These are specific tunes that have "picked me" in that I can't get them out of my head long after hearing them.
"Kalamantinos" from Flook's "Rubai" album drove me nuts for playing Octave Mandolin. I had to play along with the stereo for the effect of the beginning, bouzouki based harmonies. It was the same process for the vocal "Thios I Dtech an Toraimh" from Teada's "Give Us A Penny And We'll Be Gone." It was the same process for Altan's "Local Ground" and "Sport" highlighting the bouzouki lead of Ciaran Curran in harmony with Diatha Sproule's guitar back up. Much of this relates to my Mando-mania. However, if you are looking for exceptional ITM, the Teada and Altan albums are a "must hear" for almost all of the tracks. You can find them in the "Recordings" section here, then the "Tunes" section for specific song playing information. Best Wishes! (^:
John Dwyer's (reel in G)
John McGrath's (reel in D)
Bird in the Bush (reel in G)
Music in the Glen (reel in G)
Radigan's (reel in C)
The Congress (reel in A minor)
Joys of My Life (jig in G)
Rose in the Heather (jig in D)
The Bright Hollow Fog (air)
Hector the Hero (air)
There are many more all time favorites. I have to hear them before I remember them, though.
A Night In That Land (Johnny Cunningham air)
The Famous Baravan (Gordon Duncan)... da da dala, da da dala, Da Da Dala, Da Da Dala, DA DA DALA DA DALA DA DALA DA DALA DA DALA DA!!!! - Cracking!!!
Planxty Irwin (A guitar arrangement of it that I have learnt)
Impossible to say which is my favourite but these come pretty high: O'carolan's welcome; Return From Fingal; Lemonville Jig;
East of Wisbech (by Dave Jolly); Gwernogle (by Joseph Hess) - and 'tune of the week' (i.e. whatever I happen to be learning at the moment)
Doozer - to get a good idea of what 'thesession' members like and play - go to Members section and select the Tunebook tab - that shows the most popular tunes in order
Rachel,
This discussion comes up from time to time along with "most hated tunes" and similar topics. You'll usually find that the same tunes appear in both categories.
My favourites change from day to day, week to week etc but some never lose their appeal. I'm not sure if Members(here) favourites necessarily equate with "most popular". I agree with Domnhull, that if you check the tune site, the most popular tunes have been downloaded more often. However, I don't think those who join the discussions here would necessarily admit these were their favourites even althogh they will know them. Of course, it's not just those who participate in the discussion who will download tunes. Many newcomers and beginners will do so too and they will naturally(though not always) wish to download the more popular and commonly played tunes to learn
As Johnny J says, there's a difference between favorite tunes and popular tunes, though, so your mileage may vary. F'rinstance, one of my favorite tunes is Poor But Happy at 63, but you don't hear it out all over the place. Same with Lads of Laois, Exile of Erin, Jug of Punch, and lots of my other favorite tunes.
For *popular* tunes, you might like to take a look at Will's list of common tunes that are good to have under your fingers pretty much anywhere you can play this stuff: http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/110
Jack Gilder just did a radio show with an exemplary selection of Irish music. I only heard the first hour, but I was very impressed. There wasn't one selection that was short of being excellent. He said he is posting the selection at the radio station website. Backtrack to page 4-5 at this website to get the link to the station (on Jack's discussion).
The way I've been learning new tunes, I get obsessed with one, 'til I learn it inside and out, slow and fast, ornamented and straight ...
Recently it's been the Independent Hornpipe. Not much of a session tune - more of a show piece - but it's super fun to play.
Anything by Joe Cooley. Present one though is Devanney's Goat which I learnt from the free Sharon Shannon CD a few weeks ago with one of the Sunday papers
favorite tunes
favorite tunes
Hey everyone, what's your all time favorite tune? I want to start memorizing some more popular Irish tunes.
thanks!
~Rachel
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by doozer
Re: favorite tunes
Planxty Hewlett has been my favourite since I heard it first. But I have a soft spot for "The Silver Spire" which still brings tears to my eyes.
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by Innocent Bystander
Re: favorite tunes
O'Carolan's Concerto
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by ecidralla
Re: favorite tunes
oh yeah and Growling old man, the Butterfly and Drowsy Maggie(cliche i know but i like it)
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by ecidralla
Re: favorite tunes
Mist-Covered Mountain, and generally most tunes by Martin Junior Crehan.
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by Janek
Re: favorite tunes
Kitty Lie Over and Hare in the Corn played together. Also into Star of Munster and Wandering Minstrel.
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by DrSilverSpear
Re: favorite tunes
These are specific tunes that have "picked me" in that I can't get them out of my head long after hearing them.
"Kalamantinos" from Flook's "Rubai" album drove me nuts for playing Octave Mandolin. I had to play along with the stereo for the effect of the beginning, bouzouki based harmonies. It was the same process for the vocal "Thios I Dtech an Toraimh" from Teada's "Give Us A Penny And We'll Be Gone." It was the same process for Altan's "Local Ground" and "Sport" highlighting the bouzouki lead of Ciaran Curran in harmony with Diatha Sproule's guitar back up. Much of this relates to my Mando-mania. However, if you are looking for exceptional ITM, the Teada and Altan albums are a "must hear" for almost all of the tracks. You can find them in the "Recordings" section here, then the "Tunes" section for specific song playing information. Best Wishes! (^:
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: favorite tunes
Julia Delaney played slow
The Boys of Ballysadare (slip jig)
are a couple of my perennial favourites. Others come and go, of course.
