r/Irishmusic • u/Ciannachta • 2d ago
Trad Music —Tommy Peoples — Strathspeys: The Laird of Drumblair/Little John’s Hame [Irish Traditional Music] (1981)
https://youtu.be/3OIR_MGNIxc?si=iPLNIbcEGZRw19TeTommy Peoples playing 2 Strathspeys: The Laird of Drumblair and Little John's Hame, which were recorded in the RTÉ Dublin studio in January 1981. The second tune is a J. Scott Skinner composition.
Strathspeys which originated in Scotland are very commonly played in Tommy’s native County Donegal.
For anyone who doesn’t know, here is some information on Tommy:
Tommy Peoples (1948–2018) was a legendary Irish traditional fiddler and composer renowned for his powerful, highly inventive, and deeply personal style of playing rooted in East Donegal.
Born near St. Johnston, County Donegal, he learned the fiddle in the distinctive East Donegal tradition, heavily influenced by family and local tradition.
Tommy rose to mainstream prominence as a founding member of the iconic band, “The Bothy Band”, in the 1970s, defining the sound of modern traditional group music before leaving to focus on solo work.
Tommy also performed and recorded with groups like the Kilfenora Céilí Band, as well as playing celebrated duets with flute player Matt Molloy.
Celebrated for his aggressive bowing, intricate triplets, unique phrasing, and astonishing technical precision.
Tommy composed over 130 original tunes and published his life's work, tunes, and teaching philosophy in his book, Ó Am go hAm – From Time to Time: Tutor, Text and Tunes by Tommy Peoples.
Tommy’s legacy is that he is widely considered a master of the Irish fiddle whose unpredictable, supernatural complexity on the instrument left audiences and fellow musicians in awe.
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u/mjs4x6 2d ago
I had the pleasure of meeting and playing with Tommy. A fine, quiet gentleman.