The Butterfly

Slip Jig 9/8, in Em or E Dorian

Composed by the Irish fiddler Tommy Potts (1912-1988), although the tune is generally said to be cobbled together from previously existing slip jigs which Tommy may have learned from his father, the piper John Potts. Tommy's rendition can be found on his only album, The Liffey Banks, 1971. Another seminal version is that of the Bothy Band in their first album, The Bothy Band, 1975. Kevin Burke, who later joined The Bothy Band, has also recorded the tune, with The Bothy Band and on his own. The tune has become quite well-known and is the theme music for the film The Secret of Roan Inish. Born in Dublin, Tommy Potts was unusual in that his playing of traditional tunes was very improvisational. He would often play in Martin Hayes' home when Martin was a child and Tommy's playing is said to have influenced the fiddling of both Martin Hayes and Frankie Gavin.

Josefin's Waltz

Key of Gmajor.

This was written by Roger Tallroth, the guitarist for the Swedish group, Väsen. Tallroth wrote the tune for the christening of a niece. It appears on Väsen's 1994 album, Essence. Recordings have also been made by Dervish (At the End of the Day), Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Hass (Fire and Grace), Natalie MacMaster (Blueprint), and Hanneke Cassel (My Joy).

A video of Väsen playing the tune can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJS3ZTf-sWI.

Danny Ab's Slide

This is a single jig or slide from southwest Ireland. It is in the key of A minor. It also goes by the name Danny O'Keefe's. I learned it in Ireland from Siobhán Ní Chonaráin at the Willy Clancy Summer School.

The tune goes well in a set after another of our fiddle circle tunes, The Road to Lisdoonvarna.

Here is some notation for the tune which may help for guitarists and cellists.