A Scott Skinner tune recorded by Sean McGuire ,on Fiddle, on a `78 about 1954 and also on his superb MUSIC OF IRELAND album in 1960.
Recordings
Frankie Gavin: Live at Glor (2003-2004 Collection)
The NE English band The High Level Ranters played this reel along with the Shetland tune Da Tusca, on their 1969 LP "The Lads Of Northumbria". This was produced by Topic Records, but has apparently not been reissued as a CD.
Re: The Spey In Spate
Just curious, how did this tune become so popular compared to other Skinner tunes?
Re: The Spey In Spate
Well, in my opinion anyway, it’s a particularly good Skinner tune. There are others like "The Baker" which could be comparable in popularity. But it’s a reel in D, which makes it easy for Irish instruments to play. It’s also very popular in Donegal, where you’ll also find other Skinner tunes like "The Ironman" and "The Spinning Wheel" ("The Flood on the Holm"). I suspect it spread to Owrish trad from Donegal, or from Sean McGuire, who was a very well-known Irish fiddler who recorded many Scottish tunes as well.
It’s a very good tune that can take a lot of variation and still be recognisable. Obviously a fiddle tune but works well on the flute, as is ably demonstrated by Matt Molloy on Kenny’s clip. A flute player acquaintance of mine plays this as the lead off on a set of (obviously) fiddle tunes folded for the flute: Spey in Spate – Trip to Windsor – The Shetland Fiddler – Big John MacNeil.
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