Annotation:Happy Hours

Back to 

 HAPPY HOURS. AKA and see "Plaisance." AKA - "Plaisance Fox." English, Scottish; Polka. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'CC'DD. The tune has been recorded as a polka, although Scottish accordion player Jimmy Shand recorded the tune in the late 1930's where it was described as a foxtrot on the record label (Beltona BL 2382). The melody (as "Plaisance Fox") previously had currency in France as part of Emile Vacher's musette repertoire, and, indeed, the composition is attributed to Vacher & Peyrennin, who composed it in 1926. It is perhaps Shand (or his record company) that renamed it "Happy Hours". Barry Callaghan (2007) notes it has also been recorded by harmonica player Jimmy Hiddlestone with Bob Smith's Ideal Band (Glasgow, c. 1931), Will Starr, and Northumbrian musician Billy Pigg.  Source for notated version:  Printed sources: Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; p. 92.  Recorded sources: EFDSS CD13, Old Hat Band - "Hardcore English" (2007. Various artists). Old Hat Records OH-1, Old Hat Band - "The Old Hat Concert Party." Topic Records TSCD550, Brass Monkey - "Flame of Fire" (2004. Learned from the 1930's recording of Glasgow's Bob Smith's Ideal Band).

Back to