Grande Nuit In Port Du Peche reel

Classic Gordon Duncan tune from “Thunderstruck”.

Also featured on Wolfstone “Almost an Island”

I think this tune was actually written by Martin Hughes. I used to work with Martin and he was a very talented flute player.

“Paulso” is absolutely correct, this tune is a composition of flute-player Martin Hughes, and not Gordon Duncan. Martin played in a band called “Eclipse First”, and they made a recording with the then “Scotrail Vale Of Atholl” Pipe Band, of whom Gordon was a member. It appears on that CD, 4th track in a suite of music called “Briezh”.
As an aside, Martin also was in a band called the “Binious” with Fred Morrison, playing mainly bombarde, and I had some great sessions with them one year at the Lorient Festival in Brittany. I think I may still have some recordings of them.

I see that someone has already listed it as an alternative title, but on the CD, the tune name is given as “La Grande Nuit Du Port De Peche”.

You can also find the tune on The Tannahill Weavers’ album “Epona”. It is the first tune in the Interceltic Set and is just labelled “Breton Tune” rather than the full name.

ok- i downloaded this mp3 from amazon i think, and i must admit i was wondering why it was in franglais…. living in a francophone country I will hastily say that I was thinking it should be “du”. Anyway, no mistaking the tune name for something else I don’t think!

My approximate transcription of the Tannahill Weavers version (first track on Epona), similar to what Gordon Duncan plays on Thunderstruck. They play AABBCCBB, first in F# minor, then again in C minor, which is the same key as Gordon Duncan plays.
I quite like the variations in the B part as well as the extra C part, though the missing beats in the transition could be a bit tricky playing with others..

Great tune a high part added.

This is the transcription of Wolfstone’s version on their album “Almost an Island”

You can sense an An Dro (or “Tour”) rhythm influence in this tune… Nice.

Maggie Sansone plays this on her ‘Celtic Fair’ album & tunebook as a traditional ‘Breton An Dro’ in F#m & Bm. The 3rd track on her album. You can see there’s a lot of confusion over it’s origin as it’s also posted on the session as an An Dro as well under https://thesession.org/tunes/8640 (warning: rude word in it’s new title! Surprised that one got through!).

To be fair, it does sound traditional. I imagine the composer has had to chase royalties if everyone thinks it’s a trad tune. A bit like John Kirkpatrick & ‘Jump at the Sun’.

Martin Hughes - playing wind synthesiser :
https://youtu.be/9YlvPd6DUT4

play video

also, with the “Binious” - Martin is centre :
https://youtu.be/nh4cZHDHxcw

play video