These are “nothing fancy” arrangements, just me how I play them…basically just improvised. Written down eventually, but way after the fact! It’s good to remember that at one time, the piano in the living was the “entertainment.” Even radios didn’t exist. And, if you’re the piano player — “Play us tune, Hilton!” — you sit down a play ’em a tune. And maybe somebody else has a violin and they pick it up and join in. Or, maybe the whole crowd starts singing. I truly believe this is what music’s all about. Three of my favorite Christmas tunes from the isles: Curoo Curoo, ‘s Umbo Aera, and The Holly and the Ivy. I call it A Gaelic Christmas Trilogy.
