I thought I would start a thread devoted to reels. What are you favourite reels? Post some videos of you playing, mandolin and related instruments. I like minor key reels because you can get away with playing them at a slightly slower pace than a regular session speed - always a good thing in my book! Here is a short run through of the musical priest with my friend Al on guitar.
Makes sense, after the jigs post. Reminds me that I really need to make and post some more videos. In the mean time, here's one from 2010. Enough mandolin to qualify, I think.
For minor reels I like: The Glasgow, Cooley's, The Musical Priest. My favorite majors are: The Mason's Apron, Silver Spear, McArthur Road, Maid Behind The Bar, Music for a found Harmonium, Whiskey B4 Breakfast and St. Anne's.. Cooley's: Simon's: Whiskey/St. Annes:
I still like Toss the Feathers and Toss the Feathers
A great collection of reels here already. Here is another version of Cooley's
Some very fine versions there from all, gents, and an interesting lot of instruments on show. The differences in tempo are interesting and some reels do seem to sound better when played that bit more slowly - not a criticism of the players, by the way!
A Michael Coleman set which might belong here.
Over the Moor to Maggie
Bucks of Oranmore and 3 others.
Here's the Green Groves of Erin which is a minor reel and my favorite at the moment. Coming from the bluegrass tradition, I've noticed that the A part of many reels is pretty easy to play, it's those twisty and winding melodic lines on the B parts that seem to take up all my practice time...
Here are a couple of my favorites, "Tuttle's Reel" and "Sergeant Early's Dream." I learned the first from Bobby Casey's recording, the second (I think) from Kathleen Collins's first LP. But there have been a few decades of Folk Process since then, and I suspect that my versions may have wandered a bit from theirs. Bob Michel Near Philly
Really lovely tone from your Gibson A there Bob - what year is it?
Thanks, Jill. It's from 1912, I believe--quite early (the fingerboard extension hadn't yet been added to the A-4 model). I'm extremely fond of this mandolin. When I bought it there were two pretty nice snakeheads on offer for the same price, but I picked this one on the basis of its sound, and have never regretted the decision. Bob Michel Near Philly
Michael, beautiful, I'm inspired to dive in and learn The Green Groves of Erin. The double stops are great.
