowing through my soul, takes me right back home! Roots man, respect from west Yorkshire England!

[@TIm7981]

Unreal that's grade A talent at it best

[@kgsolomanfivethousan]

Well the Devil went up to Canada he was lookin for a soul to steal, he saw this guy and said fuck that shit I'm going home.

[@southern93rd26]

KG Hays That is great

[@nickbutler9831]

KG Hays XD nice

[@blake911]

don't u mean down to georgia?

[@oliverseeler1018]

Hard to imagine how some folks can walk right on by ...

[@CuddleCuttlefish]

Oliver Seeler I don't care what I had going on in life, I would stop and watch his performance. I'd give him as much as I could there and then too.

[@laissedontfaire]

Oliver Seeler xI would listen to him all day. He is wicked amazing. I can't help but stomp my foot along with him. He gives me goose bumps

[@southern93rd26]

Yeah with their pop and rap culture these days

[@nickbutler9831]

Alexandra Godin same XD i didnt notice my foot moving till I read this

[@peterkeys1105]

Oliver Seeler come to Vic thats his favorite spot

[@BeammeupSpotty]

Fiddling doesn't get any better than this. Hot. Raw. Real. Great. There aren't many that can pull this off.

[@madfidler]

agreed. i have played with him, this is Exceptional.

[@anderstermansen130]

This is a violin

[@TheDoctor77]

​@@anderstermansen130they're the same thing

[@billierae726]

Why don't talented people like this guy get more views?

[@strongstrummin4078]

Evie Rae Because you'll watch this video once or twice and forget about it.

[@ohyesimcool2279]

StrongStrummin' hahaha! Yep

[@tedmounsteven621]

Spread the word. I'm about to :)

[@bradleycruea5492]

You heading by Tishomingo? I heard there’s a man in Tishomingo that pays folks money if’n sing into his can, I hear he pays extra if’n play real good.

[@Mortum_Rex]

That dude just played the shit outta that fiddle!

[@zackattack32]

I love how this kind of music automatically flips the switch in your brain to start either clapping, snapping, or stomping your foot. It’s super weird, but it almost feels wrong if you don’t do it

[@marissadiaz2816]

Agreed!

[@dfurball]

Shredding that bow jeez

[@colechristyautumn5679]

Demonic Furball its normal for professionals/intense songs. I forgot the name of this one song and at the end half if the strings were ripped off.

[@chaos9731]

No kidding XD

[@strongbongus]

not too normal. with proper technique a good bow can last for years. but some folks don’t have that technique and that’s okay, as long as the song gets out there.

[@okthanxbye]

music like this makes my body go bonkers no matter what the mood

[@declanthiele]

hell yeah!!!

[@sligo905]

brother, take what you have and run with it, just please document everything because this just turned my bad day into good. Thank you!

[@SxTxferlife]

Im shocked the fiddle didn't burst into flames, those skills are off the charts!

[@anderstermansen130]

Its a violin

[@SxTxferlife]

@@anderstermansen130 a fiddlin? 🎻 got it

[@TheDoctor77]

​@@anderstermansen130again, same thing.

[@Forestaria_Aditi]

AMAZING!!! When my tinnitus is gone, I'll try to learn that.

[@Ribbletine]

How on earth does this not have more views?

[@bombasthuynhymvanhelmont4041]

selled himself to the devil, I see. hope the hounds of hell haven't caught up with him

[@chlb0152]

What makes u think that

[@ThatGuy-ob2yw]

@TheCessnaDriver “devil went down to Georgia” reference

[@madfidler]

Mack Is one the best fiddlers i have ever had the pleasure to play with. He is an Artist.

[@j87571]

This is a song called Reuben's Train. well done bro!

[@congerscott6064]

That's some fine playing and a good voice to go with it, if i was there i would have given him a really nice tip 👍🇺🇸.

[@pflo7795]

He's freakin awesome! He looks like Sam from supernatural

[@srv9235]

No shit that's the baddest fucking thing I think I've ever seen and heard!

