The J.B. reel

tune requested by binioubraz.
Source: Sean Keane : "The Fire Aflame"
Transcription: g.m.p.

One one of his earlier albums, possible Skyedance. I think he plays it in F#min

This is an old highland (Scottish) tune, written in Fsharp minor.

Composed by Scottish music lover James Murdoch Henderson in 1932 and published in his book Flowers of Scottish Melody. If I remember rightly, it was also recorded by Jonny Hardie and Gavin Marwick. The "JB" in question was James B Paterson, a headmaster at Cullen, "a perfivid Scot; cultured musician; friend of James Scott Skinner".

The version on Altan’s Runaway Sunday is in F# Dorian, what key should I learn it in, does anybody play this at sessions?

I was once again listening to Alasdair Fraser’s Skydance CD today and all of a sudden it struck me. This is the tune used by Jim Malcolm to write his very moving song, Jimmy’s Gone to Flanders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok2eSOSb-eY

play video

If you want a version with the lyrics on screen, this is also a good version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXpYUwudJ4

play video

Beautiful setting played as a slow air by Jonny Hardie on OBD’s "New Tricks", c. 96 bpm. Sustain for maybe half a beat longer on the pauses if you’re including them.
I heard this tune for the first time (I thought) just this past week, really loved it, and transcribed it soon after. I was browsing my library for sessionable material earlier, and was surprised to see a familiar name in an Altan set. Glad it’s not totally obscure.