FTX-361 - THE BLUEBELL POLKA

THE JAMES SHAND TRIO

All aspiring melodeon-players will enjoy listening to these early recordings of a great master of the instrument. The first time in the studio he gave particular attention to the strict temp required by the dancers, but listen to the subtle appogiatura (practical grace-notes) which Jimmy puts in before the beat-notes, a technique also used by pipers and fiddlers. Accompaniment is provided on piano by Margaret Low and Joe Mooney, some on guitar by George Cuthbert, with Len Kidd on drums and one track with his own Folk Dance Band.

1. Barn Dance: IMPUDENCE (Macey) with piano - 3'18"

2. Grand March: STONEHAVEN; SCOTLAND THE BRAVE with piano & drums - 2'53"

3. Two-step: THE DANCING DUSTMAN with piano - 3'18"

4. THE BLUEBELL POLKA with guitar - 3'01"

5. Schottische: THE BELLMAN with piano - 3'04"

6. DAN'S WALTZ & JIG: The stone outside Dan Murphy's door (1.48); Dan the Cobbler with guitar - 2'59"

7. Lancashire Clog Dance: THE PIPER'S WEDDING; THE BREAKDOWN with Joe Mooney on piano - 2'48"

8. Rocky Mountain Medley: CHICKEN REEL; TURKEY IN THE STRAW with piano & drums - 3'25"

9. Welsh Waltzes: THE ASH GROVE; SWEET JENNY JONES with piano - 3'18"

10. Foxtrot: TRIOLETS with piano & drums - 3'04"

11. The Palais Glide: THE ROAD TO THE ISLES; SWANEE RIVER; JOHN PEEL with piano - 2'58"

12. Minstrel Medley: DE OL BANJO; KINGDOM COMING; O SUSANNA with piano & drums - 3'01"

13. Schottische or Barn Dance: THE THISTLE with piano - 3'19"

14. THE COBBLER & YODELLING WALTZ with piano, drums & bells - 3'07"

15. Canadian Barn Dance: DARK-EYED DINAH with The Folk Dance Band - 3'10"

16. Last Dance: JACKY TAR HORNPIPE; DAVIE DAVIE KNICK KNACK; GOOD NIGHT AND JOY BE WI YOU with guitar - 3'21"

All the recordings were dubbed from deleted 78 rpm disks in the Folktrax Archive made in the 30s & 40s by Mr Murdoch of the Beltona Co and included here by kind permission of Decca International. Edited by Peter Kennedy and first published on Folktrax cassettes 1980.