Mayor Harrison’s Fedora
Mayor Harrison’s Fedora is one of my all-time favourite tunes. I learned it from my friend Johannes Perritaz, a great flute player from Switzerland.
Tommy Peoples
Tommy Peoples’
“Tommy Peoples’” is one of the first reels I ever learned. It is associated with the great fiddle player and composer Tommy Peoples, even though he didn’t actually write this particular tune. I also associate this tune with the playing of Kevin Crawford, who recorded is as the opening tune of his amazing album “In Good Company”.
Little John’s Hame
I first heard “Little John’s Hame” played by Dermot Byrne and James Cullinan at an amazing concert at the Corofin Traditional Festival back in 2013. This strathspey really stuck in my head the the following day I learned it from a video I found of Dermot Byrne playing with Tommy Peoples.
Kilfenora Lass (The)
I learned “The Kilfenora Lass” from Tommy Peoples, it is on the “Fiddler’s Fancy” CD. When I learned this jig I thought it would be a common Kilfenora tune, but the truth is I actually never heard it in sessions.
Old John’s
“Old John’s” has been one of my favourite jigs for many years. I learned it from a recording of Tommy Peoples and also associate it with Tony MacMahon, the great accordion player from Clare.
Dowd’s Favourite
“Dowd’s Favourite” is a very beautiful reel which I associate with the playing of Paddy Carty. It is also simply called “Dowd’s” or “O’Dowd’s” and was recorded by Tommy Peoples on his album “The Iron Man”. I am not really sure where I originally learned this tune though, I think it might have been from my friend Damian Werner.
Don’t Touch That Green Linnet
“Don’t Touch That Green Linnet” is a composition of the late Tommy Peoples, the fiddle player from Donegal who lived in County Clare for many years and influenced many great fiddles players. Tommy’s tunes are all remarkable and I particularly like this one.
Cup of Tea (The)
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.
Collier’s (The)
“The Collier’s” is a common session tune and one of my favourite reels. I associate this tune with the great Tommy Peoples, but also with my friend John Fitzgerald, who is a great local whistle player here in Doolin with a style that reminds me very much of Micho Russell.
Black Pat’s
“Black Pat’s” is a composition of Tommy Peoples’. He wrote and recorded the tune in F, but this version in G comes from the playing of his daughter Síobhan Peoples, on her duet album “Time on our Hands” with accordion player Murty Ryan.