Another good flute tune, pipes too, is the “Cocktail” Possiblities for lots of bottom end honking, or cranning there if you have a mind, and if you have a robust instrument and are not a dainty player. I heard the tune on a Marcus O Murchu CD “O Bhéal go Béal”. Cathal McConnell also plays the tune on “Long expectant…” otherwise doesn’t seem to be a well known session tune for some reason?
Actually I hear this one occasionally in sessions. It also appears on “It’s No Secret” (Hammy Hamilton, Seamus Creagh, Con O’Drisceoil), and on “Kitty Lie Over” (Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh and Mick O’Brien), among others. It’s a great tune, I especially like Marcas’s setting of it.
One of my faves! An Manglam (The Cocktail) is a variant of the Dublin Reel, according to the liner notes on Ó Murchú’s album. I’d agree with that, as the Dublin Reel is played hereabouts, and is just different enough from An Manglam to be, well, different. I’d stopped playing it because my friends don’t know the tune. Thanks for the reminder, Steampacket! No reason to lose it altogether just because no one else plays it. It’s a great tune to end a set of reels.
BTW, according to one source I recall, manglam refers specifically to poitín mixed with whatever, quite frequently just water.
Edited to add that this reel is also recorded on the album Trian (Liz Carroll, Billy McComiskey, and Daithí Sproule). It’s the first tune of the last track.
A great tune! I saw Gary Hastings playing it on a TV documentary about Belfast flute players and while I wouldn’t describe him as a particularly forceful player, the tune really showed the flute off well. It’s a tune that I often play if trying out a different flute - it tells you alot about the flute (and even more about your playing!)
Edited to add the following:
Whilst on the subject of tunes to test a flute to, I heard this quote last night when I was at a kitchen session with some friends. The quote is attributed to Joe Burke who apparently called The Shaskeen “a tune so difficult it should never even be attempted” Which made me chuckle!
I also first heard this reel played on a tape by Gary Hastings, but that was in 1980! It’s certainly been well-known and much-played in the North of Ireland since then, and has been popular with players like Davy Maguire and also Desi Wilkinson who recorded it on his “Three-Piece Flute” recording. I’ve a feeling it was brought into wider circulation by Liz Carroll’s recording of it.
Incidentally, I believe the Joe Burke quote applies to the hornpipe usually known as “Dinny O’Brien’s” which is very close to the “Shaskeen” reel. Joe certainly made that particular observation when he played it [ the hornpipe ] at a concert in Aberdeen a few years ago.
“I also first heard this reel played on a tape by Gary Hastings, but that was in 1980! It’s certainly been well-known and much-played in the North of Ireland since then, and has been popular with players like Davy Maguire and also Desi Wilkinson who recorded it on his “Three-Piece Flute” recording.” Kenny
Good to know - it just seems unknown here in Swedish-Danish sessions, although one local box player plays the tune. Just to keep playing then. Has Davy Maguire been recorded?
Interestingly enough, at last night’s session a three-part version of the Dublin Reel was played, and we got to discussing the third part and others’ opinions of it being there, and then people played other versions. I brought out The Cocktail for comparison, and that setting was well received, too.
Synchronicity or coincidence? You decide.
It might be a variation on the 100th monkey principle: http://worldharmonynetwork.site.voila.fr/Principles5_eng.html
Wouldn’t it be cool if after enough people learned a tune, immediately everyone knew it!? 
Bob
At least I can now re-tell the story correctly. Stories like that really do have a “Chinese whisper” effect and can take on a life of their own.
Has Davy Maguire been recorded?[/quote]
davy recorded one album as a part of group o’aces.they played music for dancers on that album ( jason o’rourke , concetina is one of members… i forget the rest ,must see a cd). he also have some track on solo album of bodhran player from belfast ray gallen.( other players is brendan o’hare, neill martin, john mc sherry, jason o’rourke.) he is very powerfull player and great person.
marin
Has Davy Maguire been recorded?[/quote]
davy recorded one album as a part of group o’aces.they played music for dancers on that album ( jason o’rourke , concetina is one of members… i forget the rest ,must see a cd). he also have some track on solo album of bodhran player from belfast ray gallen.( other players is brendan o’hare, neill martin, john mc sherry, jason o’rourke.) he is very powerfull player and great person.
marin