Paul Hardy - Concertina Recordings

This page has music recordings featuring my playing. Most of the tunes are in Paul Hardy's Session Tunebook (or the Annex).

Virtual Greenshoots

See my page on Virtual Greenshoots for a large number of recordings of me playing tunes slowly then faster in the Greenshoots slow session style, that were recorded during the coronavirus lockdown while the live Greenshoots sessions were suspended.

Concert Solos

These are of my few 'public' performances.

Kilve October 2016 (3.4MB) - The Lark in the Clear Air, with Roxburgh Castle - performed in the tutors' showcase at the WCCP concertina weekend. Played on steel-reeded Wheatstone Aeola 34801. Recorded on a Sony ICD-SX733 solid state recorder.
Kilve October 2017 (5.2MB) - Traditional Scottish air Roslin Castle, played by Paul Hardy in the tutors' showcase at the WCCP concertina weekend.. Played on a George Case English concertina from 1859, still in old pitch. Performance was not helped by a sticking key, and loud bangs from the kitchen being closed up!. Recorded on a Sony ICD-SX733 solid state recorder.

2016 Solos

These were recorded in November 2016 on a Sony ICD-SX733 solid state recorder!

Carolan's Concerto (1.8MB) - Turlough O'Carolan ABT 1720. Played on George Case 2760 English concertina.

2011 Solos

These are better quality recordings, mainly made February 2011 on a Zoom H2 - in my bathroom as best acoustics in house!

Roslin Castle (2.3MB) - A Scottish air, once banned by the English as too emotive. Played on brass-reeded Wheatstone 8461.
Off to California (1.3MB) - An Irish hornpipe, that seemed appropriate to play as I lived in California for three years. Played on steel-reeded Wheatstone Aeola 34801.
Boulavogue (2.8MB) - Irish air. Played on steel-reeded Lachenal Edeophone tenor-treble 57970.
Sheffield Hornpipe (2.4MB) - A hornpipe from the city where I grew up, Played on steel-reeded Wheatstone Aeola 34801.
Tankard of Ale (3.0MB) - An old tune in an unusual time signature of 12/8 - but three groups of quadruplets rather than four groups of triplets. Played on brass-reeded Wheatstone 8461.
March of the Kings of Laois (2.5MB) - evocative Irish air. Played on steel-reeded Lachenal Edeophone tenor-treble 57970.
Lark in the Clear Air (3.4MB) - A lovely Irish air. Played on brass-reeded Wheatstone 8461.

Concertina.net Tune of the Month

These are home recordings for the Concertina.net Tune of the Month or Theme of the Month.

TotM 2015 10 - Red Wing (1.1MB) - American song. Music by Kerry Mills 1907. Played on George Case 2760 English concertina. Recorded on a Sony IC recorder.
TotM 2015 08 - Carolan's 4th unamed (1.1MB) - Turlough O'Carolan ABT 1720. Played on George Case 2760 English concertina. Recorded on a Sony IC recorder.
TotM 2015 08 - The Wren (1.7MB) - Traditional Breton An Dro, via USA. Played on Lachenal English concertina 57544. Recorded on a Sony IC recorder.
TotM 2015 08 - Carolan's Welcome (2.1MB) - Turlough O'Carolan ABT 1720. Played on George Case 3087 (old pitch). Recorded on a Sony IC recorder.
TotM 2015 08 - Carolan's Draught (1.8MB) - Turlough O'Carolan ABT 1720. Played on George Case 3087 (old pitch). Recorded on a Sony IC recorder. I played this twice - once straight, and once with a dotted (swung) rhythm. Which is best?
TotM 2015 07 - American Patrol (1.6MB) - FW Meacham 1885. Played on George Case 3087 (old pitch). Recorded on a Sony IC Recorder.
TotM 2013 03 - Fiery Clock Face (1MB) - Played on my MIDI conversion of Lachenal 30566. Voices are Oboe at pitch, Cello an octave lower, and Glockenspiel an octave higher.

Other Solos

These are home recordings direct to computer using a Logitech mono microphone, or to iPod using Griffin iTalk microphone (with artefacts due to automatic volume control).

Harvest Home (1.9MB) - A local session favourite. Played in 2009 on brass-reeded Wheatstone 8461.
Rights of Man (4.4MB) - variations on this well-known Irish tune. Played in 2009 on steel-reeded Lachenal Edeophone tenor-treble 57970.
Edeophone Examples (2.7MB) - scales, Sheffield Hornpipe, Londonderry Air, and some twiddling to show range and tuning. Played in 2010 on steel-reeded Lachenal Edeophone tenor-treble 57970.

Multi-part settings

These are home recordings using a Logitech mono microphone, or a Sony digital recorder, and combined using Audacity.

2020 - the Lockdown Waltz by Bert de Cock (4MB) Five tracks combined of a three-part setting played on Lachenal New Model 57594, George Case Brass-reeded treble 2760, and George Case baritone (~3000). Combined by John McKenzie for Chiltinas - Coronavirus lockdown edition.
2010 - Sun Assembly (2.3MB) - A traditional eighteenth century courtly dance tune, included in Thompsons "Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances" in 1757. Played on brass-reeded Wheatstone 8461. This arrangement is based on one by by Anahata. Also available is a recording of just the meolody, played on a brass reeded George Case baritone.
2009 - Da Slockit Light (2.9MB) - A Shetlands lament by Tom Anderson. Played on brass-reeded George Case baritone (un-numbered, but probably around 3000, from around 1860).
2011Concertina March (1.7MB) - by Alan Day, a contribution to a virtual concertina band. Multitracked on a brass-reeded George Case baritone (un-numbered, but probably around 3000) and on a Wheatstone brass-reeded tutor 8461 - both about 150 years old!

Solos with background

These were casual recordings in a Ceol Galore practice session in Toft People's Hall.

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (1.9MB) - A haunting, ancient tune. Played on steel-reeded Lachenal 58748.
Childegrove (1.3MB) - Ancient minor melody. Played on steel-reeded Lachenal 58748.

MIDI Concertina

These were done using my MIDI concertina - conversion of Lachenal 30566.

MIDI Test 1 (4.6MB) - Explanation and samples of combined instrument sounds. Played on my MIDI concertina - conversion of Lachenal 30566.
Fiery Clock Face (1MB) - Sample for concertina.net "tune of the month". Played on my MIDI conversion of Lachenal 30566. Voices are Oboe at pitch, Cello an octave lower, and Glockenspiel an octave higher.
Archibald McDonald of Keppoch (3MB). Played in bar session at WCCP weekend in October 2017 on my MIDI conversion of Lachenal 30566. Voices are Harpsichord, Cello and Flute.
Planxty Irwin (1.7MB). Played on my MIDI conversion of Lachenal 30566, using Thumbjamb on iPad as synth and cello sample.
Planxty Fanny Power (1.0MB). Played on my MIDI conversion of Lachenal 30566, using Thumbjamb on iPad as synth and harp-like sample.

Chiltinas

See also my recordings of the Chiltinas concertina self-help group on my Chiltinas page.

Videos

There are three short videos of me playing, in my page on the Highs and Lows of concertina playing.

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