The Star Above The Garter slide

A very popular session tune in Bristol. I’ve put in the roll on the A3 in bars 1 and 3 of the A part because it’s never played otherwise.

Here is a very ornamented version as played by Dermy Diamond (fiddle) of Belfast at Milltown Malbay in 1985 .

d2B {d}BAG ABA ABA|GEE c2B {d}BAG ABc|
d2B {d}BAG ABA ABA|GEE EDC D3 DFA:|
|:d2e f2d (3gag e (3ded B|G2B c2B {d}BAG ABc|
d2e fga (3gag e (3ded B|G2B c2E D3 D3:||

Watch and listen to Mick O‘Brien and Kevin O’Reilly play this slide: http://www.kittylieover.com/tionol_2004_150k.wmv (From Kitty Lie Over Website: http://www.kittylieover.com)

Listen to Kevin Burke play this tune at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utfE6m-lP_A

play video

It’s #2 in a set of slides beginning with one I don’t know and ending with “Where is the Cat”.

What’s the meaning behind this tune? What is its historical background?

The tune has no meaning other than being a tune. The title has all kind of nuances, but I’m far too much of a gentleman, stocking all manner of inhibitions, not least a desire to glance occasionally just a little way upwards.

Isn’t innocence cute?

Is it something similar to An Phis Fliuch?

Check this out -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Garter

Most notably, the Order of St. Patrick…

‘Is it something similar to An Phis Fliuch?’

possibly ,Danny - but even then only inasmuch as the armed norman banditti who filched these shores became as wet and Phis-like as any ruling elite is wont to do.

as we limeys like to say, la plus ca change…

Thanks, Jusa Nutter Eejit. That’s interesting. I will share that with my session buddies. You’re no eejit !

The video clip has been removed from their website, but it’s now on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L-YuHK7juQ

play video

Wonderful video slainte!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZkp_QJxb9c

play video

Great clip of this tune being played by John McSherry (as part of Donal Lunny and Coolfin). It’s the second tune in the set of slides, starting at the 0:46 mark. Needless to say, this is my favourite version of the tune :D

The 2nd setting is twisted and the A-part is missing.

2nd Slide in 2nd Track of CD “Highs & Bellows”

Here’s a setting that substitutes B notes for the low Es. I don’t think it sounds quite as bouncy this way, but it might be a little easier to play, and it makes for an interesting variation.

Here’s a quick blast of this slide on mandolin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efkzv1TggHU

play video

Setting in G Major with chords and ending note in the last bar.

I just noticed that the last bar of each section sings the title of the tune…

Based off the Cillian Vallely Recording on the record The Raven’s Rock. It’s in the middle of a great set of tunes.

Couldn’t figure out how to edit the setting I just did…sorry