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This is a traditional folk tune (whether it's English or French, I'm not entirely clear) which seems to be popular with melodeon players. However, it is perhaps best-known through its substantial re-arrangement by Mike Oldfield, who recorded it in 1976 with recorder player Leslie Penning, and released it as the B-side (outside the UK) of the single "Portsmouth" (as well as including it on his "Boxed" collection later that year).

Oldfield's version of "Argiers" is most notable for transposing the tune from its original major to a minor key, which transforms it into something more haunting and wistful - to me (and others), it almost feels like a Christmas piece, which is why I am including it here. My recording pretty much follows Mike's arrangement, with a couple of touches of my own.

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[instrumental]

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from My Own Song For Christmas, released December 15, 2012
TA Walker: 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitars, guitar and keyboard synths

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TA Walker UK

Guitarist/multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter, often with "electronica", "lo-fi" and "prog" inclinations.

Um... will that do?

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