Category Archives: KGB and Local Session (Seisiún) Tunes

Tunes played by the local Irish group, King Golden Banshee, as well as tunes played locally in various sessions and ceili band tunes.

KGB Practice CD – On Line Now!!

After making multiple copies of the King Golden Banshee practice CD for folks, I decided it was time to “Go Green”, and, thanks to gaining permission from Will Rourk, the originator of the CD, here it is in all its glory. And yes, my DADGAD guitar students, playing along with these tunes is excellent practice! Hahaha! I have placated two groups with my ingenious counter offensive!

Do note that you may need to re-tune your instrument slightly, especially on some tracks, as it is not quite 440. All are in Windows Media Format, so if you are on a Mac, please use the link on the right to be able to play on your computer. Also, for those of you who might be sitting in with KGB, some sets have been changed, though most of these tunes are still actively being played.

Listen to Jim Donohue’s, Plow and Stars
Listen to Fisher’s, Rights of Man, Dunmore Lasses
Listen to Tripping up the Stairs, Banish Misfortune, Gillian’s Apples
Listen to Rakish Paddy, Dick Gossip’s, Toss the Feathers
Listen to Pipe on the Hob, Gander In The Pratie Hole
Listen to Killavil Jig, Cliffs of Moher
Listen to King of the Fairies, Golden Keyboard, Banshee Reel (aka the KGB set)
Listen to Johnny Cope
Listen to Monaghan Twig, Bonaparte Crossing the Rockies, Humours of Tullycrine
Listen to Home Ruler, Charlie Lennon’s, Cronin’s
Listen to Cooley’s, Teetotaller
Listen to Smash the Windows, Jerry’s Beaver Hat, Tar Road to Sligo
Listen to Man of Aran, Musical Priest, Jenny’s Chickens
Listen to White Pettycoat
Listen to Dancing Bear, Oreaga
Listen to Boys of Blue Hill, The Sandlark, Off to California
Listen to O’Rourke’s, Farewell to Eireann
Listen to Lilting Banshee, Mug of Brown Ale, Swallowtail Jig
Listen to Merry Blacksmith, St. Anne’s
Listen to Blarney Pilgrim, Bill Harte’s
Listen to The Leitrim Fancy, Slip Jig (unknown), Lark in the Morning
Listen to O’Carolan’s Draught, Fairies Hornpipe
Listen to Spindleshanks, Spootaskerry
Listen to Pretty Peggy Morrissey, Madame Bonaparte
Listen to Jackie Coleman’s, Martin Wynne’s #2, Doc Gilbert’s
Listen to Lady on the Island, Crane’s Leg
Listen to Walsh’s, O’Dwyer’s
Listen to John Walsh’s, Britches Full of Stitches, Devlin’s Polka
Listen to Sean Ryan’s, Balleyvorney Polkas
Listen to Foxhunter’s Reel
Listen to Stokes County Waltz, Sonny Brogan’s Mazurka

Coppers and Brass

Here’s another tune I’ve been working on recently called Coppers and Brass. It is a 3 part jig that I learned from Will Rourk of KGB and it caught my attention early on when he and Michael Tuite played it at our Sunday sessions at Fellini’s. It partially caught my ear because of the fun runs and octave skip in the B part and the beautiful cascading arpeggios of the C part. But another reason I might have noticed it is because it changes keys in the B part from the primary key of G to D. We rhythm players have to catch these things, you know, and Will surprised me several times before I recalled it without hesitation.

The name also intrigued me. I did a little sleuthing on the web (Google is fantastic for this kind of research) and saw a couple of explanations. Those of you who know the Bob Dylan song, Copper Kettle, might have gone down that path, as a few of us did. But the more likely explanation, in my view, is that coppers and brass refer to coinage as this very interesting article from the Irish Medical Times points out. Apparently there was a bit of a shortage of money back in the late 1600s and a temporary mint was commissioned in Dublin where, according to the article, “the presses at Capel Street, known as the ‘James’ (named after the king) and ‘Duchess’ (named after the Duchess of Tyrconnell) presses, began churning out coins around the clock with two teams of men working 12-hour shifts night and day. They began with copper and brass sixpences in June 1689.” So that’s the explanation I bought with my coppers and brass… but I’m open to hearing any other ideas you might have. In the meantime, enjoy the tune!

Listen to Coppers and Brass

I should also add that I played this on my new octave mandolin which I’m thoroughly enjoying. It is quickly becoming my instrument of choice as I can play tunes, add rhythm, or accompany songs. Quite a versatile beast!

Banish Misfortune

Banish Misfortune (key of D) is one of my favorite jigs. I love the tune, but even if I didn’t love the tune so much, the name just can’t be beat! KGB plays this tune as the 2nd in a fun jig set starting with Tripping Up the Stairs (D) and wrapping up with Gillian’s Apples (G). The recording link below is by Willie Clancy, namesake of the famous Willie Clancy week. The version is a bit different from the sheet music (where I learned it, also shown below), but couldn’t resist a Willie Clancy recording 🙂 Enjoy!

Listen to Banish Misfortune played by Willie Clancy