tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:/blogs/blather?p=14
blather
2024-03-27T08:25:00-05:00
Jimmy Keane
false
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7373207
2024-03-27T08:25:00-05:00
2024-03-27T08:25:01-05:00
Mick Moloney posthumous honorary doctorate...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/59919/848b789d86eea87b4306e9de77b33a77ad2340bd/original/mick-ul-phd-honor.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_center border_" height="844" /><p> </p><p><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">A most worthy and wonderful honor for our dear </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.facebook.com/mick.moloney.39?__cft__[0]=AZXlV2qyIOZudZ1DQP49J7o6OowTwnSujCu8oSZ_58DRuLuxEDqJHj3MuvzPlmY1w1JkhSdGORz7IswgsSJ33pN0GA87th33sd-7lXt8aMInLadWjcY7VkDS6yOm6BzIvCX2QTaqkfKjlKIYMQu_f0sovftYZwmac6R6X_6PznJ4Eg&__tn__=-]K*F" role="link" tabindex="0"><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);"><span><strong>Mick Moloney</strong></span></span></a><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">!! <img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="❤️" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ted/1.5/16/1f49a.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="💚" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="❤️" height="16" width="16" /></span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Picture: Mick Moloney’s sister Violet Moloney Morrissey pictured with his brother Dermot Moloney and sisters Nanette Moloney and Kathleen Moloney ahead of the honorary doctorate ceremony</span><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Photo by: Arthur Ellis</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Tuesday, 26 March 2024</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">An internationally acclaimed musician has received a posthumous honorary doctorate award from University of Limerick.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Michael (Mick) Moloney, who passed away in 2022, was a musician, academic, teacher and social activist and, for much of his life, one of the most influential Irish musicians in the United States.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">He was posthumously conferred with an honorary doctorate of letters by UL President Professor Kerstin Mey at a ceremony in UL this Tuesday.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">The Limerick born musician had a longstanding relationship with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL, where the ceremony featuring members of his family took place.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Speaking at the ceremony, attended by Mick’s sisters Violet, Nanette and Kathleen and his brother Dermot, as well as invited guests, former colleagues and friends, Professor Mey paid tribute to “one of Limerick’s finest sons”.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">“In the presence of his beloved family, we pay tribute to Mick Moloney’s extraordinary contributions to music, culture, and education, both locally here at the Academy he loved so much and globally through his collaborations and wide-ranging curations.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">“As we reflect upon Mick’s illustrious career and his profound impact on the world of music, it is fitting that we do so within the walls of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance here at University of Limerick.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">“It was here, 30 years ago, that the seeds of great legacies were sown, as the Academy opened its doors as a beacon of academic and performance excellence, dedicated to the celebration and preservation of music and dance.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">“Mick’s relationship with the Irish World Academy was one of deep resonance and mutual admiration. Alongside the Academy's founder, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Mick shared a passion for nurturing emerging musicians and dancers, not only within the realm of traditional Irish music but also at the intersections of diverse musical traditions from around the globe.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">“His tireless dedication to mentoring students, sharing his expertise, and promoting cultural exchange enriched the fabric of our academic community and inspired countless aspiring artists – in many ways, his presence and influence were deeply felt, leaving an indelible mark on generations of students and faculty alike.”</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">A consummate singer and instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, banjo), Mick Moloney was named best tenor banjo player in America four times by FRETS magazine, and in 1999, he was named traditionalist of the year by the Irish Echo.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">In 2013, the Limerick man received the Presidential Distinguished Services Award from the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, and in 2014, he received a TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award for his outstanding contribution to traditional music.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Mick was particularly influential in the development of the Academy’s traditional music programmes, acting as one of the earliest international consultants for the MA in Irish Music Performance programme.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Over the years, his relationship with the Academy embraced many roles, including visiting lecturer, performer, consultant, external examiner, external supervisor and, finally, adjunct professor. He played an important part in many performance events at UL, most notably in his curation of the Banjaxed concert in 2007, which featured all the leading Irish banjo players of the day.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">Mick studied economics in University College Dublin before becoming a major figure in the ballad-group movement of the 1960s, when he joined The Johnstons with fellow musician Paul Brady. Moloney recorded several albums before moving to the United States in 1973, where he pursued graduate studies in the Folklore and Folklife Department of the University of Pennsylvania and earned a doctorate on continuity and change in Irish music in America.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">He played a seminal role in the revival of Irish music in America. He was one of only 10 Irish musicians resident in the United States to have received the National Heritage Fellowship Award, presented to him by Hilary Clinton in 1999.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">A regular lecturer in ethnomusicology, folklore and Irish studies, Mick Moloney taught at the University of Pennsylvania and was appointed Global Distinguished Professor of Music and Irish Studies at New York University, bringing music into the heart of Irish studies in America in the process.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">His scholarship and passion for traditional and folk music was matched by a lifelong commitment to social justice.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">As a young man, he worked with immigrant communities in London, and over the last two decades of his life, he worked in Vietnam, Cuba and Myanmar and in refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border. In these latter years, he divided his time between New York and Thailand, where he volunteered as a music teacher for children with HIV at the Mercy Centre in Bangkok.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(5,5,5);">His immense legacy as a musician, educator and social justice activist positions him as a global leader in inclusive music practices, a legacy that continues to grow through his students and creative collaborators around the world.</span><br><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.ul.ie/news/university-of-limerick-bestows-posthumous-honorary-doctorate-on-acclaimed-musician" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">https://www.ul.ie/news/university-of-limerick-bestows-posthumous-honorary-doctorate-on-acclaimed-musician</a></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7349097
2024-02-10T06:48:40-06:00
2024-02-10T06:48:41-06:00
Blue Sky on Walnut - Supertrad (Sam Bartlett & Eric Schelder)
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/59919/7fb9d174311eee60f08ec3f6cec2fd301f9857fa/original/supertrad-album-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>I received a lovely recording the other day from the Bloomington, Indiana, based band Supertrad entitled “Blue Sky on Walnut”</p><p>Supertrad’s current lineup is Sam Bartlett on tenor banjo plus five string banjo, and Eric Schedler on piano accordion — and the instrument combo from Sam and Eric on this recording is indeed Super — and trad!!</p><p>Many would know Sam Bartlett from the contra dance and New England music tradition and also his amazing visual artwork and life as a stuntologist — and if you don’t, please check out sambartlett.com for all the delights!</p><p>Sam and I also share a great endearing music connection with the late Mick Moloney who inspired Sam to the tenor banjo for Irish music, and Mick who inspired me to love the tenor banjo from all our years playing music together</p><p>The other half of Supertrad, is Eric Schedler, a classically trained harpsichordist (and pianist) who has added the piano box to his musical arsenal — an addition which is heartily appreciated by this listener!</p><p>Eric was initially inspired by my friend, the great box player and musician Alan Kelly, whom Eric met in 2016 — and more recently, Eric has an informal mentoring relationship with another great box player (and friend), Tadhg O Meachair, recently of the great trad-band Goitse who is currently living in Indiana.</p><p>There is a great history of banjo and box combos in Irish music spurred on by the likes of Edward Herborn & James Wheeler (1916), The Flanagan Brothers (1920s) and in more recent years Tony MacMahon & Barney McKenna, my namesake James Keane & Mick Moloney and many others. You can now add Sam Bartlett and Eric Schedler to the list!</p><p>Anyway, on to the music:</p><p>Some of my favorites include Junior Crehan’s composition “The Luachrachán” jig followed by “The Cordal” jig which was popularized by fiddler Denis Murphy of County Kerry.</p><p>A beautiful tune “Time Will End” written by fellow box player and friend Jeremiah McLane starts off a set along with two great tunes written by Eric, “Hardin Ridge” and “Grey Day” which Eric wrote for musician Grey Larsen.</p><p>Sam Bartlett’s two penned reels “Green Table” and “Supertrad” are both strong and driving tunes.</p><p>There are some lovely waltzes on this recording including “Market Waltz” written by Eric and “Blue Sky on Walnut” by Sam. And also some grand marches written by Eric: “Katie’s Tune” for Eric’s wife and “Hamlet’s Rebuttal” which Eric wrote for Sam.</p><p>This recording is dedicated to the late and great musician Jamie Gans whom I knew since the early 1970s when we were both starting out in this great music. In Jamie’s honor, Sam & Eric play one of Jamie’s compositions — a brilliant reel named the “Desnoyer Reel” after a street Jamie lived on in St. Paul, Minnesota.</p><p>And Eric wrote a lovely jig for Jamie named “Young Man from St. Paul” which Eric took the title from a hornpipe written by Paddy O’Brian of Tipperary for Jamie Gans — which was later renamed, much to Jamie’s disappointment.</p><p>And I could go on…</p><p>“Blue Sky on Walnut” is a mighty recording of tunes both old and new by Sam Bartlett and Eric Schedler under the banner of Supertrad. I’ve always adored recordings where it is just two folks playing tunes tightly together with the occasional harmony and wandering complimentary notes. The rhythm and lift in their playing shines through too — you know they know how to play and interact with dancers. As a piano box player, I am particularly impressed by Eric’s playing on the box with his lovely bass/chordal work in addition to his tune playing. That doesn't take anything away from Sam’s equally great playing on the banjo — instead this combo of Sam and Eric brings out the best of each other performance wise and in service to the music. And finally, their tune writing skills are mammoth and make this entire album worth getting and listening to for years to come — or at least until their next one! Great work lads!!</p><p>— Jimmy Keane (February 9th, 2024)</p><p>Get your copy here: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://supertrad.bandcamp.com/album/blue-sky-on-walnut" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">https://supertrad.bandcamp.com/album/blue-sky-on-walnut</a></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7349069
2024-02-10T06:06:22-06:00
2024-02-10T06:06:23-06:00
Horse: February 10th 1989
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/59919/29448d5b40bea4048097916fb10a5c8ea3e29159/original/horse-iw-feb-10.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p> </p><p>Hard to imagine that it is 35 years ago today since the Horse was killed after falling 13 stories on a job-site accident in Chicago at the age of sixty. That day and time is embedded in my being... <br> </p><p>I had just finished recording a few tracks with Michael Miles up in Evanston for his debut album and was driving south on Lake Shore Drive to head back to the southside. <br> </p><p>At 3pm, I was stopped at the traffic light on Chicago Avenue just a few blocks away from where Dad was working on Michigan Avenue — and got this hot pang in my heart. I shook it off, continued driving south for a Friday jar with the lads at the 6511 Club. <br> </p><p>As soon as I walked in to the 6511 and saw the tears in Jimmy Goldrick's eyes and the late Jimmy McGowan imploring me to go home — I realized the pang I felt an hour before was letting me know that my Dad died that afternoon… <br> </p><p>All was a blur the following weeks and months…<br> </p><p>Such is the fragility of life - I love you Dad - rest in peace Horse 💚<br> </p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7218255
2023-05-31T07:05:10-05:00
2023-10-16T09:44:25-05:00
And then this happened...
<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(5, 5, 5);font-family:system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;overflow-wrap:break-word;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:pre-wrap;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><div style="font-family:inherit;text-align:start;" dir="auto">Wow!! Thank you <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.facebook.com/mark.lysaght.7?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZV1ERT5tgD1mF4nANTThdflBDhxh3_jMB7b1Px9TPNhkxo-I0fwo3R_D-yrmxxza1M8c1N_y-TMkeF2j9d973wvV-3JXet17IauGpP5Jd85xyQUy9ystnoeS-Noy1AW_iqU4kZtwPxQIB8RWHlpAO_7_NqSVf2R9oR6fT5Z5sDQl2Y_Ao9XL9kTAMIHm3oa8y4&__tn__=-%5DK-R" role="link" tabindex="0"><span>Mark Lysaght</span></a> and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.facebook.com/TRADIMM?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZV1ERT5tgD1mF4nANTThdflBDhxh3_jMB7b1Px9TPNhkxo-I0fwo3R_D-yrmxxza1M8c1N_y-TMkeF2j9d973wvV-3JXet17IauGpP5Jd85xyQUy9ystnoeS-Noy1AW_iqU4kZtwPxQIB8RWHlpAO_7_NqSVf2R9oR6fT5Z5sDQl2Y_Ao9XL9kTAMIHm3oa8y4&__tn__=-%5DK-R" role="link" tabindex="0"><span>Irish Music Magazine</span></a> for adding me to your Legends Series – I am honored and humbled by your selection of this southside Chicago immigrant box player who was fortunate to grow up and learn from some of the best Irish musicians and Irish music lovers in the world – right here in "Chicargo"!!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(5, 5, 5);font-family:system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0.5em 0px 0px;orphans:2;overflow-wrap:break-word;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:pre-wrap;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><div style="font-family:inherit;text-align:start;" dir="auto">And a big thanks to all ye folks out there for all your support and friendship o'er the years!!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style='-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(5, 5, 5);font-family:system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif;font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0.5em 0px 0px;orphans:2;overflow-wrap:break-word;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:pre-wrap;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;'><div style="font-family:inherit;text-align:start;" dir="auto">Hup!! <span><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t30/1.5/16/1fa97.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="🪗" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t9b/1.5/16/2618.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="☘️" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t78/1.5/16/1f3b6.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="🎶" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t2c/1.5/16/1f1fa_1f1f8.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="🇺🇸" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tdb/1.5/16/1f1ee_1f1ea.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="🇮🇪" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="❤️" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/ted/1.5/16/1f49a.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="💚" height="16" width="16" /><img src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf3/1.5/16/2764.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="❤️" height="16" width="16" /></span>
</div></div><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/59919/314b3b1711e8749e6538a5ca814e28c115222e99/original/jimmy-keane-in-irish-music-magazine-july-2023.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7166795
2023-03-07T12:03:04-06:00
2023-03-07T12:29:36-06:00
Dennis Cahill & Jimmy Keane
<p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/59919/52a85d3a7b6dde20cc65c43fd5e8c4e54ef59f96/original/me-and-dennis-iahc-2018.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p><p>This is the full 2014 online concert video of Dennis and I playing two tunes: Hector the Hero and The Charleston Reel. A snippet of the video below appeared in the TG4 Documentary: <span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);">“Dennis Cahill: Litir ó Do Chara" (meaning: letter from a friend)</span> which aired on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 in Ireland. </p><p>Hopefully this <a class="no-pjax" href="http://bit.ly/3L2uHTl" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">link to the documentary</a> is still active on TG4 if you happen upon this post down the line..</p><p> </p><div class="video-container size_xl justify_center" style=""><iframe data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-byQof0t60M" data-video-thumb-url="" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-byQof0t60M?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7135898
2023-01-10T07:54:15-06:00
2023-01-10T07:54:16-06:00
Seamus Begley (1949-2023)
<p>From the first time the Horse, Liz Carroll, and myself met you in TJ Daly’s on 63rd Street back in 1976 you were a constant source of joy, joviality, jigs played in that jaunting juggernaut west Kerry style – followed by pure angelic passionate singing in Irish – which brought tears to the Horse’s eyes and loving pangs to the hearts of Liz and I. And all that beauty followed by some of the worst jokes ever told… </p>
<p>What more can anyone ask for? </p>
<p>Oh boy, loved you Seamus Begley </p>
<p>My condolences to Seamus’ family and many friends around the world </p>
<p>Rest gently Seamus…</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/cd375be0ff9e2f6cbf575bf753a9898e8018fafe/original/seamus.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7133113
2023-01-05T08:22:08-06:00
2023-01-05T08:22:09-06:00
New Year. New Start...
<p>This year marks the 60th anniversary of my arrival in Chicago from Ireland along with the Kerrywoman where we were reunited with the Horse for a new start and new beginning in this great Windy City. </p>
<p>It was also sixty years ago and a few miles away in Toronto that George Millar co-founded one of the most successful and enduring of all Irish folk bands: The Irish Rovers… </p>
<p>So I am pleased and excited to announce that I am joining up with the mighty George Millar and all the lads in The Irish Rovers and will be on tour in Canada starting this March – Hup!! </p>
<p>More information in the upcoming weeks but you can check out the website for current dates: </p>
<p><a contents="theirishroversmusic.com/on-tour/&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theirishroversmusic.com/on-tour/" target="_blank">theirishroversmusic.com/on-tour/ </a></p>
<p>Thanks again for all your support folks and thank you to the Irish Rovers for having me!! </p>
<p>(By the way, this is my current favourite picture – my gigantic cranium planted on that poor unsuspecting box player…) </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/bddb7181d47f88b31e0b2ef20011a837b67944eb/original/rovers-with-my-planted-cranium.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7111200
2022-11-27T07:14:13-06:00
2022-11-27T07:14:14-06:00
Ireland Tonight with Maryann McTeague Keifer
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/020cdadc01ce0652ab4d8f74ff2eea1b491e5ac1/original/maryann-me.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_thin" alt="" />(Maryann Keifer & Me with picture by Grace Madden behind the desk)</p>
<p>Hi Folks!! </p>
<p>Sorry to let you know that I won't be able to fulfill Maryann McTeague Keifer’s wishes for me to assume the mantle of her “Ireland Tonight” radio show. </p>
<p>I’ve been fortunate to be a fairly regular guest of Maryann and also the previous iterations with Bill Margeson, Shay Clarke, and the progenitor of Irish programming on WDCB, my old buddy Mike Fleisher back in the early 1990s on his “Treasures from the Isles” program </p>
<p>I really enjoyed putting the first two full programs on with Grace Madden and the following four shows with Sharon Smith Iberle. </p>
<p>I always harken back to Kevin Henry and Mick Moloney and our many individual conversations over the years that we really need to know the history of the music we play and the songs we sing – otherwise it's just diddley-diddley with a good beat you can dance to… </p>
<p>So to those of you who stuck with me during my seven minute introductions to a 90 second track from the 1930s – thank you fellow trad nerds!! </p>
<p>And of course, a mighty Thank You to all who have tuned in, especially the many ardent fans and supporters of Ireland Tonight who listened and checked in weekly on the shows page and will continue to do so in memory of Maryann — her show now gently nested in Sharon’s loving hands. </p>
<p>I’ll be paying a few visits to Sharon in the upcoming months so you’ll still get a chance to nerd out with Jimmy… </p>
<p>Be well folks and please support your local public radio station — especially those with diddley-diddley you can learn from… </p>
<p>And thank you for everything Maryann - we love you!! </p>
<p>Hup!!</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7091330
2022-10-29T09:38:48-05:00
2022-10-29T09:41:04-05:00
Maryann McTeague Keifer
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/9b752628357aa960716ee8da45f3f52a0022e3f2/original/maryann-tribute.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>I was with Maryann McTeague Keifer and her sister in the hospital Friday afternoon — I held Maryann’s hand and told her she was loved dearly by me and all who were fortunate enough to know her and be part of her gracious heart<br><br>Maryann was a joyful and tireless supporter and promoter of Irish Culture — particularly the beautiful music and song we are all part of in one form or another<br><br>She loved and cherished her music “kids” here and abroad as she did her own family — and Maryann adopted them one and all — even us older kids fell under the loving embrace of Maryann<br><br>Maryann was truly the Godmother of Irish music<br><br>Thirty minutes after I left her, I received a call that she had died and was relieved for her and the end of her physical pain — I also knew I left a bit of my heart with her<br><br>My condolences to her loving Tom and their daughter Christine, grandkids, brothers, sisters and to all who loved her…<br><br>Rest In Peace dear Maryann</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7070284
2022-09-28T11:48:50-05:00
2022-10-04T07:35:30-05:00
A Spoken Tribute to Mick Moloney (1944-2022)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d0bba9c17718a4ffad41d5f75a2ebd2a2300546f/original/mick-moloney-thumbnail.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>I was in New York City for six hours yesterday morning for the mighty service for Mick Moloney just blocks from where he lived the past many years in Washington Square and where he and I passed several times a few months back when I stayed with Mick for the week. </p>
<p>Mick’s sister Violet gave a beautiful family eulogy to his memory, and Mick’s son Fintan was just like his dad and really did him proud. Cousin Deirdre Cronin spoke fondly of Mick and recited a glorious poem (which I must ask her to share) and of post cards sent from Mick afar... </p>
<p>On the musical side, Big James Keane spoke of his long loving friendship with Mick starting in Dublin during the sixties and played a beautiful rendition of Anach Cuan along with Sonny Brogan’s rousing version of Toss the Feathers. </p>
<p>Right hand man to Mick, Dan Neely, spoke of the formation of their friendship and The Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra — and Mick getting Dan to play the banjo. </p>
<p>Mick's early convert to the banjo, Seamus Egan, spoke glowingly of growing up in the music with Mick — and also growing up by default by the amount of time he spent in the Moloney home on Harvey Street in Philadelphia. And of banjo triplets — plenty of triplets, as was evident in the Maid of Mount Kisco reel (one of the first tunes Mick taught Seamus) played flawlessly by Seamus yesterday </p>
<p>Liz Carroll gave a heartfelt tribute to Mick, and how he helped set her course as a professional musician as he did with so many of us through this music we all love. I was getting ready to play next so was in the hallway so I missed part of what all Liz was saying but kept popping my head back in and caught the end bit where she spoke of a set of reels she recorded with Mick on the first Cherish the Ladies recording — Miss McLeod's / Wissahickon Drive / Fermoy Lassies / Morse Avenue which included two tunes of Liz's pen — Morse Avenue and Wissahickon Drive (which Mick suggested she name the tune for the soon to be former name of the now Lincoln Drive in Philadelphia). Anyway, Liz recalled receiving a phone call from Mick in Ireland telling of this young kid at a session Mick was playing in who played that particular set of tunes. Mick said, it was great you played that Liz Carroll set — to which the kid responded — "Who's she???" — Loads of laughter erupted as you might imagine... </p>
<p>I got super nervous before I went up and ended up balking on what I had written to say, so just blathered a wee bit and played two tunes for Mick — a slow tune I was working on recently which I played for Mick during our near two weeks together back in July which he liked — and the Waiting for Moloney tune I had written for him a decade back. </p>
<p>I had posted the edited rehearsal video (got rid of all the cursing when I screwed up) of what I was intending to say on my website just for posterity — I’ve included a copy below if you’d like to hear it. </p>
<p>I was back in the hallway as I had lost my seat in the main room when I left to play — so only caught bits when Athena Tergis spoke of her years as a duo with Mick and the very end when Athena recited one of Mick’s favs — The Fiddler of Dooney. </p>
<p>Followed by John Roberts speaking and then singing Across the Western Ocean along with Athena, Billy McComiskey, Liz Hanley, Brenda Castle, and Brendan Dolan. </p>
<p>There were also some fine words and remembrances from Doris Meyer, Michael Beckerman, a very funny Billy Durkin, and Lenny Sloan interspersed with the music above. </p>
<p>All in all it was what Mick loved — an amalgamation of every part of Mick’s life and how he brought us all together forever. Rest in joy, Mickeen…</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jimmy Keane (September 30, 2022)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="BNpIrZIlqy8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/BNpIrZIlqy8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BNpIrZIlqy8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="432" width="768" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7044889
2022-08-24T10:00:08-05:00
2022-08-24T10:06:39-05:00
Tribute to Mick Moloney at the Milwaukee Irish Fest 2022
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/85764e6d41fdf228377292f7c78215c67a58a5b3/original/me-mick-robbie-st-malachy.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="Myself, Robbie, Mick" /></p>
<p>I think that Mick Moloney — the most eloquent and articulate person I’ve ‘ere known — would get a good chuckle that stumbling bumbling me ended up giving a few pre-tunage remarks about himself at The Scattering this past Sunday at the Milwaukee Irish Fest. </p>
<p>It was an honor to be with Liz Carroll, Eileen Ivers, Rory Makem, Dónal Clancy, and the rest of the gang of musicians, singers, dancers and fellow banjoists in paying tribute to Mick. Special thanks to Barry Stapleton for putting it all together and setting the stage. Here is to you Mick...</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="314" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmkeirishfest%2Fvideos%2F587954812975786%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(please note: audio starts about one minute in and video 15 seconds later - it was a live stream..)</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Full text of my comments:</p>
<p>This weekend last year myself and Mick Moloney opened the tribute concert to Irish Fest founder Ed Ward. It is hard to fathom that we are now taking part in a tribute to Mick. </p>
<p>I’ve known Mick since 1975 when he first arrived in Chicago to do field research on Irish Music. </p>
<p>We became instant friends and played music, recorded, toured, chatted, sang, ate, drank, argued, and lovingly enjoyed each other’s company ever since that first day until Monday, July 25th when I dropped Mick off at his Greenwich Village apartment after the two of us spent 12 glorious days in New York and Maine doing what we’ve always done – aside from the drinking bit — which was replaced by several vegan meals… (somehow not quite the same)... ;-) </p>
<p>We said our goodbyes, shook hands, said we’d chat later and then I continued my drive home to Chicago. </p>
<p>Mick passed later that evening… </p>
<p>His influence and mark on Irish music is indelible - especially in the US – and of course here in Milwaukee at this Irish Fest. </p>
<p>We’d like to play a few tunes and sing a few songs for you — which Mick enjoyed and remind us all of him. </p>
<p>As a proud Limerick man who witnessed Limerick win the All-Ireland in Hurling the week before he passed, we begin with the gorgeous air: The Lament for Limerick in honor of Mick </p>
<p>Followed by a couple of jigs: </p>
<p>The first was written by the late Cavan native & Philadelphia’s resident fiddler and composer, Ed Reavy which Ed named “Both Meat and Drink” </p>
<p>Mick was a huge champion and supporter of Ed Reavy and his music. </p>
<p>We’ll follow Ed’s lovely tune with a jig I wrote for Mick several years ago which I named: “Waiting for Moloney” </p>
<p>It’s based on Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” which is about two lads awaiting the arrival of some fella named Godot. </p>
<p>In my early days of touring with Mick and Robbie O’Connell — we’d arrive at the destination airport – would gather the bags, instruments, boxes of records from the baggage carousel – and without fail – we’d watch with amazement as Mick would open one of his checked bags, toss the clothes, shoes, cassettes, bottles, books, and god knows what else, all about the concourse floor while looking for his address book and the contact information for the gig, car rental, and hotel. </p>
<p>He’d then disappear in search of a payphone. </p>
<p>And Robbie and I would park our behinds on the nearest bench surrounded by the baggage and wait. </p>
<p>And wait. </p>
<p>And wait. </p>
<p>Thankfully, Mick – unlike Godot – would eventually show up… </p>
<p>Love you Mick! </p>
<p>We’ll be waiting for you…</p>
<p> </p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7026575
2022-07-29T12:45:09-05:00
2022-07-29T12:45:09-05:00
Mick Moloney (1944-2022)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/a5c9731cbc2d1dc6fd6fc67b9dd78922c3d0e663/original/me-mick-nyc-2022.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I dunno what to say. I dropped Mick off at his Bleecker Street flat at noon on Monday after twelve brilliant days of music, song, long chats, laughs, and just plain ol’ hanging – just as we had done countless times since first meeting Mick in Chicago back in 1975. </p>
<p>Little did I know it would be our last — at least in this form as Mick was telling me during one of our conversations that the Buddhist notion of life and death is a cycle/continuum where the spirit lives on to start anew. I lovingly codded with him that maybe he wouldn’t play banjo the next time around — I know, I know — some shite talk from a piano accordion player. We both had a great laugh and continued on our drive from Belfast, Maine, back to NYC. </p>
<p>Much will be written about Mick Moloney. I firmly believe that no person other than maybe Captain Francis O’Neill has had the greatest influence and impact on Irish music here other than the bold Mick. I know that I would not be playing professionally today had it not been for Mick – and there are many others that gathered under the mighty umbrella of music which Mick held high to welcome us all in. </p>
<p>Mick was looking forward to spending the next year in his beloved adopted home of Thailand writing his memoir with the odd back and forth trip for gigs here in the States and Ireland. He would jot down notes while we were talking as our conversations spanned many decades of stories. We had plans to do a concert next spring at The Players in Gramercy Park… </p>
<p>If there was a catch phrase for Mick, it would be his own “The Best Ever” description whether he’d be talking about a meal, a tune, a drink (back in those days), a song, a book, a friend, his son Fintan, or the weather (yes, even in rainy Limerick)... </p>
<p>But the one true Best Ever was himself. </p>
<p>I love you Mickeen…</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/7005781
2022-07-01T09:13:40-05:00
2022-07-01T09:13:40-05:00
Dennis Cahill funeral arrangements
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0d90eea58414b0a2b719679cf57ae6a25f9dc3a1/original/dennis-cahill-funeral-pic.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The funeral mass for Dennis Cahill will take place next Friday, July 8th at 11AM at his parish church: </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">St. Priscilla's Church </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">6949 W Addison St </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Chicago, IL 60634 </p>
<p>I will post an update if a viewing link is available for those of you who may not be able to attend in person — although I’d like to think we will all be there in heart…</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6998712
2022-06-21T15:13:21-05:00
2022-06-21T15:13:21-05:00
Dennis Cahill (1954-2022)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/88a89979d9b21650791ca28d7274c0378da1ecf3/original/dennis-june-20-2022-1954-2022.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Our dearest Dennis Cahill passed away peacefully on Monday evening, with his beloved Mary by his side as she has throughout his journey. Just moments before — we were comforting Dennis while The Lament for Limerick from Dennis’ album with Martin was on in the background — and as the track advanced to My Love is in America, Mary turned off the player, leaned over to hug and kiss Dennis one last time – and then he was gone… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Too heartbroken to write any more… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Play a tune today.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sing a song. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Tell a corny joke. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sip a whiskey. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Cherish a memory… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My loving condolences to Mary, Cliodhna, the Cahill family, and all of Dennis’ many friends… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Love you Dennis and rest gently in peace…</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6934881
2022-03-29T09:37:14-05:00
2022-03-29T09:37:14-05:00
Yes, Virginia, there is a hell…
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/913e0e942a2315110411d51f357e0cab4b6fe6b6/original/banjo-hell.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6850692
2021-12-24T06:16:14-06:00
2021-12-24T06:16:14-06:00
Happy Heavenly 93rd Birthday Horse!!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/23328c50b1ec76feb541083404ac5e07760331a7/original/horse-me-notes-cover.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>This Xmas Eve would have been the Horse's 93rd birthday. It was heartwarming, sad, and joyous revisiting my thirty brief years with the Horse this past year and a half whilst putting together my musical memory <a contents="HORSE" data-link-label="Horse" data-link-type="page" href="/horse" target="_blank">HORSE</a> in his honor. </p>
<p>I’d like to think he would have gotten a full whack of contentment out of the whole project and would have been proud of me for doing so – and maybe even a big gentle clatter on me shoulder from his massive hand – I say gentle now as if it were full force I’d be like the Black Knight from “Monty Python and The Holy Grail” pretending it was just a scratch as I view my left arm upon the ground… </p>
<p>If you have a moment, I have two tracks for your listening and reading pleasure up on my website. They are the first track with the Horse singing An Sagart O'Domhnaill (The Priest O'Donnell) along with a couple of tunes by me. And a little further down the page, the 150th track (out of 192) with myself and Dennis Cahill playing two tunes I put together for the Horse years ago: On the Eve of Christmas & Horse Keane’s Hornpipe. </p>
<p>Wishing you and yours a mighty Christmas and a Happy New Year!! </p>
<p>And Happy Heavenly Birthday Horse!!</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6800362
2021-11-06T10:42:10-05:00
2021-11-07T05:50:52-06:00
Tony McLaughlin (1949-2021)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/cf0bd203f0d2aac7ec061faab507df5a27405e79/original/tony-mclaughlin.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Another sad day in the Irish music and dance community with the sudden passing of Tony McLaughlin at 72 years. I was just with Tony a couple of weeks back on a Sunday night post Lanigans session -- he was in his usual mighty humorous form, codding, joking, and smiling away. I knew that smile and twinkle in his eyes since back in the early 1980's when Tony, myself, the Horse, and Tony's oft time dance partner Mickey Rahilly worked on a high rise in the city -- Tony the carpenter, with the Horse and Mickey as ironworkers, and me pretending to be one. </p>
