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Two-Steps Dances

Two-Steps Dances

I was learning tunes off a track off a recording called Irish Dances, which has a set of Two-Steps recorded by James Morrison, the fiddler. Does anyone know if Two-Steps have anything to do with Irish music, or if this set would have been in James Morrison's reportoire because he played dance music for dancers? Or any other explanation?

Thanks, enirehtac

# Posted on July 14th 2009 by enirehtac

Re: Two-Steps Dances

John Carty also recorded James Morrison's two-steps - two are in the database:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1778
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5402

Maybe James Morrison picked those up when he lived in New York?

# Posted on July 14th 2009 by airport

Re: Two-Steps Dances

that first link should have been http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/8875

# Posted on July 14th 2009 by airport

Re: Two-Steps Dances

The two-steps that we play for Scottish dancing are jig time - but the rhythm is rather like slides. Like this for example: http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/5511
Are the James Morrison two-steps something different?

# Posted on July 14th 2009 by RichardB

Re: Two-Steps Dances


My parents, born 1895, use to talk about dancing a 'Two Steps' and in one of my very old recitations called 'The Hooley up in our House' there is a verse as follows:

O God save us, such a clatter when their hop nail boots did batter
In the two steps and mazurkas in the lancers or quadrilles
For a mile away you’d hear us, and the very foxes near us
Would jump up and hell for leather, they’d go scampering up the hill

So it wasn't just two steps back then.

# Posted on July 14th 2009 by Free Reed

Re: Two-Steps Dances

Then there's:
I'll be down to get you in a taxi, Honey.
Better be ready 'bout half past eight.
Now, Honey, don't be late.
I wanna be there when
the band starts playing

Remember when we get there, Honey
Two steps, I'm gonna have a ball
I'm gonna dance off both my shoes
When they play those Jelly Roll Blues
Tomorrow night at the
Dark Town Strutters Ball.

# Posted on July 14th 2009 by RichardB

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