Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Andy de Jarlis, Ingonish, Mrs. McGhee

Here's a set of jigs I've probably listened to a million times on the Altan album. I recorded the entire set, not able to stop after the first jig. Love these tunes. The first is attributed to Andy de Jarlis, but it could also be traditional. Sorry about the dark screen. My camera was being moody today.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Blackberry Blossom

Here's an old time tune that shares a name with a well known bluegrass jam tune. I learned this tune from Bruce Molsky's playing. It's kind of weird sounding because there's a slightly raised 4th (the C#) sometimes, making the tune sound a little lydian.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Road to Errogie with Leslie Anne Harrison

May I introduce Leslie Anne Harrison on wooden flute! She and I toured together when I subbed in for New Time Ensemble's fiddler during their 2011 New England tour. She's a fantastic musician and super awesome person. Here's a reel she learned today! I joined in on the second go-around. Also make sure to check out Folk Ragoût, an Irish/Breton duo she plays in with Fred Pouille.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Cold Frosty Morning with Nick Hornbuckle

Today's a special day because I am joined by banjoist Nick Hornbuckle. I learned this tune from a video he posted to youtube, and he graciously allowed me to use his footage for this NTAD.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Edward in the Treetop

Here's an old time tune I learned off of Rayna Gellert and Susie Goehring's album "Starch and Iron."

Friday, May 18, 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Locust Tree

Here's a tune written by Brittany Haas which she plays with Crooked Still on the album "Some Strange Country" and on her latest project, "Criss Cross" with Dan Trueman. She plays a 5-string fiddle (by Jon Silakowski), which I don't have. But I happen to have a viola, which I learned the tune on. So today's video has the tune two ways, once with viola in the original key (D), and once with fiddle, up a fourth (G).

Friday, May 11, 2012

Lady MacDonald's

Here's a reel I learned from Oisin MacDiarmada. He taught it at a workshop and I just listened to the recording today.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Sonny Riordan's

My friend and bandmate Colin has been studying Irish traditional music at the University of Limerick for the past year or so and he occasionally sends me tunes he's learning. Here's a polka he sent me recently.

Monday, May 7, 2012

2 Ridées

Today I learned a couple of ridées, which are Breton dance tunes in 6. I learned them off of a Lùnasa album. Ridées and other Breton tunes don't often have titles unless there are lyrics. These two, as far as I can tell, are like that.

Thursday, May 3, 2012