strathspey@strathspey.org:53268

Mike Briggs

Specific tunes (was The RSCDS dance publication process)

July 30, 2008, 5:51 p.m. (Message 53268)

This is interesting.  Given that SCD bands typically play at least four 
tunes for any single dance, then three-fourths of the time one is 
dancing to a tune other than the old familiar original.  And, not 
infrequently, people love and appreciate tunes other than the original:  
for example, in our group we normally use a recording for Monymusk that 
includes Fiddler Play the Light Strathspey in the medley (I forget the 
name of the band), and it feels like a let-down to dance to a different 
recording that doesn't include Fiddler.

And, to hark back for a moment to the great Catch the Wind tune 
controversy (?!), here is a link to a live (i.e. rough and ready) 
recording that begins with Flirtation and includes three other hornpipes 
(OK, Sylvia?).  If I remember correctly, the recording was made (in 
2005) after the Society had chosen The Navvie for a lead tune, but we 
nevertheless chose to go with the tune we had used before.  Feel free to 
save the recording and use it for dancing or listening (tbmk, all of the 
tunes are public domain).

http://www.oertheborder.com/files/08_Catch_the_Wind_H32x8.mp3

Mike