Annotation:Dispute at the Crossroads (The)
Tune properties and standard notation
DISPUTE AT THE CROSSROADS, THE (An tAighneas ag an gCrosbhóthar). AKA and see "Doctor Gilbert's." Irish, Reel. E Dorian. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB (Breathnach): AA'BB' (Feldman & O'Doherty). The title comes from Donegal fiddler John Doherty, derived from his uncle, Mickey McConnell, who was playing the melody while walking home after a dance. McConnell was inebriated and had been stopped by the local constables, which led to an argument. McConnell was the brother of Doherty's mother, singer Mary McConnell, and was, along with another brother named Alec, a locally renowned fiddler and fiddle-maker. According to Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, Doherty also called it "Loughros Point Reel (The)," a name that had associations with Anthony Helferty. The tune is a version of the tune that is perhaps better known as "Doctor/Dr. Gilbert," a signature tune of Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman's (recorded in 1929). However, while clearly related, the reels are not interchangable in session playing.
Source for notated version: fiddler John Doherty (1805-1980, Co. Donegal, Ireland) [Breathnach, Feldman & O'Doherty].
Printed sources: Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 228, p. 119. Feldman & O'Doherty (The Northern Fiddler), 1979; p. 67.
Recorded sources: Shanachie 79093, Paddy Glackin & Robbie Hannan - "The Whirlwind" (1995. Set in D Major, derived from the playing of John Doherty). See also listings at Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index [1], Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [2], Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recordings Index [3].