<p>But I got to know Tony far better through the various ceili's and set dances over the years in Chicago and beyond. And that look from Tony shared by Brendan Houlihan from a Tom Callahan photo -- I got that many a time when I played well for a particular figure and the complete opposite for those times in which I screwed up by playing too fast or too wrong (me playing polkas and slides - yeah, no) and messed up Tony's groove, steps, shoulder dips, and his plain old glorious dancing nyah... </p>
<p>As Yeats' wrote: How can we know the dancer from the dance? Tony was the answer to that. </p>
<p>My condolences to Tony's family and countless friends. May you rest in peace Tony and may all your heavenly sets be spot-on... </p>
<p>Obituary: </p>
<p>Edward Anthony “Tony” McLaughlin, born May 6, 1949 in Malin Head, Donegal, loving son of the late Edward and Catherine McLaughlin, passed away November 4, 2021, leaving behind his beloved wife of 47 years, Mary McLaughlin (nee Doolan). </p>
<p>Tony was the devoted father of Finnuala McLaughlin (Dave Dobbins), Monica McLaughlin (Tim German), Michael (Gina) McLaughlin, and Kevin McLaughlin, the cherished grandfather of Connor Dobbins, Emmett Dobbins, and Corryn German, the caring brother of Mary (late Bill) Funchion, Sister Anne McLaughlin, Eileen (late Charlie) McLaughlin, Josephine (Tom) Boyle, David (Debbie) McLaughlin, Roisin McLaughlin, Sheila (Vincent) McGuire, James (Sheila) McLaughlin, and the late Patrick (Hope) McLaughlin, a loving brother-in-law, and an adored uncle of many nieces and nephews. </p>
<p>Tony retired as a skilled carpenter of 33 years from the Local Carpenters Union 62 and he took great pride in building three beautiful homes for his family. During his retirement, he continued sharing his carpentry talents with friends and family alike, as well as spending his mornings and afternoons genuinely enjoying the company of the spirited high school students he proudly drove on his bus route. </p>
<p>Tony was the “unofficial mayor” of the Chicago Gaelic Park and Kerry Associations, serving them where needed and enjoying the Irish community he loved so dearly. Tony was a gentle giant who would do anything for his friends and family. He was a force of nature on the dance floor and left a mark on all he met. Tony lived his life to the fullest every day and he will be deeply missed. </p>
<p>Visitation Tuesday 3-9 p.m. Funeral Wednesday 9:00 a.m. from the Robert J. Sheehy and Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park, IL to St. Alexander Church, Mass 10:00 a.m. Interment private. </p>
<p>In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 W Ann Lurie Pl, Chicago, IL 60632, would be appreciated. Please leave a memory for the family on Tony’s Tribute Wall; your stories will bring comfort to the family. www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878 </p>
<p>To plant a tree in memory of Edward Anthony "Tony" McLaughlin, please visit our Tribute Store.</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6775524
2021-10-14T06:02:38-05:00
2021-10-15T09:46:25-05:00
Paddy Moloney (1938-2021)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/809c5cc179d34936055844f42747bb2fe8ae4b01/original/dennis-martin-paddy-moloney.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, Paddy Moloney, and Triona Marshall on harp)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>In less than one week after the passing of Tony MacMahon — Paddy Moloney, the legendary musical leader of The Chieftains died on Tuesday at the age of 83. What The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem did worldwide for songs and ballads starting in the late 1950s, Paddy Moloney did the same for the traditional music of Ireland starting in the early 1960s. </p>
<p>In as much the way that I knew Tony, I got to know Paddy too — meeting him here in Chicago and at different festivals and concerts in the US and abroad. He was always charming, affable, witty, and had an instant recall of names and places. It would at times be like carrying on a conversation you had with Paddy two years prior! ;-) Aside from his obvious musicianship, musical arrangements, and production talents — he was unsurpassed in his business acumen — making The Chieftains as much a brand as it was a band of uber talented folks. </p>
<p>Growing up learning this music (and I still am, mind you) there were two tracks from a couple of the early Chieftain albums which struck me and they are both my “go-to” whenever I think of Paddy and the lads (and ladies), so I’ve took a snippet of each in the video montage below. </p>
<p>The Morning Dew is a reel — which I’ve struggled with since forever (Tullamore Dew, on the other hand, well, that’s a whole different kind of struggle) — is from The Chieftains 4 album. The beginning of this track is what Paddy later used (with an updated version) as a score for the film “Ireland Moving” — and I tagged the second half or so with a bit of The Hunter’s Purse from The Chieftains 3 album. When I think of lilting, ’tis the Hunter’s Purse track which beams out… </p>
<p>My condolences to Paddy’s family, the Chieftains, his many friends and fans — Rest In Peace Paddy and thank you for the music…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="qItE_q-g6X4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/qItE_q-g6X4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qItE_q-g6X4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6770887
2021-10-09T08:43:46-05:00
2021-10-10T07:25:26-05:00
Tony MacMahon (1939-2021)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/1d4968fc536cb9f90ad2397c27f0b417edb98095/original/img-0117.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Sorry to learn of the passing of one mighty man of music who I knew on and off since meeting Tony MacMahon when I was a kid in the 1960's in Chicago and various other places throughout the years where we'd always have a chat, laugh, and a smile. Rest in Peace Tony... </p>
<p>“There is a big difference between playing notes and playing music, millions of people play instruments and make the same sound like a cat that presses its paw against a note in a piano but only the person who feels for music and has a high understanding can play soulfully.” </p>
<p>- Tony MacMahon (1939-2021)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="DdPd0bEk3Vw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/DdPd0bEk3Vw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DdPd0bEk3Vw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>I meant to add that the music playing in the video montage is the reel “Lucy Campbell” (and a bit of a one of the million and a half versions of “Toss the Feathers”) taken from one of my all-time favourite albums - Paddy in the Smoke - recorded live at The Favourite in Camden Town and released in 1968. </p>
<p>On the track along with Tony is Martin Byrnes and Andy Boyle on fiddles. One of my favourite bits on that album is on the opening track of the Ed Reavy reel, "Maudabawn Chapel" you can hear (and what I believe to be) Tony MacMahon shouting out "good man Byrnes" when Martin goes in to the second part. Nothing finer for a musician than to have another fellow musician -- or lover of the music -- offer encouragement and spur of the moment jubilation at the way a note was struck or as Tony MacMahon so eloquently explained in his quote above, how one can play the music "soulfully" </p>
<p>Listen in around the twenty second mark of that opening track from Paddy in the Smoke... </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="6efgSoRSkqM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/6efgSoRSkqM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6efgSoRSkqM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6735901
2021-09-04T10:41:54-05:00
2021-09-04T10:41:54-05:00
Mrs. Eileen "Ma" Carroll (1929-2021)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/f8ead8f85516c34f102db8942854af9b61643881/original/ma-carroll-pics.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Eileen Carroll (1929-2021) </strong></p>
<p>And just like the tune Liz wrote for her mom which she named Mrs. Carroll’s Strathspey — Ma Carroll — which is what I always called Mrs. Carroll in my mind — was the embodiment of those starting notes within that stately and loving tune (and one of my all-time favourites): </p>
<p>Affable </p>
<p>Beautiful </p>
<p>Caring </p>
<p>Elegant </p>
<p>Charming </p>
<p>Bountiful </p>
<p>Adjudicator </p>
<p>What say you? Yep, she was my adjudicator. </p>
<p>During the early years of playing music and eventually entering competitions I would not do so without Ma Carroll’s approval of my tune choices. She had this uncanny knack of knowing what worked with a tune and how it was presented and how well one played it (and in my case how unwell I often did). Most times she didn’t have to say a word — I could sense the expression on her face even with my eyes closed when I was playing. </p>
<p>What about this tune then, Mrs Carroll? </p>
<p>[I played another tune...] </p>
<p>Well, Jimmy, that is so much better — go with that one — you’ll have a bite with us now… </p>
<p>At the end — If it was approved by Ma Carroll — no other opinion mattered whether it be a fleadh judge in Chicago or one in Ireland — and she never failed in her choice nor did I because of her. </p>
<p>I am ever grateful for all those who were ahead of me (and us) who were our personal guiding hands, eyes, ears, and hearts — just like my folks were and my musical mentors just over the past year and a bit we all lost: Joe Burke, Kevin Henry, Brendan Mulkere, and now, Ma Carroll. </p>
<p>Reach out. Help someone in any manner. I’m glad they did and glad I do… </p>
<p>My love and condolences to my dear Liz, Tom, Alison, Patrick, Charles, Ralph, and the many brothers, sisters, in-law versions of the same and the endless supply of nieces and nephews (at last count there are enough of all varieties of relations to apply for statehood) of Eileen Carroll. </p>
<p>I’ll sneak in that tune of Liz’s for you on Tuesday during mass and await the results. Rest in peace Ma...</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="I3EftbKrQPM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/I3EftbKrQPM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I3EftbKrQPM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6717121
2021-08-14T11:35:30-05:00
2021-08-14T11:35:30-05:00
Nanci Griffith (July 6, 1953 - August 13, 2021)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/476d9f78ddb7131fb2f60d6e514de90566331947/original/nanci.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>It’s funny how things happen. Turned on the radio one Saturday night in the early 1980s to listen to The Midnight Special on WFMT in Chicago, one of my first baby steps away from round the clock diddly-diddly and sean-nos singing, and heard the unique and angelic voice of Nanci Griffith. I hadn’t a clue as to what she may have been singing about that night but it didn’t really matter as it had the same impact of listening to the Horse sing in Irish -- didn’t know what he was singing about either but I felt the emotional impact as the sound of his -- and Nanci’s -- voice notes smathered my ears with joy. </p>
<p>Not that long after, I joined up with Mick Moloney and Robbie O’Connell and as we toured the States ended up one night onstage in Anderson’s Fair, the early musical home of Nanci located in Houston. Side note: Never jokingly tell the emcee when he asks you how you would like to be introduced -- and the next thing you hear from the stage when you're standing behind the curtain: “...and Jimmy the Wanker...” </p>
<p>It was March of that same year Mick, Robbie, and myself met Nanci at the Sanders Theatre in Harvard where we were all performing a benefit concert which some of the gig ended up on an album at one point with Nanci’s song on the A side near the start where it rightfully belonged and our track on the B side not that far away from the spindle hole.</p>
<p>Hearing her voice and guitar command that space that night was gobsmacking and made me more a fan than my first time listening to her from the factory speakers in my Chevy beater at the time. Later that year, Nanci released her “Once in a Very Blue Moon” album which immediately found its way into my record collection nestled lovingly between the “Grand Airs of Connemara” and the Tulla Ceili Band’s “The Old Claddagh Ring” </p>
<p>Thank you Nanci for your music, your brilliant singing and songwriting, and for helping me along the way from my baby steps to giant strides. </p>
<p>My condolences to your family and many friends and fans - May you rest in peace (but dance all night to the fiddle and the banjo)...</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6717119
2021-08-14T11:32:11-05:00
2021-08-14T11:32:11-05:00
Heigh-Ho!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3fee356abde7c6e02d973b5b38c8b542e1d5af04/original/img-9391.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Heigh-Ho! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Heigh-Ho!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It’s off to vax you go </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A little jab </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(Or the graveyard slab) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Your choice </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Heigh-Ho…</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6717118
2021-08-14T11:30:24-05:00
2021-08-14T11:30:24-05:00
Tuesday Thoughts:
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/5ae1d281f3fe1157c820a690222db2ac84927314/original/img-9390.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">What is Orville Redenbacher’s return policy on un-popped kernels? </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Shouldn’t the “chic” in modern be spelt s-h-i-t-e? </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Don’t tune in next Tuesday…</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6717116
2021-08-14T11:28:10-05:00
2021-08-14T11:28:10-05:00
Sister Mary and Joseph...
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/db5293f64180a3b298d381df7f0ce5003c4bc1ae/original/img-9389.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Sister Mary Elizabeth, a devoted follower of Mother Mary, passed away and made her way up to Heaven where she was met at the pearly gates by St. Peter. </p>
<p>He welcomed her in and asked if she had any questions — she said she'd like to speak with Mother Mary if at all possible. </p>
<p>Mother Mary arrived at the gates and asked Sr. Elizabeth how she could help. </p>
<p>The nun said that all her life she wondered why every portrait and statue of Mother Mary presented with a slightly sad face and wondered why? </p>
<p>Mother Mary responded to Sister Mary Elizabeth — I always wanted a girl... ;-) </p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6554445
2021-02-20T19:43:29-06:00
2022-02-22T07:46:36-06:00
Joe Burke (1939-2021)
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/2eca2d48cfeeca96a60c854ec51e661e2e5b20f6/original/joe-burke.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Talk of a surreal day on Saturday. I've been working on a 192 track audio project for nearly a year and am now about one-fifth the way through on the first draft of the liner notes. I ended my writing about 1PM after completing notes about a live recording of the <a contents="Horse" data-link-label="Horse" data-link-type="page" href="/horse">Horse</a> singing at a session in 1975 at Dorian's Bar in Buncrana at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. The session in question was with his (and my) friend Joe Burke who asked the Horse to sing a song. This is my description of what I got from the barely audible section of tape prior to the actual song: </p>
<p>"There was the customary Irish ritual when asked to play a tune or sing a song which occurred before the Horse actually sang. Barely audible on the recording is Joe Burke coaxing him and the back and forth banter with Joe and the Horse “ah sure, maybe later” and “no one wants to hear a song anyway” to Joe “sing a song in Irish” to someone else “sing the Connemara Rose” and the Horse to Joe “I’ll sing a song after this tune” and all those dance steps. Right before he sang, the Horse said “...let me put my back to the wall the way nobody will hit me” followed by a collective laugh then you can hear the Horse say “did I pick the right one? Just before he sang..." </p>
<p>Had to run a few messages and got home an hour or so later to a damn roof ice dam which formed unnoticed in an unused back bedroom window. Just after Susie and I chipped the ice away outside the window, moved furniture, tore up carpet and padding, took the shite out to the garbage bins, started the drying process and saying to myself what else the F can happen today? </p>
<p>Felt a buzz in my pocket from my phone, opened it to a text that Joe Burke had died... </p>
<p>Heartbroken. I knew Joe for nearly 50 years and during all of them I stood in awe of his music, wit, humour, kindness, friendship, help, advice, and completely perplexed as to where did all the drink go and how can Joe still play like the one and only he is and he does without it having any effect? </p>
<p>Joe stayed at the family home in Chicago several times over the years and he, the Horse, and myself would always get up to a bit of devilment with a ton of music and the odd song and the odd drink to cap it all off. </p>
<p>It had been a few years since we had seen each other in person but we'd bounce back and forth a funny email or two. </p>
<p>Last year our mutual friend Nancy Iverson asked if I'd take part in a tribute to Joe which I wholeheartedly agreed. I sent Nancy a couple of tracks of the Horse singing, a track of Joe from the first album I heard Joe on (A Tribute to Michael Coleman), a tune from Dennis Cahill and myself, and a bit of a stumbling mumbling spoken tribute to Joe from me to he. The text is below and the audio track of the same with a music bed of Joe is with the link below. It should be easier to share things, but Facebook you know... </p>
<p>I should explain my sign off to Joe. Years back the Horse was barred from a pub. Short story a sing song began and the Horse called for quiet. The man behind the bar told the Horse he couldn't do that. A bit of an argument ensued with the end result being a recently purchased summer sausage from the local traveling pub salesman who sold everything from socks to, yes, sausages somehow ended up splattered upon the man behind the bar... </p>
<p>I told that story to Joe who kept it with him from that point on. And when Joe and I were together, if a bit of awkwardness arose from a third party or someone was acting the bollix -- Joe would lean over and whisper to me: "If only I had a sausage"... </p>
<p>I loved Joe Burke. My deep condolences to his lovely wife Anne, his extended family, and his multitude of friends. May the mighty Joe Burke rest in peace.</p>
<p>(Here is the text of the audio for the 2020 Tribute to Joe if you wish to proceed with either): </p>
<p>Jimmy Keane of Chicago here. </p>
<p>I first fell in love with the music of Joe Burke in 1968 when the late Mike Madden brought an album back from New York as a gift to my Dad, the “Horse” Keane (and to me) called “A Tribute to Michael Coleman” featuring Joe Burke, the late fiddler Andy McGann, and the late piano player Felix Dolan. </p>
<p>At that point I was just a couple of years into learning to play the accordion — but even then, I knew all I wanted to play was Irish Traditional Music — and that wasn’t going to happen under the tutelage of my pipe smoking German accordion teacher Mr. C. F. Marsh ;-) </p>
<p>But fortunately we had a 4-speed turntable at home (78/45/33/16) which allowed me to slow down the LP down to 16 speed (from 33 1/3) and kinda keep it in the same key so I could catch all the rolls, triplets, and phrasing nuance which Joe did on his solo tracks from that “Tribute” album. It must have been a sight seeing me sitting at the dining room table with one of the speakers from the turntable set up on the dining room table along with me in a chair with my accordion and a big bath towel covering me, the box, and the speaker so I could hear what Joe was playing over the typical shouts and rants of a loud family. It worked — and Joe was my ghost teacher from then on! </p>
<p>I finally got to meet Joe in 1972 when he came to Chicago with the first Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann touring group to the states. In the meantime I had already devoured the second and third albums Joe had put out: “Sean McGuire & Joe Burke — Two Champions” with Josephine Keegan on piano; followed by Joe’s first commercially released solo album “Galway’s Own” once again with Josephine. </p>
<p>I still hear and feel the majesty of the first notes he belted out of the “Bucks of Oranmore” into “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” onstage at the Bogan High School auditorium on the southside of Chicago that autumn. We became lifelong friends after that and Joe was ever encouraging me on the box and even recording some tunes on my then always handy cassette recorder — and at a slower pace so I wouldn’t have to put a towel over my head to catch the sweetness of his style! </p>
<p>Thank you Joe Burke for all the music, love, and laughter you gave and shared with me (and the late “Horse”) over the last 50 plus years!! And if you are listening Joe: ‘if only I had a sausage’ xox</p>
2:19
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6476676
2020-11-13T06:23:12-06:00
2020-11-13T06:23:12-06:00
Yogi Berra Explains Irish Traditional Music (Trad)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c458df7bb4ca85d32bf1f4ecb611ddce76bf80be/original/yogi.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi Berra Explains Irish Traditional Music (Trad): </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Interviewer: Can you explain Trad? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi: I can't, but I will. 90% of all Trad is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they never played with anyone who played that part. So if you play the wrong part, it's right. If you play the right part, it might be right if you play it wrong enough. But if you play it too right, it's wrong. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Interviewer: I don't understand. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi: Anyone who understands Trad knows that you can't understand it. It's too complicated. That's what's so simple about it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Interviewer: Do you understand it? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi: No. That's why I can explain it. If I understood it, I wouldn't know anything about it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Interviewer: Are there any great Trad players alive today? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi: No. All the great Trad players alive today are dead. Except for the ones that are still alive. But so many of them are dead, that the ones that are still alive are dying to be like the ones that are dead. Some would kill for it. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Interviewer: What is syncopation? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi: That's when the note that you should hear now happens either before or after you hear it. In Trad, you don't hear notes when they happen because that would be some other type of music. Other types of music can be Trad, but only if they're the same as something different from those other kinds. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Interviewer: Now I really don't understand. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yogi: I haven't taught you enough for you to not understand Trad that well. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Batter Hup… ;-)</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6472591
2020-11-08T04:23:59-06:00
2020-12-18T18:16:44-06:00
Joe Biden & Kamala Harris!!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d9a891883c6ffc0aa79568431eb675862bca8500/original/joe-kamal-black-blue.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpeg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory. A victory for “We the People.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation -- 74 million. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify. Who doesn’t see Red and Blue states, but a United States. And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">For that is what America is about: The people. And that is what our Administration will be about. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the backbone of the nation -- the middle class. To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for this vision. And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As I said many times before, I’m Jill’s husband. I would not be here without the love and tireless support of my wife, Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family. They are my heart. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Jill’s a mom -- a military mom -- and an educator. She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn’t just what she does -- it’s who she is. For America’s educators, this is a great day: You’re going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great First Lady. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president -- Kamala Harris -- who will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, first woman of South Asian descent, and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It’s long overdue, and we’re reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Kamala, Doug -- like it or not -- you’re family. You’ve become honorary Bidens. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To all those who volunteered, worked the polls, local election officials -- you deserve a special thanks from this nation. To my campaign team, to all the volunteers, to all those who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible, I thank you for everything. And to all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we built, the broadest and most diverse in history. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Democrats and Republicans and Independents. Progressives, moderates and conservatives. Young and old. Urban, suburban and rural. Gay, straight, transgender. White. Latino. Asian. Native American. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest -- the African American community. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight. I’ve lost a couple of elections myself. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But now, let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature. To see each other again. To listen to each other again. To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not enemies. We are Americans. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season -- a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This is that time for America. A time to heal. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Now that the campaign is over -- what is the people’s will? What is our mandate? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The battle to control the virus. The battle to build prosperity. The battle to secure your family’s health care. The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country. The battle to save the climate. The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Our work begins with getting COVID under control. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We cannot repair our economy, restore our vitality, or relish life’s most precious moments -- hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us -- until we get this virus under control. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20th, 2021. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern. I will spare no effort -- or commitment -- to turn this pandemic around. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me -- as I will for those who did. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end -- here and now. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control. It’s a decision. It’s a choice we make. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That’s the choice I’ll make. And I call on the Congress -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- to make that choice with me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">America’s story is about the slow, yet steady widening of opportunity. Make no mistake: Too many dreams have been deferred for too long. We must make the promise of the country real for everybody -- no matter their race, their identity, their ethnicity, their faith. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">America has always been shaped by inflection points -- by moments in time where we’ve made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Lincoln in 1860 -- coming to save the Union. FDR in 1932 -- promising a beleaguered country a New Deal. JFK in 1960 -- pledging a New Frontier. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And twelve years ago -- when Barack Obama made history -- and told us, “Yes, we can.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We stand again at an inflection point. We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I’ve long talked about the battle for the soul of America. Now we must restore the soul of America. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. It is time for our better angels to prevail. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Tonight, the whole world is watching. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe. And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I’ve always believed we can define America in one word: Possibilities. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You see, I believe in the possibility of this country. We’re always looking ahead. Ahead to an America that’s freer and more just. Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect. Ahead to an America that cures disease -- like cancer and Alzheimers. Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind. Ahead to an America that never gives up. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This is a great nation. And we are a good people. This is the United States of America. And there has never been anything we haven’t been able to do when we’ve done it together. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In the last days of the campaign, I’ve been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">“And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, <br>Bear you on the breath of dawn, <br>Make you to shine like the sun, <br>And hold you in the palm of His Hand.” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And now, together -- on eagle’s wings -- we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country -- and a thirst for justice -- let us be the nation that we know we can be. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">God bless you. And may God protect our troops. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Joe Biden</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6420274
2020-08-29T14:11:55-05:00
2020-08-30T09:01:51-05:00
Brendan Mulkere (1942-2020)
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/b0f7877102014d9b9500f04fbb245c0e86f3d964/original/brendan-mulkere.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I was on my first solo trip to Ireland to compete in the 1977 Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis - after a successful Fleadh, I had a notion to head over to London for a long weekend before going back to Chicago to resume college. Even though I was born in London, I was only there for a few months before we moved back to Ireland so I never really was there. So I headed up to Dublin with fellow Fleadh goers Michael Flatley and Donny Golden, booked the ferry to Holyhead, and after a bon voyage rake of drink I landed onboard only to meet banjo player Mick O’Connor returning home to London. Travel partner was all set -- we even had a handful of tunes along the way -- although some tipsy box player played some interesting notes as I barely recall. But Mick was as gracious as he always is. Train to London where we parted with plans to meet later that weekend for some more sober-ish tunes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Met up with my uncle Mick, dropped the bag off, and within hours was standing in front of 7 King Henry’s Road to meet the one and only Brendan Mulkere. My notion of a long weekend visit to London suddenly turned into a 12 month life altering experience for this 19 year old. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">That was 43 years ago and nearly to the day this past Friday in which we lost Brendan </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I vividly see the opening of the door to Brendan’s flat and what I assume were walls, covered with boxes upon boxes of LP’s from Shanachie and the same from his recently launched Inchecronin Records, books and more books and instruments stacked atop stacks of other stacks. Oh, there was what I thought was a bed. And I think I saw a tiny sink and even a smaller cooker. But it all didn’t matter ‘cause there was Brendan — this Crusheen cyclone whirling away thoughts, asking questions, ah-sure-move-that-and-sit, do you have the box — ahhh go get it — you’ll join us at the shed tonite for a few tunes, how long will you be here? — ah no, that’s too short — have a cup of tea — (shouting out to Mary Conroy - I didn’t even see her at first), Mary, this is Jimmy — where did we put the cups… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And that is how it began. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I was treated as one of the family and it was indeed a large and joyous family spearheaded by himself. I can’t recall a time when whipping around in Brendan’s speedy Vauxhall that he did not know someone - whether in the music or not. I had never eaten anything aside from meats and spuds — Brendan introduced me to Chinese, Indian, and god-knows-what former colony sourced food — but it was brilliant. And wine. Yes, the wine. And millions of ales and lagers from the various brewery pubs — including Young’s Winter Warmer (waste not, want not). And all those restaurants and pub landlords knew Brendan and he them. Just like family. It was fascinating. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And the chats and discussions on any and everything. I never once missed my year away from college under the understated tutelege of Brendan </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But it was the music where it all came together. At that time Brendan was at the start of transitioning from a primary and secondary school teacher to a full time Irish Music Teacher and becoming a true life beacon for the music. Much like his dad, Jack Mulkere who taught and inspired the likes of Joe Cooley, Paddy Fahy, Tony McMahon, Kieran Hanrahan and hundreds of others back in Clare — Brendan did so in London and beyond with his one time “jelly babies” John Carty, John Whelan, Niall Keegan, Pauline Conneely, and countless others — even a yank named Jimmy. I think there were at least 700 students taking music from Brendan at the time in classes spread around the city and environs. I am sure I met them all at some point during my adventure when I helped him out with a few classes. Look, here’s Jimmy from Chicago, He’s going to play a few tunes and teach you a few of them… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And of course the “real” moments for me was meeting and getting the chance to play music with not only Brendan, but with other Irish music icons Bobby Casey, Finbarr Dwyer, John Bowe, Sean McDonagh, Tommy McCarthy, Roger Sherlock, Raymond Roland, Danny Meehan, Alan O’Leary, PJ Crotty, Kevin Taylor, Liam Farrell, and dozens more — and never mind having a ton of musicians close to my own age as the earlier mentioned brilliant John Carty, along with Paul Gallagher, Mandy Murray, and of course, Mary Conroy amongst the multitudes. A more diverse musical family hard to imagine anywhere — but at home in London. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Brendan made an unbelievable offer (and an honor for me) to record an album for him, with Mary on guitar. We did. I never released it. Shoulda woulda coulda. But I was stupid then and not much brighter now all these years later. Brendan was grand with it and so we planned a re-do in the near future… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Music is a lot like life. You get a base of notes to work with but it is what you do with it that matters. Brendan didn’t care if one played the Sally Gardens - but Brendan loved how you played Sally Gardens, and what variations you added, how you twisted and bent a combination of notes, how you shifted the phrasing. That is what I think Brendan taught and inspired in all his “jellies”. Just like he did on whichever instrument he picked up and played. What came out was different and unique to Brendan. Just as how Brendan was truly unique to all others. I believe the mark of a good person is not what they do for themself, but what they do for others. In that regard, Brendan was truly a great person. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I had a memory post pop up on Facebook from a couple of years ago noting that Friday August 28 was (now) Francis O’Neill’s 172nd birthday. Just thinking of the impact Francis had on the music here and beyond through his collecting and preserving of Irish music and on Brendan’s impact on the music through his teaching and fostering the growth of the music and its musical family in London and beyond. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I’m going to miss Brendan without a doubt — but will always have what I learned from him and his endearing friendship still with me 43 years later. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My deepest condolences to his “girls” - partner Sharon Coffey and daughters Claire, Collette and Sinead. Brendan’s sisters Hilda, Florence and Frances, brothers Des and Enda — and to Brendans family of us everywhere — Rest In Peace dear Brendan…</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6403425
2020-08-06T03:47:16-05:00
2020-08-06T03:49:42-05:00
This about sums it up...
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong><span class="font_xl">Acc0rdi0n Suite 2020 in Two Movements</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="eB_XTB10PXY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/eB_XTB10PXY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eB_XTB10PXY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6374701
2020-07-03T06:55:55-05:00
2020-07-03T06:55:55-05:00
This land...
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/342f46fc246cbeb86799fe71b312456e223bb7e7/original/unity-flag.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">This land is your land <br>This land is my land <br>This land is Brown land <br>This land is Black land <br>This land is White land <br>This land is Native land <br>This land was made for you and me...</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6365847
2020-06-25T06:34:54-05:00
2020-06-25T08:33:12-05:00
Infinite Hope...
