Annotation:High Reel (1) (The)

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HIGH REEL [1], THE. AKA and see "Alexander Duff," "Duffy the Dancer," "Gauger (1) (The)," "Rejected Suitor," "Sandy Duff." Irish, Reel. A Mixolydian. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABB (Carlin): AABB (most versions). A favorite Irish session reel whose popularity has transcended the bounds of the genre. Robin Morton (1976) says the tune was originally the Scots "Alexander Duff" AKA "Sandy Duff," transplanted to Ireland where it gained currency. It was printed by Francis O'Neill under the title "Duffy the Dancer."

Source for notated version: session at the Regent Hotel, Leeds, England [Bulmer & Sharpley]; New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker].

Printed sources: Alewine (Maid that Cut off the Chicken's Lips), 1987; p. 21. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 1, No. 7. Carlin (Master Collection), 1984; No. 199, p. 118. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 18, p. 6. Jordan (Whistle and Sing), 1975; 28. Mallinson (100 Essential), 1995; No. 57, p. 25. Martin & Hughes (Ho-ro-gheallaidh), 1990; p. 36. Reiner (Anthology of Fiddle Styles), 1979; p. 54. Songer (Portland Collection), 1997; p. 95.

Recorded sources: BM-91, Buddy MacMaster - "Glencoe Hall." Cló Iar-Chonnachta CICD 167, Peter Horan & Gerry Harrington - "The Merry Love to Play" (2007). Culburnie Records CUL 121D, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas - "Fire and Grace" (2004). Kells Music DM 9509, Mike and Mary Rafferty - "The Dangerous Reel" (1995). Smithsonian Folkways SFW CD 40126, Lamprey River Band - "Choose Your Partners!: Contra Dance & Square Dance Music of New Hampshire" (1999). Joe Burke (et al) - "The Big Squeeze."

See also listings at:
Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index [1]
Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [2]
Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [3]