Theo Paige’s reel

I heard Theo Paige play this really great tune at the session in S.F. on Sunday night. I don’t have another name for it -- if anyone does, feel free to add it…..

Hello, this is theo, I learned that tune from a recording by the tape worm (I think)…. So there is no information on who was playing, but I think it was the fellas from fisherstreet. I don’t know the fiddle player’s name so if anyone knows, please tell me! It’s excellent fiddling.

The fiddler’s name is Seamus McMahon. Great tune, Theo. Thanks for postiing it Doug. Kenny might have a name for it… or longnote… ceol too… fellas?

In it’s original form it was a single reel not a double…

http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/FE_FH.htm

“There was a Fergus Céilí Band, Clarecastle, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, whose members included flute player and fiddler John Joe Casey (b. 1912), accordion player Joe Sheridan and later accordion player John McCarthy. This tune was composed by Casey in 1960 for the All-Ireland Fleadh in Boyle, County Roscommon, with which he won first prize.”

X: 2
T: The Fergus Céilí Band
C: John Joe Casey
L: 1/8
M: 4/4
R: reel
K: Dmaj
|: fdcd edcA | BG D/E/F GBAG | FDAF G3 B |[1 Adce g2 b/a/g :|[2 Adag fd-de ||
|: fd d/d/d fd f/g/a | ge e/e/e gebg | fdAF G3 A |[1 FAdf g2 b/a/g :|[2 FAag fd- d2 |]

I love tnose 1st and second endings…

Another transcription of the single reel take on this, also featured at “The Fiddler’s Companion”, which was transcribed from a tape recording of John Joe Casey’s take on his tune and was published in the Comhaltas magazine “Treoir”, 1970 & 2000 (volume 32, #3, page 14)… Here it is repeated for comparison ~

X: 3
T: The Fergus Reel
L: 1/8
M: 4/4
R: reel
K: Dmaj
|: fd ~d2 edcA | BGEF GBAG | ~F3 A ~G3 B |[1 ABde gbag :|[2 Adag fd d2 ||
|: fd ~d2 fdfa | ge (3.e.e.e gebe | fdAF G2 AG |[1 FAdf gbag :|[2 F2 ag fd d2 |]

Thanks ceol… you’re a star!

Another member of the Fergus was my Mother’s father, Jim Maher of Clonroadmore. I have a great picture of himself and some of the other band members taken probably in the early 50s.

Richard, maybe you could add the names of the other members here? Were there any recordings made? Thanks for making the connection…

Sorry, no i don’t know of any others. Jim was a typical North Clare (Ballyvaughan) musician who could turn his hand to any instrument. Long gone now, he spent most of his life working as a dry stone wall mason, and his work can be seen in many places around Ennis, and even on the main road coming out of Shannon Airport. I have his accordion and fiddle at home here in London, although i can’t do either any real justice as i am a whistle player. I wish I knew more about that part of his life. I do know that in his younger days he was regularly playing with the Russells/Clancys etc.

Thanks Richard, appreciated…

I am interested in finding out more re the Fergus Ceili Band. I am writing a piece for a local history publication in Clarecastle where John Joe lived. I would be delighted if any of you with info would get in touch. Thanks.