Lime in the Harp
Lime in the Harp began as a traditional string band of three musicians who played for contradances and other events in San Diego during the 90's. The group was founded in 1991 by Marc Hansen, John Odam and Janet Ashford and after Marc left San Diego, John and Janet were joined by Chris Davis.
Since Janet's departure from San Diego in 1999, John, Chris and John's son Seth carry on with the band. You can check their dance schedule at the San Diego Folk Heritage contradance web site. Also check the website for John's special brand of beard shampoo, and for Start with a Scan, a book on computer graphics co-authored by John and Janet.
John, Chris and Janet recorded one album, called Historians Differ.
Historians Differ
Historians Differ, the first and only album by Lime in the Harp, is fast selling out its fourth printing! This 60-minute cassette features the distinctive original Lime sound: fast jigs and reels alternating with slow tunes loaded with fiddle harmony.
One of our listeners said she found our album to be a very fine accompaniment for intimate moments with her sweetie, because sometimes it's fast and sometimes it's slow. Hmm. Another happy customer said that listening to our album at work increased his production of alpha waves. Find out for yourself by ordering a copy by mail.
Chris Davis, fiddle
Janet Ashford, fiddle
John Odam, mandolin and mandocello
To order a copy of this 60-minute cassette, send a check for $10 to:
Janet Ashford, 10377 Nichols Lane, Mendocino CA 95460
Print an order form for Historians Differ
Contents
SIDE 1
1. Planxty Fanny Power, Turlough O'Carolan
One of our favorite tunes by the 18th century Irish harpist. A "planxty" is a tune composed for a patron.
2. Brenda Stubbert's Reel, Jerry Holland
We heard this played in the Irish sessions at Lark in the Morning camp in Mendocino. It was written by fiddler Jerry Holland of Inverness, Nova Scotia and has also been recorded by Altan, The Glasnotes, and Alasdair Fraser.
3. Down by the Sally Gardens, traditional
Another fine, sad traditional air with lyrics by W. B. Yeats, based on an Irish folk song.
4. Farewell to Erin, traditional
Chris brought us this stirring reel (also called Farewell to Ireland), picked up during his year in Dublin.
5. The Upstairs Bedroom, Janet Ashford
Janet composed this waltz in the style of a sad Scottish air. We often play it as a waltz for dances.
6. Merrily Kiss the Quaker's Wife/The Blarney Pilgrim
Two traditional three-part jigs from Ireland.
SIDE 2
7. Hewlett, Turlough O'Carolan
Another lovely waltz from 18th century Ireland.
8. Out On the Ocean/Rambling Pitchfork
Two traditional Irish jigs. We learned the first from Bay Area mandolin player Paul Kotapish and the second from San Diego fiddler Patric Petrie.
9. Trip to Skye, Aly Bain
A plaintive waltz composed by the fiddle player for the Celtic group The Boys of the Lough.
10. Tenpenny Bit/Cliffs of Moher
Two traditional Irish jigs.
11. My Own Home
This waltz is a favorite at San Diego contradances. We learned our three-part version from the playing of Bay Area fiddlers Kevin Carr and Cathy Whitesides.
12. Rakish Paddy/Star of Munster/The Gravel Walk
These three reels are popular Irish session tunes.
13. Midnight on the Water, Luke Thomasson
Another much-requested waltz for contradances, from Texas.Produced by Lime in the Harp
Recorded by Marty Eldridge in San Diego in 1994 and 1995
Digital mastering by Erik Thompson
Cover design by John Odam
Reproduced at California Magnetics, San Diego
Copyright © 1995 by Lime in the Harp
"The Upstairs Bedroom" copyright © 1995 by Janet Ashford