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="yqNpW3byeaI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/yqNpW3byeaI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yqNpW3byeaI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">My individual video contribution to the 140 minute plus "Infinite Hope" originally live streamed on Wednesday, June 24th, 2020.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">— Martin Luther King, Jr. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">"Infinite Hope" was a collective of Irish traditional musicians, singers and dancers performing in support of our Black and Brown brothers and sisters in their long struggle for social justice, human rights and freedom from oppression.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Prior to the live stream, I had not seen any of the other contributions, nor had I really seen mine as I had my eyes closed 🙂 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But my ears, heart, and mind is wide open. This has to end. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Just how many centuries is enough? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To paraphrase Michelle Obama, race and racism is the reality that many of us grow up with no matter how well-meaning we think we might be — but it shouldn’t just be on people of color to deal with — we all have to. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And we all have to change our lives to do so… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Hup!! (and Hope)… </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here is the full 140 minute video link which can be watched on YouTube: </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="dc1KZZcLsZI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/dc1KZZcLsZI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dc1KZZcLsZI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6349768
2020-06-11T07:54:57-05:00
2020-06-12T11:33:02-05:00
Kevin Henry (1929-2020)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/f3f6490ce307f77095a12010a5d47a1d45e942aa/original/me-kevin-collage.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Years back in the corner confessional of the 6511 Club I was with Kevin Henry, his wife Pauline, the late Brendan & Theresa Williams — and behind the counter bartending, bantering, and holding court, was the late Jack Finan with Kevin as the ever ready adjudicator. Kevin was leading a running discussion on a variety of topics including Irish music, song, history, and just about everything else. At one point Kevin grew very contemplative and was building up a very nice head on his pipe — next thing, his voice booms out of the corner “Ye know naugthing,” followed by a plume of pipe smoke so thick you’d think that twenty popes just got elected. The confessional erupted in laughter and Jack Finan almost, just about almost, dropped his shot glass before it was empty. Kevin just smiled, tilt-nodded his head, and continued: “as a matter of fact’... </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thing is — when one was in Kevin’s company, you always knew that was the case — this present day hedge school master was spot on with every topic close to his big heart — and the best of discussion was based on you (me) shutting the gob and just listening and leaping back and forth along the many roads Kevin travelled while learning all along the way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Kevin was the first to meet myself and the Kerrywoman when we arrived into Chicago from Ireland back in the 1960’s to make a new life here and reunite with the Horse who came stateside to plow the rocks of bawn a year or so before. Kevin and I have been friends since and I love him dearly. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I knew this day would come — as it does for everyone. Of course, I’d cherish the chance to have one more chat. One more laugh. One more learning. One more sip. One more slainte. One more ‘we know that.’ One more ‘safe home Kevin - see you next week…’ </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My heart goes out to dear Pauline, Maggie, Mary, Tom, Kevin Jr., all their spouses and to all the grandkids, great grandkids, and the Henry family at large. And to all of you who knew the “Piper” and were fortunate to call him friend. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">May he rest in peace. Safe home Kevin…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p><span class="font_large">I also received the following note and accompanying video of Kevin Henry which was filmed by author and researcher, Richie Piggott (who is not on the social media) of a song performed by Kevin and written by Martin Henry, Kevin’s elder brother. Richie has been working the last several years on a book about traditional Irish music in Chicago due out in 2021 with a working title: “Cry of a People Gone”. I hope you enjoy the song and the performance — and thanks to Richie for sharing this and allowing us another touch of Kevin… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Hi Jimmy, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We have indeed lost the Piper and as they say back home "ni bheidh a leithead ann aris" (his likes will not be seen again). </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">On a personal note, I have lost a true friend whose fountain of knowledge on Irish Culture (History, Poetry, Music, Song) was as deep as the bogs he was surrounded by in his early childhood. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">His input into my quest to document the history of traditional Irish music in Chicago is invaluable and every visit I made to the home of Kevin and Pauline (hundreds over the years) was to step into wonderland, like finding yourself in a library full of the books you always wanted to find and read! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As an example, over the years I have recorded the songs and poems of Kevin's older brother Martin, who spent most of his life as a spailpin working on the farms and down the mines in England. He used to come home for a few months each year to help his father cut the turf from the bog and it was always during this time that Kevin, while helping him on the bog, learned Martin's latest compositions (one of which, by the way, was the original version of McAlpine's Fusiliers). </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's one to give you a flavour of Martin's creativity and wit and Kevin's unique delivery which we will all miss so dearly. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">May you rest in peace my friend! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Slan, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Richie</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZjFhBOEtV28" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZjFhBOEtV28/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZjFhBOEtV28?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6347325
2020-06-09T08:29:42-05:00
2020-06-09T08:29:42-05:00
The Charleston Reel as played by Four Men and a Dog
<p>While searching online for a way to trade in all them years of playing the accordion for the equivalent in time of playing the fiddle - I came across the following track by the brilliant Four Men and a Dog. And lo and behold I find a brilliant version played by them of a tune of mine - The Charleston Reel - at the end of this set. Hup (and thanks) lads!! </p>
<p>The set is as follows: <br>The Drunken Tinker <br>Micho’s Mason Apron <br>The Charleston Reel (Jimmy Keane/Cappal Beag Music BMI)</p>
<p>Four Men and a Dog:</p>
<p>Dónal Murphy <br>Cathal Hayden <br>Gerry O'Connor <br>Gino Lupari <br>Kevin Doherty</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="0Aqn4xJrrmo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/0Aqn4xJrrmo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Aqn4xJrrmo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6341879
2020-06-04T07:57:21-05:00
2020-06-04T08:34:28-05:00
Ten Albums
<p><span class="font_large">Pre-ramble: Musician Seán Montgomery and Irish Trad music radio presenter Maryann Keifer nominated me for a post-for-ten-days yokeybob album thingy. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I decided to expand it a wee bit as many of my friends don't know much about traditional Irish music and song — not like I know much more — so I've included the opening tracks of these particular albums I've selected. Tomorrow could be an entirely different set as could an hour from now. When one gets bitten/exposed/grew-up-with trad music it stays with you forever— for better or worse — and any new listening (or re-listening) teaches you something and gives you a different take or twist on a tune or song as it was delivered by the musician(s) you are now listening to. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And you know they went through the same process whether they learned from family, friends, school, phonorecord, book, or as the late fiddler and storyteller Junior Crehan would tell of getting the music straight from the Luathradawns (fairies)…</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e3ff8216d578f785ccedb958081025e5f4599967/original/record-spinning-on-turntable-preview-image.jpg" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Eg_Wseg1iBY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Eg_Wseg1iBY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eg_Wseg1iBY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="6efgSoRSkqM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/6efgSoRSkqM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6efgSoRSkqM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="w5SPmX0vpnA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/w5SPmX0vpnA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w5SPmX0vpnA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="IJ-c3quWusE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/IJ-c3quWusE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IJ-c3quWusE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="FHrcRiFgRjM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/FHrcRiFgRjM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FHrcRiFgRjM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="zsblbU-5DQE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/zsblbU-5DQE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zsblbU-5DQE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Bg3_CAzX92o" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bg3_CAzX92o/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bg3_CAzX92o?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="66GAc1nUW5g" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/66GAc1nUW5g/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/66GAc1nUW5g?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="aUOErWq4Nqw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/aUOErWq4Nqw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aUOErWq4Nqw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="HCsDjSm-itk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/HCsDjSm-itk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HCsDjSm-itk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6289031
2020-04-21T09:16:40-05:00
2020-04-21T09:16:40-05:00
BPT me arse...
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d975e09adcc22e0f3f2ab80c314db4b1219a4d10/original/bpt.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I’ve been doing paid gigs since high school — the first sorta regular gig was with Liz Carroll at Ireland’s 32 here in Chicago on a Friday night — on the small stage right next to the pool table — I mean right next to it. We would have to shift and duck when one of the big lads from Connemara would turn around and glare at us (with one of those “looks” I’d get from the Horse on occasion) as said lad from Connemara would be setting up to take “a-three-rails-on-the-cue-call-your-pocket-shot” while Liz and I were in the middle of belting out “The Pigeon on the Gate” — well, at least the pigeon could fly its perch if necessary 😉 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">But at the end of the night, we would get paid. No questions asked. And fortunately, that has been the case all these years since. Sure, there were times when you’d have to remind someone or knew in advance that it would be a little bit longer but we got paid nonetheless. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Until now. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And it’s not a local pub owner, but a big multi-national company named Brown Paper Tickets (BPT). A faceless third party money collector ticket seller which I’ve used for nearly twenty gigs along with many other musicians, artists, venues, and event producers of all varieties who have trusted BPT to be their box office. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Hell, I even vouched for BPT when fellow musicians asked me what I thought of them as a box office. And the customer service reps I’ve dealt with in the past in the US, Canada, and Scotland have been most helpful and delightful. Of course, this has nothing to do with them. It is with the “buck-stops-here” people such as their CEO Stephen Butcher to whom I’ve even contacted. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">BPT has basically cut off communication and as of today are no longer taking phone calls and emails go unanswered. There are plenty of news articles on BPT informing those who have received checks that they are not to deposit them as they will bounce and artists having direct deposit funds withdrawn by BPT from their accounts. I’ve received no payment for the last A Might Squeeze gig I did using their services on March 7th and I don’t believe there ever will be a payment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And yet, they are still open for business, selling tickets to virtual events. I’m guessing those event producers won’t be paid in virtual bucks too… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">#BrownPaperTickets <br>#WhereAreTheBucks </span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6287034
2020-04-19T05:54:59-05:00
2020-04-19T05:54:59-05:00
#Quarantunes
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="vmPDkna8hy4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/vmPDkna8hy4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmPDkna8hy4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I wish to thank Dr. Ryan Hackett for the #Quarantunes nomination - but more importantly, to thank Ryan and all you other healthcare heroes, first responders, and essential workers (our newest class of heroes) out yonder who are leading the fight against Covid-19 on our behalf. Even as is it becoming more difficult for you to do so when many of our political "leaders" are undermining what you do every step of the way. We owe you our lives, no doubt!! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Aside from listening, looking, and hopefully laughing at my musical contribution below -- please take a moment to contribute to the World Health Organization (WHO) at this link to help in their battle with Covid-19: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">https://covid19responsefund.org/ </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Anyway, enough soapboxing - but keep scrubbing them hands!! <br>Let's blow this Covid-19 up!! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My #Quarantunes are: <br>Lullaby Redux <br>Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya <br>The Flax in Full Boom </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I'd like to further nominate: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Mick Foster <br>Mirella Murray <br>Kathleen Boyle <br>Karen Tweed <br>Edel Nic Lochlainn </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">How it works: <br>1. Share your tunes <br>2. Use the hashtag #Quarantunes <br>3. Include the WHO donation link: https://covid19responsefund.org/ <br>4. Nominate your friends to take part</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thank you all for your suppor</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6285294
2020-04-17T09:14:49-05:00
2020-04-17T16:11:34-05:00
Brian Dennehy...
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3138a46234440eb14f12b54355d99e6a35b69113/original/brian-dennehy-fx-orion-pictures-660.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpeg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sorry to learn of the passing of Brian Dennehy. He was a brilliant actor and very lovely man who was as comfortable with a beer in hand as he was with a script. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Back in 1984 (not the one we are in now), while I was on a tour of the west coast, he came to a gig that myself, Mick Moloney and Robbie O'Connell were doing at Des Regan’s pub in Burbank, CA. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Mick knew Brian from New York when he was a dialect coach for him during a play Brian was performing in the city during the early 1980’s. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The late Dessie O’Regan himself was a very nice man and box player from Moycullen in Galway who played at his own pub several nights a week which drew a large following of the Irish living in the Los Angeles area at the time. I had met Des a few years before that so I suggested to Mick we should do a gig there on one of the nights off during the tour. We were doing sit down concerts at performing arts centers and the like at the time — so I reckoned a gigs a gig — but forgot the maxim: a pubs a pubs a pub — Oh, boy… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The crowd at Regan’s loved to dance. To anything. They were slow waltzing to “How Can I Live Upon the Top of a Mountain,” foxtrotting to “There Were Roses” and jiving to everything else. They didn’t give a hoot about what we were playing, but they enjoyed themselves regardless 😉 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I know Mick was going to kill me and I was ever so glad for once that I play with my eyes closed. Never were the triplets on Mick’s banjo sounding so much like a Thompson submachine gun… 😉 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Anyway, we got through the gig on the small raised platform with the shared mics. Brian was very gracious about the whole thing and thanked us and headed out. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I ran into Brian many years later in Chicago at the second incarnation of O’Rourke’s on Halsted which Brian helped bankroll. He was leaving as I was entering — a quick hello and goodbye. The final time I saw him was as Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman” at the Goodman Theatre — he was pure brilliant! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My condolences to his family and many friends and fans — Rest In Peace Brian…</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/6277106
2020-04-09T07:46:38-05:00
2020-04-10T06:11:58-05:00
John Prine - Rest in Paradise
<p>Side B, Cut 7 </p>
<p>I met John Prine in Dublin many years ago at a hotel where I was staying — it was at the in-house late night ‘disco’ where one went for a drink a few minutes after the regular hotel bar closed. He was just like a guy from the neighborhood although I knew who he was was. </p>
<p>We shared Chicago as our musical stomping grounds (on much, much, different levels) and although I had heard his debut album I was still all in to the tunes, and tunes, and more tunes at the time -- with the odd trad song thrown in (so one could sneak off to the jacks). We talked about home and knew a handful of the same people, places, and shared a couple of drinks — he on a Presbyterian - a what, I asked? - whiskey and ginger ale he told me. Not a bad drink at all I might add! </p>
<p>I didn't want to bend his ear all night so in parting I embarrassingly asked him if he would mind giving me an autograph made out to a friend of mine at the time -- with just a slight odd twist -- could he make it out to "X" and sign it "F**k Off, John Prine"? He looked at me, smiled, chuckled, and said of course. I gave him a pen and then realized I had no paper so I took a five-punt note out of my pocket (it was pre-euro) and he smiled again, shook his head, and signed it!! </p>
<p>After that, I expanded my musical tastes considerably and became a huge fan of John and his mighty songs and saw him several times in concert over the years, although I never did bother him after the shows (he probably told security to be on the look out for a big old goofy accordion player)... ;-) </p>
<p>Flash forward to a few years back, Nicholas Tremulis, asked me if I'd like to take part in a concert with Alejandro Escovedo during his residency at the Chicago City Winery -- and the music for that evening was to be the 1971 debut John Prine album from start to finish! After verifying that Nic hadn't suffered any recent head trauma causing him to misdial me, I gladly agreed to do it (although I am still trying to find any trace of accordion on that album)... ;-) </p>
<p>Turned out to be a brilliant night - of course, look at the source material and the unbelievable cast of Alejandro, Nic (guitar), Kelly Hogan (vocals), Nora O'Connor (vocals), John Pirruccello (pedal steel), Larry Kohut (bass), Larry Beers (drums), and somehow me, the errant interloping squeezer. </p>
<p>I never in a millennium would think I'd have a chance to play music with John Prine and this was the closest I'd ever come (and never mind taking into account me with all the brilliant musicians above)! </p>
<p>And you know, it is what we have from such a great mind and musician as John - his words, melodies, and voice are forever ingrained in the music and will carry on. </p>
<p>What I got the most from John's songs were that they were written for you, and me, and were not some fancy pie-in-the-sky stuff -- just stuff that was there for all to see, yet we lacked John's eye to see it. But he made sure we did through his words... </p>
<p>My condolences to John's family and his many friends and fans - Rest in Paradise, John - I'll be having a tune and a Presbyterian in your honor today... </p>
<p>--- </p>
<p>If you are wondering what Side B, Cut 7 is, it is the last track of that John Prine album and the song and the video attached to this missive from that evening. </p>
<p><strong>(video link below) </strong></p>
<p>John Prine: Flashback Blues (Side B, Cut 7) </p>
<p>While window shopping through the past <br>I ran across a looking glass <br>Reflecting moments remaining in a burned out light <br>Tragic magic prayers of passion <br>Stay the same through changing fashions <br>They freeze my mind like water on a winter's night </p>
<p>Spent most of my youth <br>Out hobo cruising <br>And all I got for proof <br>Is rocks in my pockets and dirt in my shoes <br>So goodbye nonbeliever <br>Don't you know that I hate to leave here <br>So long babe, I got the flashback blues </p>
<p>Photographs show the laughs <br>Recorded in between the bad times <br>Happy sailors dancing on a sinking ship <br>Cloudy skies and dead fruit flies <br>Waving goodbye with tears in my eyes <br>Well, sure I made it but ya know it was as hell of a trip </p>
<p>Spent most of my youth <br>Out hobo cruising <br>And all I got for proof <br>Is rocks in my pockets and dirt in my shoes <br>And ten times what it grieves you <br>That's how much more I hate to leave you now <br>So long babe, I got the flashback blues </p>
<p>Spent most of my youth <br>Out hobo cruising <br>And all I got for proof <br>Is rocks in my pockets and dirt in my shoes <br>So goodbye nonbeliever <br>Don't you know that I hate to leave here <br>So long babe, I got the flashback blues...</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="z_4XZV2TtaQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/z_4XZV2TtaQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z_4XZV2TtaQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5925645
2019-10-14T04:55:50-05:00
2019-10-14T04:55:50-05:00
Ed Ward...
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/64940324befb3820d0927305d93e328f85491a8e/original/ed-ward-me-mick-liz.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Just learned the sad news that Edward J. Ward passed away earlier this morning. </p>
<p>Two weeks ago Ed and Catherine Ward opened their home and hearts to Mick Moloney, Liz Carroll, and myself to be with Ed as he had done to us and countless others 40 years before on the musical home he fostered on the shores of Lake Michigan. We recalled those years of friendship, beginnings, the inevitable endings, the music, song, dancing, laughter, and the hard to hold back tears of sadness and yet of joy — all orchestrated by Ed — and that was his gift to us all. Ed said that he always saw himself as that lad on the ladder looking over the horizon offering guidance and leadership which he did without match. Ed told us he was at peace. We played a few tunes for him along with his son, Sean Ward — and sang a couple of songs too which Ed joined in on. One was “Muldoon, the Solid Man” — which the chorus embodies very few, but certainly does for Ed: </p>
<p>So come with me and I will treat you dacent <br>I’ll set you down and I will fill your can <br>And along the street all the friends I meet <br>Say "There goes Muldoon, he’s a solid man." </p>
<p>God bless you Ed and thank you for your friendship — you are indeed a solid man. </p>
<p>My condolences to Cathy and Ed’s family and many friends - he was a lovely and brilliant man. Rest In Peace Ed...</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5780653
2019-06-05T08:34:47-05:00
2019-06-05T08:34:47-05:00
My lovely Kerrywoman...
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0fa7211331df8ad71db5c125cd45afdae20965cd/original/the-kerrywoman.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>My dear Mom, Mary, the "Kerrywoman" passed away on Monday morning. We spent a lot of time together over the past few years as she entered this final journey with dementia as her backpack. She was a delight to be with and was loved as she loved. I've done most of my grieving in small doses over the past four years -- when you see your loved one slip away, a part of your heart goes with them each time... </p>
<p>Thank you all for your love and support over the years! </p>
<p>Mary J. Keane born March 19, 1933 in Meeliguleen, County Kerry, Ireland, died peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Orland Park. Loving wife of the late Jimmy “Horse” Keane; dearest Mom of James (Susie), Anne (Steve) Rumchaks, Dennis (Mary), Michael (Karen), and Matthew (Elda). Beloved daughter of the late Paddy and Hannah Lyne. Proud grandma of David, Michael, Grace, Ryan, Lily, and Cara. Fond aunt of many nieces and nephews and countless cousins here and abroad, and a grand sister-in-law to eleven. Although the “Kerrywoman” was small in stature, she was immense in the love she shared with her family and friends and was a social network before they existed. Mom was also very handy with a broom handle which kept all of us in line. Although her last few years were marred by dementia, she kept her boundless spirit, sparkling eyes, and glorious smile for all who encountered her. We love you Mom. Rest in Peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. Services private.</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5715508
2019-04-11T05:15:34-05:00
2019-04-11T05:54:42-05:00
Review: Liz Carroll & Jimmy Keane: Dublin Tradfest January 2019
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c59d3cfed752a0bcbb9a13ed16c2cdebb92f9bae/original/me-liz-fistbump-tradfest.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Tradfest shows what music can be </strong><br>Irish Echo <br>February 6, 2019 <br>By Colleen Taylor</span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large">"What also makes Temple Bar TradFest remarkable in its use of Dublin’s most historical and austere spaces, from City Hall to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. These tourist attractions-turned-music venues were not just significant for aesthetic and acoustic reasons, but for symbolic ones as well. Two of Chicago’s most accomplished traditional musicians, fiddler Liz Carroll and accordionist Jimmy Keane, played a fantastic set to a sold-out room in Dublin City Hall, and as I saw it, wrote new narratives over the building’s structural history. Built in the late 18th-century and designed according to London’s neoclassical trends, the Pantheon-like building projects imperial opulence, making it impossible to ignore Ireland’s colonial past. But then, Liz Carroll and Jimmy Keane filled that massive dome with their charming Midwest accents, their superb tunes that came from the West of Ireland via Chicago, and wrote an optimistic epilogue over what that edifice represents, set the tune of a jig. The history of the space said these two humble, unpretentious, and utterly skilled traditional players did not belong there, but their lively music and livelier stories of Irish emigres in Chicago, echoing up through the dome, said they did. It was reverse diaspora, post-postcolonialism in its best form."</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5712721
2019-04-09T06:05:06-05:00
2019-04-11T05:16:13-05:00
Review: Liz Carroll & Jimmy Keane: Dublin TradFest January 2019
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/5b29453386061febbc925f8fc964355772f42041/original/imm-liz-jimmy-review.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Tradfest: Liz Carroll & Jimmy Keane </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Irish Music Magazine </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Live Review by Mark Lysaght </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">City Hall, Dublin, January 25, 2019 </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Dublin’s TradFest has evolved over the years to become a major </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">event in the city’s calendar, and one of the highlights this year </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">was the visit of Chicago-based duo Liz Carroll and Jimmy </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Keane for a once-off performance at the City Hall. The pair have known </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">each other for many years, and played together at countless gatherings </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">and concerts as they developed parallel careers. Liz released a new CD </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">in February called <em>Half Day Road</em> with Jake Charron and also has a </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">band called Trian with Billy Comiskey and Daithí Sproule; over the </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">years she has played with just about everyone! Jimmy has a long- </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">standing partnership with singer/accompanist Pat Broaders as well as </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">playing with Larry Nugent and Pauline Conneely in recent times. He </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">also performs regularly with Dennis Cahill, Paddy Homan and Dave </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Curley. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Chatting with Liz and Jimmy before the gig, it was obvious how </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">pleased they were to be performing at TradFest; it was a short visit, as </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">they were on a plane home to Chicago the day after the gig, but they </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">were availing of the opportunity to catch up with as many of their Irish </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">musical friends as possible. The stage at City Hall is suitably decorated with the </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Tricolour on the left side, with the US Stars & Stripes on the right. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As the venue began to fill up, it was remarkable how many fellow-musicians </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">had come out to see them, and an air or expectancy build. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Liz and Jimmy arrived on stage to a tumultuous welcome, and </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">launched into a long set of tunes starting with a slow piece called </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>Hanley’s House of Happiness</em>, composed by Liz, and gradually </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">developing momentum through three jigs, finishing with <em>Rush’s Jig</em>. The </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">musicianship is stellar and Jimmy, playing a massive piano accordion, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">provided subtle bass accompaniment throughout to add a beautiful </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">narrative to each piece. The crowd went wild, and this set the scene for </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">the rest of the evening. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">The pair onstage were wonderfully relaxed, and each piece was </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">explained in detail, as many of the selections were self-composed. Liz </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">delivered a wonderful solo of her tunes <em>The Bird</em> and <em>The Greek Petunia</em>, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">before it was Jimmy’s turn to shine – he took an extremely well-known </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">tune, <em>The Boys Of Blue Hill </em>and created an entirely new interpretation </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">he called <em>Bluehill</em>, before finishing with two reels (<em>Allie’s</em> and <em>Bailey’s</em>) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">dedicated to his family dogs! </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">We were witnessing two wonderful musicians playing at the top of </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">their game, and another duet starting with <em>The Queen of the Fairies</em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">(a sort of sister-tune to <em>The King of the Fairies</em>) showed the wonderful </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">instinctive sense of dynamics built into their performance. Both players </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">are expert tune-writers, several Liz Carroll tunes have entered the </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">popular session repertoire over the years, and Jimmy Keane composes </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">pieces of the highest quality. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">As the night progressed, we got a real insight into the realities of </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">growing up in Chicago from both musicians, born to Irish parents and </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">becoming immersed in a local traditional scene as youngsters, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">developing their craft and learning to absorb and express various </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">influences in their early careers. To this day Chicago is a cornerstone of </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">the US traditional music scene, which has also nurtured a number of ex- </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">pats, notably Martin Hayes. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Jimmy was once described as “the saviour of the piano accordion”by </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">the late Mícheál Ó’Súilleabháin, and watching him play you can see </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">why, his effortless light touch allowing him to traverse the keyboard and </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">embellish the tunes expertly, in a way that seems to elude so many </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">players of the instrument, as well as tasteful use of the bass side to </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">provide accompaniment which is harmonically dynamic. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">And what can you say about Liz Carroll? Technically superb, her deep immersion </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">in her art, ability to interpret the nuances of each tune so naturally, with </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">an endearingly impish sense of humour which completely won over a </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">most discerning audience at City Hall. Towards the end of the night, she </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">took a solo of three of her own tunes, <em>The Chandelier</em>, <em>Anne Lacey’s</em> and </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>Johnny D’s,</em> which literally brought the house down. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">On to the final selection, which included the <em>Ten Acre Waltz</em> by Liz </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">and a brace of Jimmy Keane reels (<em>Bedpan</em> and <em>Charleston</em>) to end on </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">a triumphant note. The set had extended way beyond the allotted time </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">but the crowd still bayed for more. So Liz and Jimmy returned to play </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">a lively encore, finishing appropriately enough with <em>The Chicago Reel.</em> </span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5708859
2019-04-05T14:46:05-05:00
2019-04-06T07:36:59-05:00
1974 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil booklet Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/859cf0b2a637ca6859bfb5b1f476e89bf9c343a1/original/trios-1974.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Came across this treasure from the past earlier this week. It is the program booklet for the 1974 Fleadh Cheoil in Ireland listing all the competitors who qualified to compete. I've highlighted all the competitors from the USA who competed that year -- it was the first large wave of Irish-Americans and Irish immigrants living in the US to return to compete in the music and singing competitions. There were two qualifying regional Fleadhs in the US: Chicago for the Midwest and New York for the East. First and Second place for each competition were eligible to compete for the All-Ireland to be held in Listowel, County Kerry that year on August 23-25</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We "Yanks" were in 167 competitions (68 from the Chicago/Midwest Fleadh and 99 from the New York/East Coast Fleadh). You will see many names that you will recognize (from here and abroad) as many are still playing music and singing nearly 45 years later. Sadly, many have passed on to the mighty session in the sky.... </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It was also my first All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil and the first of five wins in a row for me on the piano accordion (plus one Senior Duet with Liz Carroll which occurred in 1975). It was also my Dad, Jimmy "Horse" Keane's first Fleadh too. We are both listed as James. Hope you enjoy!!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Download or view the following PDF file:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><a contents="1974 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil booklet Listowel" data-link-label="fleadh-cheoil-listowel-1974.pdf" data-link-type="file" href="/files/387652/fleadh-cheoil-listowel-1974.pdf" target="_blank">1974 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil booklet Listowel</a></span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5542209
2018-12-06T07:36:49-06:00
2018-12-06T07:41:56-06:00
Ironwork...