[@edbemoon1]

My fiddle hero,s = paginini and this gie, probably just made anough money to bie new bow ❤️❤️❤️🎀

[@dalejacobson6363]

I was playing that same exact thing! then I woke up. WOW!!!!

[@PP-hq1sy]

who could possibly walk by this beautiful, soulful music without stopping.

[@southern93rd26]

I want to trade my Ibanez RG electric guitar for this fiddle here

[@dganesh3641]

:O!!! pure soul...breath taking :)

[@earrrthquaake985]

That’s some of the best fiddle playing I’ve ever seen

[@jeroenconinx6121]

I seriously didnt know you could put this much awesome on one video.

[@toady115]

I see this guy all over town. He is one hell of a good fiddle player. Just a small sample of some of the awesome talent we have in VIctoria BC. Check out The Sweet LowDown as well.

[@burleybater]

Now I'm real envious. It's not like my town doesn't have a lot of street sound. But if I lived in the same town as this dude I would book a spot weekly, if not daily. Hell, I'd bring a a lawn chair, snacks, a fist full of coins to toss, and a big wide smile. Front row center.

[@TheRightStuff-xc9mg]

He's amazing.. that is some pure natural talent there! Thanks for uploading this!

[@Swi55Milk]

theres a man who met with a man at a crossroads and came back with something and left a little behind

[@melissaturner4406]

You are an awesome fiddle player and love your singing!

[@Spencer-vq7se]

The energy here is so unique, hes so talented its almost otherworldly. and people just walk by

[@gibbonschip]

Great fiddler who is tearing his bow up, and an engaging singer while fiddling.

[@atock2000]

Mack Jonsson es un gran músico muy sencillo y con mucho talento. Mira como toca la canción “Reuben’s Train” te dejará asombrado al 100%

[@nathandavis4903]

Talent like this exists, and people would rather listen to mumble rap.

[@clarkstone-bear7742]

Well feller...seams that twenty eight people done know what good music sounds like. He's god damn amazing boys.

[@astrodudenw]

After spending almost 2 yrs practicing fiddle I can truly appreciate how awesome this dude is.... I'm jealous

[@raylexa]

Guy should be filling stadiums way to much talent to be a busker

[@bronchial1]

Now that is fiddle soul! Fantastic Mak!

[@burtvillefarms]

full of energy...enjoyed that. playing it from the heart..

[@jeffreysiegel9125]

Very inspired and fiery fiddling, with great style! Sweet vocals, as well! Thank you for posting this!!!😀

[@anderstermansen130]

Its a violin

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

​@@anderstermansen130GAY

[@TheDoctor77]

​@@anderstermansen130guess what...

[@traceyl-h-l-n6410]

My goodness! Isn't he wonderful??

[@greenshp]

Wish I could have been there too have that bow rehaired for him. Really talented.

[@burleybater]

Yeah that bow made me laugh. What a distraction. Old horsehair that just had enough, even though there's still a few strands to make it work. The fiddle looked ancient. The bow is probably of the same vintage and never been touched. A marriage made in heaven.

[@victorreznov4548]

Hilarous how people can only comment on his form.

[@burleybater]

Form? That's beside the point. That's like missing 95% of what he does.

[@Rainman316pwns]

How has this video not blown up?

[@KatayunRoche]

goosebumps all the way through

[@mattbrislawn2598]

Awesome, Mack...y'ever get down So-Cal way, look me up (Matt Brislawn) --- we'll burn this Long Beach-town DOWN, double-fiddle style..

[@russellbrickey7698]

Damn. Mack deserves platinum! Do AGT and the crown is yours!

[@saltodelpuma1667]

He deserves a brand new violin too....😁

[@burleybater]

@@saltodelpuma1667 Yeah except that fiddle knows stories nothin' brand new can touch.

