Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

The Moving Cloud

reel

Key signature: Gmajor

Submitted on October 29th 2002 by Mad Baloney.

This tune has been added to 233 tunebooks.

Also known as Moving Cloud, Moving Clouds, The Moving Clouds.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

X: 1
T: Moving Cloud, The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: reel
K: Gmaj
|:DGBG ^DGcG | DGBG AGFG | c3A (3Bcd gb | aged BAGE |
DGBG ^DGcG | DGBG AGFG | cBAc BAGB | ADEF G3z :||
|:~d2 bd adgd | ~d2 bd adgd | ~e2 c'e beae | ~e2 c'e beae
~d2 bd adgd | ~d2 bd adgd| cBAc BAGB | ADEF G3z :||
|:Bd~d2 ed~d2 | Bd~d2 edcB | ce~e2 fe~e2 | fefe fedc
Bd~d2 ed~d2 | Bd~d2 edcB | cBAc BAGB | ADEF G3z :||

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments
The Moving Cloud sheetmusic
Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

Moving Cloud

This tune is fairly garish but fun to play. Those D#'s in the first measure of the Apart are optional. Nowadays the D# is often just played as a D natural. This tune used to be played in the key of F, but it's more popular in G - for obvious reasons. I think this is really popular with the Cape Breton & Scottish players. Those d2bd adgd bits can be turned around & played d2gd adbd for a variation.

# Posted on October 29th 2002 by Mad Baloney

Moving Cloud

PS I first heard this tune from Gerry O'Connor's playing, where he really rips it up.

# Posted on October 29th 2002 by Mad Baloney

Neilly Boyle

I believe this tune was written by Neilly Boyle. Does anyone have any information on him they could add here?

# Posted on October 29th 2002 by Jeremy

I used to dislike this tune, until I heard it by Seamus Creagh and Aidan Coffey - they actually play it in a nice laid back manner and it doesn't sound forced or tricksy. I'll try to find time to write and post a review of their album - It's great stuff...

# Posted on October 30th 2002 by Ottery

Neil O'Boyle

Neil O'Boyle, (1889-1961), better known as 'Neillie'. He was born in Easton, Pennsylvania and grew up near Dungloe. Famous for his Donegal 'Northern' style of fiddling - brisk tempo and crisp staccato bowing. Also famous for his strong views on Jazz and Pop music, which he dubbed 'Jungle Music'. Only recorded 6 sides on 78.
(Thanks to the sleeve notes for 'From Galway To Dublin' - Rouder CD 1087)

# Posted on October 30th 2002 by Ottery

Moving cloud

I think this was originally composed in "F", rather than G.
There's an unusual version on the 2nd recording by James Kelly, Paddy O'Brien & Daithi Sproule, which also features on a live double CD recorded at Boston College a few years ago.
As an aside , I used to have a band playing traditional Scottish and Irish music called "The Moving McLeods".

# Posted on October 30th 2002 by Kenny

Moving cloud

Has anyone figured out the Gerry O'connor version of this tune, i've almost got of his variations but some of them are too complex for me.

# Posted on May 7th 2003 by Liam "banjo" Vernon

Moving Cloud variations

I think that most of the variations that most of the Irish musicians do, were taken from Sean Maguire. This tune was one of his party pieces in the late 50s and early 60s.
Bobby Mcleod the Scottish danceband leader added the 3rd and 4th part.

# Posted on December 20th 2004 by tirvaluk

The Moving Cloud

Listen to a crazy good flute player playing this reel: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse/rams/27august.smil (starts around 41:00) I had the pleasure to meet her a couple of years ago, and I believe she had just turned 12 when that was recorded. Jaw-dropping!

# Posted on April 2nd 2006 by slainte

In her book "A Drop In The Ocean", Josephine Keegan attributes this tune to Sean McGuire.

# Posted on May 15th 2007 by Aidan Crossey

Watch this:
http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_209_1_orla_mcauliffe

# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by slainte

Lovely... :-)

# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ceolachan

Tune #2: "Jean's Reel"
Key signature: G Major
Submitted on August 26th 2001 by Kerri Brown.
http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/255

# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ceolachan

~ but ~ :-/

# Posted on May 24th 2007 by ceolachan

But what?

# Posted on May 24th 2007 by slainte

Cunningham, Banjos...

This tune was composed by Phil Cunningham.
Sharon Shannon does a nice version on her solo album, but definitely the most amazing version for me has to be that of Marion something or other (banjo player) who used to play at the local sessions.
By the way the ABCs sh*te. :)

# Posted on April 18th 2008 by Conchúir Ó hÓgáin

Compoed by Phil ???

Rubbish ! Or if you prefer, sh*te. And which "solo album" did Sharon Shannon record it on? There's nothing wrong with the "abcs" as far as I can tell. I think you're confusing this with Jean's Reel, [ and Phil didn't compose it either ].

# Posted on April 19th 2008 by Kenny

Composed..should be.

# Posted on April 19th 2008 by Kenny

Oh...

