Banjo Hangout Top 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 6/9/17, Chinquapin Hunting is named for the wild chestnut that grows in parts of the country. My arrangement is based on Bruce Molsky's lively playing.

For the old-time Tune of the Week, 6/2/17, this is R.D. Lunceford's recording from his seminal CD Drop-Thumb, 21 Clawhammer Banjo Solos. He graciously gave permission to upload it here and his tab will be included in the discussion forum for TOTW.

Key of G. Ozark version.

This traditional air honors the Irish soldiers who left Ireland to fight for France. The last time they left marked the 1691 Treaty of Limerick , a momentous time in Ireland's history which ended the Williamite war and the reign of King James, who left, too, after the Battle of the Boyne (which has a namesake tune as well). When the Chieftains recorded The Wild Geese they were picturing women singing on shore while the soldiers sailed off forevermore to fight elsewhere. At the end of my recording listen for the geese flying off...

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

There was really a harper in Ireland called Maire Dhall (Blind Mary) who is known to have taught harp to friends of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738), so it's assumed he knew her, too. The melody is rather dramatic and you get a feeling of respect for this woman, who, like O'Carolan, must have traveled, played harp, and taught for a living.

Fun!

Another version, on my Rickard banjo.

I got this from the Fuzzy Mountain String Band album. The Fuzzies got it from Alan Jabbour, who collected it from Henry Reed. According to the FMSB album notes, Mr. Reed did not have a name for this tune but he agreed that it sounded pretty close to the better known tune by the same name. I really like the quirky beginning of the A part on an Em. My rendition is played in standard G tuning (gDGBD) on a 1903 Fairbanks Whyte Laydie #2.