[@scarlettlikescheeseburger3915]

If you come here from that one Amphibia Fanfic, i salute you 🫡

[@den_ale]

🫡

[@scarlettlikescheeseburger3915]

@@den_ale HOLY CRAP NO WAY

[@thumperrusty4570]

*SUM MIGHTY FINE LIKKER!*

[@princessteys22]

SHE PLAY THE FIDDLE IN AN IRISH BAND, BUT SHE FALL IN LOVE WITH AN ENGLISH MEN

[@beautifulbuds]

This guy is amazing!!!!!!!! Anyone else still watching in 2022!!!!!

[@burleybater]

Yeah well I only just discovered him - 11 years later. There are way too few clips of him on youtube, and they're all just as amazing. I sure hope he's still playing. Last thing I was was 5 years ago - 2017. Hadn't skipped a beat. (It's weird too - some of the clips have a different last name. But of course, you'd know that fiddlin' anywhere - even on the dark side of the moon.

[@olonparker6584]

2024 and I'm back to watch again, still amazing.

[@TheCharlesfastiggi]

God damn! That was the mad notes my dude!

[@Ponsonby]

Someone made a deal with devil...

[@blitzv10]

amazing diddler

[@burleybater]

Now be polite. Watch yer spellin'!

[@saltodelpuma1667]

Man I could be listening all day without getting a headache.

[@nicolaasfiddleson714]

I love this video and I want to play country just as relex as this boy. but it is difficult to see what he exactly is doing with his bow

[@yvonnemariane2265]

Makes me heart sing!

[@samj.c.195]

I saw this video when I was in middle school and was obsessed with learning Bluegrass music, and I finally have the opportunity! I've played violin since I was seven, but bluegrass is a little newer to me.

[@Jack-mz9jz]

....Snake?

[@allensheppard3691]

Best street performance ever!

[@MultiCosmicCat]

Extremely talented! Wow! Love this!

[@jonathanharris2326]

DamnGoodDiddler.mov

[@Plumb_Juice]

forever wondered (until a couple years ago) what the difference was between a violin and a fiddle. turns out it's just the way u play it.

[@burleybater]

Yep. A Stradivarius can sound so sweet. There are no magic buttons in there. It's like you can play Beethoven on a Steinway. Or you can lose your mind and do a Jerry Lee Lewis.

[@burleybater]

