The Golden Castle

Today I learned a tune off of sheet music, which I don't ordinarily do. I prefer to learn tunes by ear most of the time. However, there's this free collection of hundreds of tunes you can download (for free!) by following this link. I got the whole thing printed out and from time to time I like to browse it for new tunes. Anyway this hornpipe was written by Junior Crehan, a Clare fiddler.

The Old Maid of Galway

Here's another tune I learned from the inimitable Liz Carroll. This one's from her recording "Lost in the Loop," and she pairs it with a reel she wrote called, "Lizzy in the Lowground."  I like how she plays this tune lower and slower than most.  It's groovy.

John Riley the Shepherd

The source for the tune I learned today is Adam Hurt's recording "Earth Tones," which despite the new-agey title, is a gorgeous album of old time tunes he plays on a gourd banjo.  Gorgeous stuff.  This tune is on the last track.  I also listened to Stephanie Coleman's version, and play it in that key (G dorian.)  Also Stephanie's version is straight (not crooked), and Adam's version is crooked.

The Cliff Dwellers

Time for an Irish reel in G Dorian.  This goes nicely with In Memory of Coleman.  Liz Carroll wrote it, but I learned it from a recording by Yvonne Casey.

In Memory of Coleman

I love this tune.  Ed Reavy tunes are so weird and unpredictable.

The Drunken Sailor Hornpipe

Not much to say today except that I like this tune.  It's nice swung the way Liz Carroll plays it, or a little straighter too.  It's nice fast and slow.  So all around, a very nice tune.  Plus the key of G minor is so deliciously melancholy.

The Night Before Poor Larry Was Stretched

I think the name says it all.  Well, really the lyrics say it all, which you can view here.