Ponte Isabella waltz

A member of my regular session at the Babbity Bowster in Glasgow shared a video of this tune on FB today. It made me think (again) of how long it’s been since I’ve been to a session (8 months & 2 days) and how long it’s been since I’ve met up with my fellow musos. I haven’t seen most of them for since December 2019. The Babbity changed hands and closed for refurbishment back in January. We were supposed to resume our sessions in March, but you know…

This is my 100th submission to The Session and I guess I got a bit sentimental. I want to post a tune that I really like, that means something to me, not just some random tune I transcribed from a recording somewhere. I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time playing in that pub since I first showed up 3 years ago. They welcomed me with open arms and I absolutely love that place and the people in it so here’s a tune that’s possibly only played there. 🙂 If you hear it somewhere else in Scotland someone related to the Babbity won’t be far!

Right, back to the tune. This lovely wee waltz was written by Enzo Palombella, from Italy. He’s friends with several people at the Babbity, and some of them, members of the Glasgow band Setanta, recorded it back in the early 90s. It’s a tune you’re almost guaranteed to hear or play if you drop by as they’re (well… they were before the apocalypse) still playing there twice a week.

We play it in a very similar way to what Setanta recorded back in the day.
The set is usually Ponte Isabella / The Man of the House.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5igpa4hyCBxq72aVU3UCYa?si=wUWwnJChRt2i5jsVZT-sfA

Apologies for the long post!

Lovely on the flute, and lovely the history of it. Thank you for posting.

What a pleasant tune. Had never heard of it before. Is it Spanish or Italian? Will get out my fiddle after the 9 am news (better news re Covid in Glasgow, the great metropolis.)

Just seen this now @Susan. It’s Italian, written by Enzo Palombella.