One more comment on this. It's been a long and whacky road chasing around the ghosts and name changes of Mack all over that far and distant west, trying to track down some semblance of what I guess is some kind of career, the ups and downs, the changes and rearranges. Would have loved to have been one intrepid and stubborn old journalist determined to splash the story of him and all his confederates across newspapers, mags and rags, and hell. Maybe even write a book. He is the soul of the West, among a few other intangible, wonderful, wild and unmanageable things. But that's all just my guesswork over what still adds up to less than a week of research. So there I was, perusing a short ad for a gig somewhere on the island (Duncan, I think) with Mack and Kaitlyn (banjo) pictured not unlike a resemblance of a couple of hopefuls just decamping some Halifax-landed boat from the old country, and I mean maybe a hundred and twenty years ago, and in black and white. Along with the tools of their trade. I noticed the years was now 2019 the last year of Our Normalcy before the world went mad, among other things. And I thought to myself, this is good. This brings it far closer to a recognizable horizon. And so many of would agree that his music and his talent and his style and just all of what he does with a fiddle and a bow, not to mention the blessing of a voice just as interesting as to be almost a perfect match with the rest of the package... That there is something haunting and unforgettable, a thing that tickles, but that gnaws and nibbles, catches up the breath and winds around and curls up inside ourselves and won't quite ever let go. A thing that feels like a sweet but more a bittersweet longing to name a thing, but yeah, maybe just let it go because it is of a moment and whose freedom means more to us than even having it securely in our pocket. But dammit. This is how Mack's music makes us feel. And if we're lucky, that's only just the bare bones of the meal. There is so much more to it than just that. What I'm getting at is that even though we are lost in the moment, and it sure feels like bliss, we are not unaware that a kind of vagrant and gypsy offering, a thing that we sense is almost too fragile and vulnerable for this world - but that yet persists, thrives, and arrives alive anyhow. Like that fleeting and startling instant of a glimpse of some wild thing there in the forest, presented and then gone as if entering another dimension. Just long enough to remind us that we are a civilized sort, up against a wild that lives all around and often closer than we think. And alas, I have only captured a raindrop's worth of an entire storm of what this music can do. My point is that it (surely!) is not dressed up in finery (literally) nor is it full of vanity, star-appeal, pomposity, or any or all of the frailties. It is separate from all of that. As if the music overcame the flaws of the human, and carried nature up to finer things. Is this not possible? Hell, we live in a country that has two coasts, and regardless of all that is in the middle (and it is much) both coasts offer up fiddle traditions so firmly entrenched as to almost exist in a salty and oceanic climate that rocks to the bosom of two large and very different oceans. I can hardly imagine how the topography of seashores is so interwoven into the sound that if you were to put your up to that fiddle's wood you could hear the sound of a seashell's memories. But enough. I am half Irish, but never once used that hyphen to identify myself as a proud and stubborn Canadian. I remind myself of this only to grant myself the liberty of a critical point of view. A thing that goes, I know, with a strong Irish chin. I am lucky to have both. And yes, the literary traditions inherited in my very DNA mean much to me - that thread that linked every single school year of my life and since I grew to be a man, it grew to be a rope. I was raised in libraries. But no shrinking spectacled cloistered intellectualized and study-mad shrinking violet was I. The books never captured me thus - they flung me back into the world with the G-force of a Saturn rocket, they did. All was well. And what does all that have to do with the business of applying a shredded bow upon a fiddle string? A strong arm and a supple wrist? A dropped down chin rest in order to free up a vocal accompaniment? Well, It would appear that the Cape Breton musical establishment got a wee bit of an historical start and has captured a lot of the thunder. It's like all that lovely lilting stuff (I greet it warmly and with no shame) and even that clogging and dancing and winking and yes, even the fire and the fury because of course there were a thousand thousand stories woven and wrapped up so deep within that sound, long before it ever even washed up on Canadian shores. And when one embraces it fully, one can never quite forget these histories and stories, the rebellions and the refusals, and all of that collective and very human spirit of defiance, to overcome a thing that had to be overcome. And so it was. And that is one hell of a proud tradition. But yet. Over here on the other coast, the left coast as it were, some might venture, a wilder coast, there is certainly all of this, but something different, still. And the closest I can figure (having studied this much) is that down there deep inside the sound is a thing distinctly southern, a thing that surely goes back to an old country, yes, but after its arrival on North American shores, flew off to different places, evolved and grew, moved around in restless wanderings, washed up against so many different local styles and attitudes that half the time it couldn't hardly recognize itself. But you can trace where it's been. All you have to do is listen. The Irish and the Scot. But then there's almost a gypsy and a Django thing, certainly something French, something Cajun, something maybe even Acadian, but then it's off again and teases like a cowboy's dinner of bacon and beans, and a prairie star spangled sky. But it still doesn't stop there, because now there's this hint of Appalachia and an ache and a heartbreak and an impossibly hard life and a sound that drops you to your knees. And back you come again with a condition that feels like worry beads strung across your soul. And so it goes. We open up our ears looking for some sweet salvation. And we're lucky to find it. Lord knows we live in a world where the mundane and the watered down, grabs a lot of that pie, the largest share by far. But thankfully, that's not all there is. We have to do the work, dig a little deeper, even when it feels like there aren't possibly enough to care, to make a difference. But that is only one small standard of measurement to apply. Hell. A week ago I didn't even know Mack existed, even though I had been an aficionado of many years' standing, attracted to all that two-step, three-step and four=step rhythm applied by a well-bowed fiddle. But life has a way of wandering out there, jumping that backyard fence, hunting down things of value, and then dropping them on the doorstep like offerings barely thought of or asked for. Is Mack a national treasure? I sincerely think he could be, perhaps, should be, and maybe even the most interesting story wonders to itself, would be? But regardless of all that speculation. In the meantime, we remain far too busy chasing around a thing of value that is never in our face, never ubiquitous, never overdone or oversold, remains allusive, and is there to remind us that the very best things in life seldom, if ever, just fall into our lap like manna from the sky. The adventure continues.

