Tommy Hunt’s Jig (slip jig) on The Session

Tommy Hunt’s Jig

The Chieftains (on The Chieftains 2, track 2) play this immediately after Sonny’s Mazurka. It’s referred to on the album notes as a "slip-jig," but it is played in a fast mazurka rhythm. (The rhythm and tempo are very similar to the tune I recently posted as The Foxhunter’s Mazurka, heard on The Chieftains 1 [track 6].) So I’m posting the ABC notation as a mazurka in order for the rhythm to come out right. Does anyone know how to correctly classify these "fast mazurkas"? Are they actually slip jigs, albeit a less common type? Are they identified with a particular locale in Ireland?

What do the Chieftains know, anyway?

I like this tune. thanks for posting it. as for all your questions … I have no idea

Tommy Hunt’s

This is indeed a slip jig, not a mazurka. Slip jigs were played at this fast tempo in Sligo in years past. The Chieftains’ version was borrowed from a 78 rpm recording by Michael Coleman. Some slip jigs exist in two version, a fast one in this style and a slower setting adapted to modern step dancing. Another fast slip jig is "Promenade," played by Michael Gorman and popularized by Kevin Burke’s LP of the same name.

I concur with blarney star. This is indeed a slip jig. The word "jig" in the title kinda gives the game away!.

for similar tune / discussion see also https://thesession.org/tunes/2579

woops!https://thesession.org/tunes/1492/comments

This is defo a three-two/slip polka.

I just realised that this is a simplified, hop jig version of A Mile To Ride https://thesession.org/tunes/4042.

Duh! :-/

There’s nothing mazurka about it at all, however you try to squeeze it into 3/4 time…

“Tommy Hunt’s Slip Jig” ~ fleshing / flushing it out

That’s the first "slip jig" I’ve ever seen written in 3/4, ‘c’.

Duh! :-/

LOL

This is a hop jig if you swing it, fast 3/2 tune (or I prefer "slip polka") if you play it straight. For other tunes with the same variable rhythm, see 3/2 & 9/8 versions of the Dusty Miller and versions of Cucanandy/Dance To Your Daddy.

Alright, have your cake and eat it too… 3/2 makes more sense than 3/4 and calling it a mazurka…

LOL ~ :-D

M: 9/8

Hey, where were you when the ~ hit the fan?

Should probably be a hop jig

I think the best location for this one would be under a "hop jig" category, which doesn’t yet exist. So I’m changing this from the mazurka to the slip jig category, which is probably the closest approximation.

this tune is worth learning for its 3rd part alone.

sorry, did that sound ironic?! :- ) I meant that one actually (Ride a mile) https://thesession.org/tunes/4042/comments

…
So, to sum it up, here’s a list of ‘3/4 slip jigs’ (all in a set, if you’ll have it)

M.Gorman’s https://thesession.org/tunes/1714
L.McDonagh’s https://thesession.org/tunes/1492
The Dusty Miller https://thesession.org/tunes/4323
Tommy Hunt’s (this one) https://thesession.org/tunes/2579
Dance to your daddy-o: https://thesession.org/tunes/7365

(Work in Progress)

Tommy Hunt’s played by Lad O’Beirne and Martin Wynne

I’ve added X:4 as played by O’B + W on an old home acetate, which may be heard here:
http://comhaltasarchive.ie/search?tab=tracks&q=Lad+O%27Beirne#/tracks/3477 I thought it was a unique tune initially, then realized it was a 2 part version of Ride a Mile, then found this alternate title. Makes sense as Tommy Hunt was a Sligo musician as well. Curious that McGann + Reynolds played the book setting instead of this one.

Patsy Touhey recorded 2 parts of the Ride on a cylinder about a century ago, perhaps I’ll transcribe it someday.

Tommy Hunt’s Jig slip jig

Four settings

Twenty comments