Session Obsession

A Tune A Week: #1

Every now and then, you come across an Irish tune that just has attitude. The Drunken Landlady is one of those tunes. It’s a reel that practically dares you to keep up with it—full of twits, turns, and that kind of slightly unhinged energy that makes it so much fun to play.

Like a lot of great traditional tunes, its origins are a little murky. Most folks trace The Drunken Landlady back to the playing of Seán Keane or Frankie Gavin—both masters who could turn even the most straightforward reel into something electric. But no matter who you first heard it from, you know it by feel: it’s bold, rhythmic, kind of mischievous, and so fun to play. Which is why I chose to start off this series of A Tune A Week with it.

It opens with this gritty, minor-tinged feel that hooks you right away, then lifts into a joyful little hop that carries the tune forward. There’s a rhythmic snap that keeps you on your toes — and once it settles in, it’s downright addictive.

One of the things I love about The Drunken Landlady is how it invites interpretation. Some players lean into the wildness, making it fast and fiery. Others pull it back just a bit, letting the melody breathe and giving it a groove you can really sink into. Either way, it’s got that perfect mix of challenge and reward that makes it one of my favorites.

Have a listen:

---

This is part of my Tune a Week series, where I’m learning, or re-learning, a tune a week for the next year. Feel free to suggest a tune in the comments below.

Tune in next week for tune #2. Happy playing!