Well thanks for correcting me then!
The albums just called "Sharon Shannon", and this tunes on track 13, a set called "Phil Cunningham".
Maybe I am confusing it with Jeans Reel...
Gur a mie ayd. ;)

# Posted on April 19th 2008 by Conchúir Ó hÓgáin

On Kathleen Boyle's new album, An Cailin Rua, track 10 has her grandfather, Neilidh Boyle playing this tune, his own composition. She and her father Hughie play along. In the notes, she says that the tune was written in F, but because of the tuning of his fiddle it is closer to G, "which would explain why it is played in both these keys today."

# Posted on September 9th 2008 by Red Crow

instead of the D# could you play and E? Sounds ok to me, chord C an all.

# Posted on September 13th 2008 by Woodyboy

Setting from the playing of Neilly Boyle

Here's the man himself talking about & playing the tune
http://www.mediafire.com/?njyyqicm24z

Here's the tune compressed, tuned & half speed
http://www.mediafire.com/?yzltdgkun2z

X:1
T:The Moving Cloud (APB Neilly Boyle)
C:Neilly Boyle (Composed in 1942)
M:4/4
R:Reel
K:G
DGBG EGBG | DGBG dGBG | AeeA (^de)Ae | eABe d/c/B G/F/E |
DGB(^D E)GBG | DGBG FGBG | AB ~d2 efge | aged BA G/F/E |]
[| DGB(^D E)GBG | DGBG E/E/G BG | A2 ~d2 ^cAAe | eABd ^cAGE |
DGB(^D E)GBG | D/D/G BG G,GBG | A2 ~d2 efge | aged [^cg]def |]
[| ~g2 ab g ~d3 | ^cdgd BGGB | AB ~a2 ^gaba | a2 ^gb a=gef |
~g2 ab g~d3 | gdgd BGGB | AB ~d2 efge | aged [^cg]def |]
[| ~g2 ab gdgd | ^cdgd BGGB | A2 ~a2 ^gaba | a2 ^gb a=gef |
~g2 ab g~d3 | gdgd BGGB | A2 ~d2 efge | aged BAGE |]
[| DGBG EGBG | DGBG E/E/G BG | A2 eA ^efBg|gc^ga BA =G/F/E |
DGB(^D E)GBG | DGBG F/F/G BG | A2 ~d2 efge | aged BA G/F/E |]
[| D3B E2B2 | DGBG E/E/G BG | Ae^eB fc^cg | d^gad BA=GB |
D2 G/G/B EGBG | DGBG G,GBG | A~d3 efge | aged [^cg]def |]
[| g2 ab g~d3 | ^cdgd BGGB | A2 ~a2 ^gaba | a2 ^gb a=gef |
~g2 ab gdad | ad^cd BGGB | AB ~d2 efge |aged [^cg]def |]
[| ~g2 ab g~d3 | gdgd BGGB | AB ~a2 ^gaba | ~a2 ^gb a=gef |
g2 ab g~d3 | g~d3 BGGB | AB ~d2 efge | aged BAB^c |]
[| d2 bd db^cd | bdbd ^cd^dd | e2 c'e ec'ec' | c'ec'c' ec'c'e |
d2 bd bd^cd | bdbb ^cdbd | ^cdbd b^c'ba | g/g/e dB dG E/E/^C |]
[|[d2D2]bd db^cd | bdbd ^cd^dd | e2 c'e c'c'ec' | c'ec'c' ec'c'e |
d2 bd db^cd | bd^cd bdbd | ^cdbd b^c'ba | gedB D3 B |]
[| DGBG EGBG | DG B2 DG B/B/G | AeeA (^de)Ae | eABd ^cA G/F/E |
D2 G/G/B EGBG | DGBG FGBG | AB ~d2 efge | aged BAGE |]
[| D4 E2 B2 | DGBG G,GBG | Ae^eB fc^cg | d^gad BA =G/G/B |
DG B/B/B EGBG | D/D/G BG G,GBG | AB ~d2 efge | aged [^cg]def |]
[| ~g2 ab g~d3 | gdgd BGGB | A2 ~a2 ^gaba | a2 ^gb a=gef |
~g2 ab g~d3 | gdgd BGGB | AB ~d2 efge | aged [^cg]def |]
[| ~g2 ab g~d3 | ^cdgd BGGB | A2 ~a2 ^gaba | ~a2 ^gb a=gef |
~g2 ab gd B/c/d | gdgd BGGB | A2 ~d2 efge | a^ged BAB^c |]
[| d2 bd db^cd | bdbd ^cd^dd | e2 c'e ec'ec' | c'ec'c' ec'c'e |
d2 bd db^cd | bdbd ^cdbd | ^cdbd b^c'ba | gedB DDB^c |]
[| d2 bd db^cd | bdbd ^cdbd | e2 c'e c'c'ec' | c'ec'c' ec'ec' |
d2 bd db^cd | bd^cd bdbd | ^cdbd b^c'ba | gedB [G4B,4]|] (3fga [b2g2] [a2e2] [g2e2]

# Posted on September 27th 2008 by gPod

Not a member yet? Sign up!

forgotten your password?

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter your email address to have your password sent to you.