Holmesflute

An early rehearsal tape, developing this song by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Bob Fox main Artist and arrangement

This is a slow air I got from a Christy Barry recording. He plays this tune using the same fingering on a D simple system flute but I thought I'd try it on a Bb Ormiston Eight Key Flute. It has the use the foot joint quite a lot which makes it trickier but well worth the effort. Christy recorded it on Wooden Flute Obsessions 3. He plays a marvellous rendition full of feeling and emotion. The image of the fiddle player is Chris Jordan of Bohola (Eire) and Newcastle UK. A long time friend and musician long gone RIP.

A set of jigs; the first I learned in the late seventies at Leicester Irish Centre music session. The later jig I got from Des Hurley (Leeds) and Dairmuid O'Brien (Limerick). Dave Wood recorded this guitar part for me in 2002 or 3. I did record a flute to it at the time but I wanted to do this version using our own copy of a Rudall simple system flute - Holmes McNaughton eight key in African blackwood. Flute recorded Jan 2017. The Bodhran (2002) played by Reed Ingram Weir of Ingramsounds (PA and equipment hire - Newcastle)

N Holmes - Holmes-McNaughton African Blackwood eight key flute The Castle Jig (S Ryan) & Scotsman Over the Border

A set of jigs that I got from Diarmuid O'Brien(fiddle) when he he was studying in the area in the late 90s. Dorus Mill (Daly)and the second tune which might be a version of The Shetland but the B part is different. Dave Wood guitar - N Holmes flute - Holmes McNaughton blackwood eight key Rudall copy

This is a track that I've just re-recorded this time with the help of Karen Tweed and with the original guitar and bouzouki accompaniment. It was first used on Wooden Flute Obsessions III CD. It starts with a laid back hornpipe known as Garrett Barry's. I think the second tune was composed by MacMaster (uncle of Natalie I presume) but has been through the mincer of the Durham Colpitts session and doesn't sound like anything I can trace. The final tune was composed by, close friend of all three musicians on this recording; Paul Ruane, for his daughter Orla Ruane in 1999 (approximately). Paul was a great fiddle player, a founder member of the Tyneside band Cuig. He died on the 3rd August 2016 at all too young an age. He taught me Orla's Reel shortly after he'd composed it and I've played it ever since.

Martin Matthews - Durham UK is a tenor banjo player. A marvelous set dreamed up by Martin. I was thrilled to be asked to play on this set. This track is to appear on Martin's next "Wall to Wall" CD series. Recorded by Sean Taylor. The track Bog Cotton starts with the Christmas Walk jig in C, and is followed by the Bog Cotton Jig/ Reel in Em, both are written by M Matthews. The info re musicians instruments etc are as follows, MM acoustic guitar, N Holmes whistles and flute, Dan Foster fiddle, Sean Taylor fretless bass, Cajon and Hammond organ. It's not finally mixed yet. The flute used is a Holmes McNaughton blackwood eight keyed flute.

An old rehearsal tape from 1992. Bob Fox sings this marvelous traditional song. Primarily arranged by Bob with contributions from Paul Ruane (Fiddle) and N Holmes (Flute) This was a first play through of an arrangement.

A brace of reels on a Mopane F Pratten copy of my original Boosey made by Ian Corrigan of Durham. I Corrigan is a Flute, Whistle and Pipe maker.

This is a tune on a newly made F Pratten perfected (Boosey) copy made by Ian Corrigan. I've chosen this tune deliberately as it uses all six keys (using what would be Bb fingering on a D flute)

A track that the guitar was recorded for in 2003, I had forgotten about it but recently found it and quickly recorded the flute to it. I used a Holmes - McNaughton Pink Ivory Rudall copy for this set.

A better mix than the earlier posting. A brace of reels played on a Bb (B Flat) Flute - eight keys. Lots of use of the foot extension on this set.

A Waltz, a version of a track that is to appear on Paul Archer's record of tunes that he has written. (mostly traditional sounding) N Holmes Bb Ormiston Eight Key Rudall Copy & Bass Prog P Archer Fiddle & Guitar Frank Porter Bandonion (KB) (written and arranged by Paul Archer)

Dave Wood Shona Mooney & N Holmes (Holmes & McNaughton eight key flute) recorded early this century

Lynne Tocker wrote these two jigs and is kind enough to let me use them too. N Holmes plays a Holmes McNaughton pink ivory eight key flute.

Three reels by N Holmes (Holmes McNaughton ABW eight key flute) Paul Ruane (Fiddle) Dee Ruane (Box) Dave Wood (Guitar) Wild Irishman Set

Irish Jig played on a Holmes McNaughton Pink Ivory eight keyed, simple system flute. Dave Wood accompanies on guitar.