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The Harsh February reel

Also known as The Cold Harsh February, Dave White’s.

There are 17 recordings of this tune.

This tune has been recorded together with Just Cruzing (a few times), CBC’s Glenn And Karl (a few times), Andy M. Stewart’s (a few times) and Iggy And Squiggy (a few times).

The Harsh February has been added to 10 tune sets.

The Harsh February has been added to 103 tunebooks.

Download ABC

Two settings

1
X: 1
T: The Harsh February
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Dmaj
|:AG|FABd B2AF|ABdf efde|ffed BddB|ABDD FE~E2|
FABd B2AF|ABdf efde|ffed bafb|1afef d2:|2afef defa||:
bdda bdfe|d2ed fdBA|FABd ABdb|afde fefa|
bdda bdfe|d2ed fdBA|FABd ABdb|1afef defa:|2afef d2||
2
X: 2
T: The Harsh February
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Dmaj
|:FABd B2AF|ABdf e2de|f2ed BddB|ABdD FEDE|
FABd B2AF|ABdf e2de|f2ed bafb|1afef d2z2:|2afef d2fa||
|:b3fa2 fe|ddde edBA|FABd ABdb|afde fefa|
b3fa2 fe|ddde edBA|FABd ABdb|1afef d2fa:|2afef d2||

Eighteen comments

Source: Laurence Nugent
Transcription: g.m.p.

Dave White’s

A fine reel, Gian Marco, and doesn’t yer man Larry play it well ? Breandan made some comments when he posted the recording this came from, which I wholeheartedly agree with. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this a Jerry Holland composition ? If so, credit where it’s due, please.

Posted by .

Dave White’s

I don’t know who’s the composer of this reel, it is marked as "traditional" in the inner notes of the Larry’s album.
I like a lot the way Laurece plays this reel, and I agree with Brendan and his comments to the album this came from.

David White’s

David White is a Cape Breton stepdancer of years ago, and Jerry wrote that tune for Dave years ago. The only recording (that David knows) of Jerry playing the tune is on the CD "Traditional Music from Cape Breton Island".

Dave White’s

Yeah, Gian Marco - it says "Trad. arr Liz Carroll" under the actual listing of the 2 tunes, but if you look at the "Special thanks to…" section, the third line says : "for their compositions: Gerry (sic) Holland, ("Dave White’s " and "Just Cruzin’ "). Sorry to be such a stickler !

Posted by .

The Harsh February

I first found this song on Wolfstone’s Year of the Dog. It’s in their tune "Morag’s Reel." I also heard it on Jerry Holland’s Fiddler’s Choice, in the tune "Glenn and Karl’s Set."

One more thing…

This tune is by Phil Cunningham, who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. He sure does write some great tunes!

Composer?

I’m sure I have seen this tune attributed to Jerry Holland, but can’t remember where.

It’s in the second collection of Jerry Holland tunes, but it’s attributed there to Phil Cunningham. (The collection is of tunes from the repertoire of Jerry Holland, not just his compositions.)

Phil’s tune

Guarantee it’s one of Phil’s.

Posted by .

Dave White’s

The tune has been submitted already under the title "Dave White’s". Check the comments for composer discussion!

Surprised

AArgh - he got me ! Longnote - you’re right. I’d never recognised them as the same tune.
Amazing how 2 musicians can make a tune sound so different by putting different emphasis on certain notes. Phil certainly composed this, and recorded it, I’m sure, on a record with Andy M.Stewart and Manus Lunny some years before Larry Nugent’s 1st CD came out. Not recognising Larry’s version, I took him at his word on the CD sleeve notes. Have to say, it makes a great Irish reel the way Larry plays it.
Thanks - Kenny [ wi’ a red face ! ].

Posted by .

Dave White’s/ Harsh February

Kenny, I honestly could not remember where I had gotten the notion it was a Jerry Holland tune until I realized it might been here. Took me a while to remember the title even though I learned it once upon a time from the recording of Nugent.

Phil cunningham tune

this tune was actually composed by Phil Cunningham

We know

Longnote pointed that out to us a few days ago. But he never wrote it the way Larry Nugent plays it.

Posted by .

David White’s

I just found this website while searching for postings on Jerry Holland on the event of his death. This is the David White that Jerry worte the reel for and "ktmacm’s" comments are right on the money. Jerry and I were good friends in our young dance going days woth him playing and me step dancing and he gave me the great honour of writing this amazing reel for me!!!!!

The Harsh February

This is called The Harsh February and was composed by Phil Cunningham. David White’s, by Jerry Holland, is another tune entirely as appears on his "Fiddler’s Choice" CD. I think the David White’s titled should be removed.