Sandy River Belle / Sleeping in O'Hare

Sandy River Belle / Sleeping in O'Hare - Transmutations - Matthew DeChant

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This is a set of two fiddle tunes, one traditional and one original. ‘Sandy River Belle’ is an old-time fiddle tune I learned from a friend of mine in college, probably originating in the Virginia/West Virginia area. Sleeping in O'Hare is an original old-time tune of mine.
For those who aren't in the know, the term ‘old-time’ doesn't just mean the music is old, it's actually a distinct genre of folk music. Old-time music, in short, is American folk music the way it was played before the development of genres like country and bluegrass. It's not as fast and flashy as bluegrass, and it’s more connected to its Anglo-Celtic roots than country music. Musically there's a strong focus on drone notes and a consistent syncopated pulse, leading to an almost trance-like feel when done well. And most of all, despite the name, old-time music is still being written and played today.