I saw Ralph Stanley,( of Oh Brother Where Art Thou fame for those not familar with old time music),last night at our local county fair.He lives about 30 mins from here so he’s a local.
Anyway, while he was singing the best rendition of “Oh Death” that I’ve heard him do yet, it struck me… the similarity between the “loose” timing on Irish Slow Airs and the slow, mournful, again very unstructured timing, songs sung, often unaccompanied, by true old time mountain singers.
The styles seem quiet similar. Perhaps another link from the past?
I know this response is a little overdue but I found it doing a search on Airs and since no one replied I thought I would give it a whirl. I spend most my time over in the flute forum.
Interesting post. I don’t know if you have heard 10,000 miles by Altan…but everytime I hear it it ripes my heart out. This is an old Appalachian tune. If you have not heard it your missing out. It’s especially touching if you know the story of Altan’s lead singer and her late husband revered flute player Frankie Kennedy.