Whiskey Before Breakfast
Notation:
Standard Notation
ABC Notation
Banjo Tablature
Mandolin Tablature
Violin Tablature
traditional
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Standard Notation
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Banjo Tablature - wide
Canadian
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Transcription: by Darryl D. Bush
"Whiskey Before Breakfast", also known as "Spirits of the Morning" is a Canadian (originally)<br> and American reel in D Major. The parts are played AABB.<br> It is a widely known tune, possibly a traditional old-time tune although it has generally<br> been credited to the mid-twentieth century by Manitoba, Canada, fiddler and composer<br> Andy de Jarlis (real name Joseph Patrice Ephreme Desjarlais), probably on the strength of his<br> copyrighted arrangement.<br> It was included in de Jarlis’ book Canadian Fiddle Tunes from Red River Valley (1957),<br> where he is credited for the arrangement only.<br> The tune is often used as musical accompaniment for the quadrille "Reel of Eight" in Canada.<br> Sources report that it was played for that dance in the early 20th century and that it was<br> a favorite of Métis dance troupes in Western Canada.<br> Ken Perlman identifies it as coming from Canada's Maritime provinces where it is called<br> "Spirits of the Morning".<br> The banjo tablature is by John Letscher.<br> It was printed in Brody's Fiddler’s Fakebook (1983),<br> Frets Magazine, April 1989,<br> Gibbons' As It Comes: Folk Fiddling From Prince George, British Columbia (1982),<br> Perlman's Melodic Clawhammer Banjo (1979),<br> Phillips' Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, Vol. 1 (1994),<br> Silberberg's Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern (2002) and<br> Spadaro's 10 Cents a Dance (1980).<br> It was recorded by Loyd Wanzer on Plain and Fancy Fiddlin',<br> Butch Baldassari on Day in the Country (1994),<br> Guy Carawan on Jubilee (1979),<br> Kretzner and Leibovitz on Dulcimer Fair (1981),<br> The Arkansas Sheiks on Whiskey Before Breakfast (1975),<br> Clem Myers on Clem Myers: Northeast Regional Fiddle Champion 1967 & 1970 (1974),<br> John McCutcheon on How Can I Keep From Singing? (1975),<br> Andy DeJarlis on Whiskey Before Breakfast (7" single),<br> Vesta Johnson on Down Home Rag (1988),<br> Taylor McBaine on Boone County Fiddler (1987),<br> The West Orrtanna String Band on The West Orrtanna String Band (1977),<br> Norman Blake on Whiskey Before Breakfast (1976) and<br> Dick Barrett on Fiddle Jam Sessions.<br>
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