[@metrotmbobile6542]

Outstanding!

[@TheFlametroll]

Lindsey Stirling try and do this!

[@pianoboogie51]

This vid deserves more views, amazing

[@benjierooster]

the gansta lean of all fiddle techniques...... but hell it sounds amazing

[@Snasamannen-qj4uz]

i´d throw my whole wallet in

[@burleybater]

ZSST! Don't embarrass the dude. A twenty would put the point across well enough, and besides, he'd have all the ID to worry about.

[@serratedcreature890]

Great job Sam Winchester

[@burleybater]

Whhoooo! Weird. Just checked the date on this video. Exactly 11 years ago to the day. August 7th. How voodoo is that?

[@MR.HandyANDY]

wow! thats the way its done.

[@saltodelpuma1667]

Oh yeah....😁

[@peterkeys1105]

thats my Buddy Mack Shields from Victoria BC. check out him and/or his band the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra on youtube or facebook

[@carlasingalongsongsjackson6331]

Absolutely fantastic I am very impressed thank you for sharing your great talent with us all !

[@thedogekage904]

This guy had the worst posture i've ever seen in my life. But he still played that violin like a pro. I'm utterly surprised

[@beansthe3rst]

THIS SHOULD BE THE L4d2 HORDE THEME THE PARISH!!!!!!

[@felipeibarra6700]

I'm a Texican I Love This Kind Of Music. This Guy is Good👍

[@kazuhiramiller3775]

He played it like a damn fiddle!

[@josephobrien991]

Sounds like a combo clinch mountain Reuben’s train thing. Nice!

[@nadnavlis240]

Why aren't people showing him more love? No love in Vic?

[@burleybater]

Yeah well the old Vic still has that stiff upper British thing goin'. We can forgive it for that. When I watched this the first time, I could have sworn on a stack of bibles that this was some small city down in Kentucky or Tennessee. Maybe even some old part of Nashville I didn't recognize. Not quite Beal Streat in Memphis, but in that neck of the woods. What faked me out of course was the sound that was born and bred in America. Imagine my shock and delight when I found out he's a fellow Canadian! Too cool. With just the right kind of twang accent in the vocals. Natural. Sweet.

[@usmcdrifter8759]

This guy needs to be on America has tallent! I would buy a whole album with him and this style of Fiddle work!

[@anderstermansen130]

Violin

[@TotallyNotLoki]

@@anderstermansen130 no

[@burleybater]

Oh Jaysus. Don't say that. They'd ruin him! He is the pure sound of the wilderness that looks back out at us when we're not lookin'.

[@TheDoctor77]

​@@anderstermansen130yes, and no...

[@bilbo_gamers6417]

But you have to remember: how much does it cost to rehair the bow?

[@burleybater]

Not much more than one good busking take. Obviously, he has priorities!

[@fearfeasog]

Amazing he can do that all with one horsehair! ;)

[@burleybater]

Yeah I was counting down too.

[@mw33213]

Wow... this makes me want to learn fiddling! I currently only play classical music. Does anyone know where to get the sheet music?

[@burleybater]

That's a long row to hoe and a big hill to climb. Try and forget almost everything you know. Spend about six months dancin' and stompin' to nothing but the sweet sound of everything. Appalachian. Cajun. Acadian. French Canadian. Cape Breton fiddling. The pure Irish fiddle. The Scots fiddle. The sweet manic insanity of Gypsy fiddle. Pure country. Mix in a little Django Reinhart and the Hot Club of France. And when you're done all that. Pick up your bow. Pick up your fiddle. Close your eyes and let it go. This stuff ain't written down yet worth two free farts and a hiccup. But if you're bitten by the rhythm, you'll be on the right track.

