This jig comes from the playing of John Williams, a great concertina and accordion player from Chicago, whose father came from Doolin. John spent a lot of time in Doolin over the years, but I learned this particular tune from a YouTube video, see below (it’s the second tune).
X:1
T:John Williams’ Jig
R:jig
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:Dmaj
|:AFF dFF|AFA A2e|f2f fed|efe edB|
A2F dFF|AFA A2e|f2f efe|1 d3 dcB:|2 d3 d2A||
|:Bcd Bcd|Bcd d2e|fgf f2e|fgf fed|
Bcd Bcd|Bcd d2e|f2f efe|1 d3 d2A:|2 d3 dcB||
“Con Curtin’s Big Balloon” is a beautiful jig I learned from Angelina Carberry and Martin Quinn’s album. It can also be found in O’Neill’s under the name “Hide And Go Seek”. I associate this jig with Paddy Carty as well, who recorded it twice actually!
“Condon’s Frolics” is another jig I learned from the playing of Terry Bingham. This version is also very close to the one recorded by Paddy Keenan on his album “Poirt An Phíobaire”. It is also called “Conlon’s Frolics” at times.
“The Chattering Magpie” is a common reel in County Clare, very much associated with concertina players. I learned it from Noel O’Donoghue and Seán Vaughan back in 2015, and I actually remember that evening quite well as it was one of the first time (if not THE first time) I was playing a gig with Noel and Seán together, at O’Connor’s Pub.
