Annotation:Yellow Tinker
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YELLOW TINKER. Irish, Reel. A Mixolydian (Moylan): G Major/Mixolydian (Feldman & O’Doherty, Miller, Mulvihill). Standard tuning (fiddle). ABC (O’Malley): AA’BC (Miller, Moylan): AABBCC’ (Mulvihill). Cliff Abrams believes the ‘Yellow’ of the title refers to the Tinker’s being a gypsy (as in the song “Seven Yellow Gypsies”). Paddy Ryan (Treoir) says the tune has been a favorite session tune, especially among button accordion players, over many years. It was first recorded in January, 1954, by accordion great Paddy O’Brien (Portroe, County Tipperary) on the then-new B/C system. See also the related “Tinker’s Occupation.”
Sources for notated versions: accordion player Johnny O’Leary (Sliabh Luachra region of the Cork-Kerry border), recorded at Na Píobairí Uilleann, October, 1984 [Moylan]; fiddler Sean Ryan, recorded in 1959 (County Tipperary) [Mulvihill]; fiddler Simon Doherty (County Donegal) [Feldman & O’Doherty]; Bronx fiddler Martin Mulvihill [O’Malley].
Printed sources: Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland vol. 1), 1974; No. 18. Feldman & O’Doherty (The Northern Fiddler), 1979; p. 106 (appears as “Untitled Reel”). Miller (Fiddler’s Throne), 2004; No. 271, p. 162. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1983; 100. Moylan (Johnny O’Leary of Sliabh Luachra), 1994; No. 153, p. 89. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 201, p. 54. O’Malley (Luke O’Malley’s Collection of Irish Music, vol. 1), 1976; No. 15, p. 8. Treoir, vol. 33, No. 1, 2001; p. 28.
Recorded sources: Columbia CAL506-1 (78 RPM), Paddy O’Brien (1954). Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann CL40, Paddy O'Brien, Seamus Connolly & Charlie Lennon - "The Banks of the Shannon." Compass 7 4287 2, Cathal McConnell – “Long Expectant Comes at Last” (2000. Learned from accordion player Joe Burke). Green Linnet SIF 1109, Altan "The Red Crow" (1990). Rounder CD 11661-7033-2, Natalie MacMaster – “My Roots are Showing” (2000. Ed Reavy’s version). Shanachie 79064, Matt Molloy – “Heathery Breeze” (1999). Bill McComiskey (et al) – “The Big Squeeze.”