<p><span class="font_large">In the "now for something completely different" category -- musician, historian, and my buddy Bucky Halker interviewed me a few years back as part of the "Cultural Traditions of Ironworkers in America's Upper Midwest : Archie Green Fellows Project" for the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. (I know) ;-) </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">It was a pleasure to do and we bounced around a bit in the interview about a past life of mine. I'm sure I made a tonne of errors during the talk, but sure, what harm? Hope you enjoy it! Oh, the best part, there's an audio recording of my Dad, the Horse, singing. Also, another of the great song which Robbie O'Connell wrote about him, "The Man from Connemara" is included and some photos of the Horse working... Hup!!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><strong><a contents="Library of Congress Jimmy Keane Interview" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.loc.gov/item/2017655527" target="_blank">Library of Congress Jimmy Keane interview</a></strong></span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5442670
2018-09-25T07:18:17-05:00
2018-09-25T07:28:02-05:00
Jimmy Keane: "Reelin' in the Years" with special guest Dennis Cahill (Milwaukee 11/16/18)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/ae0a06230c86bb56bb334bd962d9bc188e86f48c/original/jimmy-reelin-mke-banner-ad.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Get your tickets here!!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ichc.net/store/p32/Hallamor_Fall_Concert%E2%80%8B_-_Reelin%27_in_the_Years_with_Jimmy_Keane_and_special_guest_Dennis_Cahill_%7C_Friday%2C_November_16_%7C_7%3A30pm_%28Adult%29.html" target="_blank"><span class="font_xl"><strong>Get your tickets here!!</strong></span></a></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5213245
2018-05-02T09:17:31-05:00
2018-05-02T09:17:32-05:00
John Fron (1945-2018)
<p><span class="font_large">It is often said that you can’t choose your neighbors - but if you are as lucky as Susie and I were in this regard, you may end up with the best as we did with John and Vicki Fron and their family for the past twenty-five years. Sadly our friend John passed away suddenly on Sunday night, just a few weeks short of his 73rd birthday. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/8757c0d8070a576351db43946a795ab4e7ecf3b2/original/john-fron.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">John was a gregarious, friendly, helpful, and a generous old-school southsider soul who would drop what he was doing to lend a hand, a tool, or an abundance of spot-on-advice at the look of bewilderment from me staring at something around our home which I hadn’t a clue about how to fix. We would return the kindness in any manner we could whenever they were in need. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We shared a fenceless yard. And even if we did have a fence, it would never be between us. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And John and Vicki never minded me blaring away on the box or having rehearsals with a full PA in the garage. Unfortunately they never got a chance to go to a live show but I bet they memorized every flub I ever/always made... </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">During warmer months when our late dogs would go on their walkabouts, if we couldn’t find them, the first place we’d head to was the Fron’s backdoor kitchen where we’d usually find Allie or Bailey paying them a visit for hugs and treats. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Our heart breaks for Vicki, their children, and grandkids. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To paraphrase: </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">And like a good neighbor, John Fron was there. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Rest In Peace John</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/5121477
2018-03-10T09:26:43-06:00
2018-03-10T09:26:43-06:00
Jimmy Keane: Reelin' in the Years
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d8989c63f85743b387167577cc8af6bec7b8ca38/large/jimmy-keane-may-12-chiefs-flyer.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4987758
2017-12-21T07:03:49-06:00
2017-12-21T07:04:26-06:00
Find the nerd in the herd... ;-)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/792b4c51a2a7312d2674075ac4f05afbec1dfe5f/large/me-cnbl-1973.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4878230
2017-10-05T07:52:44-05:00
2017-10-05T07:57:08-05:00
Jimmy Keane CelticMKE interview
<p><strong>Artist Spotlight: Piano Accordionist Jimmy Keane </strong></p>
<p><strong>CELTIC MKE·TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017 </strong></p>
<p><strong>You grew up around music & your parents encouraged you to play, but what drew you to the piano accordion?</strong> </p>
<p>J: It is a bit odd to end up playing piano accordion in the 1960s for Irish traditional music, considering one of our early neighbors when we moved to Chicago from Ireland was the one and only button accordion guru Joe Cooley! I asked my parents that question a few times and they told me that the piano box was the instrument I wanted to play and not the button box. I guess they were ahead of the curve at the time when it came to creative parenting and actually listened to what their kid wanted instead of what he/she needed or should have had... ;-) </p>
<p><strong>How did you get involved in the Irish music scene in Chicago? Who taught you the piano accordion and and how were you able to better your skills over the years? Because winning 5 consecutive All-Ireland titles doesn’t happen without dedication to learning the instrument and having a passion for what you’re playing. </strong></p>
<p>J: Thank you for the kind words Melissa! It has always been the music which is the most important thing to me and I believe the same can be said for all the musicians I know who were fortunate enough to receive accolades such as All-Ireland titles through the years. It’s the tunes, not whatever tin you may pick up along the way which matters... </p>
<p>My Dad Jimmy “Horse” Keane and Mom Mary got us involved in the Irish music community from the start. In fact, the Horse came out to the States a year or so before my Mom and I arrived to Chicago to set up a home and a new life for us. And the first man I met in America was the brilliant musician Kevin Henry and since life-long friend who picked us up at the airport since Dad couldn’t get off work that day. So I was literally involved with the Irish music community from hour one... </p>
<p>I took some basic lessons on the accordion when I started at age 7 from an older German-American by the name of C.F. Marsh who had a music school around the corner from us on 79th Street for a year or so to get the basics of the instrument. I knew I wanted to play trad music but also knew he would not be able to teach me -- so I ended up with the best teacher of all: my ears and the wonderful, kind, and most helpful Irish musicians in Chicago. </p>
<p>When it comes down to it, this music is both an oral and aural tradition. I know there are tons of printed sources available now more than ever -- and an adopted Chicagoan cannot underplay the powerful collections from Captain Francis (and the unsung) James O’Neill -- but even Francis himself carried the tunes around in his head before he had the fortune to meet fellow musician James O’Neill who could transcribe the tunes to notation. So to have the likes of Kevin Henry, Johnny McGreevy, Eleanor Neary, Joe Shannon, Martin Byrnes, Tom Masterson, Cuz Teahan and many others as your guide to the world of Irish music -- how can one top that?? Well, growing up learning and playing music with Liz Carroll was definitely the topper... ;-) </p>
<p>The All-Ireland’s were great and it was an honor to carry back the wins to Chicago in the 1970s. Myself, Liz Carroll, Michael Flatley, Marty Fahey and a rake of musicians from the east coast were the first generation from here to stand note for note with the many brilliant musicians in Ireland and being recognized as equals was uplifting. Plus, the All-Ireland’s were a valid reason/excuse to spend time in Ireland a couple of weeks before school restarted and to meet up with musicians and make new ones. Now, since the Milwaukee Irish Fest and the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil basically run on the same weekend, the Irish Fest serves a similar purpose -- meeting old musician friends and making new ones. </p>
<p><strong>Can you talk about Irish music in America? Is the scene different than what it was in the 70s? Do you think it’s becoming more prominent because of all the Irish festivals in the States? Or is it more difficult to keep the tradition alive over here versus Ireland? I know efforts are being made to preserve the music (Ward Irish Music Archives) and artists are out there getting people interested, but I’m curious about your opinion on this. </strong></p>
<p>J: Overall, there are more people loving the music and more musicians playing the music than at any time in this country’s history and worldwide, too. As in any other ethnic based music, there are shifts in tastes and popularity over the years. </p>
<p>Whilst always strong with the core of traditional music lovers and performers (especially in large Irish populated cities and towns), you are now more likely to see musicians with no Irish connection whatsoever hooked into and playing this music we all love -- and playing it extremely well all across the US and beyond. </p>
<p>There are definitely more young kids playing and learning music now. When I first started learning the music in Chicago during the 1960’s, there was myself, Liz Carroll, and a bit later Michael Flatley and Marty Fahey. The next “youngest” musician up from us was at least twenty years older and above him the bulk of musicians at least twenty years older than he was. Also in the 60s, the music started growing in popularity spurred on by the rise of folk music and there were many great bands formed at that time, too. A huge credit is owed to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, and the Chieftains for opening up Irish music to the general population of America - which prompted other musicians to form groups - which prompted more traditional musicians to form bands in the 1970’s such as our own The Green Fields of America, Planxty, The Bothy Band, De Dannan, and in the 1980’s Cherish the Ladies, Altan, Dervish and in the 1990’s Lunasa, Solas and bohola (another self promotion); since then, the floodgates are wide open with many others. And don’t get me wrong, bands are great things, but to me this is still a solo tradition at heart where the tune stands on its own merits. </p>
<p>Coinciding with the resurgence of Irish music and its rise, there were more venues presenting concerts and by natural extension, the formation of festivals such as Milwaukee Irish Fest to showcase and bring multiple performers together to huge crowds, which in turn, spurred more interest at the local level (Mary from Topeka falls in love with the music of “Band A” whom she heard at the Irish Fest and organizes a concert for them in her town, so all her friends can share in the experience, and so on...). </p>
<p>The preservation of the music vis-a-vis the Ward Irish Music Archives and the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin, Ireland, along with various personal collections which exist is crucial. Printed music goes back a few hundred years but recorded music only started in the late 1890’s, so it’s relatively new in the scheme of things. It’s now great that we are able to digitize things (assuming the platforms on which they are saved last), but it’s also brilliant to be able to see, possibly touch, and even smell the actual old books and recordings (like the Dunn Collection of wax cylinders you have in the Ward Archives). A few months back, Liz Carroll and I were talking about what we were going to do with our respective collections of recorded music (both commercial and personal) and the various books and memorabilia we’ve amassed through the years, and I know I’ve decided to donate mine to the Ward Irish Music Archives as I’d hate to see it end up in the Waste Management Archive... ;-) </p>
<p><strong>You’ve had many musical collaborations throughout your career -- what does it mean to you to be able to play with other reputable Irish musicians? I always sense pride in the traditional Irish music scene (and the Irish culture in general) whenever I see artists join other artists for tunes, whether on a big stage, on an album, or at a pub session, because of the passion they all share. Can you comment on that? </strong></p>
<p>J: Personally, I prefer to play with disreputable Irish musicians...LOL </p>
<p>All kidding aside, I’ve been blessed by the musicians I’ve been able to play music with going back to when I first started. Being able to share the music with someone of like mind, to learn a new twist on a tune, or learn a new tune completely, to have an actual musical conversation between two instruments - to respond musically to a phrase instantly (you really need to listen to the person who is playing with you to do so) - these are all my favorite things about the music. Meeting another Irish musician for the first time and be able to sit down and play a few tunes before you even have their name locked into the memory banks is quite exhilarating and is one of the best things about this music we love and share. </p>
<p><strong>This may be a typical question, but what is your goal with playing and performing? Is there something specific you want people to take away after attending one of your shows or hearing your music? </strong></p>
<p>J: People always ask me, “Why do you play with your eyes closed?” - I respond to them that when I was starting out, I did not liking playing in public, so my Mom told me to close my eyes and pretend I was at home playing at the kitchen table. So to this day, I do the same and I hope that I am able to share what that feeling is of playing this great and beautiful music with another listener - just as if he or she were sitting in my folks kitchen listening to me play. </p>
<p>Jimmy Keane </p>
<p><a contents="Interview" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/celtic-mke/artist-spotlight-piano-accordionist-jimmy-keane/1549036481784909/" target="_blank">Interview</a></p>
<p><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="584" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnotes%2Fceltic-mke%2Fartist-spotlight-piano-accordionist-jimmy-keane%2F1549036481784909%2F&width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4864339
2017-09-25T13:23:05-05:00
2017-09-25T13:23:05-05:00
Accordionist Jimmy Keane: Irish Fest and the Ward Irish Music Archives
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Accordionist Jimmy Keane: <br>Irish Fest and the Ward Irish Music Archives</strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hi Folks! Jimmy Keane here typing out a few words about my upcoming performance with Mick Moloney at the CelticMKE Center on Saturday, October 21. </p>
<p>It will be a special night (not only the fact that I get to play music with Mick once more), but that we celebrate two pioneers of Irish Music in America: The Flanagan Brothers. Mike Flanagan (banjo) and Joe (accordion) were born in Waterford and emigrated to the U.S. in 1911 — much like Mick Moloney (banjo) and me (accordion) moving here from Ireland, except it was a wee bit later when we arrived… </p>
<p>And if that weren’t enough, we also mark the 25th anniversary of the Ward Irish Music Archives as Mick Moloney gives the Chuck Ward Memorial Lecture on the Flanagan Brothers. </p>
<p>I’ve performed at the Milwaukee Irish Fest since the first one in 1981 when Mick Moloney invited me up to play a few tunes with the Green Fields of America and also asked my sean-nos (old-style) singing Dad, Jimmy “Horse” Keane up for a song. It became a ritual. Whenever I played the Irish Fest from then on, either as a member of the Green Fields, or as Moloney, O’Connell, and Keane — the “Horse” would join us for a song until his untimely death in 1989. If he were still with us during my bohola years, he’d have been up singing a song or two as well. </p>
<p>Ward Irish Music Archives: Irish Fest Collection </p>
<p>If you are reading this as a veteran “Irish Fest-er” like me or a newcomer who experienced your first Irish Fest this past August, you will quickly realize that the Festival is far more than the brilliant music, singing, dancing, cultural exhibits, the occasional Miller Lite beer, the “just one” order of Winston’s Sausage and Chips, or the late nights at the soon to be gone Park East Hotel. It is a community, and each year that I am fortunate enough to attend, it is a homecoming of like minds and souls. </p>
<p>One of the greatest achievements of the entire Milwaukee Irish Fest experience is the Ward Irish Music Archives — established in 1992 and named after Irish Fest founder Ed Ward’s dad, John. It is a tribute to the music and culture we share and in which we have built our community on. If you have not visited the Archives, you must. In fact, come on out an hour or so earlier on the night of myself and Mick’s concert and do a quick browse. One of my favorite exhibits as a musician is the Dunn Family Collection. Of the multiple artifacts in the collection, the highlight is the thirty-two wax cylinder recordings by the great Captain Francis O’Neill (1848-1936) in which you not only hear Francis “circus bark” the name of each tune and performer, but you soon realize that the version of the tune recorded is also transcribed and presented in O’Neill’s Music of Ireland (1903), the mammoth collection of dance tunes, airs, song melodies, and rare pieces of music published by the Captain in his (and my) adopted home of Chicago. I was honored to be part of the Dunn Collection CD release concert a few years back at the CelticMKE Center and am particularly fond of Edward Cronin’s version of the tune, Banish Misfortune — #776 in the above mentioned Music of Ireland book. </p>
<p>Before I sign off, I wish to thank all the people involved in this great organization and in particular the mighty volunteers who without, there would be no Milwaukee Irish Fest. And for having me up from Chicago all these many years to play a few tunes for you from the music I love. I hope to see many of you in October when Mick and I tear up the stage with tunes, songs, and tales! Take care… </p>
<p>All the best, </p>
<p>Jimmy Keane</p>
<p><a contents="http://celticmke.com/CelticMKE-Blog/guest-blog-jimmy-keane.htm" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://celticmke.com/CelticMKE-Blog/guest-blog-jimmy-keane.htm" target="_blank">http://celticmke.com/CelticMKE-Blog/guest-blog-jimmy-keane.htm</a></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4840355
2017-09-07T07:12:15-05:00
2017-09-07T07:12:15-05:00
The Horse Keane and Sean McGuire...
<p><span class="font_large">Liz Carroll recently sent me an article written by Martin McGinley about the late great fiddler Sean McGuire (1927-2005). Liz asked me to make sure I read it all the way through. And lo and behold, there was a Sean McGuire handwritten transcription of a tune I wrote for my Dad -- "Horse Keane’s Hornpipe" -- Way cool!! ;-) </span></p>
<p>(Here is the article: <a contents="http://tradmad.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-genius-that-was-mcguire.html?view=magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://tradmad.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-genius-that-was-mcguire.html?view=magazine" target="_blank">http://tradmad.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-genius-that-was-mcguire.html?view=magazine</a>)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/2e7983b809e684365d432fcc9d216740cfdf218f/large/horse-keane-transcribed-by-sean-mcguire.jpg?1504786142" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4778448
2017-07-13T17:50:59-05:00
2017-07-13T17:53:07-05:00
CCE Living Tradition Award
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d1bc16c31bcdef9b2fca55e832693849299bb53f/original/jimmy-keane-cce-living-tradition-award.png?1499986204" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I guess I should clean out my accordion case more often... ;-)</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4731087
2017-06-02T06:54:09-05:00
2017-06-02T20:09:45-05:00
Trad Music Survey May 27-29, 2017
<p>Trad Music Survey May 27-29, 2017 </p>
<p>Surveyor/Pollster: Jimmy Keane </p>
<p>100 Participants </p>
<p>This was a non-scientific survey posted on social media and by direct outreach to some of my musician friends. </p>
<p>Aside from cleaning up some text and quantifying the same answers by adding the amount "(x)" before the item, I left it alone. </p>
<p>I also added any comments from the survey questions to the bottom of each question, along with a "zz" or "x" for sorting purposes. </p>
<p>Whenever my own name appeared in the survey answers -- I was going to delete/not report it, but ended up leaving it in -- although I take it with a ton of salt (as should you)… ;-) </p>
<p>In looking over the answers I noticed that what some responders considered a certain tune or song as "traditional," -- may not be thought of by others as "traditional," including me. </p>
<p>But that is a whole topic which I think deserves a survey of its own (someday by me, or if anyone want to take up that mantle)... </p>
<p>One result which stood out for me was that 53 musicians/singers responded that they composed 635 new tunes and/or songs (in total). </p>
<p>As this is a living tradition I think it bodes well. After all, someone at some point wrote "that tune" or penned "that song" </p>
<p>Speaking of tune composers/song writers -- a few answers also identified the writer of tune/song. If I've some spare time, I'll go back and add composers names to the uncredited ones. </p>
<p>If you know them, please pop me a line with the tune/song and it's writer -- it will save me time. </p>
<p>Likewise if you notice any spelling errors, especially of any musician's names and/or tune titles, please let me know. </p>
<p>Thank you all for taking the time to participate in this survey. We are fortunate to be part of this wonderful music tradition! </p>
<p>All the best, </p>
<p>Jimmy </p>
<hr><p>Primary instrument? </p>
<p>(1) Banjo and Accordion </p>
<p>(1) Bodhran and Singer </p>
<p>(1) Ceili drums </p>
<p>(1) Concertina and Piano </p>
<p>(1) Concertina and Singer </p>
<p>(1) Guitar and Singer </p>
<p>(1) Harp </p>
<p>(1) Mandolin </p>
<p>(1) Piano </p>
<p>(1) Tin Whistle and Flute </p>
<p>(1) Uilleann Pipes </p>
<p>(2) Bouzouki </p>
<p>(3) Bodhran </p>
<p>(4) Concertina </p>
<p>(5) Banjo </p>
<p>(6) Button Accordion </p>
<p>(6) Flute </p>
<p>(6) Tin Whistle </p>
<p>(7) Guitar </p>
<p>(8) Piano Accordion </p>
<p>(17) Singer </p>
<p>(29) Fiddle</p>
<hr><p>If you are a traditional Singer, do you sing in English, Irish, or Both? </p>
<p>(8) Both English and Irish </p>
<p>(27) English </p>
<hr><p>Q1 What was the first traditional tune or song you learned? </p>
<p>(2) Blarney Pilgrim </p>
<p>(2) Cooley's </p>
<p>(2) Fainne Geal an Lae </p>
<p>(2) Fields of Athenry (by Peter Mooney aka Pete St. John) </p>
<p>(2) Mountain Road (by Michael Gorman) </p>
<p>(2) Out On The Ocean </p>
<p>(2) Soldiers Joy </p>
<p>(2) The Coulin </p>
<p>(2) The Dawning of the Day (march) </p>
<p>(2) The Sally Gardens (tune) </p>
<p>(2) Kesh Jig </p>
<p>(4) Dawning of the Day </p>
<p>(5) Sean South </p>
<p>(7) Can't Recall </p>
<p>An Puc ar Buille </p>
<p>Arthur McBride </p>
<p>Banish Misfortune </p>
<p>Boys of Bluehill </p>
<p>Brian Boru's March </p>
<p>Britches Full of Stitches </p>
<p>Cock of the North </p>
<p>Cow that ate the Blanket </p>
<p>Crooked Jack </p>
<p>Devil's Dream </p>
<p>Drowsy Maggie </p>
<p>Eagles Whistle </p>
<p>Farewell to Nova Scotia </p>
<p>Fermoy Lasses </p>
<p>Finnish Polka </p>
<p>Gallagher' Frolics </p>
<p>Greenland Whale Fisheries </p>
<p>Harvest Home </p>
<p>Irish Washerwoman </p>
<p>Kerry Polka </p>
<p>Lilting Banshee </p>
<p>Lucy Farr's Barn Dance </p>
<p>Man of the House </p>
<p>May Morning Dew </p>
<p>Merry Blacksmith </p>
<p>Molly Malone </p>
<p>Morrison's Jig </p>
<p>Mug of Brown Ale </p>
<p>My Lagan Love </p>
<p>My Pup Came Home from Claedeach </p>
<p>Nil Na La </p>
<p>O'Keeffe's slide </p>
<p>Old Hag you have Killed Me </p>
<p>Omie Wise (American) </p>
<p>Patriot Game </p>
<p>Pigeon on the Gate </p>
<p>Planxty George Brabazon </p>
<p>Red Haired Boy </p>
<p>Rolling in the Rye Grass </p>
<p>Roving Journeyman </p>
<p>S'Bheag, S'Mhore </p>
<p>She Moved Through The Fair </p>
<p>Skibbereen (song) </p>
<p>Swallow's Tail (reel) </p>
<p>The Banshee </p>
<p>The Boys of Blue Hill </p>
<p>The Dawning of the Day </p>
<p>The Gander's Strut (a Peter Turbit highland) </p>
<p>The Lark in the Morning </p>
<p>The Leaving of Liverpool </p>
<p>The Leprechaun </p>
<p>The Old Grey Goose </p>
<p>The Red Haired Boy (Little Beggarman) </p>
<p>The Rossmore Jetty </p>
<p>The Silver Spear </p>
<p>The Temperance Reel </p>
<p>The Yellow Bonnet </p>
<p>Three Leaf Shamrock Waltz </p>
<p>Timmy Clifford </p>
<p>Tripping up the Stairs </p>
<p>Valley of Knockanure </p>
<p>Weelia Wallia </p>
<p>Whiskey Before Breakfast </p>
<p>Willie Coleman's jig </p>
<p>Wind that Shakes the Barley (Sean Nos version) </p>
<p>Wind That Shakes the Barley (tune) </p>
<p>z Don't Know Any </p>
<hr><p>Q2 What was the most recent tune or song you learned? </p>
<p>(2) Phyllis's Birthday Reel (by Josephine Marsh) </p>
<p>A Shetland Hornpipe </p>
<p>Asthore Machte </p>
<p>Baltimore Beginners </p>
<p>Bend in the Road </p>
<p>Bluemont Waltz </p>
<p>Boyne Hunt </p>
<p>Bright Blue Rose </p>
<p>Brosna Slide </p>
<p>Burning Brakes </p>
<p>Bus Stop Reel </p>
<p>Carolan's Draught </p>
<p>Christmas Eve </p>
<p>Clumsy Lover </p>
<p>Cuz Teahan's Favourite (slide) </p>
<p>Dooney Rock </p>
<p>Ed Reavey reel </p>
<p>Farewell to Nigg </p>
<p>Feel so Near </p>
<p>Galway (by Oliver St.John Gogarty) </p>
<p>Galway Rambler </p>
<p>George People's reel </p>
<p>Golden Keyboard </p>
<p>Good Ship Kangaroo </p>
<p>Gooseberry Bush </p>
<p>Green Fields of Woodford </p>
<p>Helvic Head </p>
<p>Holy Ground </p>
<p>Homer's Reel </p>
<p>Horse Keane's Hornpipe (by Jimmy Keane) </p>
<p>Hunter's House </p>
<p>I Have No Money </p>
<p>If Ever You Were Mine </p>
<p>If You Come at All (by Alan Burke) </p>
<p>Inïon an Fhaoit ón Gleann </p>
<p>Jack Broke the Prison Door </p>
<p>Joe Bane's </p>
<p>Killeigh Hornpipe </p>
<p>Kitty in the Lane </p>
<p>Last Train from Loughrea </p>
<p>Lost in the Loop (by Liz Carroll) </p>
<p>McAlpine's Fusiliers </p>
<p>Moon Reel </p>
<p>Mouth of the Tobique </p>
<p>Music for a found harmonium </p>
<p>My Lovely Rose of Clare </p>
<p>My Maryann </p>
<p>Nine Points of Roguery </p>
<p>Open the Door for Three </p>
<p>Over The Moor to Maggie </p>
<p>Pachelbel's "Cannon in D" </p>
<p>Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore </p>
<p>Paddy's Lament </p>
<p>Pearl O'Shaughnessy's Barndance </p>
<p>Rose and Kathleen's Slip Jig </p>
<p>Scholar Reel (Finbar Dwyer's Version) </p>
<p>Shades of Gloria - (not trad, but Gerry O'Beirne wrote it so it counts) </p>
<p>Shores of Loch Bran </p>
<p>Skibbereen </p>
<p>Skullcrusher Mountain (not trad) </p>
<p>Soggy's Slip Jig </p>
<p>Strike The Gay Harp </p>
<p>Sumy Banks </p>
<p>The Beech Tree </p>
<p>The Bold Fenian Men </p>
<p>The Cameronian </p>
<p>The Contender (by Jimmy McCarthy) </p>
<p>The Duet Hornpipe </p>
<p>The Eavesdropper </p>
<p>The Four Shoves </p>
<p>The Galtee reel </p>
<p>The Half-Door </p>
<p>The Half-Door </p>
<p>The Hills of Tara </p>
<p>The Lakes of Killarney </p>
<p>The Last Waltz </p>
<p>The Morning Lark Jig </p>
<p>The Parting Glass </p>
<p>The Peacock </p>
<p>The Rollicking Boys of Tandaragee </p>
<p>The Rookery reel </p>
<p>The Ruisin Reel </p>
<p>The Silver Spire </p>
<p>The Street Player </p>
<p>The Traveler </p>
<p>The Trip We Took Over The Mountain </p>
<p>The Whistler of Rosslea </p>
<p>The Widow's Daughter </p>
<p>The Windmill </p>
<p>This Town Is Not Your Own. </p>
<p>Trim the Velvet (Donegal Version) </p>
<p>West Coast of Clare </p>
<p>x All by osmosis these days; I hardly know any tune names </p>
<p>x Haven't a clue (been a while) </p>
<p>x I make up my own </p>
<p>x Not sure </p>
<p>x Tunepal would know </p>
<hr><p>Q3 What are your five most favorite tunes or songs at the moment? </p>
<p>(2) Alexander's Hornpipe </p>
<p>(2) Banks of Lough Gowna </p>
<p>(2) Battle of Aughrim </p>
<p>(2) Bonny Crossing the Rhine </p>
<p>(2) Devaney's Goat reel </p>
<p>(2) Frank's Reel </p>
<p>(2) Galway rambler </p>
<p>(2) If Ever You Were Mine </p>
<p>(2) Jenny's Welcome to Charlie </p>
<p>(2) Johnny Cope </p>
<p>(2) King of the Fairies </p>
<p>(2) Lawson's Hornpipe </p>
<p>(2) Letterfrack </p>
<p>(2) Miss McLeod </p>
<p>(2) Out on the Ocean </p>
<p>(2) Paddy Fahey's jig (by Paddy Fahey) </p>
<p>(2) Plains of Boyle </p>
<p>(2) Red Haired Boy </p>
<p>(2) Rookery Reel </p>
<p>(2) Skibbereen </p>
<p>(2) The Carracastle Lass </p>
<p>(2) The Duet Hornpipe </p>
<p>(2) The Gold Ring </p>
<p>(2) The Lark in the Clear Air </p>
<p>(2) The Old Gold Ring </p>
<p>(2) The porthole of the kelp (by Bobby Casey) </p>
<p>(2) The Whistler of Rosslea (by Ed Reavy) </p>
<p>(3) Music For A Found Harmonium (by Simon Jeffes) </p>
<p>(3) Soggy's Slip Jig (by Sean Og Graham) </p>
<p>(3) Spike Island Lasses </p>
<p>(4) Song For Ireland (by Phil Colclough) </p>
<p>(4) The Beare Island Reel (by Finbarr Dwyer) </p>
<p>Across the Blue Mountains </p>
<p>Across the Road </p>
<p>Ae Fond Kiss </p>
<p>Ally's waltz </p>
<p>Always on My Mind </p>
<p>Amhrán Na Leabhar </p>
<p>An Buachaillin Donn </p>
<p>An Coisir </p>
<p>An Phis Fhliuch </p>
<p>An Poc ar Buile </p>
<p>Asthore Machte </p>
<p>Back Home in Derry </p>
<p>Bag of Spuds </p>
<p>Banish Misfortune </p>
<p>Bank of Ireland </p>
<p>Banshee </p>
<p>Bantry Bay </p>
<p>Bantry Bay hornpipe </p>
<p>Barbara Allen </p>
<p>Bedlam Boys </p>
<p>Bell Cow </p>
<p>Ben Hill </p>
<p>Blarney Pilgrim </p>
<p>Bluemont Waltz </p>
<p>Bold Doherty </p>
<p>Bonkers in Yonkers </p>
<p>Boys on the Hilltop </p>
<p>Brendan Callahan </p>
<p>Brendan Keenan's Jig </p>
<p>Bright Side of the Moon (by Cyril O'Donoghue) </p>
<p>Brosnan's Reel </p>
<p>Bunch of Green Rushes </p>
<p>Calliope House </p>
<p>Castle Kelly's </p>
<p>Chief O'Neill's </p>
<p>Christmas Eve </p>
<p>City of Chicago </p>
<p>Cleveland park </p>
<p>Cliffs of Moher </p>
<p>College Groves </p>
<p>Concertina Reel </p>
<p>Creggan White Hare </p>
<p>Crested Hens </p>
<p>Cutting a Slide (by Phil Cunningham) </p>
<p>Cuz Teahan's Fling </p>
<p>Cuz Teahan's </p>
<p>Dark Eyed Sailor </p>
<p>Dark Inishowen </p>
<p>Dawning Of The Day </p>
<p>Dinny O'Brien </p>
<p>Diplodocus (by Liz Carroll) </p>
<p>Dobbin's Flowery Vale </p>
<p>Doctor O'Neill </p>
<p>Don't know any </p>
<p>Donegal Danny </p>
<p>Dowd's Number Nine </p>
<p>Dr. Gilbert's </p>
<p>Drops of Spring Water </p>
<p>Drowsy Maggie </p>
<p>Drumraney lass </p>
<p>Easter Snow </p>
<p>EBE reel (by Liz Carroll) </p>
<p>Eileen O'Brien's </p>
<p>Eleanor Plunkett </p>
<p>Ellen Brown </p>
<p>Erin Shore (aka Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore) </p>
<p>Errant Apprentice </p>
<p>Exile of Erin </p>
<p>Fairest of all Yarrow </p>
<p>Far From Home </p>
<p>Farewell to Ireland </p>
<p>Farewell to London (by Brendan McGlinchey) </p>
<p>Farewell to Milltown malbay </p>
<p>Farewell to Miltown </p>
<p>Father Kelly's Reel - but not the one everyone plays </p>
<p>Feel so near </p>
<p>Finbar Dwyer's favorite jig </p>
<p>Finbarr Dwyer's Scholar reel </p>
<p>Flower of Sweet Strabane </p>
<p>Fogo Island </p>
<p>Follow The Heron Home (by Karine Polwart) </p>
<p>Fox hunters </p>
<p>Foxie Mary </p>
<p>Funky Jig </p>
<p>Gallagher's frolics </p>
<p>Galway </p>
<p>Galway Bay </p>
<p>Galway Girl </p>
<p>Garrett Barry's </p>
<p>Golden eagle hornpipe </p>
<p>Golden Keyboard </p>
<p>Grace </p>
<p>Graf Spey </p>
<p>Green Fields of France </p>
