Saturday, December 29, 2012

Evergreen

"Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" is the theme song from the 1976 film A Star Is Born. It was composed and performed by Barbra Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams, and arranged by Ian Freebairn-Smith.The song was released on the soundtrack album to A Star Is Born.











Monday, December 24, 2012

Domino

This is a french song from 1951 by Louis Ferrari.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Trip to Skye

The Skye High is a wee gem, ideal for travellers short on time who want to get the most out of their trip to Scotland.



Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Saturday, December 1, 2012

se lo m'accorgo

A well-known renaissance guitarpiece, I've made a transcription for bouzouki

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Attitude problem

A transcription for Bouzouki

Thursday, November 15, 2012

I Had Fifteen Dollars

William Henry Kennedy, known as Harry Kennedy (c. 1855 - January 3, 1894) was a popular ventriloquist and songwriter.
Kennedy was born in Manchester, England around 1855 (obituaries stated his age as either 39 or 45, the latter putting his birth year around 1849), and was a talented ventriloquist as a child. After working briefly as a teacher and seaman, by 1871 he had made it to Montreal and began performing as a ventriloquist. He debuted in New York City in 1874 and traveled with various minstrel groups. In 1890 he opened "Harry Kennedy's Theatre" in New York, but sold out and moved after one season to a smaller venue (the Alhambra) on Coney Island. He also managed a bar on Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
Songs he wrote include "When Peggy And I Are Wed," "Molly and I and the Baby," "Say Au Revoir, But Not Good-bye," "A Flower from Mother's Grave," "Cradle's Empty, Baby's Gone," "An Old Fashioned Photograph," "Patsy Branigan," "I Owe Ten Dollars to O'Grady," "I Had Fifteen Dollars in my Inside Pocket," "Hush Don't Wake the Baby," "Grandmother's Birthday," and "Little Empty Stockings By the Fire."
He married his first wife, Nellie in 1876, and she died in 1883. He married again in 1886, and his second spouse (Mary) died in 1890. Survived by five minor children, Kennedy died at his home in Brooklyn of Bright's disease on January 3, 1894 and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Cascabel


This is a classical piece for guitar composed bij Hector Ayala.
I've made a transciption for bouzouki


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Boulavogue

It has given its name to "Boolavogue", a famous Irish ballad commemorating the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when the local parish priest Father John Murphy led his parishioners into battle on May 26, 1798. The Wexford insurgents were eventually defeated at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on June 21. Father Murphy and the other rebel leaders were killed. Fr Murphy was hanged, then decapitated, his corpse burnt in a barrel of tar and his head placed on a spike as a warning to other rebels, many of whom nevertheless fought on for up to 5 years afterwards.







Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Monday, October 15, 2012

Son a Chistr (Chanson de cidre)

Song from Brittany

The sheet music with a second voice

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Soldier's Joy (Reel)

Also known as Chicken In The Bread Tray, The Clap Dance, French Four, Gower, The Gower, The King's Head, Lumbers, The Morris Reel, Pibddawns Gwyr, Pibddawns Gŵyr, Reel Des Pompiers, Reel Du Vagabon, Reel Du Vagabond, Seksmannsril, Sex Man Engelska, The Soldier's Joy, Soldiers Joy, Soldiers' Joy, Soldier’s Joy.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Portsmouth

"Portsmouth" is a traditional English folk dance tune, similar to an (Irish or Scottish) hornpipe melody. It is sometimes referred to as the Portsmouth Hornpipe.
"Portsmouth" appeared in the 11th edition of John Playford's The Dancing Master in 1701.[1][2] It is also included in Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sea Songs
In the 1950s it was used as the signature tune for television series of Billy Bunter.
In 1976 English musician Mike Oldfield released his arrangement of "Portsmouth". It is Oldfield's highest charting single in the United Kingdom, charting at number 3. This version is frequently used by football club Portsmouth F.C..

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

O'Carolan Draught

O'Carolan composed both songs and instrumental harp music. Except for one song with an English text, all of his songs are in Irish. Most of his songs were dedicated to and about specific individuals. Many songs do not survive whole; what lyrics survive have only been published in part. His lyrics are rarely learned, whereas many of his tunes are widely performed and appreciated.
O'Carolan's musical style shows a mix of traditional and classical elements. He typically composed the tune first—as he rode from place to place—then added words later. Many of the tunes attributed to O'Carolan are older traditional melodies that he improved or lengthened. He wrote many "planxties" (tributes) in honor of some person. It is said that weddings and funerals were often delayed until he could arrive to perform.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Musical Priest

A Reel in Bm
Also known as An Sagart Ceolmhar, Musical Priest, The New Bridge Of Eden, The New Bridge Of Erin.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Me Zo Ganet

A poem in music:
Yann-Ber Kalloc'h (born Jean-Pierre Calloc'h in French) (21 July 1888 – 10 April 1917) was a French writer in Breton and French. He died in combat in World War I, near Urvillers/Cerizy (Aisne).
The Breton Scouting organization Bleimor is named in his honor.










































1. Me 'zo ganet e-kreiz ar mor,
     Teir leo er-maez
     Un tiig gwenn duhont am-eus,
     Ar balan 'gresk e-tal an nor,
     Hag al lann 'holo an anvez.
     Me 'zo ganet e-kreiz ar mor,
     E Bro Arvor!

