Re: [Harp-L] Danny Boy

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

Londerry Aire (Danny Boy) is originally in Eb, but it is (trad.  
Irish) so old, no one knows when it was written (the music, that is).  
I believe the lyrics were tacked on around WWI + - ? give or take.  
Most singers have trouble in the high tenor range that Eb requires,  
and most times I have heard it sung, it was in Bb or C. The Marine  
band has a singer who does it in C and that's still pretty high.

Londonderry Aire is one of those tune that can stand alone. Usually  
done as a dirge for the first 8-12 bars or so and then the background  
(if any) comes in and the pace is quickened to a 2 step. I use a Bb  
in 'smokey' tuning which negates the need for the F, then I modulate  
to a B 'smokey' which negates the need for the F#. Charley uses 4  
harps, I use 2.  Simple as that.

I also do a middle improv portion using a chromo on occasion.  
Especially if I have no background.

A lot of tunes can stand alone. It depends on the players ability to  
do a 'second' (or complimentary) part between the solo phrasing. The  
list I posted the other contains many tunes capable of standing alone.

Rocky Top is an example of a tune where you DON't want the 5th reed  
raised because you are going very fast and won't be able to get it  
bent down fast enough on the words 'Home, sweet, home'. (Well, maybe  
'someone' can). Ditto with Bobbie McGhee. The improv part needs that  
natural F (not sharped).

smokey-joe


On Dec 5, 2006, at 12:36 PM, Captron100@xxxxxxx wrote:

> In a message dated 12/5/2006 11:20:48 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
> Can  anyone out there point me to a diatonic harp recording of this  
> Irish
> std.?  I have a friend who is begging me to do it at a show for the  
> Irish  Pub
> owner.  Thanks!
>
>
> I just checked charlie's website - one of Charlie McCoy's earliest   
> albums
> (1972) called, Charlie McCoy, has Danny Boy done in F,  apparently  
> modulating to
> F#.  Acc. to his key sheet available on his  website,  
> charliemccoy.com, he
> uses the following harps in the song: Bb,F,B,F#,  evidently using  
> both second
> and first postions in both keys.
>    Unfortunately, it says it's only available on cassette tape   
> nowadays. If
> u've never heard it before, his versions of Rocky Top and Me  and  
> Bobbi McGee
> will knock your socks off.  It's a great album.
> ron
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