<p>Green Groves of Erin </p>
<p>Guns of the magnificent seven </p>
<p>Gypsy Princess </p>
<p>Happy jig </p>
<p>Helvic head </p>
<p>Humors of Ballyloughlin </p>
<p>Humours of Ennistymon </p>
<p>I'm the boy for bewitching </p>
<p>I'm Waiting For You </p>
<p>Imelda Roland's </p>
<p>In the Tap Room (Reel) </p>
<p>Independence Trail </p>
<p>Irish Washerwoman </p>
<p>Jackie Coleman's </p>
<p>James Connelly </p>
<p>Jenny's Chickens </p>
<p>Jimmy's return </p>
<p>John Kelly's </p>
<p>John of Dreams </p>
<p>Johnny Cronin's reel </p>
<p>Kerry Polka </p>
<p>Kid on the Mountain </p>
<p>Kilfenora #1 </p>
<p>Kilfenora #2 </p>
<p>King of the Pipers </p>
<p>Kings of Kerry </p>
<p>Kinnegad Slashers </p>
<p>Lad O'Beirne reel </p>
<p>Lady Anne Montgomery </p>
<p>Lady Fair </p>
<p>Lakes of Pontchartrain </p>
<p>Land o the Leal </p>
<p>Last of the Mohicans Theme </p>
<p>Last waltz </p>
<p>Laurel Hill </p>
<p>Leaving Of Liverpool </p>
<p>Leitrim fancy </p>
<p>Limerick Lasses </p>
<p>Little bird </p>
<p>Lovely Rose of Clare </p>
<p>Lump of pudding </p>
<p>Maggie's Pancakes </p>
<p>Maids of Castlebar </p>
<p>Maids of Mt. Kisco </p>
<p>Maids of Selma </p>
<p>Martin Wynn's #2 </p>
<p>Matty Groves </p>
<p>May We All Some Day Meet Again </p>
<p>McAlpine's Fusiliers </p>
<p>McDermott's reel </p>
<p>McGovern's </p>
<p>McIntyre's favorite jig </p>
<p>Miss Lyon's Fancy </p>
<p>Morning Star </p>
<p>Mountain Dew (song) </p>
<p>Muireann's Jig (by Niall Vallely) </p>
<p>Mussels in the Corner </p>
<p>My Heart's Tonight In Ireland </p>
<p>Ned Kelly's polka </p>
<p>Ned of the Hill (air) </p>
<p>Neil Gow's Lament For His 2nd Wife </p>
<p>North South </p>
<p>November Waltz (by Rob Harbron) </p>
<p>O'Carolan's Draught </p>
<p>O'Dowd's number 2 </p>
<p>Old Grey Cat </p>
<p>Ormond Sound (by Paddy O'Brien) </p>
<p>Paddy Canny's </p>
<p>Paddy Fahey Jig in G minor </p>
<p>Paddy Fahey reel (any Paddy Fahey tune) </p>
<p>Paddy Goes To London </p>
<p>Paddy's Trip to Scotland </p>
<p>Palmer's Gate </p>
<p>Paul O'Shaughnessy's Barndance </p>
<p>Pernod </p>
<p>Plains of Waterloo </p>
<p>Plantxy Fanny Powers </p>
<p>Platinum Ring </p>
<p>Pol Ha'Penny </p>
<p>Primrose Lass </p>
<p>Providence reel </p>
<p>Queen of the Fair. </p>
<p>Rakish Paddy </p>
<p>Rathowen </p>
<p>Reconciliation </p>
<p>Reel from Manila (by Fr. Kelly) </p>
<p>Reel of Rio (by Sean Ryan) </p>
<p>Roaring Barmaid </p>
<p>Rocking the Cradle </p>
<p>Rollicking Boys of Tonderagee </p>
<p>Rose and Kathleen's Slip Jig </p>
<p>Rowsome's </p>
<p>Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealla </p>
<p>Sailor's Bonnet </p>
<p>Scatter the Mud </p>
<p>Seallaibh Curaidh Eoghainn </p>
<p>Sevens (by Liz Carroll) </p>
<p>Shades of Gloria </p>
<p>Sherrifmuir </p>
<p>Ships Are Sailing </p>
<p>Siege of Ennis </p>
<p>Smash The Windows jig </p>
<p>Soldier's Joy </p>
<p>Sport (by Peadar O Riada) </p>
<p>Sporting paddy </p>
<p>Steampacket </p>
<p>Stor Ma Chroi </p>
<p>Strayaway Child </p>
<p>Taimse Im'Chodhladh </p>
<p>Tell Her I am </p>
<p>Templehouse Jig </p>
<p>The Ballydesmond Polkas </p>
<p>The Ballyoran Hornpipe </p>
<p>The Belles of Tipperary </p>
<p>The Boy in the Gap </p>
<p>The Boy in the Gap reel (Johnny McGreevy version) </p>
<p>The Boys of Barr Na Sraide </p>
<p>The Boys of Blue Hill </p>
<p>The Bucks of Oranmore </p>
<p>The Cameronian reel </p>
<p>The Conor Stone Jig (by Josie Keegan) </p>
<p>The Crock of Gold </p>
<p>The Dairy Maid </p>
<p>The Dawning of the Day (march) </p>
<p>The Deer's March </p>
<p>The Ebb Tide </p>
<p>The Few Bob </p>
<p>The Final Trawl </p>
<p>The Galway Reel </p>
<p>The Golden Eagle </p>
<p>The Gravel Walks </p>
<p>The Green Fields of Canada (Paddy Tunney's Version) </p>
<p>The Groves hornpipe </p>
<p>The Half-Door </p>
<p>The Hills of Tara </p>
<p>The Holy Ground </p>
<p>The Home Ruler (hornpipe) </p>
<p>The Hunt </p>
<p>The Hut on Staffin Island </p>
<p>The Jolly Tinker </p>
<p>The Kilfenora Jigs </p>
<p>The Killavil (reel) </p>
<p>The Killavil Jig </p>
<p>The Lads of Laois </p>
<p>The Lark in the Clear Air </p>
<p>The Limestone Rock </p>
<p>The Long Drop </p>
<p>The Magpie </p>
<p>The Maid of Cabra West </p>
<p>The Monaghan Jig </p>
<p>The morning dew </p>
<p>The Mountain Road </p>
<p>The New Land </p>
<p>The new policeman </p>
<p>The Night Visit Song </p>
<p>The Old Bush </p>
<p>The Parting Glass </p>
<p>The Parting Song (by Judy Goodenough) </p>
<p>The penny candle </p>
<p>The Pinery Boy </p>
<p>The Red Bee </p>
<p>The Rookery </p>
<p>The Rossmore Jetty </p>
<p>The Sally Gardens (reel) </p>
<p>The scholar </p>
<p>The Shannon Breeze reel </p>
<p>The Shaskeen Reel </p>
<p>The Siege Of Ennis </p>
<p>The Soldier's Story (by Mike Devin) </p>
<p>The Tarbolton </p>
<p>The Torn Jacket </p>
<p>The Trip to Durrow </p>
<p>The Valley of Jarama </p>
<p>The Virginian </p>
<p>The Water Is Wide </p>
<p>The Wexford Carol </p>
<p>The Wind that Shakes the Barley </p>
<p>The Windmill </p>
<p>The Windy City (reel) </p>
<p>The Wise Maid </p>
<p>The yellow tinker </p>
<p>This Town Is Not Your Own </p>
<p>Tommy Coen's </p>
<p>Tribute to Jimmy Keane (by Liz Carroll) </p>
<p>Trip to Durrow </p>
<p>Trip to nenagh </p>
<p>Tullycrine </p>
<p>Two Fifty to Vigo </p>
<p>Tyra avs </p>
<p>Up Downy Reel (by Tola Custy) </p>
<p>Valparaison Round The Horn </p>
<p>Waltz of the toys </p>
<p>Warbling Robin </p>
<p>Waterboogie </p>
<p>Whistler at the Wake </p>
<p>White Petticoat </p>
<p>Wind that shakes the barley (in G) </p>
<p>Woman of the House </p>
<p>z I don't have favorites of the moment, only whatever happens on a whim, often selected because I haven't played it recently </p>
<p>z Loads of polkas his reels useless at remembering names </p>
<p>z These are very hard questions. </p>
<hr><p>Q4 Have you composed any tunes or songs? </p>
<p>(47) No </p>
<p>(53) Yes </p>
<hr><p>Q5 If you composed tunes or songs, how many? </p>
<p>(635) Tunes and/or Songs composed </p>
<hr><p>Q6 Who was your main influence when you started playing or singing traditional music? </p>
<p>(2) Andy McGann </p>
<p>(2) Billy McComiskey </p>
<p>(2) Bobby Casey </p>
<p>(2) Bothy Band </p>
<p>(2) Brian Finnegan </p>
<p>(2) DeDanann </p>
<p>(2) Dermot O'Brien </p>
<p>(2) Dick Gaughan </p>
<p>(2) Donal Lunny </p>
<p>(2) Enda Scahill </p>
<p>(2) Frank Harte </p>
<p>(2) Gerry O'Connor </p>
<p>(2) Jack Coen </p>
<p>(2) James Kelly </p>
<p>(2) Jerry O'Sullivan </p>
<p>(2) Joe Burke </p>
<p>(2) Joe Cooley </p>
<p>(2) John Joe Kelly </p>
<p>(2) Josephine Marsh </p>
<p>(2) Kevin Griffin </p>
<p>(2) Malcolm Dalglish </p>
<p>(2) Matt Cranitch </p>
<p>(2) Mick Moloney </p>
<p>(2) Niamh Parsons </p>
<p>(2) Ronnie Drew </p>
<p>(2) The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem </p>
<p>(2) The Pogues </p>
<p>(3) Altan </p>
<p>(3) Andy Irvine </p>
<p>(3) Frankie Gavin </p>
<p>(3) Kevin Crawford </p>
<p>(3) Mary Bergin </p>
<p>(3) Planxty </p>
<p>(3) Solas </p>
<p>(3) Tommy Makem </p>
<p>(4) Jimmy Keane </p>
<p>(4) Liam Clancy </p>
<p>(4) Martin Hayes </p>
<p>(4) Mary Black </p>
<p>(4) The Dubliners </p>
<p>(5) Christy Moore </p>
<p>(5) Dolores Keane </p>
<p>(5) The Chieftains </p>
<p>(7) Tommy Peoples </p>
<p>(8) Father, Mother, Sibling </p>
<p>(8) Liz Carroll </p>
<p>(10) Kevin Burke </p>
<p>Annmarie O'Riordan </p>
<p>Armin Barnett </p>
<p>Barney McKenna </p>
<p>Bill Ochs </p>
<p>Bill Spence </p>
<p>Billy McComiskey </p>
<p>Bobby Casey </p>
<p>Bobby Martin </p>
<p>Bohola </p>
<p>Boys of the Lough </p>
<p>Brendan Bulger </p>
<p>Brendan Keenan </p>
<p>Brendan Mulkere </p>
<p>Brendan Mulvihill </p>
<p>Brian Conway </p>
<p>Brian Harris </p>
<p>Brian McGrath </p>
<p>Brian O'Donovan's Celtic Sojourn Show on WGBH. </p>
<p>Brighid Malone & The Gaping Maw </p>
<p>Caoimhin O'Raghallaigh </p>
<p>Cathal Hayden </p>
<p>Cathal McConnell </p>
<p>Catherine McEvoy </p>
<p>Cathy Whitesides </p>
<p>Christy Barry </p>
<p>Christy Barry </p>
<p>Clannad </p>
<p>Cormac Breathnach </p>
<p>Daithi Sproule </p>
<p>Dale Dahl </p>
<p>Danny Ringrose </p>
<p>Darracha O Brian </p>
<p>Dave Agee </p>
<p>Davy Spillane </p>
<p>Delia Murphy recording </p>
<p>Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford recording (The Star Above the Garter) </p>
<p>Dennis Cahill </p>
<p>Dennis O'Brien </p>
<p>Dermot Byrne </p>
<p>Ed Paloucek </p>
<p>Eileen Ivers </p>
<p>Eithne Ni Uallachain </p>
<p>Eleanor Kane Neary </p>
<p>Eric Thompson </p>
<p>Father played and sang </p>
<p>Fergal Scahill </p>
<p>Finbarr Dwyer </p>
<p>Fintan Vallely </p>
<p>Flogging Molly </p>
<p>Frank Edgley </p>
<p>Gavin Coyle </p>
<p>Gerry Banjo O'Connor </p>
<p>Grey Larsen </p>
<p>Hanneke Cassel </p>
<p>Hugh Healy </p>
<p>Irish music performed live </p>
<p>James Keane </p>
<p>Jamie Gans </p>
<p>Jamo Considine </p>
<p>Jeremy Kammerer </p>
<p>Jerry O'Connor </p>
<p>Jimmy Early </p>
<p>Joan Baez </p>
<p>Joanie Madden </p>
<p>Joe O'Donovan </p>
<p>Joe Ryan </p>
<p>John Bowe </p>
<p>John Carty </p>
<p>John Ferguson </p>
<p>John Jacob Niles </p>
<p>John Renborne </p>
<p>John Whelan </p>
<p>Johnny Cronin </p>
<p>Johnny McGreevy </p>
<p>Jonnie Hardie (Scottish) </p>
<p>Judy Collins </p>
<p>Karen Tweed </p>
<p>Kathleen Smyth </p>
<p>Kell Chole </p>
<p>Kevin Conniff </p>
<p>Kevin Griffin </p>
<p>Kevin McGillian </p>
<p>Kingston Trio </p>
<p>Larry McCullough </p>
<p>Len Graham </p>
<p>Leslie Jones </p>
<p>Liam O'Flynn </p>
<p>Lisa Butler </p>
<p>Local session players </p>
<p>Local teacher </p>
<p>Loretta Egan Murphy </p>
<p>Loretto Reid </p>
<p>Luke Kelly </p>
<p>Lunasa </p>
<p>Maddy Prior </p>
<p>Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh </p>
<p>Manus Lunny </p>
<p>Marcas O'Murchu </p>
<p>Marcus Hernon </p>
<p>Marcus O'Murraghu </p>
<p>Maria Terres Sandgren </p>
<p>Marie Ni Chathasaigh </p>
<p>Marla Fibish </p>
<p>Martin Byrne </p>
<p>Martin Byrnes </p>
<p>Martin Connolly </p>
<p>Martin Donohoe </p>
<p>Martin Doyle </p>
<p>Martin Guilfoyle </p>
<p>Martin Mulvihill </p>
<p>Martin O'Neill </p>
<p>Matt Malloy </p>
<p>Mick Crehan </p>
<p>Mick Foster </p>
<p>Mick Hand </p>
<p>Mick OConnor </p>
<p>Mickey Dunne </p>
<p>Mike Chole </p>
<p>Mike Rafferty </p>
<p>Murphy Roche Ceili Band </p>
<p>Niamh Farrell </p>
<p>Nicky McAulliffe </p>
<p>Noel Hill </p>
<p>Noel O'Donoghue </p>
<p>Noel Pocock </p>
<p>Oisin mac Diarmada </p>
<p>Paddy Carty </p>
<p>Paddy Cronin </p>
<p>Paddy Gavin </p>
<p>Paddy O'Brien (Tipperary) </p>
<p>Paddy Reynolds </p>
<p>Paddy Ryan </p>
<p>Paddy Tunney </p>
<p>Paidragin Ni Uallachain </p>
<p>Pat McCabe </p>
<p>Patricia Flynn </p>
<p>Patrick Ourceau </p>
<p>Patrick Street </p>
<p>Paul Brady </p>
<p>Paul Brady (guitar) </p>
<p>Pete Seeger </p>
<p>Pete Ward </p>
<p>Peter Grew </p>
<p>Peter Horan </p>
<p>Peter Houlahan </p>
<p>Peter Paul and Mary </p>
<p>Phil Cunningham </p>
<p>PJ Hernon </p>
<p>PJOE Hayes </p>
<p>Qristina Bachand </p>
<p>Raymond Delf </p>
<p>Ringo McDonagh </p>
<p>Roisin Elsafty </p>
<p>Rolf Wagels </p>
<p>Seamus Connolly </p>
<p>Seamus Ennis </p>
<p>Seamus Meehan </p>
<p>Sean Keane </p>
<p>Sean Potts </p>
<p>Sean Vaughan </p>
<p>Silly Wizard </p>
<p>Stan Rogers </p>
<p>Stevie Dunne </p>
<p>Sue Thompson </p>
<p>Svend Kjeldsen </p>
<p>Teresa Shine DeVan </p>
<p>Terry Bingham </p>
<p>Thady Casey </p>
<p>The Bothy Band </p>
<p>The Fureys </p>
<p>The Irish Rovers </p>
<p>The Kilfenora </p>
<p>The Kingston Trio </p>
<p>The local session. </p>
<p>Tom Delany </p>
<p>Tom McCarthy </p>
<p>Tommy Potts </p>
<p>Tony Mc Mahon </p>
<p>Tony O Holleran </p>
<p>Tony O'Connell </p>
<p>Willie Clancy </p>
<p>z My main influence was growing up in a Irish Catholic family on the south side of Chicago. </p>
<p>z Whoever came to tour in Germany (sources were rare in the seventies) </p>
<hr><p>Q7 Who are five of your favorite traditional musicians or singers (past or present)? </p>
<p>(2) Altan </p>
<p>(2) Brendan Bulger </p>
<p>(2) Brendan Mulvihill </p>
<p>(2) Brian Rooney </p>
<p>(2) Catherine McEvoy </p>
<p>(2) Charlie Lennon </p>
<p>(2) Charlie Piggott </p>
<p>(2) Cillian Vallely </p>
<p>(2) Cormac Breathnach </p>
<p>(2) Darren Breslin </p>
<p>(2) Dennis Cahill </p>
<p>(2) Dennis Murphy </p>
<p>(2) Dougie MacLean </p>
<p>(2) Eileen Ivers </p>
<p>(2) Eilis Kennedy </p>
<p>(2) Enda Scahill </p>
<p>(2) Frankie Gavin </p>
<p>(2) Gearoid o hAllmhurain </p>
<p>(2) Hans Araki </p>
<p>(2) Joe Cooley </p>
<p>(2) Joe Derrane </p>
<p>(2) John Carty </p>
<p>(2) Julia Clifford </p>
<p>(2) Kate Rusby </p>
<p>(2) Kevin Crawford </p>
<p>(2) Liam Clancy </p>
<p>(2) Liam O'Flynn </p>
<p>(2) Liz Knowles </p>
<p>(2) Martin O Connor </p>
<p>(2) Paddy Cronin </p>
<p>(2) Paddy Reilly </p>
<p>(2) Ronnie Drew </p>
<p>(2) The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem </p>
<p>(2) We Banjo 3 </p>
<p>(2) Winifred Horan </p>
<p>(3) Brid Harper </p>
<p>(3) Cathal Hayden </p>
<p>(3) Dermot Byrne </p>
<p>(3) Dick Gaughan </p>
<p>(3) Fergal Scahill </p>
<p>(3) Joanie Madden </p>
<p>(3) Josephine Marsh </p>
<p>(3) Karan Casey </p>
<p>(3) Kevin Conneff </p>
<p>(3) Luke Kelly </p>
<p>(3) Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh </p>
<p>(3) Martin Byrnes </p>
<p>(3) Michael Coleman </p>
<p>(3) Michael McGoldrick </p>
<p>(3) Mick Moloney </p>
<p>(3) Paddy Keenan </p>
<p>(3) The High Kings </p>
<p>(3) Tommy Makem </p>
<p>(4) Bobby Casey </p>
<p>(4) Caoimhin O Raghallaigh </p>
<p>(4) Dolores Keane </p>
<p>(4) Jackie Daly </p>
<p>(4) Joe Burke </p>
<p>(4) John Whelan </p>
<p>(4) John Williams </p>
<p>(4) Mary Bergin </p>
<p>(4) Matt Cranich </p>
<p>(4) The Dubliners </p>
<p>(4) Tommy Peoples </p>
<p>(4) Tony MacMahon </p>
<p>(5) Angelina Carberry </p>
<p>(5) Billy McComiskey </p>
<p>(5) Christy Moore </p>
<p>(5) Frank Harte </p>
<p>(5) James Kelly </p>
<p>(5) Mary Black </p>
<p>(5) Matt Molloy </p>
<p>(5) Mike Rafferty </p>
<p>(5) Moya Brennan </p>
<p>(5) Noel Hill </p>
<p>(5) Sharon Shannon </p>
<p>(6) Paul Brady </p>
<p>(8) Andy Irvine </p>
<p>(9) John Doyle </p>
<p>(11) Jimmy Keane </p>
<p>(12) Martin Hayes </p>
<p>(13) Kevin Burke </p>
<p>(16) Liz Carroll </p>
<p>Aine McGeeney </p>
<p>Alan Burke </p>
<p>Alan Kelly </p>
<p>Andy M Stewart </p>
<p>Archie Fisher </p>
<p>Arty McGlynn </p>
<p>Benedict Koehler </p>
<p>Beoga </p>
<p>Bill Spence </p>
<p>Blackie O'Connell (pipes) </p>
<p>Bobby Gardner </p>
<p>Brendan Keenan </p>
<p>Brian Conway </p>
<p>Brian Finnegan </p>
<p>Brian Hollerhan (flute) </p>
<p>Brian McGrath </p>
<p>Buddy Connolly </p>
<p>Cathie Ryan </p>
<p>Cherish The Ladies </p>
<p>Chris Gray </p>
<p>Clodagh Ryan </p>
<p>Connie Connell </p>
<p>Danny O'Mahony </p>
<p>Danny Ringrose </p>
<p>Daoiri Farrell </p>
<p>David Power </p>
<p>Derek Hickey </p>
<p>Dermot Grogan </p>
<p>Dermot Mullane </p>
<p>Dervish </p>
<p>Donal Lunny </p>
<p>Donal Murphy </p>
<p>Donal O'Connor </p>
<p>Donncha O Briain </p>
<p>Eamon Murray </p>
<p>Eamonn Cotter </p>
<p>Ed Miller </p>
<p>Eileen O'Brien </p>
<p>Fiachra O'Regan </p>
<p>Finbarr Dwyer </p>
<p>Frank Kelly </p>
<p>Frankie Kennedy </p>
<p>Fred Finn </p>
<p>Gerry Banjo O'Connor </p>
<p>Gerry O'Connor </p>
<p>Hollie Greenwood </p>
<p>Horslips </p>
<p>Isaac Alderson </p>
<p>Ivan Goff </p>
<p>Jack Coen </p>
<p>Jackie Coleman </p>
<p>Jackie Moran </p>
<p>James Cullinan </p>
<p>James Morrison </p>
<p>Jenny Willis </p>
<p>Jerry O'Sullivan </p>
<p>Jim Malcom </p>
<p>Johhny Doherty </p>
<p>John Blake </p>
<p>John Bowe </p>
<p>John Joe Kelly </p>
<p>John Kennedy </p>
<p>John McCormack </p>
<p>John McCusker </p>
<p>John McSherry </p>
<p>Johnny Cronin </p>
<p>Johnny Cunningham </p>
<p>Johnny Keenan </p>
<p>Johnny Mairtin Larry </p>
<p>Josephine Keegan </p>
<p>Julia Plumb </p>
<p>Julie Fowlis </p>
<p>June Tabor </p>
<p>Junior Crehan </p>
<p>Junior Davey </p>
<p>Karen Tweed </p>
<p>Kathleen Gavin </p>
<p>Kathy Ryan </p>
<p>Kevin Griffin </p>
<p>Kevin Henry </p>
<p>Kevin Keegan </p>
<p>Kevin McGillian </p>
<p>Kevin Mitchell </p>
<p>Larry Gavin </p>
<p>Len Graham </p>
<p>Liam O'Brien </p>
<p>Lisa Butler </p>
<p>Loretta Egan Murphy </p>
<p>Lucy Farr </p>
<p>Luke Cheevers </p>
<p>MacDarra O Raghallaigh </p>
<p>Maddy Prior </p>
<p>Maire </p>
<p>Marcus Hernon </p>
<p>Marianne Campbell (Scotland) </p>
<p>Marie Brennan </p>
<p>Marla Fibish </p>
<p>Martin Donohoe </p>
<p>Martin O'Neill </p>
<p>Marty Fahey </p>
<p>Mary Ann Kennedy </p>
<p>Mary Custy </p>
<p>Mary MacNamara </p>
<p>Maura O'Connell </p>
<p>Maurice Lennon </p>
<p>Micheal O Raghallaigh </p>
<p>Micho Russell </p>
<p>Mick O'Brien </p>
<p>Mick O'Connor </p>
<p>Mike Flanagan </p>
<p>Moving Hearts </p>
<p>Mrs Kenny </p>
<p>Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh </p>
<p>Natalie MacMaster </p>
<p>Nic Jones </p>
<p>Nora Butler </p>
<p>Oisin mac diarmada </p>
<p>Owen Marshall </p>
<p>P.V. O'Donnell </p>
<p>Pa¡draig McGovern </p>
<p>Paddy Canny </p>
<p>Paddy Fahey </p>
<p>Paddy Moloney </p>
<p>Paddy O'Brien </p>
<p>Paddy O'Brien (Tipperary) </p>
<p>Paddy Tunney </p>
<p>Padraig Sinnott </p>
<p>Pat Broaders </p>
<p>Patrick Cloonan </p>
<p>Patrick Ourceau </p>
<p>Patrick Street </p>
<p>Patsy Hanly </p>
<p>Patty Murphy </p>
<p>Pecker Dunne </p>
<p>Peter Horan </p>
<p>Phil Cunningham </p>
<p>Planxty </p>
<p>Providence </p>
<p>Ringo McDonagh </p>
<p>Ronan Martin </p>
<p>Rose Conway Flanagan </p>
<p>Rufus Guinchard </p>
<p>Seamus Connolly </p>
<p>Seamus Creagh </p>
<p>Seamus Egan </p>
<p>Seamus Ennis </p>
<p>Seamus Kennedy </p>
<p>Seamus Tansey </p>
<p>Sean Keane </p>
<p>Sean Potts </p>
<p>Sean Ryan </p>
<p>Sean Ryan (fiddle) </p>
<p>Sean Tyrrel </p>
<p>Shannon Heaton </p>
<p>Siobhan Peoples </p>
<p>Stan Rogers </p>
<p>Susan McKeown </p>
<p>Tara Diamond </p>
<p>Terry Bingham </p>
<p>The Fureys </p>
<p>The Voice Squad </p>
<p>Tommy Potts </p>
<p>Tony Linnane </p>
<p>Tony Nother </p>
<p>Tony Rose </p>
<p>Willie Hunter </p>
<p>z Jesus that's a tough one! </p>
<p>z Myself </p>
<hr><p>Optional Q1 Name five musicians (past or present) who you'd have play along with you in your ideal session? </p>
<p>(2) Billy McComiskey </p>
<p>(2) Brendan Bulger </p>
<p>(2) Catherine McEvoy </p>
<p>(2) Charlie Lennon </p>
<p>(2) Cillian Vallely </p>
<p>(2) Daithi Gormley </p>
<p>(2) Dennis Cahill </p>
<p>(2) Eileen Ivers </p>
<p>(2) Fergal Scahill </p>
<p>(2) Ivan Goff </p>
<p>(2) Jimmy Devine </p>
<p>(2) Joe Derrane </p>
<p>(2) John Doyle </p>
<p>(2) John Williams </p>
<p>(2) Kevin Finucane </p>
<p>(2) Larry Nugent </p>
<p>(2) Liam O'Flynn </p>
<p>(2) Luke Kelly </p>
<p>(2) Mairtin O'Connor </p>
<p>(2) Matt Cranitch </p>
<p>(2) Matt Molloy </p>
<p>(2) Patrick Ourceau </p>
<p>(2) Sean Gavin </p>
<p>(2) Winifred Horan </p>
<p>(3) Jackie Moran </p>
<p>(3) Joanie Madden </p>
<p>(3) Martin Hayes </p>
<p>(4) John Carty </p>
<p>(4) Kevin Burke </p>
<p>(10) Liz Carroll </p>
<p>(13) Jimmy Keane </p>
<p>Andreas Transa </p>
<p>Andrew O'Brien </p>
<p>Andy Irvine </p>
<p>Angelina Carberry </p>
<p>Anna Falkenau </p>
<p>Annette Owens </p>
<p>Athena Tergis </p>
<p>Austin Dawe </p>
<p>Billy Furlong </p>
<p>Blackie O'Connell </p>
<p>Bobby Casey </p>
<p>Brendan Mulvihill </p>
<p>Brian Finnegan </p>
<p>Brian Hollerhan </p>
<p>Brian Kelly </p>
<p>Brian McGrath </p>
<p>Brian o loughlin </p>
<p>Brid Harper </p>
<p>Brid O'Donoghue </p>
<p>C.B. Heinemann </p>
<p>Calum Pasqua </p>
<p>CaoimhÃn Ó Sé </p>
<p>Caoimhe kerins </p>
<p>Cath Taylor </p>
<p>Cathal Banjo Curran </p>
<p>Charlie Piggott </p>
<p>Chris Hyndericks </p>
<p>Christian Stevens </p>
<p>Colin Farrel </p>
<p>Conor Keane </p>
<p>Cormac Begley </p>
<p>Cormac Breathnach </p>
<p>Daithi Sproule </p>
<p>Damien Connolly </p>
<p>David Mehalko </p>
<p>Declan Sinnott </p>
<p>Dez Donnelly </p>
<p>Dick Gaughan </p>
<p>Dolores Keane </p>
<p>Donal Clancy </p>
<p>Donal Murphy </p>
<p>Donal O`Connor </p>
<p>Eamon Doorley </p>
<p>Eamonn Coyne </p>
<p>Eilis Kennedy </p>
<p>Enda Scahill </p>
<p>Eoin O'Neill </p>
<p>Felim Collins </p>
<p>Felix Dolan </p>
<p>Frankie Gavin </p>
<p>Fred Rice </p>
<p>Garry O'Briain </p>
<p>Ged Foley </p>
<p>Gerry O'Connor </p>
<p>Gustavo Lobão </p>
<p>Hanz Araki </p>
<p>Jack Coen </p>
<p>Jackie Daly </p>
<p>James Cullinan </p>
<p>James Kelly </p>
<p>James Morrison </p>
<p>Jenny Willis </p>
<p>Jesse Langen </p>
<p>Joe Murtagh </p>
<p>Joe Ryan </p>
<p>Joey Abarta </p>
<p>John Blake </p>
<p>John Bowe </p>
<p>John Boyce </p>
<p>John Daly </p>
<p>Johnny Connolly </p>
<p>Johnny Cronin </p>
<p>Johnny Giles </p>
<p>Johnny Moynihan </p>
<p>Josephine Marsh </p>
<p>Justin Murphy </p>
<p>Karen Tweed </p>
<p>Karin Burke </p>
<p>Kat Eggleston </p>
<p>Kate Rusby </p>
<p>Kevin Behan </p>
<p>Kevin Crawford </p>
<p>Kevin Keegan </p>
<p>Liam Clancy </p>
<p>Liam o brien </p>
<p>Liz Gaughan </p>
<p>Liz Knowles </p>
<p>Lucy Farr </p>
<p>Mairead Nic Fhinn </p>
<p>Marcus Hernon </p>
<p>Margaret Barry </p>
<p>Martin Byrne </p>
<p>Marty Fahey </p>
<p>Mary Bergin </p>
<p>Mary Black </p>
<p>Mary Custy </p>
<p>Maura O'Connell </p>
<p>Maureen Glynn </p>
<p>Mic O'Brien </p>
<p>Michael Boyce </p>
<p>Michael O Domnnhall </p>
<p>Mick Conneely </p>
<p>Mick Moloney </p>
<p>Mike Chole </p>
<p>Mike McGoldrick </p>
<p>Mike Rafferty </p>
<p>Mila Maia </p>
<p>Miriam McCarthy </p>
<p>Niall Mulligan </p>
<p>Niamh Varian-Barry </p>
<p>Noel Hill </p>
<p>Noel O'Donoghue </p>
<p>Paddy Keenan </p>
<p>Paddy Morgan </p>
<p>Paddy O'Brien </p>
<p>Paddy O'Neill </p>
<p>Paddy Reilly </p>
<p>Padraig Keane </p>
<p>Pat Broaders </p>
<p>Pat Finnigan </p>
<p>Pat Killbride </p>
<p>Patrick J Quinn </p>
<p>Paul Brady </p>
<p>Paul Phillips </p>
<p>Rachael Masterson </p>
<p>Robyn Jedlicka </p>
<p>Rose Flanagan </p>
<p>Rose Flanagan </p>
<p>Seamus Connolly </p>
<p>Seamus Creagh </p>
<p>Seamus Ennis </p>
<p>Sean Keane </p>
<p>Sean McDonagh </p>
<p>Sean Potts </p>
<p>Shane Mitchell </p>
<p>Sharon Shannon </p>
<p>Stan Rogers </p>
<p>Steph Geremia </p>
<p>Terry Bingham </p>
<p>Tes Slominski </p>
<p>Tim Collins </p>
<p>Tim Dickey </p>
<p>Tim Edey </p>
<p>Tom Creegan </p>
<p>Tommy Peoples </p>
<p>William Corrigan </p>
<p>Willy Kelly </p>
<p>Zan McLeod </p>
<p>zz (A more realistic list of people who I've played with, who if they all showed up to my own session I'd be really pretty excited because it would guarantee a sharp day of musicking and I'd just sit back and listen) </p>
<p>zz (I play by myself - I don't know any "songs" but I can play for a hour by myself - high notes are at one end, low notes at the other.) </p>
<p>zz Alas, my feeble participation would mock the quality and significance of the other players, so I'll pass. </p>
<p>zz Ha! Any and all singers, having never had the chance to hear/be part of a good si gets club! </p>
<p>zz I am not skilled enough to play with those with whom I'd love to play. </p>
<p>zz I'd be happy to just have our Thursday's back and the occasional Lanigans without so much nonsense </p>
<p>zz I'd commit crimes to sing a bit with </p>
<p>zz I'm not worthy! </p>
<p>zz If I'm being aspirational (I don't know how "ideal" it would be because I don't really know their personalities, they just seem like interesting people to have tunes with): </p>
<p>zz Just 5? </p>
<p>zz ONLY FIVE??!! :-D </p>
<hr><p>Optional Q2 Where would your ideal session take place? </p>
<p>(2) Greene's in Kinvara </p>
<p>(3) Pub </p>
<p>(5) At home </p>
<p>(8) Local Pub </p>
<p>A gazebo in a local park - nobody's a host or a guest, no money changes hands, just converge and play. </p>
<p>A pub in Brittany </p>
<p>A pub with a barkeeper and plenty of customers who love Irish music </p>
<p>An old pub near the ocean on the west coast of Ireland </p>
<p>Anywhere the craic is! </p>
<p>Around a campfire on a warm summer night. </p>
<p>Carnegie Hall NY </p>
<p>Deserted Island </p>
<p>Dora Keogh`s, Toronto </p>
<p>Dorans Athboy </p>
<p>Either a private island or time travel... </p>
<p>Fairfield Gaelic American Club </p>
<p>Favorite pub everywhere, forever! </p>
<p>Fergie's Philadelphia </p>
<p>Friel's Pub </p>
<p>Goilin in Dublin (Parnell Square) </p>
<p>Grafton pub in Chicago </p>
<p>Henry's Upstairs in Lawrence, KS </p>
<p>Home house, pub sessions, none in particular </p>
<p>House Session </p>
<p>Hungary </p>
<p>Kitchen </p>
<p>Macnmara's in Donelson TN </p>
<p>Massbrook House on the shores of Lough Conn in Mayo, Ireland </p>
<p>McGurk's, St. Louis, Missouri </p>
<p>Mountain/lakeside open air pavilion with fire blazing at the other end </p>
<p>My living room </p>
<p>No preference </p>
<p>O'Connor's Pub, Doolin, Co. Clare </p>
<p>On a riverbank at twilight </p>
<p>One of the local sessions </p>
<p>Princeton NJ - McCarter Theater </p>
<p>Pub with a nice, sheltered nook </p>
<p>Seamus O'Kane's house </p>
<p>small pub </p>
<p>Someplace close to home </p>
<p>Somewhere very quiet </p>
<p>The Cornerstone, Lahinch </p>
<p>The Harbor Inn, Padstow, Cornwall </p>
<p>The Hob in Bordentown, New Jersey USA </p>
<p>The Kilkenny South Wimbledon </p>
<p>The place where I lead a session: The Well, Wellfleet, MA </p>
<p>The pub ~ where else </p>
<p>The session is where you make it. I've seen beautiful Irish music made in every type of surroundings. </p>
<p>The Snug </p>
<p>The Telegraph (pub), Brixton Hill, London </p>
<p>Ti Ruairi, Inis Oirr </p>
<p>Tigh Hughes, An Spidéal </p>
<p>Winkles Pub Kinvara (no longer in existence but brilliant place) </p>
<p>z How do you know about the 6511 Club ? </p>
<hr><p>Optional Q3 Name nine other musicians (past or present) who you'd have play along with you in a ceili band? </p>
<p>(2) Angelina Carberry </p>
<p>(2) Bobby Casey </p>
<p>(2) Brendan Dolan </p>
<p>(2) Chuck O Donnell </p>
<p>(2) Dale Russ </p>
<p>(2) Danny O Mahoney </p>
<p>(2) Hannah Devine </p>
<p>(2) Harry Bradley </p>
<p>(2) Jack Coen </p>
<p>(2) Jimmy Devine </p>
<p>(2) Joe Cooley </p>
<p>(2) John Blake </p>
<p>(2) Josh Dukes </p>
<p>(2) Kevin Burke </p>
<p>(2) Kevin Crawford </p>
<p>(2) MacDara O Raghaillaigh </p>
<p>(2) Maureen Glynn </p>
<p>(2) Michael O Raghaillaigh </p>
<p>(2) Pauline Conneely </p>
<p>(2) Sharon Shannon </p>
<p>(3) Felix Dolan </p>
<p>(3) Joanie Madden </p>
<p>(3) John Carty </p>
<p>(3) Martin Byrne </p>
<p>(3) Matt Malloy </p>
<p>(3) Paddy Canny </p>
<p>(3) Sean Gavin </p>
<p>(3) Tommy Masterson (drums) </p>
<p>(3)Catherine MacEvoy </p>
<p>(5) Martin Hayes </p>
<p>(6) Billy McComiskey </p>
<p>(6) Liz Carroll </p>
<p>(7) Jimmy Keane </p>
<p>Aine griffin (flute) </p>
<p>Andrew McNamara </p>
<p>Aoife Clancy </p>
<p>Aoife griffin </p>
<p>Barbara Moore </p>
<p>Barney McKenna </p>
<p>Bernadette Fee </p>
<p>Bernie Gannon ~ concertina </p>
<p>Breanndan O' Beaglaoich </p>
<p>Brendan Bulger (fiddle) </p>
<p>Brendan Callahan </p>
<p>Brendan Mulkere </p>
<p>Brett Lipshutz </p>
<p>Brian Conway </p>
<p>Bruce Foley </p>
<p>Bruce Molyneaux </p>
<p>CaoimhÃn Ó Sé </p>
<p>Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh </p>
<p>Carmel Burke ~ button box </p>
<p>Cath Taylor </p>
<p>Cathy Hornberger </p>
<p>Cathy Sky </p>
<p>Charlie Lennon fiddle </p>
<p>Chris Ferguson </p>
<p>Chris Gray </p>
<p>Christian Stevens </p>
<p>Clodagh Ryan (concertina) </p>
<p>Colin Farrel ~ fiddle </p>
<p>Conal O Grada </p>
<p>Connor Byrne </p>
<p>Cormac Begley </p>
<p>Daire Bracken </p>
<p>Daithi Gormley </p>
<p>Damien Connolly (Button accordion) </p>
<p>Deirdre Corrigan </p>
<p>Denis Murphy </p>
<p>Dennis Cahill </p>
<p>Devin Shepherd </p>
<p>Dmitri Alano </p>
<p>Dylan Carlos </p>
<p>Dylan foley </p>
<p>Eamon Doorley </p>
<p>Elliott Grasso </p>
<p>Father Charley Coen </p>
<p>Fergal Scahill </p>
<p>Frankie Gavin </p>
<p>Geraldine Cotter piano </p>
<p>Gustavo Lobão </p>
<p>Hanz Araki </p>
<p>Heather Lewin </p>
<p>Ide Nà Fhaoláin </p>
<p>Ivan Goff Flute </p>
<p>J C Talty </p>
<p>J J Flanagan </p>
<p>Jackie Daley </p>
<p>James Kelly </p>
<p>Jane Kelton </p>
<p>Jerry Moloney </p>
<p>Jerry O'Sullivan </p>
<p>Jesse Smith </p>
<p>Jim Corry </p>
<p>Jimmy Ward </p>
<p>Joe Burke </p>
<p>Joe Madden </p>
<p>Joe Ryan </p>
<p>Joey Abarta (pipes) </p>
<p>John Bowe </p>
<p>John Burke </p>
<p>John Daly </p>
<p>John Whelan </p>
<p>Johnny (Ringo) McDonagh </p>
<p>Johnny Connolly (JPP) </p>
<p>Johnny Cronin </p>
<p>Jonathan Whitall </p>
<p>Joseph Browne fiddle </p>
<p>Julia Clifford </p>
<p>Kathleen Gavin (piano) </p>
<p>Kathleen Witty </p>
<p>Kathleen Witty O Donnell </p>
<p>Kell Chole </p>
<p>Kevin Brehony </p>
<p>Kevin Brinn </p>
<p>Kevin Madden ~ fiddle </p>
<p>Larry Nugent </p>
<p>Lexia Kennedy </p>
<p>Liam o brien </p>
<p>Lori Cole </p>
<p>Marie Walsh </p>
<p>Mark Donnellan </p>
<p>Mark Maguire ~ Drums </p>
<p>Martin Leahy </p>
<p>Marty Fahey </p>
<p>Mary Coogan </p>
<p>Mary Katherine Victor </p>
<p>Mary Rafferty </p>
<p>Mary Shannon </p>
<p>Mary Staunton </p>
<p>Michael Mcgoldrick </p>
<p>Michael Walsh ~ flute </p>
<p>Mick O'Brien </p>
<p>Mick O'Brien (flute) </p>
<p>Mick O'Conner (banjo) </p>
<p>Mick O'Connor </p>
<p>Mick Tennyson ~ piano </p>
<p>Mike Chole </p>
<p>Mike Foreman </p>
<p>Mila Maia </p>
<p>Mrs Crotty concertina </p>
<p>Myron Brettholz </p>
<p>Natalie McMaster </p>
<p>Oisin MacDiarmada </p>
<p>Oliver Diviney </p>
<p>Orla Leavy </p>
<p>Orlaith McAuliffe </p>
<p>Orlaith mcauliffe ~ flute </p>
<p>Owen McKiernan </p>
<p>P.J. Hayes </p>
<p>Paddy Cronin </p>
<p>Paddy Keenan </p>
<p>Paddy Moloney </p>
<p>Padraic Keane pipes </p>
<p>Pat Broaders </p>
<p>Patricia Clark </p>
<p>Patrick Cannady </p>
<p>Patrick Ourceau </p>
<p>Patsy Hanly </p>
<p>Patty Furlong </p>
<p>Paul Phillips </p>
<p>Peter Horan </p>
<p>Pio Ryan </p>
<p>PJOE Hayes </p>
<p>Randy Gosa </p>
<p>Rian Sheridan (fiddle) </p>
<p>Richard Withers </p>
<p>Robyn Jedlicka </p>
<p>Roger Sherlock </p>
<p>Ronan Browne </p>
<p>Rory Chole </p>
<p>Rose Flanagan (fiddle) </p>
<p>Seamus Flaherty (drums) </p>
<p>Sean McComiskey </p>
<p>Sean Ryan (flute) </p>
<p>Sharon Shannon </p>
<p>Tes Slominski </p>
<p>Tom Creegan </p>
<p>Tom Doorley </p>
<p>Tom Giblin </p>
<p>Tom Hourican </p>
<p>Tonny Linnane </p>
<p>Tony McMahon </p>
<p>Tony Nother </p>
<p>Tony O'Connell </p>
<p>Too hard! </p>
<p>Trionagh Ni domhnall (keys) </p>
<p>Troy MacGillivray </p>
<p>Tyler Fry (drum) </p>
<p>Vincent Broderick </p>
<p>Zan MCloud </p>
<p>zz (Assembling a ceili band is not as much a matter of finding the BEST musicians as finding the RIGHT musicians, since the individual players' musical personalities are subsumed into the group's collective character. So it's a matter of trial and error, artistically speaking. But there's something more: Everyone has to enjoy each other's company and feel that they have a good reason to be together. (That said, I'd probably play with whoever would have me!)) </p>
<p>zz (Better question: 3 things you hate most in the world: Ceili Bands, Bone cancer in children, Your man with the orange face and the ridiculous combover running the country) </p>
<p>zz (I wouldn't play in a Ceili Band, even though I enjoy listening to them!) </p>
<p>zz (If they were desperate enough for me to play in a ceili band, I wouldn't burden them!) </p>
<p>zz (It wouldn't be too good if I was playing along) </p>
<p>zz (Never have played in a ceili band) </p>
<p>zz (There are a lot of ways one could go with this. My approach here is to build a competition-type band from musicians who I think I have some sense of, who I think would articulate well in terms of mutual respect, and who I think would gel as a "band." I think it's hard to do this without knowing the personalities of all the musicians involved) </p>
<p>zz And some bitchin' drummer </p>
<p>zz Any that would have me. </p>
<p>zz N/A </p>
<p>zz No ceili experience </p>
<p>zz Not fussed ceili band playing isn't as enjoyable as sessions</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4629083
2017-03-14T06:38:41-05:00
2017-03-14T06:38:42-05:00
Margie Dennehy (1936-2017)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/17267380e51ddc14675e7634ce24da040bf79edf/original/dennehy.jpg?1489491504" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Saddened to learn of the passing of Margie Dennehy on Sunday evening. Margie, along with her late husband Dennis, were co-founders of Dennehy Irish Dance. Margie was its heart and soul and was one of the nicest and kindest people you could ever meet. She and Dennis attempted their best to turn my two left feet into something workable when it came to dancing but heartily supported my move to playing music for them instead of badly hoofing it… </p>
<p>Of her many accomplishments in the world of Irish dance, Margie excelled in creating dance choreographies including “The Lord of the Dance” which featured a then relatively unknown teenager by the name of Michael Flatley. And the music for TLOTD was created by another young Dennehy dancer at the time, Liz Carroll. </p>
