Sorry for the belated reply.  I just wanted to throw my album into the mix.  “Join Up Hands CD” is a companion album to my book of the same name.  The album is all old-time tunes (fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass) dance length and dance speed.  Most tracks are 8 or 10 times through the tune, which isn’t enough exactly for a regular contra dance, but usually is enough for a one-off gig.  More info about the album (and the book) here: https://www.newdayhoedown.com/store

I’ve also found the Wild Aparagus live album great, as well as the Portland Megaband albums….not old timey of course.  And the New England Dancing Masters recordings are stellar too, but not to many old-time cuts.  If you can get a copy, there was an album recorded by a community in Kentucky about   15-20 years ago— all old-time, dance speed, dance length tunes.   It is called “All Join Hands” (not to be confused with my Join Up Hands, eek), and the contact is www.cowancommunitycenter.org.   I think the cd is out of print, but if contacted directly you might be able to get your hands on it.  

Good luck!

sue




Sue Hulsether
New Day Hoedown LLC
www.suehulsether.com
newdayhoedown@icloud.com
shulsether@mac.com
608-632-1267  Cell
P.O. Box 363, Viroqua, WI 54665





On Oct 15, 2025, at 12:23 PM, Jeff Kaufman via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

"or hold a performance license from BMI and ASCAP"

Note that this only applies to music from groups who have registered with BMI or ASCAP, which wouldn't include a lot of contra dance musicians.  So best to ask!

Jeff

On Wed, Oct 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM Maia McCormick via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
In case it's helpful, here's the playlist I tend to use for this stuff -- a variety of lengths, but basically all with four (or more??) potatoes.
--
Maia McCormick (she/her)
917.279.8194


On Tue, Oct 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM Bill Olson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Amy, hi.. looks like you sent that reply only to me and I bought the album, what, 30ish years ago? I'll copy the list on this reply.

The guys were out here in Maine just after Ted Sannella died to play the North Whitefield dance. It was a really cold November night. Ted was buried within earshot of the hall and after the dance, we hiked down to his grave and Claude played "Lady of the Lake" on fiddle. It was below freezing, and we all had a moment. That was KGB for ya!!!

bill
From: Amy Wimmer <amywimmer@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 7:22 PM
To: Bill Olson <callbill@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Full-length tunes for a dance
 
I can attest to the great music on KGB's "Volga Notions" album. We've used it for situations where there was no band. Dave, Claude, and Julie are superb musicians and composers. Get ahold of Dave and buy that thing!

-Amy Wimmer 
Seattle

On Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 12:16 PM Bill Olson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Seattle contra dance band, KGB,'s CD "Volga Notions" has dance length tune medleys. Not old timey, but really really great. The band, Dave Bartley, Julie King, and Claud Ginsburg, is no longer together after 31 years (so sad), but you can get the album from Dave on his website.

bill"
From: dje h via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 2:10 PM
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Full-length tunes for a dance
 
I recently got approached to call for a church social. Unfortunately, it's the same weekend as a huge area fiddle festival, and I'm not able to get a live band in spite of reaching out widely. I'm looking for downloadable full-length dance music (I'm completely willing to purchase). I prefer old-time tunes, but New England style would also work. 

Thanks!
Deborah Hyland
Ft. Scott, KS
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