This is a well-known Scottish slow air, which I have played with a barcarolle-like feeling in 6/8 time, based on a lovely quartet arrangement by Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni from "Evelyn's Big Book for Mandolins for the Year 2015" (available from Amazon, NFI). Played on two mandolins and two tenor guitars. 1921 Gibson Ajr mandolin Mid-Missouri M-0W mandolin Vintage Viaten tenor guitar Ozark tenor guitar Martin
Lovely rendition with a waltzy feeling. Good choice of pictures.
Beautiful Martin. I already know this tune so I've recorded a quick version on my Tom Buchanan Mandola tuned CGDG. I had a few audio visual syncing problems with this one.
Very nice videos! I like the sound of that mandola.
Two fine versions, gents. Great sound from that mandola, James. From my home on the Firth of Clyde I can look south to the Isle of Arran, Martin, and I loved you pictures. James. is that a picture of Lochranza Castle in the north of Arran you have included too?
Lovely versions the both of them! Martin - which mandolin are you using for the main melody of the air - your Ajr? Whatever one it is it sounds great! James - this air really sits well on your mandola, gorgeous sound from your Buchanan and beautifully played!
Thanks for the kind comments folks. Yes John that is the castle, though it's not my own photograph. I haven't been to Arran for 30+ years since I went there on a school trip. They let us hire bikes and two of us set out to cycle all the way round the Island. We had to be rescued when we didn't show up at the allotted time after my school chum hit a sheep (neither seriously injured). It's the sort of jape that no longer happens on school trips because of health/safety/risk assessments - but you'll know all about that John. You're very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country.
Thanks a lot, all! James -- great sound on the mandola and the crosspicking arrangement is very effective! Jill -- I'm playing the tune three times. First and third time it's the Ajr on the main melody, second time it's the Viaten tenor on lead one octave down. Martin
Happy Burns Night everyone! Unfortunately work has kept me too busy today to record something for the occasion (sighs of relief from everyone), but a late-night whisky (Bowmore Islay single malt) and some nice Scots music from the Mandolin Cafe will do nicely for now.
That is great picking James, and the bouzoukish tuning makes a warm bouzoukish sound. Dennis, I hope you enjoyed your Bowmore. Good choice!
James your playing inspired me, I'm playing this on my new mandola but in the key of Am with some backup on my octave tuned AEAE. I went to a folk festival on the Isle of Arran back in 1993. Lots of fun and beautiful scenery.
Fine job David. I love the octave backing with the ringing drone strings. Sweet concertina as usual - just perfect for this lovely tune.
Very well played everyone. Lovely sounding mandola James. This tune is going on my to do list. Thanks
Lovely stuff David!
Great recordings by everyone. Beautiful tune.
I've done one too, at last! PS: Bertram, I miss your old avatar already.
It's really a fine tune and all of the versions on offer here give it something of each player's personality. It's always interesting to hear how much an individual can put into a tune to make it his/her own, as have all the players in this posting. My version is on mandolin and octave, with guitar backing. Pictures are of the area around the River Echaig and Loch Eck, out of which the river flows; only about ten minutes drive from my home, and not too far from Isle of Arran as the crow flies!
Dennis, that old avatar was missing in action after a Cafe accident with an e-mail address and a coffee underflow. I decided to take it as life's hint to consider a more understated approach...
It's interesting what you say about players' personalities, John. I, too, always enjoy the same tune being played in unique yet respectfully traditional ways by different people. This is how the Song-a-week group is helping me learn about things such as phrasing, ornamentation and the various ways to interpret a melody and arrange a recording. Your own version is different and pleasant again. You have to be a Scot to get that snap just right.
Seeing all the wonderful recordings in this thread, this one is probably overdue for "promotion" to offical song of the week! Evelyn's arrangement that I recorded back in 2016 has been very popular at our weekly gatherings ever since. As part of my lockdown recordings, I have shot a new video. 1921 Gibson Ajr mandolin (x2) Suzuki MC-815 mandocello Vintage Viaten tenor guitar Martin
Had not realised it was over four years since this thread was first posted. It remains a fine tune in all its forms, as you say, Martin.
I am taking a leaf out of Martin's book and revisiting an old tune. I was out with the camera getting shots of the seashore and thought they would go with the tune, so I re-recorded this version - dull grey skies and more turbulence in the water compared to my original posting of a few years ago. Mandolin, octave and guitar used for this one.
Two geat new recordings of this beautiful tune. Martin's version sounds a bit like a mandolin orchestra, while John's is a little more subdued, but both sound fine!
Very tasty, Martin and John. I might try to do this with my friends when we get together in March for more videos.
Tasty version of a beautiful slow air. Well performed, John! But that’s true for the versions above, too.
Very nice new version, John -- interesting how different your phrasing is from how Evelyn has notated it. Thanks to Christian and Mike for the nice words about my not-quite-as-new recording. That one was from last summer when lockdown was still all new and exciting, eight months ago now. Martin
A beautiful tune to help us through the days...and nights. So many nice and slightly different versions.
I couldn't get this out of my ear so I just gave it a go. And I spelled the title incorrectly! Ha ha. My trademark.
Mike, a really beautiful arrangement and performance and I enjoyed your improvised ornamentations too. Oh, Fine pictures too - this video-making has really got you hooked!
Yeah, John, the production end of this really has its hooks in me — both the audio and video. I’ve hooked up with a producer in California who is going to help me get better at mixing. I’m making a study of it.
wow, Mike, just wow. Orchestral and ethereal, with a scent of synth. I can hear how this comes straight from the heart.
I watched your video yesterday, Mike, and thought: wow, just wow. Now I see I’m not the only one. But Bertram found the right additional words to describe his impressions. And I learn what a man with much musical skills and experiences may be able to achieve if he decides to explore new avenues…
Great playing, Mike, and such a compelling arrangement with lots of variation between the verses and interplay between the instruments. As John said, the improvised ornamentations work beautifully! Martin
Great and very elaborated rendition of this simple tune, it never gets boring in three and a half minutes.
The combination of video and still images works very well in this video. It's such a beautiful tune. I must play it again sometime. Isn't it terrible how one forgets these melodies ... or at least I do.