[@mw33213]

@@burleybater Thank you 😊 I'm now a street musician and have played mostly Irish Fiddle for a year. You're right, it is a long road to get comfie! I still love classical and consider it always my home base, but learning a different style has openned up a lot to me. I love your descriptions and will keep your advice in mind on my fiddle playing journey 😁

[@burleybater]

@@mw33213 You're quite welcome! Irish fiddle is a great way to start. It touches all the basics, gets your bowing up to speed, works on all those tricky fingerings, and offers my variable stylings within the genre. Back in the early to mid 1990s I lived in Vancouver and was extremely lucky to attract int incomparable Jessie Zubot to my fledgling little band early on. He was very eclectic, could do just about any style going, and didn't stick around too long. But while he was in our band, he really added a kind of "Cajun" sound to what was already pretty much a straight Rockabilly style that came natural to us. I recall auditioning fiddle players after he left, lots of classically trained, but didn't have much luck. The one fellow who fit all the requirements was extremely busy, in demand all the time (Tom somebody?) so I finally chose a multi-instrumentalist who played like, 6 different instruments, and one of them was a fiddle. We had a gig one time in the Fraser University pub, and he had the audacity to play slide fiddle on one song. I kid you not. He was running a bottleneck (which of course is common with guitar) up and down the violin neck. It sounded horrific. I kept glaring over at him but he ignored me - he was having too much fun. I would say it's not at all an impossible bridge to span. If you have the basics down from classical training, then you have solid foundation from which to build up. Good luck going forward. All the best. By the way - I'm a songwriter from way back when. Keyboards and guitars are my instruments. And if there are angel harps in heaven, they have to be side by side with fiddles playing the sweetest hip-swaying Cayjun and Acadian tunes we ever heard!

[@mw33213]

@@burleybater Thanks for your good wishes and best of luck to you too! From talking to some more experienced fiddlers, i get the vibe that I've passed a few checkpoints now, which makes me happy 😊 but i hope one day i can hit the same flow as this guy, whatever genre I'm playing

[@burleybater]

@@mw33213 Thank you and all the best to you. Glad to hear you're on your way. We all of us rise according to what's in us and the mettle of our minds. It's all a passion play, which is the thing music was really invented for, anyhow. My Dad taught me a thing in life - to make sure to put the love in my heart into my work. That was a hell of a lesson. Cheers.

[@johnwilkinson5718]

cross keyed fiddling is the best.

[@MarcusHarrise-l9n]

Lewis Nancy Jones Margaret Smith Sarah

[@Taracroi]

Fabulous! Should be giving a concert! More, please!

[@PonchanCAJ]

The difference between a violin and a fiddle can be summed up in one word: attitude. :-) This guy is fantastic.

[@burleybater]

You're exactly right. Fiddle is like religion. From worry beads to the sign of the cross. It's close your eyes and connect to that rhythm. It's the holiest communion of them all. Forget the angel harps. I'll take a heaven full of fiddles all playing sweeter than soul.

[@Chrissummerill]

No, the difference between a violin and a fiddle is if you’re buying one or selling one. 🤣🤣👍👍

[@Ponsonby]

Someone made a deal with devil...

[@clairemajors3392]

GO MACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Littered_N_Glitter]

wow this is great

[@tomm9966]

I'd pay good money to see this

[@lemelancholic1755]

I know where he plays you cab buy his stuff on band camp

[@SouthernDarlin9]

WOW!! This was absolutely amazing!!

[@raqueltingley3135]

Wow incredible, gives me chills everytime I watch this

[@fabiannava5157]

He's shredding tf out of that fiddle

[@Masties518]

It not cheap to rehair a bow, these passers by are not worth playing for. ❤

[@marlajacquinot8971]

LOVE this! Makes me want to get up and dance!

[@Stonemountaingolfajs]

that was just incredible.

[@cottonhiker]

DAMN THAT’S COOL!🙏👍🏻🎶