Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

Key of G. Ozark version.

Key of G. Ozark version.

Key of G. Ozark version.

This traditional air honors the Irish soldiers who left Ireland to fight for France. The last time they left marked the 1691 Treaty of Limerick , a momentous time in Ireland's history which ended the Williamite war and the reign of King James, who left, too, after the Battle of the Boyne (which has a namesake tune as well). When the Chieftains recorded The Wild Geese they were picturing women singing on shore while the soldiers sailed off forevermore to fight elsewhere. At the end of my recording listen for the geese flying off...

This traditional air honors the Irish soldiers who left Ireland to fight for France. The last time they left marked the 1691 Treaty of Limerick , a momentous time in Ireland's history which ended the Williamite war and the reign of King James, who left, too, after the Battle of the Boyne (which has a namesake tune as well). When the Chieftains recorded The Wild Geese they were picturing women singing on shore while the soldiers sailed off forevermore to fight elsewhere. At the end of my recording listen for the geese flying off...

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 5/26/17. I didn't really think I'd try to arrange Ed Haley's more complex version, but here it is anyway. I had read it wasn't a "notable" version, but when I heard a few good fiddlers play it, I thought it was worth trying. I sure wouldn't want to memorize this one -- 56 measures and at least four parts. Ed Haley knew the source fiddler, "Uncle Jack" McElwain (1856 - 1938) and they would "trade tunes." This was supposedly one of Haley's favorites to play, but for Uncle Jack it was his most winning fiddle contest tune. See the TOTW for more info.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 5/26/17. I didn't really think I'd try to arrange Ed Haley's more complex version, but here it is anyway. I had read it wasn't a "notable" version, but when I heard a few good fiddlers play it, I thought it was worth trying. I sure wouldn't want to memorize this one -- 56 measures and at least four parts. Ed Haley knew the source fiddler, "Uncle Jack" McElwain (1856 - 1938) and they would "trade tunes." This was supposedly one of Haley's favorites to play, but for Uncle Jack it was his most winning fiddle contest tune. See the TOTW for more info.

Making backing trax for an upcoming gig in Moscow, I started over, having somehow lost my earlier recording. So that was then and this is now. Better? Not necessarily. Just different. Same 1924 Vega Style F conversion.

Making backing trax for an upcoming gig in Moscow, I started over, having somehow lost my earlier recording. So that was then and this is now. Better? Not necessarily. Just different. Same 1924 Vega Style F conversion.

FAIR WARNING: Not Bluegrass. Not Old-time. A traditional sea shanty, with some original arranging and lyrics. Recording from my current music project. Despite disagreements in the folk community about where this shanty was used, it's near unanimous that the Rio Grande referred to is not the controversial one between the USA and Mexico, but rather the one in the southernmost part of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). That Rio Grande is not strictly a river, but a 24-mile long channel through a sandbar, enabling ships to reach some inland lagoons and several navigable rivers beyond them. The city of Rio Grande is the oldest city in the state, founded in 1737, and is cited as Brazil's second busiest port today. Banjo is my 1924 Vega Style F conversion. Alternating 3-finger (sans picks) and clawhammer. Guitar is a 90s vintage D35. Concertina is a very nice VST plugin by Best Service audioand upright bass is from the Kontakt 5 basic library. Both played on a MIDI keyboard by yers trooly. Most tracks recorded in GarageBand, remixed in Reaper, mastered with Izotope Ozone 7. I have fun doing this and it keeps me mostly out of trouble.

FAIR WARNING: Not Bluegrass. Not Old-time. A traditional sea shanty, with some original arranging and lyrics. Recording from my current music project. Despite disagreements in the folk community about where this shanty was used, it's near unanimous that the Rio Grande referred to is not the controversial one between the USA and Mexico, but rather the one in the southernmost part of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). That Rio Grande is not strictly a river, but a 24-mile long channel through a sandbar, enabling ships to reach some inland lagoons and several navigable rivers beyond them. The city of Rio Grande is the oldest city in the state, founded in 1737, and is cited as Brazil's second busiest port today. Banjo is my 1924 Vega Style F conversion. Alternating 3-finger (sans picks) and clawhammer. Guitar is a 90s vintage D35. Concertina is a very nice VST plugin by Best Service audioand upright bass is from the Kontakt 5 basic library. Both played on a MIDI keyboard by yers trooly. Most tracks recorded in GarageBand, remixed in Reaper, mastered with Izotope Ozone 7. I have fun doing this and it keeps me mostly out of trouble.

Was making backing tracks for a gig in my home studio, and the mix with the banjo and lead vocal didn't turn out too bad, so I thought I'd put it up here, as it's the sort of thing folks tend to like.

Was making backing tracks for a gig in my home studio, and the mix with the banjo and lead vocal didn't turn out too bad, so I thought I'd put it up here, as it's the sort of thing folks tend to like.