I love this reel, “The Boys on the Hilltop”. I think I first learned it from Gavin Whelan’s album “In Full Flight”. It is played quite regularly in Doolin, I particularly enjoy playing it my friend JB Samzun on fiddle.
X:1
T:Boys on the Hilltop, The
R:reel
M:4/4
K:Ador
A2Ac B2AG|EGGF G2AG|E~A3 BABd|egdB BAAG|
A2Ac BGAG|EGGF G2AB|c2cA B2Bc|dBGA BAAG||
A2 (3Bcd egdB|GABc defg|a2fd egdB|GBdB BAA2|
a2fd egdB|GABc defg|afge fdef|gbaf gedB||
“Have a Drink with Me” is a common session tune which I learned through various sessions. I associate this tune with Mary MacNamara though, who recorded it on her album “Traditional Music from East Clare”.
“The Ivy Leaf” is a reel I learned through various sessions, but I associate it my friend Tom Delany in particular, as well as accordion player Seán Vaughan. Micho Russell recorded a version of this tune also.
A common session tune, “The Cup of Tea” is a great reel which I learned through various sessions. This version is quite standard, however I would highly recommend Tommy Peoples’ version on his album “The Quiet Glen”, I think it’s the best recording of this tune ever.
