Traditional Dance Tunes - St Annes Reel & The Merry Blacksmiths

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St Annes Reel - old time version and The Merry Blacksmiths. Jay Haide Fiddle, Barzoni import french fiddle, Fender Squire electric bass guitar, Rob Clarke updated tenor banjo, Tanglewood electro acoustic guitar.
This should have been the easiest recording ever, but some how it took ages to get it sounding right. Trying to get two different fiddles sounding ok together when playing the same tune, can be tricky to say the least. Then adding a banjo and it slowly turns into a nightmare.

[@eccles99]

This video sent me down a rabbit hole listening to different versions of St. Anne's, the reel with 1001 settings. This version is a lot of fun both to listen to and to play. Also liked Merry Blacksmith, which is a tune I'd played hundreds of times and was getting bored with-- this version has a different vibe which got me interested in the tune again.

[@fintonmainz7845]

Magic

[@robertshorthill6836]

I think I have heard the Merry Blacksmith called Paddy On the Railroad. Either name works for me -- a great old time Irish tune, for sure.

[@seanmurphy7682]

So uplifting! This could draw anybody out of a sad state. Thank you so much for the gift you have granted us!

[@Frakfayt]

I have never heard such a pleasant sound on KZbin...This page is a treat and a gem for the Irish music lover and those who want to learn the fiddle and also new tunes. Thanks a lot!

[@bobzuck3733]

My new fiddle hero. Peak indeed.

[@sandrakerr5024]

It just doesn’t get better than this, still the enjoyment of playing is as much fun as ever, thank you for sharing

[@markwest2936]

One of the best videos on KZbin

[@flatfluters]

Brilliant...you play with such extraordinary feeling ...👍

[@peakfiddler]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@max-andrewmcmillan4235]

total class

[@docfloc]

Foot-tapping magic.

[@paulchignell8341]

Lovely.

[@davesiler4064]

it could be no better than this. It sent me going for my fiddle. bravo!!!!!!

[@marciamackey1645]

The sound you get is fantastic. Aspiring to get that good a sound myself - thanks for posting.

[@GladysWils]

I love your 'Old Time Version' of St Annes Reel! Thanks, nice Videos, great fiddlin; :)

[@mariasargent7742]

Both of these are great but the second one I really like because it reminds me of my great-great-grandfather who was a blacksmith in Macclesfield, Engl and. Thanks!

[@peakfiddler]

That's interesting, I wonder if you happen to know where his smithy workshop might have been located?

[@mariasargent7742]

@@peakfiddler I'm not exactly sure, but I remember that in the records it said it was in a hotel in Macclesfield. When I visited Macclesfield a few years ago I couldn't find it.

[@peakfiddler]

@@mariasargent7742 So many of the older buildings in Macclesfield have been turned into apartments or demolished. Plus many of the older properties have courtyards and entrances which suggests that they were once coaching inns which were used to stable horses, so it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Still an interesting story from your family history. Sadly, many of the over 100 Macclesfield pubs have been turned into private dwellings or offices. It's an interesting town indeed.

[@mariasargent7742]

​@@peakfiddler The hostess at the B&B I stayed at in Hurdsfeld said the same. Some of the other family members were weavers, so of course, I have enjoyed some of weavers tunes for the same reason. You have unwittingly connected me to my ancestors through your wonderful music. Thank you!

[@bruceprigge5212]

Thank you! :)

[@og1ie]

VERY INTERESTING RENDITION I rather enjoyed it.

[@velislavapetrova6703]

✋Hi, Maestro! So beautiful performance😊❤️🎻

[@thomasj.w.2886]

Your music is terrific 👌!! This playing will be held in posterity!!

[@SC-hk6ui]

Blimey you are good.

[@lis819]

Your playing is a joy to the heart and soul...thank you...

[@southerncomfortuk]

Brilliantly played as always ❤

[@kcc879]

Love the side burns and quiff 🥰

[@flatfluters]

Rollicking good playing 👍👍👍👍

[@oldgreen100]

Magnificent!!!

[@AvaPotterfieldandFriends]

I play both of those but have never put them together. Nice.

[@christianxzowner2958]

❤❤❤

[@sandrakerr6715]

Fantastic,

[@JimViolin]

Great job there, Chris! Such solid swing(y) rhythm too! I didn't know that Hey Jude fiddles sounded so sweet! (Old fiddlers' in-joke)! Tell you what, I think that version of St Anne's is far more melodic than the "standard" version.

[@scotisland]

Amazing performance!

[@christianxzowner2958]

They play this in the Village Acadien in N.-B.

[@Johnlikeme]

Thank you so much for your videos, I play the flute and have been struggling to learn the merry blacksmith for four months, but finally thanks to your version of it, I can now play it!! Your version of the silver spear is also fantastic! Is there a backing track to the merry blacksmith?

[@peakfiddler]

That's great to know cheers

[@jack002tuber]

I have the fiddler's fakebook, the merry blacksmiths is not listed, however in the alternate names list it shows it and the name they have for it is Paddy on the Railroad. Is this correct?

[@peakfiddler]

Yes, looks like the same tune to me. tunearch.org/wiki/Paddy_on_the_Railroad

[@jack002tuber]

@@peakfiddler Ok thank you sir!

[@e.chambers2973]

Nice, but the fast-pace master of St. Ann's Reel is Don Messer. He still has a lock on this tune.

[@peakfiddler]

I really like Don Messer's recordings too

[@kmrdesigns]

Wonderful!

[@MarieMandolin]

If you play" three blind mice" I know you looked directly into the sun. That comment from our friend Sue got a big chuckle out of me. Hope you did not look at the sun. We saw nothing here. Sue a tip slow down your player if you want to get all the notes on a reel. It works for me. Try the right click and the menu should give you the speed at which you can play the player. Then you can adjust back to normal speed once you finish. Peakfiddler I hope you can share this with Sue. Loved your playing as usual. Marie

[@tabtab8356]

very good work!

[@BenAmoz]

Nice!

[@scrimshank1]

The tempo of St Anne's Reel played here is what most people could country dance to. This same tune played at full speed is not likely to be danced to other than a solo step dancer.

[@jwylde2]

This was good speed for contra dancing. Very nice playing. But if you attend a full speed Irish session you gotta play faster. By the way, in "Irish Set Dancing" full speed is required.

[@twsgerald]

Do you have the score for this?

[@gutbucket260]

Don't they throw you out of Canada if you don't know this song? Sure as Bob's your uncle, eh?

[@peakfiddler]

Haha, most likely I would guess

[@JohnRitchhart]

I’ll ask Wanda.