One of my favorite things about Celtic music (in certain songs) is its tendency to move suddenly from a light, breezy tune into a seriously badass break-it-down. I hope there are others who know what I mean? The part of the tune that seems to drop from a major into a minor sound, into a sort of "let's get down to business" sort of style that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
I am aware that you can incorporate this effect into sets by mixing and matching the right tunes, but some trad tunes have it already built in. My question is, for those of you who are familiar with this phenomena I speak of, which tunes pop into your head right away with these badass breakdowns?
John Carty's setting of Moving Cloud and the Commodore. Verena Commins and Julie Langan play the Commodore into Glorious Farewell to Milltown, which goes the other direction (minor to major)
Tripping Up The Stairs is one of my favorites also and I am glad that, not only can the melody players at our local session play this tune, but they actually like to play it.
Badass Breakdowns
Badass Breakdowns
One of my favorite things about Celtic music (in certain songs) is its tendency to move suddenly from a light, breezy tune into a seriously badass break-it-down. I hope there are others who know what I mean? The part of the tune that seems to drop from a major into a minor sound, into a sort of "let's get down to business" sort of style that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
I am aware that you can incorporate this effect into sets by mixing and matching the right tunes, but some trad tunes have it already built in. My question is, for those of you who are familiar with this phenomena I speak of, which tunes pop into your head right away with these badass breakdowns?
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by Klosephine
Re: Badass Breakdowns
My Darling Asleep
Pol Ha'Penny
Rossmore Jetty
Ashokan Farewell
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Interesting, I like the constriction to the microcosm.
I can think of plenty, but of one that springs to mind that I know the names of:
Maudabawn Chapel
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by ...
Re: Badass Breakdowns
eh, llig beat me to it. Also, an old chestnut - Tripping Up the Stairs.
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by Tall, Dark, and Mysterious
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Never Was Piping So Gay
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Badass Breakdowns
John Carty's setting of Moving Cloud and the Commodore. Verena Commins and Julie Langan play the Commodore into Glorious Farewell to Milltown, which goes the other direction (minor to major)
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by airport
Re: Badass Breakdowns
fooey - I meant Mother's Delight not Moving Cloud
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by airport
Re: Badass Breakdowns
airport, I fear you're missing the tenor of the responses here so far. Ixnay on the adbass unestay, easeplay.
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Badass Breakdowns
oopswhay - orrysay
did I mention my new favorite barndance, Lucy Farr's?
# Posted on August 27th 2008 by airport
Re: Badass Breakdowns
I must insert here that the name Tripping Up the Stairs just kills me, and yes it is a good one.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Klosephine
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Ah, good on you, airport. That's the ticket.
In the same vein, The Kilnamona Barndance.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Badass Breakdowns
I dig Evil Diane with the entire b-section in E before going back to A in the a-section.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by froglike
Re: Badass Breakdowns
I like the way Liz Doherty plays Le 24 Juin:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/3358
She plays the B part first which creates the effect you're talking about.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by davydd
Re: Badass Breakdowns
And this jig is great too:
Francis Aucoin:
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5096
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by davydd
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Great thread.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Whiddler
Re: Badass Breakdowns
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/3963
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Badass Breakdowns
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/2706
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Miss Susan Cooper's does this in a very special way...nice building of tension in the second part, modulates between minorish to major.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Splendid Isolation
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Yea, I love this in some tunes, nice thread
Are any of these easy to play on mandolin / fiddle / accordion?
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by dee.
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Tripping Up The Stairs is one of my favorites also and I am glad that, not only can the melody players at our local session play this tune, but they actually like to play it.
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by fauxcelt
But especially...
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/66
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Thank you so much everyone! I can't wait to get started on some of these! :D
# Posted on August 28th 2008 by Klosephine
Re: Badass Breakdowns
Kenny... Mulqueen's is a great tune. Great for getting a session jumping!
# Posted on August 29th 2008 by davydd