“The Abbey Reel” is a popular session tune that I learned from a session with Terry Bingham, Yvonne Casey & Stéphane. It was actually one of the first reels I learned on the concertina, back in 2007.
X:1
T:Abbey Reel, The
R:reel
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:Ador
A3B A2GE|A2GA BGdB|A2AB AGEF|G2GA BGdB|
A2AB AGEG|A2GA BddB|A2AB AGEF|G2GA BGBd||
e~g3 a2ab|gabg aged|e~g3 a2ga|bgaf gedg|
e~g3 agbg|agbg aged|e~g3 a2ga|bgaf gedB||
I learned “Dever The Dancer” from Lorraine Hickey and Kevin Rowsome, who recorded this lovely slip jig on one of the Irish Folk Festival’s compilation CDs. I used to listen to these albums quite a lot when I was working in Magnetic Music Café, which my very first job in Doolin back in 2006. I actually met Kevin Rowsome at the Russell Memorial Weekend in 2020, a true gentleman a wonderful piper.
This strathspey comes from the playing of Altan, they recorded it on their first album. I remember hearing this tune at a great session down in Miltown Malbay during the Willie Clancy Summer School.
I learned The rights of Man during my very first summer in Ireland, back in 2006, on the tin whistle. It is my friend Stéphane who got me started, and I am ever so grateful for all the advice and tips he gave me, especially around his respectful approach to traditional music.
