Will Fly's nuts...

Subject: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 05:32 PM

Well, his coconuts anyway!

Rochdale Coconut Dance as performed by Will Fly.

I have just started to learn it (on piano accordion) and Will's was the first You Tube video I found as a term of reference.

One thing that does puzzle me a bit, Will. You play what I have as the 'B' music first. So do Bellowhead on their insanely fast version. Although I have lived near Rochdale most of my life and even worked there for over a year, I have never seen the dance! I cannot believe that both you and Bellowhead have it the wrong way round but the dots in Mally's book say you have.

I must say I like it your way round. Anyone know if that is the way it is played for the dance?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 05:39 PM

Conkers I would say.
Al

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Howard Jones
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 06:01 PM

There's a good deal of confusion about this. The tune as originally collected by Anne Gilchrist I believe starts in the major. However it is often played the other way, and this error (?) has been compounded by several influential publications and recordings. Its easier to resolve if you finish in the major.

I've always played it the 'proper' way


The Electropathics

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 06:32 PM

In our session we play it either way depending on who starts it

Gerry

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 07:15 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNbGYRSsV8g just a bunch of nutters

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: TheSnail
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 07:56 PM

This might help
thread.cfm?threadid=127374&messages=52#2841276

Scroll down for further discussion.

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 08:15 PM

Thanks for the link, Dave.

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 02:46 AM

That's the Bacup one, Dick, but thanks for the link anyway. I see I contributed to the other thread referred to by Snail, as does Will! Too much water (or beer) under the bridge to remember it though:-) On reflection, I guess that unless you are playing for the dance itself, it doesn't really matter which way round. Put it down to the 'folk process'!

On a Mr Fox track, Mr Trill's song I think, they finish off playing the Jenny Lind Polka but with the A and B music switched. Going off on a linked subject, any other tunes famously played not in the 'right' order?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: vectis
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 02:48 AM

The video is of the Bacup coconutters. Anyone ever seen the Rochdale mob dance? Is there a Rochdale mob at all or is it just the music that has survived?

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 03:30 AM

My nuts are actually private(s) but, as we're on the subject...

The people I play with in sessions and in the band are great fans of Bellowhead - so we've always followed the Bellowhead progression: Em in the A part, G in the B part. It may not be the original but, to us, it sounds more satisfying that way - particularly for a dance - and, by the way, we play it following on from "Jack Robinson".

And, alas, if there were any other 'nutters in the Rossendale Valley, they've long gone and only the Bacup lads remain.

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 03:40 AM

Just watched the YT version I played in 2008. Hmm. If I was doing it now, it would be simpler and faster, but I'd just recently heard the tune at that time. Crap video quality in those days as well - and I gave up using internal guitar piezo pickups not long after that. Sounded too plastic for my taste.

Sad how ones indiscretions come back to haunt one.

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 04:02 AM

Well, Bellowhead's version is certainly faster if not simpler but as it is a dance tune I think it would be far too fast for any old Rochdale 'nutters. :-) As an ex dancer myself I think people would find themselves falling over at that speed!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 04:28 AM

And a link to the Bellowhead version for anyone interested.

D,

Subject: RE: Will Fly's nuts...
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 Nov 16 - 04:39 AM

Clive from the Whitworth Morris men says that when the tune was collected it was simply noted down as being collected in Rochdale, not that there was a Rochdale team. He believes that it was in fact the Whitworth team that were dancing there and the tune has been misnamed ever since.