Tune of the May: Da Slockit Light - post your recording here

[BobM]

Nice one, Glenn - thank you!

The Husband calls the tune The Light Socket.

Like it..

 

[Glenn]

Well, I'm no linguistics expert but "slockit" sounds to me somehow similar to the Germanic "slocken"which is to swallow.
A swallowed light is to all intents and purposes an extinguished light.

 

[george garside]

Well, Im no linguistics expert but slockit sounds to me somehow similar to the Germanic slockenwhich is to swallow.
A swallowed light is to all intents and purposes an extinguished light.

That is precisely what atom Anderson had in mind when composing the tune as a lament to the lights going out as the population of Shetland diminished for various reasons. It was written as a slow air or lament and well the jazzed up version is perhaps ok as a tune in its own right it is far rmoved from the original - But thats what happens in folk music . Another example is the Pipe March The barren Rocks of aiden being played as a Kerry Polka! . Much as I love it as a pipe march I myst grudgingly admit that I have been known to Kerry polka it on odd occasions

george

 

[hatless]

I've been thinking about this question of whether it's a sad tune or a joyful one. Obviously it was written as a lament, but it can be played fast and light, and it's tempting, on an accordion, to do so. I understand that in South Africa the same tunes can be sung slowly in a time of grief or lament, or fast and furiously when it's time for celebration. In New Orleans in the tail-gate jazz era, the funeral dirge would be given an up-tempo makeover on the way back from the grave.

 

[hatless]

I like your rendition, too, Glenn. It has a nice spring in its step. I even like the warts!

 

[Anyanka]

I originally practised the tune with no idea of how it was supposed to sound: I like getting the chance to approach a tune without prejudice. It felt like it wanted to be played fast, and actually works nicely as a Schottische in my opinion. Before recording it, I listened to several versions on YouTube, and the fact that they were all very slow did not change my mind; on the contrary, I figure that there are enough slow versions already, so Glenn & I have made something different happen. All the better.

Usually I go the other way - slowing down jigs and reels, and playing them in minor keys to make them mournful. Works with Morris tunes as well; I call them my Morris Minors.

 

[Glenn]

Interesting Anyanka,

I never listened to it on YouTube and just reading the music made it appear to fit the springy, light-footed schottiche approach.
Now I'm curious to listen to the "lament" style of playing it.

 

[george garside]

There is a lovely utube vid (taken from a aCD) of two of the finest Shetland filers playing it. Tom Anderson (its composer) aand the legendary Ali Bain.

george

 

[JIM D.]

A nice tune, found it here -- -- JIM D.

 

[GOM]

My 1st effort. Warts and all.

 

[Anyanka]

Nice & slow there.... is that a digital accordion? It sounds violinish at first, then quite organesque!

 

[GOM]

Roland FR 3X Violin instrument 1st and alpine treble bass high reed bass with reduced bass volume

 

[Glenn]

Thanks GOM.
Nice slow approach, probably closer to it's intended style.
I've only listened on my tinny PC but will slap some headphones on when I get home to see what the Roland can do.
Did you record directly (line out) or via the speakers of the Roland?

 

[jarvo]

Very pleasant rendition....I think I am becoming familiar with this tune now :tup:

 

[GOM]

Just for fun. But dont lose your tempo!

 

[jarvo]

great guns...sounds like a vintage steam organ....and that from me is praise indeed.....(although , never ever let me see one on the road!!....or any other steam driven contraption grrrrrr :x )but this sounds great fun ...2x :tup:

 

[Anyanka]

I like that one better than the slow one, GOM! It's fun and jolly... not at all what poor Tom Anderson was after...

 

[BobM]

I may not get mine recorded before end of the month, I’ve just spent a month working on an hours worth of solo music for a gig last Saturday. My accordion head is really done in..

BobM :|

 

[Anyanka]

No hurry, Bob - record when you're ready. This thread stays open, and I'll still be listening in August!

 

[BobM]

No hurry, Bob - record when you're ready. This thread stays open, and I'll still be listening in August!

Ta.