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by kris
Re: favorite tunes
Fox On The Town reel ('specially the way Loretto Reid and Brian Taheny play it on 'Celtic Mettle')
Swallow's Tail reel
Mouse in the Mug jig
Spirit waltz
et. al.
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by bestcraic
Re: favorite tunes
Lucy Cambell and The Bucks of Oranmore...did one come from the other ?
# Posted on April 10th 2005 by BegF
Re: favorite tunes
I was obsessed with sleepy maggie for awhile, its very popular, I kind of am tiring of it cause Ive over played it, so currently I would say warlocks
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by banana512
Re: favorite tunes
Wow! ALL time favorites? Hmmm.
I have played these tunes for years:
John Dwyer's (reel in G)
John McGrath's (reel in D)
Bird in the Bush (reel in G)
Music in the Glen (reel in G)
Radigan's (reel in C)
The Congress (reel in A minor)
Joys of My Life (jig in G)
Rose in the Heather (jig in D)
The Bright Hollow Fog (air)
Hector the Hero (air)
There are many more all time favorites. I have to hear them before I remember them, though.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by John Culhane
Re: favorite tunes
A Night In That Land (Johnny Cunningham air)
The Famous Baravan (Gordon Duncan)... da da dala, da da dala, Da Da Dala, Da Da Dala, DA DA DALA DA DALA DA DALA DA DALA DA DALA DA!!!! - Cracking!!!
Planxty Irwin (A guitar arrangement of it that I have learnt)
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: favorite tunes
the forty two pound check
Anders
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by To-Tretur
Re: favorite tunes
Impossible to say which is my favourite but these come pretty high: O'carolan's welcome; Return From Fingal; Lemonville Jig;
East of Wisbech (by Dave Jolly); Gwernogle (by Joseph Hess) - and 'tune of the week' (i.e. whatever I happen to be learning at the moment)
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by flying tigerpig
Re: favorite tunes
billy rush`s jig and the sligo fancy ( not played together)
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by Atk
Re: favorite tunes
Jimmy Alien
Dangle Regatta
Vegans Polka
My favorite tunes to start then retire to the bar.
No, seriously,
Farewell To The Dene
Elsie Marley
Ower Bonnie for the Coal Trade
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by geoffwright
Re: favorite tunes
Doozer - to get a good idea of what 'thesession' members like and play - go to Members section and select the Tunebook tab - that shows the most popular tunes in order
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by domnull
Re: favorite tunes
Old Hag You've Killed Me. I'm surprised more people don't know it.
Farewell to Erin - I know it on GHB well but transposing it to flute has been a challenge.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: favorite tunes
Rachel,
This discussion comes up from time to time along with "most hated tunes" and similar topics. You'll usually find that the same tunes appear in both categories.
My favourites change from day to day, week to week etc but some never lose their appeal. I'm not sure if Members(here) favourites necessarily equate with "most popular". I agree with Domnhull, that if you check the tune site, the most popular tunes have been downloaded more often. However, I don't think those who join the discussions here would necessarily admit these were their favourites even althogh they will know them. Of course, it's not just those who participate in the discussion who will download tunes. Many newcomers and beginners will do so too and they will naturally(though not always) wish to download the more popular and commonly played tunes to learn
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by John J.
Re: favorite tunes
I have said it before and I'll say it again.
Out on the Ocean.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: favorite tunes
As Johnny J says, there's a difference between favorite tunes and popular tunes, though, so your mileage may vary. F'rinstance, one of my favorite tunes is Poor But Happy at 63, but you don't hear it out all over the place. Same with Lads of Laois, Exile of Erin, Jug of Punch, and lots of my other favorite tunes.
For *popular* tunes, you might like to take a look at Will's list of common tunes that are good to have under your fingers pretty much anywhere you can play this stuff: http://thesession.org/discussions/display.php/110
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: favorite tunes
Jack Gilder just did a radio show with an exemplary selection of Irish music. I only heard the first hour, but I was very impressed. There wasn't one selection that was short of being excellent. He said he is posting the selection at the radio station website. Backtrack to page 4-5 at this website to get the link to the station (on Jack's discussion).
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: favorite tunes
The King of the Fairies (played really slowly) is great.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by snowyowl
Re: favorite tunes
The Blue Angel which is the King's Favourite in D.
Probably because I can't play it right.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by kuec
Re: favorite tunes
Zina - 53 - no biscuit -
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by Kenny
Re: favorite tunes
Oops, sorry, it was a typo, honest! ;) Besides, I first learned it as Michael Tennyson's. Heh.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: favorite tunes
The way I've been learning new tunes, I get obsessed with one, 'til I learn it inside and out, slow and fast, ornamented and straight ...
Recently it's been the Independent Hornpipe. Not much of a session tune - more of a show piece - but it's super fun to play.
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by FyfferGuy
Re: favorite tunes
Anything by Joe Cooley. Present one though is Devanney's Goat which I learnt from the free Sharon Shannon CD a few weeks ago with one of the Sunday papers
# Posted on April 11th 2005 by Bannerman