I am more of a slow air guy, not hugely into the upbeat tunes. I think Cooleys at normal speed is OK, but played slow with some ornamentation I think its the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard, and have play it at least a few times each day for a few years now.
It doesn’t work seem to work with most tunes. I was wondering if any else has any tunes that take on a new life played slow?
I seem to mention something like this in a post but couldn’t find it.
Best,
Phillip
I rather like this one more than the full speed ‘originals’ I have heard…
Killarney Boys of Pleasure.
father kellys reel I like better slow
Castle Kelly
Maids of Mitchelstown
Star of Munster (the reel). Éamon De Buitléar & Ceoltóirí Laighean did a gorgeous version of it, alternating between slow and fast on their An Bóthar Cam LP.
Don’t forget that the same melodies will exist in traditional music (Irish, Scottish, English) as song-airs, and the melodies reshaped over the years into various dance music idioms as needed.
So when you’re slowing down a dance-tune and turning it into an air, in many cases you’re reversing a process that may have happened centuries ago.
That was wonderful!
Thanks!
A pleasure.
That was the first time I heard Dunmore Lasses. I learnt the tune from that recording and was unaware that most folk locally play it (a lot) faster.
I do not find the latter parts of the recording as pleasurable, but the first half is a delight.
Lisnagun Jig sounds lovely played slow (or at least much slower than you usually hear it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_RkTGWmQA
Dave
J.B. Reel is great slow… Jimmy’s Gone to Flanders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXpYUwudJ4
When we get to airs, it’s really helpful to have the words to the song in my head.
These are great suggestions. Thanks all.
A few tunes that I enjoy slower (but many more as well). I play these at an even slower tempo on my own. To me, you can feel the shape of the melodies so much better when played slower.
The High Jig - Martin Hayes/Dennis Cahill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bZ8UANXKYc
King of the Fairies - The Dubliners (John Sheahan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnlZpRp5Yg0
The Humours of Tullycrine - Niall & Cillian Vallely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mznRzNylNuo
Don’t forget that the same melodies will exist in traditional music (Irish, Scottish, English) as song-airs, and the melodies reshaped over the years into various dance music idioms as needed.
So when you’re slowing down a dance-tune and turning it into an air, in many cases you’re reversing a process that may have happened centuries ago.
That’s interesting, Richard. I hadn’t quite thought of it that way. Thanks for clarifying.
In a similar vein, “Farewell to the Creeks” makes a great slow air in Hamish Henderson’s “Banks of Sicily”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8jnHsjS7nw
Cheers
Dave
Try slow tunes faster too. The results are sometimes pretty interesting.
Try playing jigs in hornpipe rhythm or hornpipes played in smoother reel rhythm. You never know what you’ll love.