2. Va zad a oa 'vel e dadou,
     Ur martolod!
     Bevet e-neus kuzh ha diglod
     Ar paour, ne gan den e globou!
     Bemdez, bebnoz, war ar mor blod
     Va zad a oa 'vel e dadou
     Ur martolod!

3. Va mamm ive(z) a labouras,
     Ha gwenn he bleo,
     Ganti ar c'hwez war hon talou,
     Desket am-eus bihanig-tra:
     Medi ha tenna avalou;
     Va mamm, ive(z) a labouras!
     D'hounit bara!


1. Je suis né au milieu de la mer,
     A trois lieues au large!
     J'ai là bas, une petite maison blanche
     Le genêt pousse devant la porte,
     Et l'ajonc couvre le seuil!
     Je suis né au milieu de la mer
     Au pays d'Arvor

2. Mon père était comme ses pères
     Un marin!
     Il a vécu dans l'ombre et sans gloire
     Le pauvre, personne ne chante ses hauts faits!
     Chaque jour,chaque nuit, sur la mer sans ride,
     Mon père était comme ses pères,
     Un matelot!

3. Ma mère aussi a travaillé,
     Et ses cheveux sont blancs,
     En sa compagnie, la sueur sur nos fronts,
     J'ai appris , tout petit:
     A moissonner, à arracher les pommes (de terre);
     Ma mère aussi a travaillé,
     Pour gagner (notre) pain!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Derobée de Guingamp

A Dancing tune from Brittany, here in a beautifull arrangement of Tri Yann.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Chicken reel

Funny Reel in D
"Chicken Reel" is a dance tune. It was composed by Joseph M. Daly in 1910. Joseph Mittenthal added lyrics in 1911.
Along with "Turkey in the Straw," "Chicken Reel" is probably best known for its use in early animated cartoons as a catchy tune used to represent animal activity. Originally composed as a novelty song, it has since passed into modern folk tradition. Today, the tune is usually played without the words, which would often have been sung in the minstrel style (in stereotyped African-American vernacular).
Chicken Reel was made popular again years later by Les Paul who recorded the song as a catchy instrumental, whimsically mimicking chicken sounds on his guitar.
"Chicken Reel" was arranged for symphony orchestra by Leroy Anderson; his arrangement was recorded by the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1992.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Chicago reel

Key signature: Adorian

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Britches full of Stitches

A Polka in D major from Ireland.
Also known as The Breeches Full Of Stitches, Britches Full Of Stitches, O The Britches Full Of Stitches, Oh The Breeches Full Of Stitches, Oh! The Breeches Full Of Stitches, Oh! The Britches Full Of Stitches, Witches' Britches.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Boys of Malin

A reel in A major.
Also known as The Boy's A Melon, Boys Of Malin, The Boys Of Mallin, Boys Of Mallow, Karen Logan's, Timour The Tartar.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Irish whistle book

Steve Duck wrote an interesting book about blowing a tin whistle.
You find more: http://irishwhistletutor.blogspot.be/

Sunday, August 5, 2012

La Tricoutade

A bourre from Britttany

Monday, July 30, 2012

The Night Larry Was Stretched

"The Night Before Larry Was Stretched" is an Irish execution ballad written in the Newgate cant.


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Adiemus

Adiemus is the title of a series of vocalise-style albums by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. It is also the title of the opening track on the first album in the series, Songs of Sanctuary.



Saturday, July 7, 2012

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Josephine's waltz

I've made a transcription for solo bouzouki in GDAE

Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Feekers

The Feekers are a traditional and folk music duo from Ballyfermot, Dublin.
Darren and John have known each other as teenagers when they hung around as friends in nearby Bluebell, but only met up again about 5 years ago to form a band after realising each other’s interest in folk and trad music.
Darren Lynch (Vocals/Octave Mandolin) and John Keenan (Banjo/Whistles) have played together for a number of years around numerous pub sessions, gigs and festivals, and plan to release an album in the near future.
Darren started off playing music after finishing a successful amateur boxing career with Crumlin Boxing Club. It was then in his late teens that he picked up the banjo and then later the octave mandolin and mandola. He
learned from some of the great folk and trad musicians in the area: that included Tom Moran, Liam O'Neill, Darach de Brun and John Lane. He then went on to play and record with the bands The Broadside Merchants, So-Ranna and Tam-Lin before forming Feekers with John in 2007.
Darren plays a mixture of folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England and America, and is influenced by The Dubliners, Planxty, The Fureys and Sweeney's Men.
John plays Irish tunes on the tenor banjo that he learned from his grandfather John Keenan Snr. John has been
playing banjo since the age of 10 and has also learned from his uncles who he has also played with over the years. John's uncle Paddy Keenan plays the uileann pipes and played with the Bothy Band, and John's other uncle Johnny is known today for his banjo playing and for the festival set up in his honor 'The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival'.

