Browse Content (196 total)
- Subject is exactly "Fiddle tunes--Ireland"
Old Tipperary
A great old jig that I first played with the legendary Clare piper Willie Clancy. It seems appropriate that Padraic Mac Mathúna, son of Ciarán Mac Mathúna, the radio and television presenter, should play it with me for this…
Crystal Schottische
Here is another tune from the playing of Leizime Brusoe. Paul Wells provided the name 'Crystal Schottische'. I sent the tape over to Séamus and Manus McGuire, two wonderful fiddle players, who gave graciously of their time to learn and perform…
Sandy's Reel
The first time that I heard New England contra dance music was in 1972 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was on an LP recording of The Canterbury Country Dance orchestra from New England. Among the members of that band was Bob McQuillen, the prolific…
Will Hardy's Twiggy Jig
My friend Beth Sweeney is the librarian for the Irish Music Archives at the Burns Library of Boston College. When she finds time in her schedule, Beth likes to play music and compose. On this track she plays one of her own tunes, which she describes…
Hetty's
This is another of master composer Bob McQuillen's tunes. It may be found in his seventh book of compositions. It was composed for Miss Hetty Thomae from Vermont. On this track I had the honour of playing it with Bob and his band, Old New England.
McQuillen's March
This tune is not a composition of 'Professor' Bob McQuillen, but of the master fiddle player from New Hampshire, Rodney Miller. Rodney is considered today to be the foremost exponent of the music of New England. He has traveled all over the world…
Thomas Reilly, Clerk of Fore
Rev. John Quinn from County Leitrim sent me this tune in the 1980s. It was a copy of handwritten music from The Mulvey Manuscript. Stephen Grier wrote it out on the twenty-fifth of May, 1883. Father John has supplied me with many tunes from his part…
Tara and Dáire
Marie Reilly, the fiddle player from New York, played this reel at a Gaelic Roots Festival concert at Boston College, her alma mater. Thanks to Marie for bringing the tune to our attention. I did my utmost to find the tune's composer in order to give…
Old 78 Record, An
Geraldine Cotter liked this tune the first time she heard me playing it. 'Let's try and record it', she said, and as I played the jig a second time she followed right along. This track is the result of our efforts. I do not have a name for this jig,…
Summer's Waltz
A beautiful waltz played by its composer, Eliza Mette, from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with Kimberley Fraser at the piano. Eliza made up this tune for her friend Summer, another young and talented musician. Eliza generously took the time (from doing her…
Tom Turkington's in G Major
The young Cape Breton fiddle player Kimberley Fraser gives us an exciting blend of Irish and Cape Breton fiddle styles. She plays another reel from the music of County Tyrone fiddle player Tom Turkington (see 'Tom Turkington's in C Major').
Dominick McCarthy's Irish Barndance
The name Shand is synonymous with the traditional music of Scotland. The rock-solid rhythm and strict tempo of master accordionist and composer Sir Jimmy Shand are forever embedded in my mind. Joyous memories of Mr. Shand's music have remained with…
In Memory of Leo Rowsome
The name of the legendary piper, pipemaker, composer, and teacher Leo Rowsome (1903-1970) is synonymous with the uilleann pipes. An icon of Irish traditional music, Leo devoted his entire life to the uilleann pipes and has numerous recordings to his…
Galway Jig, The
Accordionist Larry Gavin, a longtime friend, put this tune on tape for me a few years ago at his home in Tulla, County Clare. Larry is a repository of Irish music, and he raised this tune up from his deep well. Apparently the tune was played by…
Thomas Power's Polka
Thomas Power, fiddle player from Doonbeg, County Clare, had a repertoire of unusual old tunes. His son Michael, who lives in upstate New York, sent me a recording of his father playing this and a number of other tunes. Fiddle player Kevin Burke did a…
Trip to Moultonborough
Meghan Mette was one of the musicians featured on 'A Polka for Matt'. She is the younger sister to Eliza Mette, who can be heard on 'Summer's Waltz'.
Here Meghan plays one of her own compositions and, below, she tells us in her own words how the…
Message to Séamus
One of America's most distinguished master musicians, North Carolina banjo player, fiddle player, and composer Tony Ellis was out on his tractor one day when he began to hear this barndance in his head. Not knowing whether he'd heard the tune…
Moyasta Polka
Another tune from the repertoire of Mrs. Ellen Galvin. It is played on this track for all of us to enjoy by one of my heroes, Josephine Keegan. Josephine again makes full use of modern recording technology in order to be recorded playing both fiddle…
Parkersburg Landing
The music of Ed Haley, a fiddle player born in West Virginia in 1883, has for over twenty years given me much enjoyment and pleasure. My good friend Mr. Joe Wilson, former director of The National Council for the Traditional Arts, gave me a tape of…
Fly by Night
I first heard this hornpipe in the early 1960s, played by Mr. Kieran Kelly, a wonderful accordionist from near Athlone, County Westmeath. The tune has been recorded by a number of musicians and has been given different titles, including 'The Low…