On 6th Feb Julia Say wrote: That's interesting, Margaret. I remember Joe's views on both Irish music in Northumberland, and on Billy Pigg and his playing, from conversations with him in the early 90s, at the Rothbury course, at Alnwick, and from playing bass with him and Will & Will in sessions. As a result I am mildly surprised that he played it. Hello Julia & Margaret, Sorry to be so tardy replying to this. I hope people aren't given the wrong impression about Joe by this posting. I think the distinction has to be made between style and music. People who knew Joe well would be amused by the suggestion that he had something against Irish music per se. True the Irish style was not attractive to him (and others) as it was too fast and flowing and lacking the bounce needed to satisfy a Ranting community. Jigs had similar problems. Having said that, many tunes of Irish origin were very successfully adapted to become well used favourites. Saddle the Pony & Blackthorn Stick to name but two. Hornpipes were the common ground here and Joe played some great Irish ones, Stack of Wheat, Greencastle etc. To be fair the same problems existed with some of the well known Scottish bands. Their reels tended to be "unRantable" and their waltzes and polkas tended to drag as far as Northumbrian dancers were concerned. If Scottish bands couldn't adapt their style to suit they didn't get a return gig! As Jimmy Little said recently, "to really know about our music you have to live amongst it"! As aye Anthony
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