<p>My condolences to Kathy, Dennis, her grandson Conor, and her many nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and her dancers everywhere </p>
<p>I’ll lead you all in the dance said She… </p>
<p>Rest in peace Margie. </p>
<p>Margaret "Margie" Dennehy (nee Bartishell), age 80. Co-founder of Dennehy Irish Dance. Beloved wife of the late Dennis G. Dennehy; loving mother of Kathleen Dennehy and Dennis Dennehy; proud Nana of Conor Dennehy Evans; cherished sister of George (Michelle) Bartishell, the late William “Bill" Bartishell and the late Elizabeth "Betty" Harling. </p>
<p>Wake: </p>
<p>Sunday, March 19, 3-9PM </p>
<p>Blake-Lamb Funeral Home </p>
<p>4727 W 103rd St., Oak Lawn, IL </p>
<p>Funeral: </p>
<p>Monday, March 20 </p>
<p>St. Linus Church </p>
<p>Mass 11:00 a.m. </p>
<p>Entombment Holy Sepulcher Cemetery </p>
<p>Info: 708-636-1193 or www.blakelamboaklawn.com. </p>
<p>http://legacy.suntimes.com/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/obituary.aspx?n=Margaret-Dennehy&pid=184493672#sthash.iAYN8CwN.dpuf</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4604897
2017-02-24T08:28:17-06:00
2017-02-24T08:28:17-06:00
oom... '-)
<p>If womb is pronounced "woom" and tomb is pronounced "toom" -- shouldn't bomb be pronounced "boom"?? </p>
<p>Oh wait... :-)</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4523118
2016-12-23T07:31:47-06:00
2016-12-23T07:32:40-06:00
Believe Me Christmas in Prison
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="xIwcwv1WPa8" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/xIwcwv1WPa8/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xIwcwv1WPa8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4443190
2016-10-29T07:15:55-05:00
2016-10-29T07:19:08-05:00
The Stack of Barley -- Champagne Style... ;-))
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="U1t2O4tMJIY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/U1t2O4tMJIY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U1t2O4tMJIY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="270" width="480" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4202419
2016-05-29T12:02:40-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/757fc9366193ab6cc60e366d97f29bfc1073b0e8/original/me-martin-dennis-otsfm.jpg?1464540712" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><strong>Always a honor and pleasure to play with these two great friends!!</strong></span></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4197673
2016-05-26T06:34:33-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
Myself, Liz Carroll, and Marty Fahey in the early 1970's
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/21dc688f8ecb4f1f508683f0e5a627185e384b73/original/me-liz-marty-at-faheys.jpg?1464262372" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Myself, Liz Carroll, and Marty Fahey taken by Sis Fahey at their home in the early 1970's. We gave Mary (Sis) a grand farewell yesterday and the house took in a new family last week. A ton of music, memories, and laughs happened in that living room. Not too much fashion sense though... ;-))</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4197636
2016-05-26T06:31:14-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
Mary "Sis" Fahey (May 10, 1925 -- May 22, 2016)
<div style="text-align: center;">A lovely woman whom I am glad to have known since I was a kid...</div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/5ef3f39e8f7f5034f2cec1432f0f555a01913623/original/sis-fahey.jpg?1464262138" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Mary T. Fahey (née Campbell) "Sis," devoted wife of the late Martin J. Fahey, loving stepmother to Sheila (the late James Wallenius) and Marty (Patti) Fahey; very proud grandmother of Erik (Maura) Wallenius, Gavin, Trevor and Connor Fahey; beloved cousin of Eileen Bray and Mary Costello Makowski; aunt to Bob Rakow, Jr. (Annette). </p>
<p>She was born and raised in Chicago to Irish immigrant parents from Co. Mayo, the late John Campbell and Ann (Egan); loving sister of the late Nancy Rakow and the late LtCol Rev. John Campbell, USAF. </p>
<p>Irish dancer, dancing teacher and adjudicator of great renown, Mary started her career in Irish dancing in the late 1930s with local Irish dancing master, Pat Roche. She went on to start her own school of Irish dance in the late 1940s until the mid 1960s in Chicago, after which she became a respected adjudicator of Irish dancing competitions (Feis and Oireachtas) both locally and nationally. Mary was also a member of the first tour of Irish-American musicians, singers and dancers to tour Ireland in the Summer of 1959. </p>
<p>Mary "Sis" was treasured by family, friends, students, colleagues and by the thousands of Irish dancing competitors who crossed her path, for her unassuming and cheerful demeanor, her bright smile and her unfailing optimism. </p>
<p>Alongside her late husband, Martin, she co-produced the yearly Southside St. Patrick's Day show, "Ireland on Parade," a week long celebration of Irish music, dancing and song held annually in Chicago since 1967. </p>
<p>She and Martin were proud founders and stalwart supporters of Chicago's Gaelic Park.</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4171753
2016-05-09T08:27:31-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
Broken Pledge Ceili Band...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><strong>Proud to be part of the winning Broken Pledge Ceili Band at the 2016 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil!!!</strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/00fe07f67658956ead62a7cec8d1dac9535fae39/medium/con-cup.jpg?1462800145" class="size_m justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4116052
2016-04-01T08:06:40-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
1916 Easter Monday - National Concert Hall - Dublin
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/feb70f3a8c0d674d36b1d38e3d3a98b4ba1652f4/large/mock-nch-easter-monday.jpg?0" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">Athena Tergis, Robbie O'Connell, Mick Moloney, Jimmy Keane -- National Concert Hall, Dublin, Monday March 28, 2016</p></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4114161
2016-03-31T10:04:08-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
1916 Easter Monday Centennial Concert
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/8c4531cf4c7b8007c3b4ebe20f19d4df6a105e2c/large/mock-nch-2016.jpg?0" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">Jimmy Keane , Mick Moloney, and Robbie O'Connell (National Concert Hall, Dublin, March 28 2016)</p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/4017253
2016-01-31T10:04:32-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
Allie...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/75fae402e5be3d79c571847adc481f7309399ade/original/allie-accordion-1.jpg?1454256204" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p><span class="font_large">Allie was my muse. She would lie and listen for hours to many a sour note (and the odd sweet one too) - but none more sweet to me than her gentle song and prodding bark to let me know it was my turn to pay heed to her and play, and chase, and give her endless fingertip belly caresses </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Little one <br>Your time has come <br>Pastures a plenty to roam <br>Treats galore now you are home <br>Snuggles, hugs, and kisses <br>Pain free paradise <br>Peace at last... </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We love you Allie <br>June 20, 2001 - January 27, 2016</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3992068
2016-01-16T11:32:21-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
A Mighty Squeeze!!
<p>Hi Folks -- the best of the New Year to you! </p>
<p>Just wanted to give you a sneak peek of a few upcoming shows:<br><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amightysqueeze.com/shows.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e2be540e644ca24b2a3d98f9689a67edb6d52328/original/a-mighty-squeeze.jpg?1452963044" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Longtime friend and fellow accordionist John Williams and I are reprising: </p>
<p><a contents="A Mighty Squeeze" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amightysqueeze.com/shows.html" target="_blank">A Mighty Squeeze </a></p>
<p>We've three shows planned: </p>
<p>Chicago<br>Saturday, March 5th<br><strong>10PM TIckets Available</strong><br><span style="color:#FF0000;">8PM (SOLD OUT)</span><br>Chief O'Neill's<br>3471 N Elston<br>Chicago Il 60618 </p>
<p>Tickets via our trusted online partner Brown Paper Tickets </p>
<p><a contents="http://amightysqueeze2.bpt.me/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amightysqueeze2.bpt.me/" target="_blank">http://amightysqueeze2.bpt.me/ </a></p>
<p>or by calling them directly: 800-838-3006 <br><br>------------------------- </p>
<p>Milwaukee<br>Saturday, April 9th<br>8PM<br>Irish Fest Center<br>1532 Wauwatosa Ave<br>Milwaukee, WI 53213 </p>
<p>Tickets:<br><a contents="http://irishfest.com/Year-Round-Events/A-Mighty-Squeeze-Live-in-Concert.htm&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://irishfest.com/Year-Round-Events/A-Mighty-Squeeze-Live-in-Concert.htm" target="_blank">http://irishfest.com/Year-Round-Events/A-Mighty-Squeeze-Live-in-Concert.htm </a></p>
<p>Please join us if you can!</p>
<p>Also, I'm honored to take part in the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rebellion on Easter Monday, March 28th, at the National Concert Hall in Dublin along with Mick Moloney & Robbie O'Connell. Also scheduled for that evening are Rosanne Cash, Paul Brady, Maura O’Connell, Rodney Crowell, Andy Irvine, and Tim O’Brien. </p>
<p>Thank you for your time and hope to see you soon! </p>
<p>All the best, </p>
<p>Jimmy Keane</p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3969437
2016-01-03T05:54:31-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
Hair of the... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/dbdd239d00a2d0240071f8fc439429f14222b424/original/hair-of-the-dog.jpg?1451822041" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3925249
2015-11-16T08:28:57-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:50-06:00
The new Irish car app service...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/91bd6ff99e122cd94be2046b3201249edd0ebd77/medium/tuber.jpg?1447684074" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font_xl">Tuber...</span></strong></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3870783
2015-09-27T08:09:42-05:00
2015-09-27T08:09:42-05:00
Meanwhile in Connemara… ;-))
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="IGEePHOrIz4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/IGEePHOrIz4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IGEePHOrIz4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3842470
2015-09-04T10:17:46-05:00
2015-09-04T14:04:31-05:00
.
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="s1"><span class="font_xl">'m bcttng vwls. Cnsnnts r nxt...<br><br>-- Jmm Kn</span></span></strong></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3840898
2015-09-03T08:58:47-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Mother Mary & the "Horse"...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c3ffd659ad6d9b6f65abdbc2cf1f2be050cc4ba6/large/me-mom-dad-instagram.jpg?1441288682" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3835521
2015-08-29T05:45:35-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Of course I do… ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/74a2f939f2349b5ea60adfbb67d9a737347fc003/original/accordionist-playing-piano.jpg?1440845117" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3833183
2015-08-26T08:14:14-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Happy National Dog Day...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>With the (late) Bailey and Allie...</strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/aa9f42fa5fd33730644532ce51b1164e371ef4e3/large/img-0124.jpg?1440594800" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3805944
2015-08-06T05:00:40-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
40th...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Liz Carroll & Jimmy Keane circa 1995 Milwaukee Irish Fest</strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/16fda2773d3eaa8e66e3fb6726b4fd6a6cfa0c40/large/me-liz-mke-1996.jpg?1438854694" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="font_large">Next weekend marks the 35th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Irish Fest. The same weekend marks the 40th anniversary of myself and that young lady to my right, Liz Carroll -- geez, I wonder what ever became of her??? ;-)) -- winning the All-Ireland Duets -- it's like synchronized swimming without the water… ;-)) </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="font_large">Oh, and Liz won the All-Ireland Fiddle that year too. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="font_large">And I won one too -- not on the fiddle, just on the squeezable one.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="font_large">So be on the lookout at Irish Fest -- we might just play a few tunes together, sometime, somewhere, over by the festival… ;-))</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3768357
2015-07-07T09:13:36-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
McGowan...
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">a year ago this past Saturday we had our last conversation McGowan. Well, it was by text so didn't really count, although I did enjoy watching you attempt to do so with those big semi-mangled fingers atop the innocent clamshell phone you had until you got upgraded to a more confusing smartphone that had even stumped your brainiac side. I hope heaven is going good for you Jimmy. And remember, he is God and doesn't like to be yelled at too often, even when she makes a mistake and calls people home way, way too soon…</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/fa26e7acde83bf4f54f6307b4a337d58f66d71f3/large/me-mcgowan-bw.jpg?1436278375" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3754348
2015-06-25T11:53:52-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Cuz...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/07571f9db8f88c182a370cfe60d91f807e015c35/original/cuz.jpg?1435251156" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
0:58
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3748929
2015-06-20T08:04:45-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Happy Birthday Allie!!!
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e0b588ac13d38964b7c1d44e80ddb1358c48bc77/original/allie-w-toy.jpg?1434805464" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3748474
2015-06-19T16:55:08-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
from a recent performance...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/acd866490189fa0bc29a63114671878a615ecdad/original/keane-panel.jpg?1434750852" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3744013
2015-06-16T10:54:02-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Congratulations Chicago Blackhawks on 3 Stanley Cups in six years... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/de1672f7683c18fb856cccd57f57fcb910cb2122/original/2015-team.jpg?1434469985" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/dfca2991c9f5e12cba1fc45118161ac1319591ac/original/stanleys.jpg?1434469985" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3740399
2015-06-13T14:52:42-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
penguins...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c48408415ee4739eab13b5611f06b0a75ebee1d9/large/six-emperor-penguins.jpg?1434225054" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--><div style="outline:0px;font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:14px;"><p style="margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life.</span></span></p></div>
<div style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue';font-size:14px;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintaining a form of </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="outline:0px;font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:14px;"><p style="margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried.</span></span></p></div>
<div style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue';font-size:14px;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The male penguins then gather in a circle a</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">round the fresh grave and sing:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue';font-size:14px;"><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Freeze a jolly good fellow, Freeze a jolly good fellow...</span></span></span></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3711815
2015-05-23T07:42:21-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Tá!! Good on you Ireland!!
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/a131099dd14525fc51b91e5177f20b059afae57f/large/yes.jpg?1432384914" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3706318
2015-05-13T08:46:41-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
May 13th...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong><span style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: center;">"Would you be using your spade today? To tell you the truth I'm not. </span><br style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: center;">For I lent it to you fifty-five years ago and since then I never saw it." ;-))</span></strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0d9cf171e6cb5ab944a987efa51d4e90f204a673/original/me-and-paddy-lyne.jpg?1431524554" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><strong>Myself and my Granddad Paddy Lyne taken in New Haggard, Trim in 1960.</strong></span><br><br><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Thanks to Colum Sands </span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">for the use (and slight abuse) of his lyrics to his song "Lookin' the Loan of a Spade"</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3704302
2015-05-12T08:24:15-05:00
2015-05-12T08:24:15-05:00
May 2015 Newsletter...
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="content-area" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); width: 600px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><tbody style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <tr style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <td align="left" class="padded" style="padding: 1em; margin: 0px;" valign="top">Hi Folks!<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> Just a quick note to let you know of two upcoming performances this month in Chicagoland...<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> I will be doing a solo performance entitled "An accordion on my knee - Irish Traditional Music from Chicago" at 2PM on Sunday, May 17th at the Orland Park Public Library (14921 S Ravinia Ave) where I will be playing a few tunes and chatting a bit with <span class="s2" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Bucky Halker</span> as part of his "From Generation to Generation: Folk Arts of Illinois" series currently on display at the library. It is a free show and would be a great place to bring the family for a bit of music and a lot of books. And you could show the younger ones what the internet was before the internet... ;-))
<div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> There is more information <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://jimmykeane.com/event/1102689/119654626/jimmy-keane-an-accordion-on-my-knee-irish-traditional-music-from-chicago" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(11, 113, 182); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>
</div> <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> And on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, <a contents="bohola" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bohola.com/" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(11, 113, 182); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">bohola</a> (myself and Pat Broaders) will be doing two performances at the 29th Annual Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Festival. It is always a great festival and has everything from trad to dance to celtic rock and all in between including a Children's petting zoo, Pony rides, and unlimited carnival rides to boot. Come out and enjoy the fun!!
<div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> More information <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://jimmykeane.com/event/1112061/108900647/bohola-jimmy-keane-pat-broaders" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(11, 113, 182); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> and <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://chicagogaelicparkirishfest.org/" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(11, 113, 182); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>
</div> <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> And now for a bit of music to help kickstart the upcoming shows. Here is a video taken by a fan at a performance I did a couple of months back in San Francisco at the legendary Plough and Stars as the opening night concert of the Irish-American Crossroads Festival. Enjoy!! <div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <a contents="Jimmy Keane video" data-link-label="video" data-link-type="page" href="http://zooglelabs.com/video" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(11, 113, 182); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jimmy Keane video</a>
</div> <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> All the best,<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> Jimmy<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> </td> </tr> <tr align="center" id="unsubscribe" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;" valign="top"></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3694920
2015-05-05T18:48:07-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Bobby Sands (March 9, 1954 - May 5, 1981)
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em style="font-size: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"They won't break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then that we will see the rising of the moon."</span></strong></em><br style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><strong style="font-size: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">- Bobby Sands</span></strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3675a6a65c8962b6f5ddd8c1fd78b20f931b739e/large/bobby-sands.jpg?1430869486" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3694915
2015-05-05T18:43:27-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
5th of May...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/88fb3d5f8e05656da811756bb5baff10f4aa1a17/large/mayo.jpg?1430869383" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3620263
2015-03-24T09:44:26-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
devolution...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/dfcf2e47795e2f1e78e2ec007d95d75b87bcc154/large/banjo-accordion.jpg?1427208241" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3616715
2015-03-22T10:39:19-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
evolution...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/97a715554239f402ec20103d0cf83b268b6cf099/large/human-accordion.jpg?1427038731" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3612119
2015-03-19T15:22:19-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
1971 - me and my youngest brother Matt...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/a2a4b6a889b898999f7723e34366f6e6af3b7e91/large/jimmy-keane-1971-cropped.jpg?1426796511" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3609830
2015-03-18T14:40:50-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Irish Voice/From the Hob/March 18, 2015/Paul Keating
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/1dec58f3684cfcb37ce877e933b965e8ea050d9c/large/mock-irish-voice-3-18-15.png?1426707624" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3607912
2015-03-17T16:35:33-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:49-06:00
Irish Echo/Trad Music/Mar 17, 2015/Daniel Neely
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/6788ceffe7fe4261f50a02e19afdb95a711a3e0e/large/irish-echo-16-03-2015.jpg?1426628082" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3583936
2015-03-08T10:20:59-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:48-06:00
oh that time of year...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_xl"><strong><span class="s1">Repeat after me:<br> </span>Saint Patrick. Paddy. Patty. Patties. ;-))</strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/70329e488105ff48df2e7151cd1a7419ce61cd77/large/patrick-day-pic-2.jpg?1425827836" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3574216
2015-03-04T08:34:58-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:48-06:00
Crossroads Festival at Plough & Stars Feb 28 2015
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/efd72fde3bfe7cb06e28ffb62db068b255400656/large/plough-new-combo.jpg?1425479669" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3542231
2015-02-19T07:32:22-06:00
2015-02-19T07:39:03-06:00
Feb 19 2015 email newsletter...
<div>(please sign up to the <a contents="mailing list&nbsp;" data-link-label="contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">mailing list </a>If you'd like to receive an email newsletter in the future)</div><br>Hi Folks!<br>Hope everyone is doing fine during this most unusual winter…<br><br>For those of you on the West Coast, I will performing the opening concert for the month long Irish American Crossroads Festival in San Francisco at the Plough and Stars on 116 Clement Street starting at 9PM on Saturday, February 28. Joining me will be the great guitarist Richard Mandel. For tickets and more information please visit:<br><br><a contents="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/jimmy-keane-in-concert-opening-night-tickets-15046413227" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/jimmy-keane-in-concert-opening-night-tickets-15046413227" target="_blank">http://www.eventbrite.com/e/jimmy-keane-in-concert-opening-night-tickets-15046413227</a><br><a contents="http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/calendar.html" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/calendar.html" target="_blank">http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/calendar.html</a><br><br>For those of you on the East Coast, I will be doing a reunion concert with Mick Moloney and Robbie O'Connell on March 27 & 28 at the New York Irish Arts Center, 553 W 51st St. Show starts at 8PM each night and tickets are going fast. For more information and tickets, please visit:<br><br><a contents="http://www.moloneyoconnellkeane.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.moloneyoconnellkeane.com/" target="_blank">http://www.moloneyoconnellkeane.com/</a><br>Friday March 27th Tickets:<br><a contents="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976364" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976364" target="_blank">https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976364</a><br>Saturday March 28th Tickets:<br><a contents="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976365" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976365" target="_blank">https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9976365</a><br><br>Pat Broaders and I are doing a few gigs as well and also plan on doing some recording in the near future. More on that the next email blast or you can always visit:<br><br><a contents="http://www.bohola.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bohola.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bohola.com/</a><br><br>In the meantime, Pat has a second record coming out with "Open the Door for Three" with Kieran O'Hare and Liz Knowles. For more information, you can visit:<br><br><a contents="http://www.openthedoorforthree.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.openthedoorforthree.com/" target="_blank">http://www.openthedoorforthree.com/</a><br><br>Also, Kieran O'Hare has started a new print magazine named "Eirways." For more information on that, please visit:<br><br><a contents="http://www.eirways.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.eirways.com/" target="_blank">http://www.eirways.com/</a><br><br>That's it for the moment -- keep warm where it's cold and cold where it's warm… ;-))<br><br>All the best,<br><br>Jimmy<br><br>Websites:<br>http://www.jimmykeane.com/<br>http://www.bohola.com/<br><br>Social Media:<br><a contents="https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.keane" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.keane" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.keane</a><br><a contents="https://www.facebook.com/JimmyKeaneMusic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/JimmyKeaneMusic" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/JimmyKeaneMusic</a><br><a contents="https://www.facebook.com/bohola" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/bohola" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/bohola</a><br><a contents="https://twitter.com/JimmyKeane" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/JimmyKeane" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JimmyKeane</a>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3539593
2015-02-18T10:26:32-06:00
2015-02-18T10:26:32-06:00
Lent...
<span class="font_large">For Lent I'm giving up kale, yams, beets, rhubarb, MySpace, polkas, slides, craft beer, Fox News, colonoscopy preps, texts, texting, Governor Rauner, snow, sub-zero temperatures, leg-cramps, out of tune instruments, stubbing big toe into coffee table, vinegar on chips, ketchup, unknown callers, Jay Cutler, and jagoffs.</span>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">Wait, what do you mean you are supposed to give up things you like??? Oh... :-))</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3510685
2015-02-06T11:00:50-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
50 Shades of Grey Paolo Soprani... :-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/bf411d562809a3a3d65700ac4f0ced48ba9a813a/large/50-shades-of-grey.jpg?1423242016" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3457286
2015-01-08T07:37:24-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
Je Suis Charlie
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/fd431eda1f66baccfd09b425fdc92c32c3f39e5f/original/chained-pencils.jpg?1420724231" class="size_orig justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3452319
2015-01-05T13:49:15-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
Soooo that's what they mean...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e7f9c6e992914893efdf533dcaa9c73fd9928a3b/large/car-warning-lights.jpg?1420487323" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3446686
2014-12-31T12:47:06-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
2014-2015...
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">For last year's words belong to last year's language</span></em></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">And next year's words await another voice.</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font_large">And to make an end is to make a beginning...</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">-- T.S. Eliot</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/62535cd43339a70430fa0170fb4b1b956edaf7fa/large/winter-sunrise.jpg?1420051501" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3435025
2014-12-24T12:44:04-06:00
2014-12-24T12:44:04-06:00
Horse...