The Feekers form a unique and fresh folk sound that is rooted in tradition and this sound gets across in their first album 'Tarbolten' which is due to be released on 1st May 2012. The album will initially be available from
Claddagh Records in Temple Bar and from Monastery Music in Clondalk
www.thefeekers.weebly.com


Monday, June 25, 2012

Venezuela

Another sea shanty


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Tarantella




The term tarantella groups a number of different folk dances characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, usually in 6/8 time (sometimes 18/8 or 4/4), accompanied by tambourines. It is among the most recognized of traditional Italian music. The specific dance name varies with every region, for instance tammuriata in Campania, pizzica in the Salento region, Sonu a ballu in Calabria. Tarantella is popular in Italy as well as in parts of Argentina.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Sir Roger de Coverly (Slip Jig)

Roger de (or of) Coverley (also Sir Roger de Coverley or ...Coverly) is the name of an English country dance and a Scottish country dance (also known as The Haymakers). An early version was published in The Dancing Master, 9th edition (1695)[1]. The Virginia Reel is probably related to it. The name refers to a fox, and the dance's steps are reminiscent of a hunted fox going in and out of cover.
It is mentioned in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843) when the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge a party from his apprenticeship with Mr. Fezziwig. "...the great effect of the evening came after the Roast and Boiled, when the fiddler ... struck up 'Sir Roger de Coverley'. Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig." In the 1951 film Scrooge, based on Dickens's story and starring Alastair Sim in the title role, the fiddler is shown playing the tune at an energetic tempo during the party scene. It also figures in William Makepeace Thackeray's short story "The Bedford-Row Conspiracy" as the musical center piece of a political feast pitting the Whigs against the Torys and in Arnold Bennett's novel "Leonora" as music considered more suitable for a ball by the older gents to the likes of the Blue Danube Waltz.
It is mentioned also in the book Silas Marner by George Eliot, when the fiddler at the Cass New Year's Eve party plays it to signal the beginning of the evening dancing; it is furthermore mentioned in the children's book The Rescuers by Margery Sharp.
The dance plays a part in the Dorothy Sayers short story "The Queen's Square", and is mentioned in Washington Irving's The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon.
Sir Roger de Coverly also gets a mention in "Stig of the Dump" by Clive King when Barney and his sister attend a fancy dress party.
It is also mentioned in D H Lawrence's Sons and Lovers (1913), where Gertrude Morel is reported never to have learned the dance.
The tune was used by Frank Bridge in 1922 as the basis of a work for strings titled Sir Roger de Coverly (A Christmas Dance). H. E. Bates used the name Sir Roger to refer to a real hunted fox in the novel Love for Lydia.
Sir Roger de Coverley was also the name of a character in The Spectator (1711). An English squire of Queen Anne's reign, Sir Roger exemplified the values of an old country gentleman, and was portrayed as lovable but somewhat ridiculous ('rather beloved than esteemed') (Spectator no. 2), making his Tory politics seem harmless but silly. He was said to be the grandson of the man who invented the dance.



Friday, June 8, 2012

Amour est Bleu

"L'amour est bleu" (English title: "Love Is Blue") is a song whose music was composed by André Popp, and whose lyrics were written by Pierre Cour, in 1967. Brian Blackburn later wrote English-language lyrics for it. First performed in French by Greek singer Vicky Leandros (appearing as Vicky) as the Luxembourgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967, it has since been recorded by many other musicians, most notably French orchestra leader Paul Mauriat, whose familiar instrumental version became the only number-one hit by a French artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 in America.
The song describes the pleasure and pain of love in terms of colours (blue and grey) and elements (water and wind). The English lyrics ("Blue, blue, my world is blue …") focus on colours only (blue, grey, red, green, and black), using them to describe elements of lost love. The English version by Vicky Leandros also appeared as "Colours of Love" in some locations including the UK.



Sunday, June 3, 2012

Ben (Michael Jackson)

"Ben" is a song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf for the 1972 film of the same name (the sequel to the 1971 killer rat film Willard). It was performed in the film by Lee Montgomery and by Michael Jackson over the closing credits. Jackson's single, recorded for the Motown label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the U.S. pop chart. It also reached number-one on the Australian pop chart, spending eight weeks at the top spot. The song also later reached a peak of number seven on the British pop chart.[2] "Ben" won a Golden Globe for Best Song. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973, losing to "The Morning After" from The Poseidon Adventure; Jackson performed the song in front of a live audience at the ceremony. The song was Jackson's first #1 solo hit.


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Eleonar (Gilles Servat)

A song from the famous Bard from Brittany, Gilles Servat.
The tune is from Turlough O'Carolan, Eleonore Plunkett.



Friday, May 25, 2012

Hij speelde Accordeon

A Duch song, written by Pierre Carteus en brougth by Luc Steeno