Re: [Callers] [trad-dance-callers] Re: Tempo for Levi Jackson Rag

Sylvia suggests that "We should follow the tempo in the Assembly Players CD Levi Jackson. Nic Broadbridge is the leader of that group and worked closely with Pat Shaw who wrote the dance." I am not sure that I agree. This might be the preferred speed in Scotland, or the UK, or now. It says nothing, however, about the speed that Pat wanted or expected it to be played back in 1974. My first experience of dancing Levi Jackson Rag was to the calling of Pat Shaw, in London, and although this was over 30 years ago, I am certain that it was slower than generally done today. As well as working with the Assembly Players, Pat also worked closely and regularly with the Kenton Ramblers, a London-based 3 piece band led by the late Sheila Mason. As well as being the mother of one of the dancers in our university dance group, Sheila lived just around the corner from me and was a regular baby sitter. We had many musical and dance-based conversations, including about Levi Jackson Rag. If I recollect correctly, Sheila was the 1st person to play the tune for Pat, if not in the world, at least in the UK. She always complained that people played it much too fast and that it should be slower and 'swing'. That is certainly how the Kenton Ramblers played it for me. Of course, when you play it more slowly it becomes more obvious whether the musician has actually hit all the notes correctly! I am thinking about 112-114bpm. Michael Barraclough http://www.michaelbarraclough.com From: sentto-10754689-14055-1236621858-michael=michaelbarraclough.com(a)returns.grou ps.yahoo.com [mailto:sentto-10754689-14055-1236621858-michael=michaelbarraclough.com@retu rns.groups.yahoo.com] On Behalf Of smiskoe(a)aol.com Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 2:04 PM To: trad-dance-callers(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [trad-dance-callers] Re: Tempo for Levi Jackson Rag We should follow the tempo in the Assembly Players CD "Levi Jackson". Nic Broadbridge is the leader of that group and worked closely with Pat Shaw who wrote the dance. Pat has passed away but what better reference could we get than by listening to Nic's recording. It is faster than the you tube selection first cited, 29 seconds for one rendition. Sylvia Miskoe, Concord, NH [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] . <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=10754689/grpspId=1705123886/msgI d=14055/stime=1236621874/nc1=5170419/nc2=5191954/nc3=5349276> __,_._,___