'Leven Forty-five at the Hotel (1903)......Kerry Mills

[Steve Harrison]

This is another rare tune by Kerry Mills.

Despite my best efforts, I was unable to find any complete recordings of it so I was flying blind with this one. According to Mill's notes at the head of the piano score, the title originates from the days of Minstrelsy when the performers would organize a parade to publicize their arrival and they would meet at '1145 at the hotel'.

His tune simulates the style of music to which they marched and towards the end there are a few bars of percussion to be tapped out on the banjo head. Original instructions told the pianist to use the lid of the piano.I've 'banjofied' a number of the bars making this is a good tune that works well on the banjo. The score and midi are in the library....Steve.

[Jody Stecher]

Here's a bit of the piano version as midi and mp3:  http://www.grainger.de/music/rm/mills16.html

also here http://www.grainger.de/music/mp3/dbe0322.mp3

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Jody, Thanks for that but I did find that little bit which is what raised my interest in the tune however I haven't managed to locate any other recordings which is surprising as it's a very good tune. I would rank it among his best...Steve.