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Sav3lJLzVMk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Sav3lJLzVMk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sav3lJLzVMk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3406383
2014-12-16T15:16:59-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
Chanukah
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/694351b09c24de9456edce8bb53b23f277de55a2/medium/hannacha.jpg?1418764489" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><div><span class="font_large">It was Chanukah and the tiny village outside Budapest in Hungary was frightened that they may not have any latkes because they had run out of flour.</span></div>
<p><span class="font_large">Rudi, the Rabbi, was called upon to help solve the problem. He said, 'Don't worry, you can substitute matzo meal for the flour, and the latkes will be just as delicious.'</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="font_large">Sarah looks to her husband and says, 'Samuel, you think it'll work?'</span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="font_large">'Of course,' Samuel replies, 'Everybody knows Rudolph the Rab knows grain, dear.'</span></p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">;-)) Happy Chanukah All!!</span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3397639
2014-12-14T09:57:58-06:00
2014-12-14T09:58:54-06:00
Kilkelly
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Mq8FASqnohU" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Mq8FASqnohU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mq8FASqnohU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="510" width="854" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3395230
2014-12-13T09:11:23-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
They're Back...
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="font_large"><strong><span class="font_xl">Moloney, O'Connell, and Keane</span></strong><br><br>please visit our new <u><a contents="website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.moloneyoconnellkeane.com" target="_blank">website</a></u> and like our new <a contents="facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moloney-OConnell-Keane/1603779156516715" target="_blank"><u>facebook</u></a> page!</span><br> </div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/dde32c05a674150c078e751e4f16940a0adb0325/original/mock.jpg?1418483068" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3384204
2014-12-10T17:07:04-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
Judy Baar Topinka (1944-2014)
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d297a5e04a63495540c341b86a0a80f02a78cb99/medium/topinka-accordion.jpg?1418252791" class="size_m justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3368184
2014-12-06T07:15:22-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
Trad Tune Challenge Remix...
<div style="text-align: justify;">Here is <a contents="Peter Staunton's" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.productions.ie">Peter Staunton's</a> brilliant remix of several of the "Trad Tune Challenge" video's in support of St. Patricks Mental Health Services in Dublin. My own contribution can be see <a contents="here " data-link-label="home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">here</a>. You can still make a contribution by visiting <a contents="walkinmyshoes.ie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://walkinmyshoes.ie">walkinmyshoes.ie</a> (or if in Ireland), text "Shoes" to 57802 for a €2 donation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="EtXDma7EQzQ" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/EtXDma7EQzQ/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EtXDma7EQzQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
</div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3346818
2014-12-01T14:13:17-06:00
2014-12-01T14:14:55-06:00
First of December 2014
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Evil flows naturally from the ignorant like weeping rusty water from an old lally column...</strong></span></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3319731
2014-11-23T08:34:41-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:47-06:00
working on a new stage act...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3352cda0b9150f5710932197b90c8dce3765faed/original/accordion-guitar-balance-act.jpg?1416753255" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3317675
2014-11-22T08:13:53-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
Did you ever??
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/37a6685cbaf29b038132dbba5dd8e7dba6fc5cec/original/seamus-begley.png?1416665389" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry, but I could not resist it Seamus Begley ;-))<br>-----</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Did you ever get a ride?<br>Did you ever get a ride?<br>Did you ever get a ride on a tractor?<br>No I never got a ride,<br>No I never got a ride,<br>No I never got a ride on a tractor.<br><br>Did you pull it in and out?<br>Did you pull it in and out?<br>Did you push and draw it out on a tractor?<br>Yes, I pushed and drew it out,<br>Yes, I pushed and drew it out,<br>And played "Paddy Fahy's Tractor" on the tractor… ;-))</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">------<br>Thanks to Joe Burke for the photo<br>Apologies to Seamus Moore for my bastardized lyrics of his "Did You Ever Get A Ride On A Tractor"</div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3308422
2014-11-20T07:13:16-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
I'm thinking about getting a bigger accordion... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/be98c9347e27e0a9bacc1282c600233623d523b6/original/giant-accordion.jpg?1416489161" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3271407
2014-11-07T11:34:31-06:00
2014-11-08T06:29:35-06:00
The "Walk in My Shoes" Trad Tune Challenge...
<span class="font_regular">I gladly accept the "Walk in My Shoes" Trad Tune challenge from Tommy McCarthy in support of the St. Patricks Mental Health Foundation in Ireland and would like to further nominate Pat Broaders and Dennis Cahill to play a bit of a tune, sing a bit of a song, recite a bit of a poem, tell a bit of a joke, dance a bit, or chew on a bit… ;-))<br><br>But in all seriousness, mental illness is a growing problem especially amongst the young in Ireland (and elsewhere for that matter). 1 in 4 will experience a mental health difficulty and suicide is the leading cause of death among 18-25 year olds.<br><br>You can make a donation to: www.walkinmyshoes.ie or if in Ireland, please text: SHOES to 57802<br><br>Thanks for your time and enjoy my bit of a tune…<br>#TradTune</span><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="YPx3CLjgwvs" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/YPx3CLjgwvs/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPx3CLjgwvs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="510" width="854" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3269230
2014-11-06T07:28:53-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
From the one and only Joe Burke!!
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/1fc8c45819d88d649ba42cac97a67985120af5f4/large/the-old-grey.jpg?1415280513" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3267404
2014-11-05T07:53:05-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
"Daddy sang (b)ass"... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/ffdf6e44f67b7ecf5259b75a622d11d7191a1596/original/ass-band.jpg?1415195571" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3262365
2014-11-02T06:37:06-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
Gas...
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><span class="font_large">I bought a gallon of gas the other day and they asked me for the 9/10 cent...</span>
</div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c47c4d95a8ed806904af3e7f2ebf4c10ff8a3671/original/gas-price-sign.jpg?1414931700" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3262360
2014-11-02T06:19:52-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
A Chicago sports fan needs a sense of humor... :-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c4296ffa196e3ca126351b8543e0e3db1afa8a3a/large/soldier-field.jpg?1414930743" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3261542
2014-11-01T06:42:02-05:00
2015-08-01T07:46:34-05:00
Bey-nos dancing... :-))
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="DnSkuvyg7r0" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/DnSkuvyg7r0/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DnSkuvyg7r0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3261540
2014-11-01T05:56:48-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
Symphony for the devil... :-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/2ca8b37df34d7b48efd4f3757623c538d92389ba/original/banjo-symphony.jpg?1414839222" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3259171
2014-10-30T18:46:29-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
Happy Halloween... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/9463f4954776bbab687413ba3db25eb306356598/original/i-dream-of-weenie.jpg?1414712773" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3258811
2014-10-30T15:49:41-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
Ok... ;-))
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="font_large"><strong>Otis Elevator Company Building</strong></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/27cfb40942a4f777bf6d84906c60fc9fa23d2468/large/otis-elevator-building.jpg?1414702148" class="size_l justify_center border_" style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;" /><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Westmont Industries Moving Walkway Building</strong></span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c12b662c357d14010853c968da2fa923c86db717/large/tallest-building.jpg?1414707181" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
</div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3254091
2014-10-28T10:06:15-05:00
2014-10-28T10:07:51-05:00
Dog-nos: a new breed in traditional singing... ;-))
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="dtgaxQ7RAjY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/dtgaxQ7RAjY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dtgaxQ7RAjY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3252151
2014-10-27T09:46:24-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
Help Wanted: Tesco Packaging Design Department... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/f7253a8e702f0e56d279ae25ec5d790b8cce2350/original/tesco-buttermilk.jpg?1414421171" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3250122
2014-10-25T09:36:49-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
All about the bass... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/09a7cbe0c20bbadf6906540b92abccfad542f808/original/two-subs.jpg?1414247790" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3250109
2014-10-25T09:19:39-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:46-06:00
behind bars... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/612d91fc7338e3dbb5b54255295e7f86a4fe32f8/original/stop-rest.jpg?1414246750" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3242593
2014-10-21T08:48:04-05:00
2014-10-21T08:50:48-05:00
;-))
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="1ImLiQWFAFg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/1ImLiQWFAFg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ImLiQWFAFg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="432" width="768" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3242577
2014-10-21T08:26:04-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
house music... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e2258468e932f7b03c6f6f7845b9eb531bc1bee9/original/accordion-house.jpg?1413897944" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3228107
2014-10-11T09:49:05-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
influtenza...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/a9b8e4ed60b74d97212989f09b88cd8d05e73a91/original/flu-flute.jpg?1413038934" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3226887
2014-10-10T13:28:46-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
I play by ear, but… ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/f1e9af974e5e4b879e42ab4c26e25442e96de7ae/original/banjo.jpg?1411331120" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3217542
2014-10-04T12:48:09-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
That toddlin' town...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/9f4f7b40f3c1974caae5db30c730656b5da3432f/original/llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.jpg?1412444725" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,<br>Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,<br>That toddlin' town<br>Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,<br>Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,<br>I'll show you around.<br>I love it!<br>Bet your bottom dollar<br>You lose the blues in<br>Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,<br>Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch…</span></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3213924
2014-10-02T09:07:45-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
Don't drink and charge... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/2307f1e7487da0500618c34995193a258cbdf17a/original/iphone-reverse.jpg?1412258847" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3208858
2014-09-29T13:22:34-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
Da Bears...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><span class="font_large">The B<em><strong>ears</strong></em>: putting the a-r-s-e into the P<em><strong>a</strong></em>ck<em><strong>ers</strong></em> for y<em><strong>ears</strong></em>... ;-))</span></span></div><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0de5510a54d67c04a48828752adbf24e05e9a63e/original/kid-bear.jpg?1412014802" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3204992
2014-09-26T08:02:38-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
;-)
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/99f81603494c7d5c368819533bc11e628ebbb0b7/original/ties.jpg?1411736419" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> <span class="font_large">An Irishman, a Scotsman, an Englishman, a Welshman, a Latvian, a Turk, a German, an Indian, several Americans (including a Hawaiian and an Alaskan), an Argentinean, a Dane, an Australian, a Slovak, an Egyptian, a Japanese, a Moroccan, a Frenchman, a New Zealander, a Spaniard, a Russian, a Guatemalan, a Colombian, a Pakistani, a Malaysian, a Croatian, a Uzbek, a Cypriot, a Pole, a Lithuanian, a Chinese, a Sri Lankan, a Lebanese, a Cayman Islander, a Ugandan, a Vietnamese, a Korean, a Uruguayan, a Czech, an Icelander, a Mexican, a Finn, a Honduran, a Panamanian, an Andorran, an Israeli, a Venezuelan, an Iranian, a Fijian, a Peruvian, an Estonian, a Syrian, a Brazilian, a Portuguese, a Liechtensteiner, a Mongolian, a Hungarian, a Canadian, a Moldovan, a Haitian, a Norfolk Islander, a Macedonian, a Bolivian, a Cook Islander, a Tajikistani, a Samoan, an Armenian, an Aruban, an Albanian, a Greenlander, a Micronesian, a Virgin Islander, a Georgian, a Bahaman, a Belarusian, a Cuban, a Tongan, a Cambodian, a French-Canadian, a Qatari, an Azerbaijani, a Romanian, a Chilean, a Jamaican, a Filipino, a Ukrainian, a Dutchman, a Ecuadorian, a Costa Rican, a Swede, a Bulgarian, a Serb, a Swiss, a Greek, a Belgian, a Singaporean, an Italian, a Norwegian and two Africans, walk into a fine restaurant.<br><br>"I'm sorry," says the maitre d' -- "you can't come in here without a Thai"... </span>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3192400
2014-09-18T00:33:58-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
The Brave Scotland...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/817cbce531205defdd53da7fd34ae50faf581c61/original/scottish-flag-2109121b.jpg?1411017952" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>“By Oppression's woes and pains!<br>By your sons in servile chains!<br>We will drain our dearest veins,<br>But they shall be free!<br><br>Lay the proud usurpers low!<br>Tyrants fall in every foe!<br>Liberty's in every blow!<br>Let us do or die!” <br>― Robert Burns</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3186262
2014-09-14T09:15:51-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
I couldn't resist... ;-))
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/40c93c64609daa57eeadbe669dbc5bf5d6265481/original/the-untied-kingdom.jpg?1410704036" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3169437
2014-09-03T11:29:11-05:00
2014-10-21T08:52:21-05:00
Ice...
<span class="font_large">Recently I was called out by the great banjo player and long-time friend Pauline Connelly (<a contents="Chicago Reel" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.chicagoreel.com" target="_blank">Chicago Reel</a>) to take part in the ALS Ice Bucket. I accepted and did so in honor of the late Maureen Harling, a dear friend who suffered from this devastating disease....</span><br> <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="0mAQADX1BOU" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/0mAQADX1BOU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0mAQADX1BOU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="432" width="768" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3151721
2014-08-23T10:44:21-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
Maureen O'Looney
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e7cf9b0f0df3488df4e733dd0d7787cf8e1ea786/original/maureen-olooney.jpg?1408808594" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div id="id_53f8b6a2217785485738858">
<p><span class="font_large">Much has been written today about the passing of the forever-young 92-year-old Maureen O'Looney, affectionately known as "Mother Ireland" amongst other titles of love and gratitude bestowed upon her during her 60 plus years of living in Chicago.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Maureen was born in Bohola and she and I had a running quip for the last 15 years or so whenever we'd meet, telling me with a broad smile that she loved my band bohola and me telling her it was named in honor of her…</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I will miss that.</span></p>
<div>
<p><span class="font_large">We'd known each other since the early 1970's when I started playing music around the city and we would meet at various dances, ceilidhs, benefits, wakes, funerals, weddings, the occasional pub, and during the times we'd visit her radio show to play a few tunes.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">There were also the trips up north to her Shamrock Imports shop every few months to see what the latest albums from Ireland were along with picking up some sweets, a new song or tune book, and of course the most welcome cup of tea, chat, and her filling us in with the going-on's within the Irish community and beyond. Maureen was "social media" before the concept ever existed.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I last saw Maureen a few months back at the Irish American Heritage Center while I was playing -- I happened to open my eyes in the middle of a tune, looked up and our eyes met as she was heading out. We smiled, she gave me a wink with a gentle twist of her head in approval, waved goodbye and that was it.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Rest in peace Maureen…</span></p>
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Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3138921
2014-08-15T12:52:25-05:00
2014-10-21T08:53:36-05:00
So what does a sound engineer really do???? ;-))
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="coUf12rKAfg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/coUf12rKAfg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/coUf12rKAfg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="432" width="768" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3134986
2014-08-13T12:43:31-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
Robin Williams (1951-2014)
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/6bbef22f8694a1372feb321a1f2d2955b77a1f02/original/robin-williams.jpg?1407951730" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Where I am, I don't know, I'll never know, in the silence you don't know, you must go on, I can't go on, I'll go on.</em></strong></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 12px;"><em>-- Samuel Beckett</em></strong></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3124796
2014-08-07T11:44:43-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
Me playing as a kid, circa 7500000 B.C.
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/263351315cc6c9615a576389f52810156f634e4a/original/monkey-accordion.jpg?1407429860" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3087285
2014-07-21T10:48:57-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:45-06:00
Jimmy McGowan
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/6e1aedec9048c840487cdcf192f9420cc8cb2e4e/medium/jimmy-alone.png?1405851407" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="font_regular"><strong>Jimmy McGowan (July 24, 1956 - July 20, 2014)</strong></span><br> </div><span class="font_large">Jimmy McGowan died a few moments ago. He was surrounded by his loving family. He would have turned 58 on Thursday. He would have teed off at nine this morning -- after mass -- at Fountain Hills with a couple of his kids or a roving cast of friends. He would have met me at Lanigan's for a few jars and to catch a Bears, Hawks, or Sox game. He would laugh. He would kid. He would chat. He would smile. He would listen. He would bring comfort. He would bring an open mind. He would console. He would encourage. He would advise. He would shed a tear. He would shake his head in disbelief or in the are-you-f'in-nuts sort of way. He would share. He would give what he could and what he couldn't. He would speak with a glowing heart about his kids, his brothers and sister, his nieces and nephews, his Dad, his Bridie. He was a friend to all and a friend to me. He loved and was loved. He will be in my heart forever. Rest in peace McGowan<br><br>(Thank you McGowan family for letting me be part of Jimmy's final days -- you are as your son, father, brother, and uncle was...)</span><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/477ca3b2c181fb632d8669ecc201b046310e2804/large/me-and-jimmy.png?1405851402" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3057743
2014-07-04T14:56:43-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
Augusta Heritage Irish Week then...
<span class="font_large">A few weeks to go for the 32nd annual <a contents="Irish/Celtic Week at Augusta Heritage" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://augustaheritagecenter.org/augusta-schedule/irishceltic/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#FF0000;">Irish/Celtic Week at Augusta Heritage</span></a> in Elkins, West Virginia. I will be teaching an intensive tune workshop open to all melody instruments (which was a blast last year!) as was instructing several times over the last three plus decades in the lovely setting of Davis & Elkins College.<br><br>Here is a photo of myself, bodhranist/raconteur</span><span class="font_large"> Myron Bretholtz, and harpist Carol Thompson 25 years ago outside the infamous Ice House on campus taking a break and listening to one of the many sessions which take place round the clock during the week. Still not too late to sign up for the many class offerings. Check it out at the link above...</span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/7689529c395676bb0f168c772b74ce223d156e75/original/me-myron-carol-thompson-elkins-1980s.jpg?1404500841" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3057378
2014-07-04T11:11:31-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
Independence Day...
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="font_large">“As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.” -- George Washington</span></div>
<p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/83a55c42fff9c41166bb8dcd3022fb64f8bbb76d/original/gw.jpg?1404490172" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3040642
2014-06-25T17:54:47-05:00
2014-10-21T08:54:45-05:00
dance, dance, where ever you may be...
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Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3029342
2014-06-20T13:17:01-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
Happy Thirteenth Birthday Allie!!
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3b09b06e3091165f35bc60b8aa6097fa7711100b/original/allie-13.jpg?1403288173" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3010686
2014-06-12T07:14:05-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
WC...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>time to support the World Cup... ;-))<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/2599224cc43f9f598738cbd91e9e0ddbf3e10569/original/world-cup.jpg?1402575221" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></span></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/3005118
2014-06-10T07:14:31-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
I amuse you?
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="font_large"><em><strong>"but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?"</strong></em></span><br><span class="font_regular">- Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)</span>
</div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/1eb53547cc50a7de7c6d4429515b7ae31a5245f8/original/clown-box.jpg?1402402307" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2985633
2014-06-01T12:59:15-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
back in (musical) training...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/b0256681605f2e76792fbc855f75e69f92d76252/large/pa-booze-box.jpg?1401645500" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2985632
2014-06-01T12:57:43-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
everyone's a critic...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/8fc90560520b573b7fc860b0947a7adb958820b9/original/see-hear-say.jpg?1401645329" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br><span class="font_large"><strong>My "musical advisors" after watching me play one of my new compositions... ;-))</strong></span>
</div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2977221
2014-05-28T14:40:38-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
Rest in peace...
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/7198244505c568584aa15371f1868ae17e8cb000/original/maya.jpg?1401305970" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou (1928-2014)</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2971966
2014-05-26T11:54:23-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
new bits...
<span class="font_large">Hi Folks -- I received a rake of kind messages, emails, phone calls, and home visits asking how I am progressing with my new addition during the last two weeks post-surgery --- unlike this very funny cartoon which several of you have sent me -- I am moving ahead splendidly and hope to be out and about this fair City of Chicargo and beyond within the next couple of weeks. Thank you all for your kind thoughts, support, prayers, jokes, and encouragement!</span>
<p> </p><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/62b02dbca0b03284bd3f7ee82fd355fe9788f272/large/horse-zebra-hip.jpg?1401123120" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2969318
2014-05-24T12:10:09-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
new tunes...
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>There is a lot of new music being written within the tradition -- for some of the tunes, I wish I had a few extra appendages to get all the notes - time to evolve... ;-))</strong></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c539a81c5ba20f2165748bd353cc572b64a206ee/large/octopus-accordion.jpg?1400951174" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2955378
2014-05-18T19:06:56-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
classic...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0c31e5c9e28f22f366e40245995081c9d7c91945/original/accordion-doom.jpg?1400457997" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2955356
2014-05-18T18:59:21-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
yum!!
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/df6b6f8bfebf24c9f5bb79c554c273ae416d8e12/large/good-band.jpg?1400457496" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2955354
2014-05-18T18:53:49-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
St. Peter and the Kerry man...
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/2788fcb0a7d5e7ca736381f675c929e3159dccbb/large/clouds.jpg?1400457054" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption"><span class='font_large'><strong>St. Peter: Before you enter Heaven my son, is there anything you'd like to know?<br>The recently departed Kerry fella:<br>Well, there is one thing -- can you ask St. Paul if the Corinthians ever got back to him?…. :-))</strong></span></p></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2949240
2014-05-15T13:05:23-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:44-06:00
lovely artwork of me playing accordion...
<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/c18359bfda54f06b622ae95fbe623752c222ffef/large/sara-de-la-barre-art-of-me.jpg?1400176972" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br><span class="font_large"><strong><em>Jimmy Keane playing the accordion</em></strong><br>Artwork by: Sara de la Barre</span>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2949201
2014-05-15T13:01:30-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
so that's the difference...
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Finally figured out the difference between a 4-string and a 5-string banjo:</strong></span></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/82fb8b4e84df4cd1582adb74c2a1d46c8e9853dd/large/short-bus-combo.jpg?1400176749" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2841337
2014-04-03T09:45:50-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
bohola on Concert Window!!
<span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/a685a890403754b45f7fc3a9d2c96123875c65c4/medium/bohola-old-tv.jpg?1396453769" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span><br><span class="font_xl" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">bohola</span></strong><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">15th Anniversary Special Performance!</span><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><strong style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">8PM (CST)<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Saturday, April 19, 2014<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a contents="Live on Concert Window!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/4984-bohola" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);" target="_blank"><span style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Live on Concert Window!</span></a></strong></span><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/4984-bohola<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"> <div style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Hi Folks!</span>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Hope you are all well and thanks for taking time to read this. Many of you have sent us requests asking us to come back and perform in your hometown (and we'd love to do so and hopefully will soon)…<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">But</span><span style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 1.4em;"> in the meantime and in honor of our 15th year of making music as bohola, we've come up with a special way for you to celebrate with us -- by performing a concert directly for you in the comfort of your own home or wherever in the world you may be via the wonders of the internet and the mighty brains behind Concert Window!</span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Pat Broaders and I will be taking tune and song requests in advance of the show on our <a contents="Concert Window page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/4984-bohola" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);" target="_blank">Concert Window page</a> as well as answering any questions you may have. And best of all, you can purchase online tickets on a pay-what-you-want basis starting <a href="http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/4984-bohola" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);">here</a> now!</span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">In addition to performing my solo show last fall, I've personally watched Concert Window performances from my computer, smartphone, tablet, and via TV -- at home, in a coffee shop, and even in my car (parked -- of course)!</span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">This <a contents="bohola web-show" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/4984-bohola" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);" target="_blank">bohola web-show</a> will not be recorded — it's offered in real time. We hope you can join us! </span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 1.4em;">Thanks again for all your continued support!!</span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">All the best,</span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5;"><span class="font_large" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Jimmy<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Links:<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a contents="bohola Live on Concert Window" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/4984-bohola" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);" target="_blank">bohola Live on Concert Window</a><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a contents="bohola.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bohola.com/" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);" target="_blank">bohola website</a><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a contents="bohola facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.facebook.com/bohola" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(0, 1, 92);" target="_blank">bohola facebook</a></span></p>
</div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2841334
2014-04-03T09:38:34-05:00
2014-04-03T09:41:53-05:00
Review: Jimmy Keane's solo Concert Window Show (Irish American News)
<div style="text-align: center;"><font size="3">Click below for article (in PDF form)<br><br><a contents="Irish American News Review" data-link-label="Jimmy Keane on Concert Window -- Irish American News" data-link-type="file" href="/files/132549/Jimmy%20Keane%20on%20Concert%20Window%20--%20Irish%20American%20News"><strong>Irish American News Review</strong></a></font></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2823193
2014-03-27T12:33:39-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Mick Moloney...
<span class="font_regular"><span class="s1">In April 2014, <a contents="Mick Moloney" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.mickmoloney.com" target="_blank">Mick Moloney</a> will receive the 2014 <a contents="Gradam Ceoil" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.gradam.ie/?lang=en" target="_blank">Gradam Ceoil</a> Special Contribution Award. Tony Lawless, founder and editor of <a contents="TradConnect.com " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.TradConnect.com" target="_blank">TradConnect.com </a>asked me to write a short paragraph or two on the impact Mick has had on Irish Music here in the States. Sooo much more can (and will) be written about Mick but here is the snippet I contributed to the multi-authored upcoming article:</span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/faf3b730230057a6f7ad82fd4241b8a92f4c2720/medium/mick-me-symphony-center-darker.jpg?1395938392" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></span>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_regular"><span class="s1">“I’ve known Mick Moloney since 1974, shortly after Mick moved to America and began his graduate studies and his field work on Irish Music in America. As a young teenage musician, Mick’s impact on me was massive. Here was this well known and respected musician and future scholar from Ireland interested in me and my music, which was unheard of at that time. Traditional music in Chicago was widespread within the Irish and Irish-American community since the early 1900’s but outside the community, not so much. Mick turned that around almost immediately, exposing me along with my friends and fellow musicians Liz Carroll and Michael Flatley plus the musicians we learnt from such as Johnny McGreevy, Kevin Henry, Terry "Cuz" Teahan, Eleanor Kane Neary, Joe Shannon and countless others to a national stage through numerous recordings, concerts, and festival appearances which Mick either produced, enabled, found funding, or by sheer will, created and fostered -- all while doing what he loves and does best -- playing tunes and singing songs.</span></span></p>
<div><span class="font_regular">Mick, Robbie O’Connell, and I toured extensively in the mid-1980’s through the 1990’s and recorded a few albums including “There Were Roses” and “Kilkelly” which included the focus of much of Mick’s work here, the 22-minute Irish-American operetta “The Green Fields of America” (it was before CD’s really took off so it could have easily been 72 minutes long and only scratched the surface)!</span></div>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_regular"><span class="s1">I am proud to know Mick Moloney and honored to have performed with him the music we both love over the last four decades. Congratulations on the 2014 Gradam Ceoil Special Contribution Award -- you’re a mighty man, Mickeen!!”</span></span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2328316
2014-01-04T12:09:21-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Phil Durkin...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d996ec27b158a645e74b422840d0245712f998be/medium/phil-durkin.jpg?1388858716" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br><span class="font_large">Phil Durkin, one of the loveliest people of the Chicago Irish Music community, has died. Another of my musical "uncles," Phil gave me my first copy of the tune-only O'Neill's 1001 (The Dance Music of Ireland) which I still cherish to this day. I spent many hours at Phil's house during the early years listening to and playing music. Until a few months back, I would meet Phil at Lanigan's Pub for a chat and a highball or two, and had even started writing a tune for him called the "14 Karat Kumquat" based on a shared moment of hilarity from years ago…</span>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Our last conversation centered around fiddlers and Michael Coleman in particular. So here are a few tunes from Coleman in your memory Phil.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Rest in peace my friend...<br><br>----------</span><br><span class="font_large">Philip Durkin</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Age 83. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Native of Curry County Sligo Ireland. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Produce Manager with Jewel Foods for over 35 years. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Longtime member of The Irish Musicians Association. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Beloved son of the late Thomas and Mary (nee Mugan) Durkin. Loving brother of Mary (Richard) Lechert, Margaret(Patrick) Ryan, Christopher (Eileen) Durkin, the late Theresa(the late Thomas), the late Thomas (Bridie), the late Philomena Burrows and the late Michael Durkin. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="font_large">Dear uncle and great uncle to many nieces and nephews. </span><br><br> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="p5IfkPblTek" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/p5IfkPblTek/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p5IfkPblTek?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2283027
2013-12-24T10:02:07-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Happy Birthday Dad...
<span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/5471989086ecc8c6cda115b1c0ecd06f091a5781/medium/edited-horse-and-i.jpg?1387900820" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span> <span class="font_regular">Happy Birthday to my Dad, Jimmy "Horse" Keane! Still hard to fathom that it has been twenty-five years -- but you remain alive in my music and in my thoughts and in the many conversations with people I meet here in Chicago and on the road, always ending with a hearty laugh and a fond remembrance, albeit some unfit to print… :-)) </span>
<p><span class="font_regular"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I'd like to share the poem "Celebration" written by the great Irish-American poet and musician Terence Winch which celebrates the best of Christmas and mirrors life with the "Horse" and our family on the southside of Chicago in the 1960's as it does in Terence's Bronx. Miss and love you Dad…</span></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Celebration (Terence Winch)</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">In our world, nothing compared</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">God’s power surging through the congregation,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">from altarboys in our stiff collars and big red bows,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">to the solid men of the parish in their finest array:</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Blue suits, gold wrist watches, crisp white shirts.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">The women perfumed and girdled, lipsticked</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">and bejeweled. Enough incense</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">in the air to do the Wise Men proud.</p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">The procession wound through the church,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">organ honking, voices lifted in the special</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Christmas sense of the slate wiped clean</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">and the universe beginning anew.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">The tree in the house lit with fat colored bulbs</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">that looked good enough to eat. The old suitcase</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">full of fragile decorations, buried treasure found</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">every year on Christmas Eve and set free again.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">The baby Jesus alive and well! Herod thwarted!</p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">This called for presents. Toys, games, maybe</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">a watch or a knife. Along with Jesus came the whole</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">cast of Yuletide characters—Santa, Rudolph,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">the Chipmunks, Bing Crosby, Frosty, Scrooge. </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">I’m surprised the Easter Bunny didn’t crash</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">the event. My father put out apple pie</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">and a glass of milk for Sanny, the remaining traces</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">of which on Christmas morning were proof enough</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">for me and my brother Jimmy of the entire</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">supernatural infrastructure of Bronx Irish culture.</p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">But it was the party after Midnight Mass</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">that I remember most. Relatives and neighbors</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">would pour into our apartment for an all-nighter.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">My mother would get the percolator going,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">and start making breakfast for half the parish.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Bacon, eggs, blood pudding, plates of fresh rolls</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">with poppy seeds bought that day</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">in the Treat Bakery on Tremont Avenue. </p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Eating breakfast at two in the morning!</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">This was a miracle for a ten-year-old boy. </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Bottles of Seagram’s and Canadian Club</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">stood at attention on the kitchen table,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">silver ice bucket ringed with penguins</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">awaiting duty beside them. Ladies smoking</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">and gossiping. Glasses clinking. Laughter</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">throughout the house. The smell of pine,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">the delicious aroma of sizzling bacon,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">all welcoming Jesus back for another year.</p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Then the music and singing would start up,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">my father on the banjo, P. J. Conway on the box.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">The Stack of Barley, The Lakes of Sligo,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">medleys of marches, waltzes, and polkas.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Theresa McNally, from my mother’s own town</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">in Galway, would sing “Galway Bay.” Steps would</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">be danced, jokes told, more drinks mixed and gulped.</p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">I would go to bed so filled with the spirit</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">it seemed impossible to believe that life could</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">ever return to normal. Lying there exhausted,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">but anxious to sneak down the hall at the earliest</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">opportunity and tear open the tantalizing packages,</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">I believed in everything: Jesus our Lord, Santa</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">our magic benefactor, my parents the immortal source</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">of the ongoing celebration that could never end.</p>
6:54
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2159951
2013-12-04T14:25:13-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Happy 100th!!
