BACK The Great Northern Tune Book |
The new edition of The Great Northern
Tune Book, the William Vickers manuscript of 1770. |
William Vickers' tune book is one of the largest and most interesting English fiddle manuscripts. Compiled in 1770, probably in Newcastle upon Tyne, it contains a surprising variety of tunes and gives us an intriguing window on an individual fiddler's world. Under the compiler's simple heading 'Country Dances' are:
Vickers' collection served as a source for the Northumbrian Minstrelsy in the 19th Century, and also played a part in the renaissance of traditional music on Tyneside in the 20th Century in the hands of The High Level Ranters, The Cut & Dry Band and Alistair Anderson. Edited by Matt Seattle and appearing as The Great Northern Tune Book under his Dragonfly Music imprint in 1986-7, Vickers' was the first fiddler's manuscript to be published in its entirety. This long awaited new edition, completely re-edited and in one volume, is an essential resource for every player and student of traditional music, whether serious or in Vickers' words, "half-witted, merry and mad". |