Lilting Banshee – Fiddle Tune a Day – Day 277

It’s great to be working on an album with Steve Eulberg. He’s a great musician, and he and I really get along well.

Tonight’s fiddle tune, Lilting Banshee, was recorded immediately after we finished our Fiddle Whamdiddle CD rehearsal. I’ve never played it before tonight, but that’s never stopped me before. 😉

This album is going to be really cool. If you like Old-Time fiddle and dulcimer, stay tuned. I think you will like it a lot.

Lilting Banshee according to Fiddler’s Companion

LILTING BANSHEE, THE. AKA and see “Ballinasloe Fair,” “Church of Dromore,” “Killaloe Boat,” “Miller of Glanmire,” “Ryan’s Favorite.” Irish, Double Jig. A Minor/Dorian. Standard tuning. AABB. “A Lilt from Home” is a variant melody, as are Church of Dromore” and “Killaloe Boat.” The Castle Céilí Band (of which accordion player James Keane was a founding member) always played “The Lilting Banshee” following “The Killavil Jig.” Source for notated version: Paddy McNicholas [Bulmer & Sharpley]. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 2, No. 40. Cotter (Traditional Irish Tin Whistle Tutor), 1989; 53. Mallinson (Essential), 1995; No. 79, pg. 35. Sullivan (Session Tunes), vol. 2; No. 31, pg. 13. Shanachie 78015, James Keane – “With Friends Like These” (1998).

CHURCH OF DROMORE, THE. AKA and see “A Lilt from Home.” Irish, Air (6/8 time). A Dorian. Standard tuning. AB. O’Neill printed the melody as “A Lilt from Home” in his later Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody (1922). O’Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 270, pg. 47.

BALLINASLOE FAIR (“Aonach Bhéal Átha na Sluaighe” or “Aonac Bel-Ata-Na Sluaigead”). AKA and see “The Blackpool,” “The Fair of Ballinasloe,” “The Miller of Glanmire,” “Rita Keane’s.” Irish, Reel. A Dorian (‘A’ part) & C Major (‘B’ part) [O’Neill/Krassen]: A Minor (‘A’ part) & C Major (‘B’ part) [Breathnach, Miller & Perron, O’Neill/1850 & 1001]. Standard tuning. AB (Breathnach): AAB (Miller & Perron/1977, O’Neill/Krassen): AA’B (O’Neill/1850 & 1001): ABB’ (Miller & Perron/2006, Vallely). Famed County Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman (1891-1945) recorded the tune in 1927 in New York, in a medley as the second tune with “Lord McDonald’s.” Source for notated version: fiddler Michael Coleman (County Sligo, Ireland/Bronx, New York, USA) [Breathnach, Miller & Perron]. Breathnach (CRÉ III), 1985; No. 89, pg. 44. Lyth (Bowing Styles in Irish Fiddle Playing), vol. 1, 1981; 52. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 2, No. 48. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2^nd Edition, 2006; pg. 47. O’Neill (Krassen), 1976; pg. 111. O’Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903/1979; No. 1285, pg. 241. O’Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907/1986; No. 550, pg. 102. Vallely (Learn to Play the Fiddle with Armagh Pipers Club), 197?; No. 51, pg. 44. CBS 36401, The Chieftains – “Boil the Breakfast Early.” Columbia Legacy CK 48693, “The Best of the Chieftains” (1992). Green Linnet SIF‑1110, “My Love is in America: The Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival” (1991). Intrepid Records, Michael Coleman – “The Heyday of Michael Coleman” (1973). Shanachie Records, “The Classic Recordings of Michael Coleman.” Tara 3026, Davy Spillane – “Pipedreams.”