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Jim Moore (1921 - 2018)
Jim and I played tunes (twin fiddles) for many years at his home in Dromara each Tuesday night. He always had a great fire built up in the grate. He recorded these tunes of us both playing for himself to play along with. The vast majority of the tunes were from his repertoire that he played with a number of local fiddle players, Robbie Chambers, Sammy Thompson, Davy and Robbie Gray and Jimmy Doyle. I didn't know the most of them so the balance in volume between the two fiddles is weighed heavily towards Jim's playing.
Barndances - Jimmy Doyle's Barndances
Jim learnt these barndances from the playing of Jimmy Doyle, a fiddler raised in Katesbridge who relocated in Dromara to work in the Jimmie Campbell's blacksmith shop. Jimmie also played the fiddle. Jackie Donnan got the barndances from me and we played the second one regularly for the two-hand dance the Scottish Barndance at the weekly Greyabbey Village Hall.
Jimmy Doyle's BarndancesJim Moore
00:00 / 03:07
Jig - Royal Charlie
Jim learnt Royal Charlie from Dree fiddler Robbie Chambers. There are several variations of this tune titled Wha'll be King but Charlie, one version played by Davy Gray around Ballynahinch and another by Willie Savage around Killyleagh. The tune is Scottish in origin, and known in the Irish tradition as Behind the Bush in the Garden.
Royal Charlie - Jig/Quadrille TuneJim Moore
00:00 / 01:47
Reel - The Peeler's Jacket
The Peeler's Jacket - ReelJim Moore
00:00 / 02:05
Reel - Queen's Wedding
Jim learnt Queen's Wedding from fiddler Sammy Thompson, who in turn learnt it from Jimmy Ward. It is a simpler, and most likely an older, version of the Swallow's Tail.
Queen's Wedding - ReelJim Moore
00:00 / 01:27
Jig - The Widow's Rant
This is another of the many tunes Jim learnt from Sammy Thompson that came from Jimmy Ward.
The Widow’s Rant was published in James Aird’s - A Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs. Vols I-VI Glasgow, 1790-97. It was published under the title the Irish Newsman in T. Dibdin’s - The Irish Newsman Sung by Mr. Dighton at Sadlers Wells with unbounded applause. Written by T. Dibdin. London, 1795.
The Widow's Rant - JigJim Moore
00:00 / 01:51
Jig - Castle Donovan
Castle Donovan - JigJim Moore
00:00 / 01:53
Jig - The Highland Quickstep
Another of the many tunes Jim learnt from Sammy Thompson.
The Highland Quickstep - JigJim Moore
00:00 / 01:21
Hornpipe - The Honeysuckle Hornpipe
The Honeysuckle HornpipeJim Moore
00:00 / 01:35
March - The Ballela March
Jim learnt the Ballela March from its composer Jimmie Campbell. Jimmie named the tune after Ballela the neighbouring townland to where he was raised in Kilkinamurray.
The Ballela MarchJim Moore
00:00 / 01:58
Jig - Kissed Yestereen
Jim learnt Kissed Yestereen from Sammy Thompson. Titled Kiss'd Yestereen this double jig was published in the Collection of Scotch Airs. Vol II and III. 1738-42, in James Oswald’s - The Caledonian Pocket Companion Book II. London, c. 1750. Books III - XII c. 1751 – 1760 titled O as I was Kiss'd th' streen and in James Johnson’s - The Scots Musical Museum. Edinburgh, 1787-1803 titled O as I was Kist Yestereen.
Kissed Yestereen - JigJim Moore
00:00 / 01:20
Polka - Untitled Polka from Jimmy Ward No. 2
Jim learnt this polka from Sammy Thompson, who learnt it from Jimmy Ward. Ward was well-known for adding additional parts to tunes, often in different keys. This would appear to be one such case;
Untitled Polka from Jimmy Ward No 2Jim Moore
00:00 / 02:04
March - Charlie McClurg's March No. 2
Jim learnt this march from Charlie McClurg.
Charlie McClurg's March No 2Jim Moore
00:00 / 02:37
Waltz - Green Grows the Green Laurel
Green Grows the Green Laurel - WaltzJim Moore
00:00 / 01:41
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