Annotation:Miss Spence's Reel

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MISS SPENCE’S REEL. AKA - "Lady Spence's Reel." Shetland, Reel. D Major/Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. Original from the Hoseason Manuscript (1862), with the note "Composed by John Anderson, Voe, (in 1759) and played by him in the late Mr. Neven of Windhouse's family at Reafirth at a Christmas party, the majority of Ladies, Miss Spences, and the Reel got their name" (Cooke, 1986). With so many Miss Spence's, how could he miss? The tune was miss-titled "Lady Spence's Reel" on the 2004 recording by Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas. The reel is included in the standard Shetland set called the Yell Reels, consisting of "Ferry Reel (The)," "Lay Dee at Dee (1)" and "Miss Spence's Reel."

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Anderson & Georgeson (Da Mirrie Dancers), 1970; p. 25. Bain (50 Fiddle Solos), 1989; p. 41.

Recorded sources: County CO-CD-2729, Art Stamper – “Goodbye Girls, I’m Going to Boston” (2000). Culburnie Records CUL 121D, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas - "Fire and Grace" (2004. Appears as "Lady Spence's Reel").

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