One of my favorite fiddlers is James Bryan, born in Mentone, AL. A protege of Bluegrass great Kenny Baker, James toured and recorded with Norman Blake's Rising Fawn String Ensemble before releasing recordings under his own name. I first heard James play on the Bob Carlin album, Banging and Sawing and was immediately drawn to his lyrical, understated style and gorgeous tone.
After a lot of digging I found that James was, in my opinion, vastly under recorded. I was able to track down a copy of Two Pictures, an album he made with multi instrumentalist Carl Jones http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jbryancjones . There is so much great music on this album...two absolute masters at work. If you don't have this stop everything and buy it now! James also has several videos on YouTube that demonstrate his masterful fiddling.
Unlike many other TOTW volunteers, I have no idea where this tune comes from. A little research on the web pointed me to a posting by the BHO's blanham http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/234724 that indicates that the tune was collected by folklorist Dr. Samuel Bayard from fiddler William Morris in the 1930's.
However, as with many old time fiddle tunes, I suspect Belles has it's roots in the British Isles and it is interesting to note that the Chieftains have recorded Belles ofBlackville https://www.amazon.ca/Essential-Chieftains/dp/B000E6EJ34 with Bela Fleck. I have provided a video and tab of the tune and while I indicate that it is in the key of D more knowledgeable musicians than I have suggested that it is actually in the key of A.
Either way, Belles of Blackville is a beautiful, haunting melody. I hope you enjoy playing it as much as I do. Thanks, Nick