That's really fascinating! As Michael notes, 112 would feel slow to
today's dancers, but I do agree it's a great tempo for the tune. And
at 112 the courtesy turns could certainly be more courteous!
RAF
On Mar 9, 2009, at 2:43 PM, Michael Barraclough wrote:
Sylvia suggests that
"We should follow the tempo in the Assembly Players CD Levi
Jackson. Nic
Broadbridge is the leader of that group and worked closely with Pat
Shaw who
wrote the dance."
I am not sure that I agree. This might be the preferred speed in
Scotland,
or the UK, or now. It says nothing, however, about the speed that Pat
wanted or expected it to be played back in 1974.
My first experience of dancing Levi Jackson Rag was to the calling
of Pat
Shaw, in London, and although this was over 30 years ago, I am
certain that
it was slower than generally done today. As well as working with the
Assembly Players, Pat also worked closely and regularly with the
Kenton
Ramblers, a London-based 3 piece band led by the late Sheila
Mason. As well
as being the mother of one of the dancers in our university dance
group,
Sheila lived just around the corner from me and was a regular baby
sitter.
We had many musical and dance-based conversations, including about
Levi
Jackson Rag. If I recollect correctly, Sheila was the 1st person
to play
the tune for Pat, if not in the world, at least in the UK. She always
complained that people played it much too fast and that it should
be slower
and 'swing'. That is certainly how the Kenton Ramblers played it
for me.
Of course, when you play it more slowly it becomes more obvious
whether the
musician has actually hit all the notes correctly! I am thinking
about
112-114bpm.
Michael Barraclough
http://www.michaelbarraclough.com
From:
sentto-10754689-14055-1236621858-
[email protected]
ps.yahoo.com
[mailto:sentto-10754689-14055-1236621858-
michael=michaelbarraclough.com@retu
rns.groups.yahoo.com] On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 2:04 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [trad-dance-callers] Re: Tempo for Levi Jackson Rag
We should follow the tempo in the Assembly Players CD "Levi
Jackson". Nic
Broadbridge is the leader of that group and worked closely with Pat
Shaw who
wrote the dance. Pat has passed away but what better reference
could we get
than by listening to Nic's recording. It is faster than the you tube
selection first cited, 29 seconds for one rendition.
Sylvia Miskoe, Concord, NH
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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