Talk:Abbey Reel (The)
Tune properties and standard notation
ABBEY REEL, THE. AKA and see Talk:Irish-American (2) (The), Talk:Moher Reel (The), Talk:Reddigan’s, Talk:Tuohey’s Favorite. Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning.
A popular session reel. Galway flute and concertina players Jack and (Fr.) Charlie Coen call this tune "Drag Her Around the Road (2)." "Abbey Reel" derives its title from the Abbey Theater of Lower Abbey Street, Dublin, a famous venue, today part of the National Theatre of Ireland. The Abbey opened its doors in 1904 with a mission of producing the best in Irish plays and dramas, although in the course of The tune was popular with the group of musicians assembled by the theatre's musical director, Sean O Riada (1931-1971), to provide music for a mid-1960's production of J.M. Synge's Playboy of the Western World (the play's first performance, also at the Abbey in 1907, led to audience riots due to its perception as a scandalous work).
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Vallely (Learn to Play the Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club), vol. 2; 22.
Recorded sources: Claddagh CC58, Paul McGrattan - "The Frost is All Over." CCE, Néillidh Mulligan - "The Leitrim Thrush." Green Linnet SIF 1011, "Playing with Fire: the Celtic Fiddle Collection" (1989). Green Linnet SIF 1092, "Liz Carroll" (1988. Liz plays the tune in the key of G Minor). Green Linnet GLCD 1175, Cherish the Ladies - "New Day Dawning." Green Linnet GLCD 1187, Cherish the Ladies - "One and All: the Best of Cherish the Ladies" (1998. Learned from Bronx flute player Jack Coen). Green Linnet GLCD 1200, Lunasa - "Otherworld" (1999).