My arrangement of a tune by accordianist Thomas Walsh called 'Inisheer' - a small island in Galway Bay, Ireland. Played on a McIlroy A30 accoustic guitar tuned to CGDGBE (Capo on 2)

Inisheer

Composed by Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan for a patron, Colonel John Irwin. A popular tune that has been treated differently by many artists.  I prefer a more lively rendition, hence this arrangement I have just done  :)

Planxty Irwin

Another go at my arrangement of this well known and oft played tune supposedly by the Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan, although it is also possible that he wrote his song to an existing tune called 'The Bonnie Cuckoo'. Played on my 'Taran' guitar, in 'Dropped D'.

Sí Bheag Sí Mhór.....again!

An original composition of mine that has been in the making for some time.  Played on my McIlroy A30 guitar in DADGAD tuning.

Winter Solstice

My arrangement of this traditional tune after listening - many times - to June Tabor's haunting 'a cappella' version.  I chose an unusual way of tuning my McIlroy A25 guitar - EbADGAD with 5-string capo on 1st fret.

The Month of January

Acoustic guitar :  Medley of my arrangements of a traditional Welsh Lullaby 'Mil Harddach Wyt'  and a Scottish tune 'Black Mary', played on a McIlroy A25.

Mil Harddach Wyt - Black Mary

Instrumental Acoustic Guitar version of this song, first published back in 1872.  Played on a McIlroy A25.

Silver Threads Among the Gold

Just the chorus of this song from 1892 which became popular in the music halls. Played with an altered tuning and two capos to get the effect. Played on my McIlroy A30.

Daisy Bell (Bicycle Made for Two)

I call this the 'Whale Song' - I heard this melody from the Blasket Islands recently during a TV program about the West coast of Ireland.  Usually played on a fiddle, Uilleann pipes or sometimes accordion.  I thought it might work on solo guitar, so made this version/arrangement in DADGAD tuning. Played on a Taran guitar, with some added 'ambiance'.  Best at good volume with headphones or good size speakers...

Port Na bPúcaí

My arrangement of 'Sí Bheag Sí Mhór' - a well known tune supposedly by the Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738), although it is also possible he wrote his song to an existing tune called 'The Bonnie Cuckoo'. Played on my 'Taran' guitar.

Sí Bheag Sí Mhór

My arrangement of this well known tune written by the Hungarian-French composer Joseph Kosma (original words were by the French poet Jacques Prévert entitled 'Les feuilles mortes').  Played on my 'Taran' guitar.

Autumn Leaves

Inspired by the onset of Winter here in France, as the days close in and the last falling leaves drift around, played in DADGAD tuning on a McIlroy A25

Last Leaves

Last Leaves (1st recording)

Composed by John Renbourn - He was apparently inspired by a run of peacocks along the tree lined approach to the French commune of Arc et Senans.  Played on my Taran guitar.

Arc Et Senans

Reposted with some Humpback Whales providing backing. I heard this melody from the Blasket Islands on a BBC TV program about Ireland. Usually played on a fiddle or Uilleann pipes - this arrangement is on a Taran guitar tuned to DADGAD. Best at good volume with headphones or good size speakers...

Port Na bPúcaí  (again) with 'choir'

Probably an old English dance tune, called 'My Lodgings in the Cold Cold Ground', but better known as 'Believe me, if all those Endearing Young Charms' - the first line of a poem by Thomas Moore, to which the music was set.

I've also recorded this in 2017.  Same Taran guitar (but 2 years on), NB strings instead of PB and new mics.

Believe Me if all those Endearing Young Charms

Composed by Andrew York - this is played on my McIlroy A30 guitar.  He describes this as  a simple and poignant piece in D major.

Home (Andrew York)

Written with the idea in mind of a Kite (feathered or not) soaring and moving on the air currents.  Played on my Taran guitar in DADGAD tuning.

Kite

I've re-recorded my arrangement of this Irish aire  (An Ghaoth Aneas) that some say is anonymous, but has also been credited to 'Freckled Donal McNamara' who in the 1700's was homesick for his County Mayo home.  Played on my Taran guitar tuned to DADGAD.

The South Wind

My arrangement of this traditional Irish ballad which translates as 'The Cursed Kerryman" and sung so beautifully by  Seamus O Beaglaoich and others.  
I've tried hard not to smother the lovely melody and let the Taran guitar do the singing... Tuning is DADGAD

An Ciarraioch Mallaithe

I dusted off my old Yamaha classical guitar and recorded this traditional wee Scottish tune...

Jock O'Hazeldean

This tune was composed by J Scott Skinner in praise of Sir Hector MacDonald, a Major-General in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders - a brave soldier who met a tragic end.  Played in DGDGBE

Hector The Hero

Thanks for dropping in.  I’ve been playing guitar since my teens - in recent years settling on solo acoustic music.  Mostly my own arrangements and a few originals. Comments welcome...

RodB - Acoustic Guitar

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