Celtic Club: Music and Culture at UWM

This three part jig (a tune swap first, I believe) is probably most well known through fiddler Michael Coleman’s rendition recorded in 1927. (You can find an online version of Coleman’s 1936 recording here). I first learned the tune from local flute player Asher Gray. “Tell Her I Am” has been recorded often, but two versions that stick out in my mind (other than Coleman’s) is Martin Hayes’ and Dennis Cahill’s version on The Lonesome Touch and Shannon Heaton’s flute setting from her and her husband Matt’s duo album, Dearga.

As for origins of the tune title, according to the Fiddler’s Companion’s entry: “Charlie Piggott, in his book Blooming Meadows (1998, written with Fintan Vallely), relates the story regarding a remark by the famous County Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman, then living in New York. Coleman was performing when a female admirer asked her companion to find out from the fiddler whether or not he was married. “Tell her I am,” he replied.”

I tend to vary the melody quite a bit on this one, so if the recording isn’t matching settings you find online, it’s just me playing with the tune

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [2:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (65)

Read Full Post »

According to The Fiddler’s Companion, “Banks of Lough Gowna” is known by a number of names: “The Clare Jig,” “One More Bottle,” and “The Rambler from Clare” to name but a few. The Irish name is “Bruaca Loca Gamna” (although I don’t know if that spelling is right–looks wrong to me at least!). It’s a fairly common session tune that’s disappeared a bit from the Milwaukee sessions, although you’ll hear it a lot in Chicago and other areas. I’m familiar with the tune from a number of sources, most recently from fluter Marcas O’Murchu’s Turas Ceoil album.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [0:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (63)

Read Full Post »

Today’s swap was the first session for the 2007/2008 school year. We started out the year by learning a great jig called “The Lonesome” which is also known as “The Rolling Waves” in some parts.

Cassie also brought in a great march called “The Wren” that we learned as well! You can find a clip of it in part #2.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [2:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (48)

Read Full Post »