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<div style="text-align: left;">A hearty 100th anniversary to "Danny Boy" with lyrics by Frederic Weatherly set to the traditional tune "The Derry Air" which was originally collected by Jane Ross and submitted to music collector George Petrie and published in his 1855 "The Ancient Music of Ireland." Many a great version over the years (as well as millions of brutal manglings). One of my all-time tongue-in-cheek favorites is this...</div>
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<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="irzOBTV0xTE" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/irzOBTV0xTE/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/irzOBTV0xTE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
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Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/2032752
2013-11-13T01:19:53-06:00
2021-11-13T13:19:40-06:00
Review: Liz Carroll -- "On the Offbeat"
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/8278eb59fd0dcbed4311f5795299c0f51f792c3f/original/liz-offbeat.jpg?1384265256/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg?1384265256" class="size_m justify_center border_thin" alt="" /><br>Liz Carroll, my lifelong friend and the most amazing musician I’ve ever known, is releasing her first solo recording in eleven years next Tuesday, November 17, 2013.</p>
<p>We grew up playing music together and I learned a ton about music in general from Liz and about twice as much about traditional music from her for which I am ever grateful. She also inspired and encouraged me to start writing a few tunes of my own which I hope is something that she does not regret doing... </p>
<p>One of the most intense and important learning experiences that I had with Liz (and I think she would also agree) was our few month preparation for the 1975 All-Ireland Senior Duets. We tore down tunes note-by-note, roll-by-roll, phrase-by-phrase (starting to sound like the vaudevillian routine “Slowly I turned, step-by-step...) and built them back up in an attempt to create one harmonious voice from as two different instruments as you might imagine -- piano accordion and fiddle. Things learned which I carry with me and put into practice each time I now pick up the box almost 40 years later. By the way, we succeeded, becoming the first Irish-Americans to win the title!</p>
<p>Back to the important stuff. </p>
<p>The album is aptly named “On the Offbeat” and is also Liz’s first on her own label. You can purchase the recording directly from Liz at <a contents="LizCarroll.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.LizCarroll.com" target="_blank">LizCarroll.com</a> in CD format and digital download starting next Tuesday (you can also pre-order the CD version today). It is always best to support an artist directly whenever you can, so click on over to the website when you finish reading this (or don’t finish reading) -- either way, just click! -- you will be thrilled with the recording ;-)) So here goes....</p>
<p>In the over forty years that I’ve known Liz, I am still amazed and in awe of her musicality, technical ability, and her innate “turn of a note” in tune composition. </p>
<p>“On the Offbeat” further enhances all three of the above “inspirations” to me.</p>
<p>If by chance you are new to Irish music or to the compositions of Liz, she always records at least one traditional tune on each recording to give the listener a baseline -- “The Yellow Tinker” (made popular by the late Paddy O’Brien on his 1955 Columbia recording) is the trad tune which gets “Lizzified” this time around and as a bonus, is the one solo fiddle tune on the album (aside from Liz’s tapping feet). By Lizzified, I mean she turns the tune inside out and re-interprets it - always respectful of the tune, but just adds a little “sumthin, sumthin” to it -- maybe with a few extra notes, highlighting an internal phrase or rhythm, enhancing a chord, inverting rolls/ornaments etc. It is part of why traditional music has survived the past few centuries - musicians such as Liz breathe new life into the older tunes which in turn makes them “new” to someone starting out and the whole process continues on. </p>
<p>Bountiful humour and wittiness is a big part of Liz’s personality -- hence the title of the follow up tune on this track -- “The Yellow Pantsuit” -- one of the 23 new compositions on this album from her nearly 300 tunes to date (for which Liz was honored with the 2011 Gradam Ceoil TG4 Award for her compositions) of which 185 are in her tune book “Collected” available exclusively at <a contents="LizCarroll.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.LizCarroll.com" target="_blank">LizCarroll.com</a>.</p>
<p>There are many “wow, how did she play that,” to “what a brilliant melody line,” to “damn, that is a great tune,” moments for me on this album.</p>
<p>One of my many favorites of the new tunes is one for which Liz wrote for her brother-in-law, “Jerome Lacey”. This is classic Liz -- a simple sounding, yet brilliantly complex and beautiful melody that you just know that one of our joint musical mentors, the late Johnny McGreevy, would proudly play today as if it were a rediscovered gem that he learned from his mentor, Jimmy Neary. That to me, is the hallmark of Liz’s music and tune writing.</p>
<p>I sill get a huge smile from “The Wolf” one of the handful of tunes from this recording which I had the pleasure of hearing not long after they were written -- harkens back to the days when I’d get a call (and still do) from Liz asking me if I’d like to hear a new tune she was working on or a new tune she just learned from a mailed cassette tape of a session or concert from Ireland or a new record we would end up getting from the sadly defunct Rose Records on Wabash in Chicago’s Loop. The “Wolf” with it’s sneaky and spooky minor few starting notes could have been a perfect alternative to the Henri Mancini’s penned “Experiment in Terror” which was the opening music of another Chicago institution: “Creature Features”. It is also a tune which I could easily hear the great Stephane Grappeli play. For all you Little Red Riding Hood’s out there -- the “Wolf” will catch your ear for certain...</p>
<p>Liz has always had a adventurous musical side and likes to write a few tunes to stretch the boundaries of composing within the traditional idiom both melodically and structurally. “The Fruit and The Snoot” and its companion, the title track “On the Offbeat” accomplish both with dramatic effect.</p>
<p>One more beauteous creations of the many is “The Ten Acre” waltz, which I know will become a staple for every ceili and contradance for years to come.</p>
<p>As much as Liz is a stand alone musical powerhouse, she surrounds herself on this grand recording with some old and new musical friends. Seamus Egan once again at the helm as producer with longtime engineer, the equally talented John Anthony along with Chris Brown (no, not that one) and Kevin Burleigh from Glasgow. In addition to his superb musical skills, Seamus has developed a sterling producers touch. (Good man Egan!)</p>
<p>But a mighty share of this wonderful recording belongs to Sean Og Graham (guitar), Trevor Hutchinson (bass), Catriona McKay (harp), Natalie Hass (cello), Winnie Horan (fiddle), Keith Murphy (piano/guitar), Chico Huff (bass), Seamus Egan (mandolin/shaker). </p>
<p>Sean Og Graham is best known as one of the two box players in the band “beoga” (good lads for sticking with the lower case “b” as I do with bohola) but pulls of a spectacular job playing with, complementing, and supporting Liz without ever getting in the way -- not an easy thing to do, but done here with great distinction Sean!</p>
<p>Trevor Hutchinson (Lunasa/Sharon Shannon/Waterboys) set the standard for bass in trad Irish music years ago and still reigns supreme. One would think that he, Sean, and Liz had been playing together for years given the tightness and musical give and take they put forth.</p>
<p>One thing Liz always loves to do when performing in concert with others (to future “others”, beware) is to stop playing, letting the unsuspecting other musician (many a times me, playing with my eyes closed) take the wheel on whatever tune is being currently performed. I imagine that happening in studio with the unsuspecting, brilliant Scottish harpist Catriona McKay during their duo track on the tune “Bar Hopping.” Welcome to the “I got Lizzed” club Catriona and well done!</p>
<p>The royals of the strings, Natalie Hass and Winnie Horan, add their ever glorious tone and texture to each note they play along with -- as does Keith Murphy and Chico Huff on their respective instruments. Seamus Egan -- Shaker? Hopefully for the Martini’s... :-))</p>
<p>Anyway, just a few insights and thoughts on this latest installment of the musical wonderment of Liz Carroll.</p>
<p>All the best and have a most enjoyable listening experience!</p>
<p>Jimmy Keane</p>
<p>Liz Carroll<br>On the Offbeat<br>Release date: November 17, 2013<br>Liz Carroll LC0001<br>12 Tracks<br>24 Tunes<br>Available at:<br><a contents="LizCarroll.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.LizCarroll.com" target="_blank">LizCarroll.com</a></p>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/503790
2013-04-10T11:38:01-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Felix Dolan...
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/5c0865dfa572f72ecb5826ffb9ea227b44b440c5/medium/Felix.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="455" width="300" /></div>
<br>
Felix Dolan left us yesterday. A great man and musician who influenced countless other musicians both young and old, here and abroad, including me. The first time I ever heard Felix was on the seminal recording "A Tribute to Michael Coleman" along with Joe Burke and the late Andy McGann. It was recorded in New York in the early 1960's in a matter of hours but has provided thousand upon thousands of hours of sheer joy. I wore out several copies of the album by the time I was 12 and knew every twist and turn that they effortlessly created. It is my all-time favourite album. The only thing that has topped that album was meeting and playing with Felix for the first time several years later -- mind-blowing -- from a spinning platter to sitting next to this gentle giant of a man who most graciously played along with me on several tracks from that album. Glowing and smiling inside and out...<br><br>
The best way to honor Felix's memory is through his music --- so close your eyes and listen to the following track from that album.<br><br>
My condolences to the entire Dolan family and all his many close friends. Rest in Peace Felix and thank you...
2:12
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/441959
2013-03-30T05:09:34-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Jimmy Keane & Liz Carroll in Concert!
Finally on the way into Spring here in Chicago and looking forward to next Saturday, April 6, 2013 when I will be taking part in a concert called "Chicago Reflections" at Northwestern University with my longtime friend and musical partner of over 40 years, the one and only Liz Carroll. We will be joined by two special guests: another longtime friend and bandmate in bohola, Pat Broaders, plus the sean-nos dancing phenom Brian Cunningham. Liz and I go back to at least 1972 growing up and playing music together here in Chicago. One of the highlights of our musical collaboration in those early years was winning the All-Ireland Senior Duet Championship in 1975, the first US based musicians to do so. Liz and I are working on some future performance dates, so if you can't make this one, hopefully the next!<br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pickstaiger.org/event/chicago-reflections" target="_new"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0ea099fa29a5fd388e1f267e534d489482ed26da/large/1957.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="810" width="600" /></a></div>
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Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/277283
2013-01-09T05:10:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:43-06:00
Dennis Dennehy: May 31, 1939 - January 6, 2013
<div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/14d183f64ede9037e9e10b82904d60f977fa7ebe/medium/dennehys.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="201" width="300" /><br>
The Dennehy's<br>
(Margie, Dennis Jr., Kathy, Dennis)<br>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br><br>
The Irish Dance World suffered a major loss this week with the passing of Dennis Dennehy at 73. Dennis and his wife Margie were the founders of the Dennehy School of Irish Dance and taught thousands of kids to dance in Chicago and beyond, including one Michael Flatley and at the complete opposite end of the dancing spectrum, me. <br><br>
Dennis was a stern dance master when it came to the art of Irish Dance, yet outside of the classroom, one of the nicest and most charming people you would encounter. My short-lived Irish dancing career ended in the basement of St. Nicholas of Tolentine where Dennis and Margie taught weekly. Once they knew I played a few tunes on the accordion, they invited me to bring the box to lessons and play for the class to practice along with. Dennis knew I was far more comfortable (and presumably much better) playing than dancing, so out went "in, out, hop one two three four" and in came playing for the school at various functions (including my first trip to New York along with Liz Carroll to play for the Dennehy's at the North American Championships back in the early 1970's).<br><br>
I'd meet Dennis at least a couple of times a year since then and always a big warm hearted smile beamed from him with a quick chat about dance and music to follow.<br><br>
My condolences to Margie, his daughter Kathy, young Dennis and to the many nieces and nephews here in Chicago and elsewhere.<br><br>
"And I lead you all in the dance said he..."<br><br>
Rest in peace Dennis!<br>
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Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/83699
2010-08-27T03:06:23-05:00
2010-08-27T03:06:23-05:00
nice... ;-))
From Christy Moore (christymoore.com)<br><br>
I played a gig last night at the opening of this years "Masters of the Tradition" festival, which is celebrating its 7th year. I enjoyed playing with Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill and Damian Mullane. The gig was a fundraiser for the festival which has lost some of its sponsors in recent years. Anyone who likes to hear "The Pure Drop" of music should consider coming to this festival. Over the years I have heard brilliant performances from Liam O'Flynn, Frankie Gavin, Michéal O'Suilleabháin, Tony Mc Mahon and Tommy Peoples, to name but a few. There are no distractions or gimmicks here. The music is presented in an intimate setting, the numbers are limited (350 - 400 max capacity) the amplification is passive and adequate. Those who come to listen and the musicians who play all seem to raise their game accordingly. Frank Harte gave one of his last concerts here, an evening I'll never forget. The legendary Kitty Hayes came out of retirement and gave a beautiful performance on concertina. Niamh Parsons rose to great heights last year. <i><b>Jimmy Keane from America brought us some wild and beautiful piano accordion</b></i>, so too did Paddy O'Brien on the chromatic. I had not heard him play for 34 years.<br><br>
Bantry is a grand town to visit. It has truly maintained the feel of an Irish Town. Every Friday is market day, with a big market on the first Friday of each month. There are plenty of good Atin houses. Nice to sit on the square and watch the world go by. There is a great statue of Wolfe Tone in the Square. A similar statue of Michael Collins in Clonakilty. Neither hero was left intact by their sculptors. Ne'er a bulge in the bronze at all, at all. They probably got strict instructions from the parish priest; "We don't want no mickeys stickin outta dem aul heroes, only be drivin' the poor wee nuns demented seeing them big rebel pricks hangin outta them God save us".<br><br>
See ye along the way ...<br><br>
Christy Moore<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br type="_moz">
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/80148
2010-06-23T06:48:47-05:00
2010-06-23T06:48:47-05:00
test...
How to sort the real Paddies from the pretenders. . .<br>
Irish Independent / June 23 2010 <br>
Darragh McManus <br><br>
So the Government plans to introduce a certificate of Irish heritage for the Diaspora, eh? Well, that's just dandy. Over 70 million people around the world claim some sort of Irish connection; the Exchequer will be hoping at least 69 million of them stump up a fee for the privilege of calling themselves part-Irish.<br><br>
Should we just hand out bona fide documentation of Irishness willy-nilly, though, or should some sort of test be involved? In the US, for instance, you have to prove you know your hotdogs from your Hershey bars.<br><br>
So, we've put together a simple questionnaire to separate the wannabe Paddies from the real Celtic heroes -- and those who prove their all-round Gaelic-ness will be welcomed into Mother Eireann's bosom with open arms.<br><br>
To spice things up a little, candidates could be strapped down in a holding cell, juiced up with sodium pentathol and blinking into a harsh, Colditz-style searchlight, as they are asked the following questions:<br><br>
1 Are your parents Irish? Maybe also your grandparents? Even better, can you claim Irish lineage through every ancestor back to Strongbow? (Although he may have actually been French, but we won't worry about that here.)<br><br>
2 How many pints of Guinness can you horse down without A) falling over, B) vomiting, or C) singing miserable, interminable songs about tragic cases of infanticide in the Kerry mountains, long, long ago?<br><br>
3 How pink is your skin? Does it bear the distinctive raw salmon colouring of the true Celt? How easily do you burn in summertime? Anybody who doesn't need suncream at factor 900 or higher is automatically disqualified.<br><br>
4 Have you ever A) read Finnegans Wake, and B) understood any of it? If you answered yes to one or both parts, you're lying, because nobody has ever done either one.<br><br>
5 When you are describing, 'as Gaeilge', a woman somersaulting through a flaming hoop, which of the following belongs to the genitive case: the woman, the flames, the hoop, or you?<br><br>
6 How fluent is your Hiberno-English? More specifically, how often do you use terms such as "sure, I might", "grand so", "arrah", "toora-loora-laddie" etc, etc?<br><br>
7 Do you mutter "I have a little bit of news" when you're about to impart an absolute bombshell to your nearest and dearest? For the purposes of this test, we sincerely hope so.<br><br>
8 Do you use the brand-name Tayto in a generic way, like so: "Get me a pack of Taytos in the shop." "Okay, what kind?" "Oh I don't mind, anything but Tayto."<br><br>
9 Is Shane MacGowan a veritable god among men? Please answer yes or yes.<br><br>
10 Do you know who David Norris is? When he shrieks excitedly, can your ears register this high-frequency noise with clarity?<br><br>
11 Do you find our oddball place names -- like Newtwopothouse, Ballydehob, Cappataggle, Horse and Jockey, Stoneybatter, Hackballscross, Ovens, Nobber, Ahascragh, Ballinspittle, Borris in Ossory, Watergrasshill -- to be endearing or just stupid-sounding?<br><br>
12 Are you inexplicably attracted to the immense bore-fest that is horse-racing? If you answered yes, you're almost certainly Irish. But it's still a bore-fest.<br><br>
13 When at a wedding in some far-flung corner of the world, do you ever feel a strange urge to start mumbling "Beef or salmon? Beef or salmon? Beef or salmon?", like a mantra devised by the world's hungriest but most indecisive Buddhist?<br><br>
14 Do you agree with Brendan Behan when he said the Irish have a psychosis where other races have a national character? And are you only agreeing because you are undergoing a psychotic episode right now?<br><br>
15 Work out what proportion of the national genetic code the following comprise: maudlin sentimentality; annoyance at the weather; mindless craic; enmity towards the British; pronunciation of "British" as "Burritteesh"; pure double-blended whiskey; tendency towards writing of epic poetry; proteins and trace elements.<br><br>
16 Does your own DNA reject the typical double helix formation for an approximation of the contours of a stout glass?<br><br>
17 Have you ever suffered any of the following Irish-specific ailments: Sport Obsession Disease; Gargle-itis; Begrudger's Scowl; Post-Colonial Identity Self-Annihilation Syndrome?<br><br>
18 In ancient history, the Tuatha De Dannan smashed the Fir Bolg to smithereens, driving them underground where they have lived ever since, surfacing sporadically to stock up on milk, tinned goods and essential medicines. Who the hell were any of these people? Please tell us, we genuinely don't know.<br><br>
19 Have you ever seen The Book of Kells? It's right nice, isn't it? Lovely drawings in it.<br><br>
20 How many times could you bear to hear the term "Celtic Tiger" before an inescapable urge descended on you to murder the man responsible for coining it? Four or five, maybe?<br><br>
21 What is the best thing about the St Patrick's Festival? A) The nice shamrock. B) The booze-sodden violent anarchy. C) The crappy papier maché things that cost about a trillion euro and only float for a short while before sinking into the murky depths of the Liffey. D) The annoying fact that it used to be just called plain old St Patrick's Day and then they changed it for no reason.<br><br>
22 What happened to the word "Day", anyway? Was it destroyed by Army word-disposal experts in a controlled explosion sometime around 2001?<br><br>
23 Are you prone to a spot of hop-leppin' or buck-leppin' from time to time?<br><br>
24 Have you ever actually heard the pipes, the pipes a-callin', either from glen to glen, or alternatively, down the mountainside?<br><br>
25 Do you consider a rasher sandwich to be the pinnacle of culinary excellence?<br><br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/76940
2010-05-22T06:10:00-05:00
2010-05-22T06:10:00-05:00
Old Town School with the Karan Casey Band
Had great fun playing last night at the Old Town School with the Karan Casey band -- Karan, Caoimhin Vallely, Kate Ellis, and Ross Martin were simply amazingly brilliant. The best I've ever heard Karan with three musicians who melded every word, phrase, chord, pulse, and emotion put forth by Karan into a glorious silky engulfing cloud of music. (p.s. - two thumbs up lads!! ;-))
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/73477
2010-05-07T06:55:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
blast from the past...
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<br>
The late Sean McGlynn (button accordion) and me at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Listowel 1977. The picture is courtesy of Jamie Gans, a fine fiddler currently living in Indiana who took the picture while at the Fleadh that year. I'll have to get the local CSI department to figure out what was that stuff on top of my head... ;-))</div>
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Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/72175
2010-05-01T07:10:00-05:00
2010-05-01T07:10:00-05:00
Socrates and the three questions...
<b><i>A good laugh from Mick Moloney:</i></b><br><br>
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.<br><br>
One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"<br><br>
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to answer three questions."<br><br>
"Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first question is <i><b>Truth</b></i>. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"<br><br>
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."<br><br>
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second question of <i><b>Goodness</b></i>. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"<br><br>
"No, on the contrary ...".<br><br>
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?".<br><br>
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued." You may still pass the test though, because there is a third question, the question of <i><b>Usefulness</b></i>. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"<br><br>
"No, not really..."<br><br>
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"<br><br>
The man was defeated and ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem. It also explains why he never found out that Plato was shagging his wife.<br><br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/64079
2010-03-25T07:35:09-05:00
2010-03-25T07:35:09-05:00
"...traditional music is just, uh... it's too unreal to die."
I watched "I'm Not There," a film about six incarnations of Bob Dylan's life the other day -- a strange film -- but one of the best line's of dialogue was from Cate Blanchett as Dylan: <br><br>
"Doesn't really matter, you know, what kind of nasty names people invent for the music. But, uh, folk music is just a word, you know, that I can't use anymore. What I'm talking about is traditional music, right, which is to say it's mathematical music, it's based on hexagons. But all these songs about, you know, roses growing out of people's brains and lovers who are really geese and swans are turning into angels - I mean, you know, they're not going to die. They're not folk music songs. They're political songs. They're already dead. You'd think that these traditional music people would - would gather that mystery, you know, is a traditional fact, you know, seeing as they're all so full of mystery ... But traditional music is just, uh... it's too unreal to die. It doesn't need to be protected. You know, I mean, in that music is the only true valid death you can feel today, you know, off a record player. But like everything else in great demand, people try to own it. Has to do with, like, uh, the purity thing. I think its meaninglessness is holy. Everybody knows I'm not a folk singer."<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/63357
2010-03-19T12:10:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
March Madness Music Goodness...
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Spent the last couple of weeks or so playing in a variety of great and enjoyable musical combinations in Chicagoland with musical friend's Dennis Cahill, Liz Carroll, Marta Cook, Rose Duffy, Tommy Masterson, Denis O'Sullivan, Pauline Ronan, and John Shine.<br><br>
The musicians were quite amazing too -- from Liz Carroll, the first musician I ever played Irish music with (and nothing like starting at the top) to Denis O'Sullivan, a grand singer from Kerry whom I met for the first time just a few weeks back and ended up backing him on a few songs "live" onstage for the first time (sure, we're a bunch of chancers to a degree too)...<br><br>
That's the great great thing about this Irish Traditional Music -- you can meet someone for the first time and share a common "well" of wonderful songs and tunes -- no matter where or whence they came...<br><br>
Thanks to those of you who were able to come out and make some of the performances!!!<br><br type="_moz">
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61095
2010-02-10T06:05:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:40-06:00
Jimmy "Horse" Keane (1928-1989)
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/8ca91e8be6b704786aa8d46a20aaf48ef3ad60c7/original/Jimmy-Horse-Keane.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="416" width="300" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/60436
2010-01-23T06:45:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:39-06:00
(Review) "An Irish Homecoming" at Celtic Connections 2010
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I had a marvelous time in Glasgow last week at my first Celtic Connections festival as part of "An Irish Homecoming" the brainchild of the inimitable Joanie Madden and features Cherish the Ladies (and the great gang of dancers: Cara Butler, Joe Dwyer, Declan McHale, Michael Boyle, Dan Stacey, Noelle Curran, Colleen Farrell, and Jon Pilatzke), Maura O'Connell, Liz Carroll & John Doyle, Dermot Henry, and bohola -- well, most of bohola. The sad news was that Pat Broaders was unable to make it to Scotland due to a visa mixup in China. He is touring there with the dance show Celtic Legends -- and not living there -- although when he could not get out since they held his passport, I bet he began to wonder would he ere see the snow covered lawns of Beverly again... Needless to say, Pat was missed. The bold John Doyle was gracious and brilliant in covering Pat's part of the show with me -- learning a brand new song along with the handful of tunes I threw at him -- and all squeezed into a half hour rehearsal. You're a mighty man John -- Thank you again JD!<br><br>
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of seeing the show -- it starts off with a blast with Cherish (Joanie Madden, Mary Coogan, Liz Kane - filling in for Roisin Dillon, Mirella Murray, Kathleen "KT" Boyle, and Michelle Burke) and continues on a musical roller coaster ride from there. The 2500-strong sold out crowd were a very receptive audience and sang, clapped, hooted and hollered the whole night long through to the final encore. Longtime Cherish soundman John Murray made us sound like an orchestra. With multiple live microphones and monitors onstage, he turned a sound engineers nightmare into something very sweet and powerful at the same time. Not too bad for a Dubliner like... :-))<br><br>
Joanie Madden made the Glasgow Concert hall listeners feel as if they were sitting in her kitchen with her commandingly friendly interaction and storytelling -- never mind how she enthralled them with her powerful brand of flute playing and the incomparable beauty of her whistle playing. Corkonian Michelle Burke had the crowd in her adopted home of Glasgow captured with her beguiling style of singing. Mary Coogan is one of the most unsung guitar players today -- Coogie was just brilliant in her backing of songs and tunes. The fiddle playing of Galway's Liz Kane (with her head down and eyes closed) was heartfelt. My favorite piano accordion player, the impressive Mirella Murray, was in top form as ever and her duet playing with Liz was as spectacular as the Connemara landscape. And Glasgow's own KT Boyle's piano playing surpassed that of Charlie Lennon, Josephine Keegan, and Bridie Lafferty combined. It's no longer just "thump-thump-thump-thump" with KT around. ;-))<br><br>
Maura O'Connell proved once again why she is simply the finest interpreter of song (of any style) in music today. She treats each and every word of a song as if it were the only word that matters and her twists and turns of the tune meld perfectly with her dynamic earthy voice. One of the highlights was when Maura was joined onstage by Rob Ickes and his elegant dobro playing during Nanci Griffith's "Trouble in the Field" -- which is as apt a song today as when it was written many years ago. All I can say about Rob is Jerry Who??? ;-)) (only a joke -- hand's down now fairly lively!)<br><br>
Liz Carroll and John Doyle were as unbelievable as ever. Liz and JD started with "Paddy Glackin's Trip to Dingle" and reached Mars by the end of their set. As someone who had the pleasure and great luck of growing up playing music with Liz in Chicago, I am constantly amazed and flummoxed as how she continually gets better and better and never rests on her laurels - which is probably why her back is in good shape these days - Scottish influenced accidents aside ;-)) The intensity, drive, and melodic rhythmic inventiveness of Liz and John together is something to "be-heard". Powerful powerful stuff. (Here's keeping fingers crossed that both Maura O'Connell's "Naked with Friends" and Liz and John's "Double Play" walk away with nice shiny Grammy's next week -- they both received my vote -- in full disclosure, I'm a voting member of NARAS which awards the Grammy)<br><br>
Dermot Henry, my fellow first timer to Celtic Connections was the hit of the show and received a standing ovation after his comedic yet poignant set. That say's it all. One more word (well, at least a couple) his song: "Folk and Irish Singer." Say no more, say no more. OK, then one more -- his ode to Christy Moore -- with the chorus which starts: "Chris-ty, Chris-ty, Chris-ty, Chris-ty Moo-re, you're a who-re….of a singer…" <br><br>
I truly hope that Joanie Madden gets Dermot to complete his album of self-penned songs soon. He is a Sligo/New York treasure that needs to be heard by all. (And for trad music lovers out there, a cousin of Sligo/Chicago's own Kevin "the piper" Henry)<br><br>
The dancers were fine-a-foot as one can see anywhere. The highlight within the dancing segments was by far the Chair Dance from the Step Crew which features Canadian's Dan Stacey and Jon Pilatzke along with USAer's multi-Irish dance award winners Cara Butler and Joe Dwyer preceded by the jealousy-inspiring fiddle duet of Dan and Jon with Mary Coogan wringing each glorious strain of J. Scott Skinner's waltz "Rosebud of Allenvale" which was followed by the fiddle only Jean Carignan's "Bird in the Tree" -- come on lads -- can't ye be just great at one thing like and not everything??? A??? ;-))<br><br>
The other was the dance combo set which features Pat Broaders -- oops, still stuck in China - ;-)), I mean John Doyle and me singing Tommy Sand's "When the Boys Come Rolling Home" in conjunction with Joanie Madden's great tune "The Cat's Meow" followed by a full line treble jig. Just to clarify, the highlight was the song sung by John, Joanie's tune, and the skillful (ditto award winning) dancing of Declan, Michael, Noelle, and Colleen and the Step Crewers. Ya really don't want to hear me sing like… :-))<br><br>
One of my personal pleasures of the concert was to get the chance to play a tune I wrote for the late Gwen Sale (wife of my dear friend Dennis Cahill) who hailed not that far from Glasgow. It's a tune called "Gweneen" and it was cathartic to play. I only wish Gwen was there in person to hear it. <br><br>
John Doyle did a great guitar part on the tune and that's only with a few minutes of hearing it before the concert. Also, which I nearly forgot, was the addition of John Joe Kelly on bodhran - he was playing in a tribute-to-Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh-style and joined John and I on a couple of tunes after Gweneen. Now that be a rhythm section like!!<br><br>
Overall, the Celtic Connection's Glasgow Concert Hall show will be a treasured memory for me to cherish for a long long time…<br><br>
It was a pure pleasure to take part in this with all these loving and generous friends. Thanks Joanie for having me - i'm indebted to you for making this happen!!!!<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/60439
2010-01-21T06:45:00-06:00
2010-01-21T06:45:00-06:00
(The Herald - Review) Celtic Connections Glasgow 2010 -- An Irish Homecoming
The Herald<br>
January 18 2010<br><br>
Celtic Connections<br><br>
CHERISH THE LADIES: AN IRISH HOMECOMING<br><br>
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow<br>
by Rob Adams<br><br>
***<br><br>
LIGHTNING does strike twice in the same place. Back in 1994, on their first appearance in Glasgow at the first Celtic Connections, Cherish the Ladies turned up as an unknown Irish-American band, made a huge impression, and on the basis of their performance began a continuing relationship with the festival and the city. Last night they introduced a friend who promptly gained a standing ovation and may well follow Cherish’s example in achieving honorary Glaswegianship.<br><br>
Dermot Henry’s bewildered bumpkin persona won’t be everyone’s taste – his Folk and Irish singer skit is a well-worn joke given a bit of a polish – but it obviously struck a chord with the audience here in what was an, at times, chancy balance between sentimental Oirish get together for old times sake and sharper than sharp celebration of the traditional arts.<br><br>
Cherish the Ladies themselves have moved on considerably, personnel-wise, since that first gig. Four of the six musicians involved actually come from this side of the pond and while that gives a stronger native Irish accent to some of the material, their essential recipe of music, song and dance remains the same.<br><br>
Musically, there were <i><b>particularly strong contributions from their guests, fiddler Liz Carroll and accordionist Jimmy Keane</b></i>, and songwise, Henry apart, there was a striking contrast between Michelle Burke’s sweet singing and another guest, Maura O’Connell’s more lived-in tones.<br><br>
But it was the dancers who particularly caught the eye and ear, with Dan Stacey following a spectacular solo tapped entry with a Quebecois-style chair dancing quartet that should have carried a “don’t try this at home” warning.<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61096
2009-12-02T06:05:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:40-06:00
To God...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0c25fde2701fdc806884dd56dbafab656a1820ea/original/To-God.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="167" width="300" /><br>
There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.<br><br>
One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.<br><br>
The letter read:<br><br>
Dear God,<br><br>
I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension.<br><br>
Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension payment.<br><br>
Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with, have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?<br><br>
Sincerely, Edna<br><br>
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars.<br><br>
By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman..<br><br><br>
The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.<br><br>
Christmas came and went. <br><br>
A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God. <br><br>
All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened.<br><br>
It read:<br><br>
Dear God,<br><br>
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? <br><br>
Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.<br><br>
By the way, there was $4 missing. <br><br>
I think it might have been those bastards at the post office.<br><br>
Sincerely, Edna <br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61097
2009-11-26T06:10:00-06:00
2009-11-26T06:10:00-06:00
Euro-English
(got this from Dennis Cahill)<br><br>
The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.<br><br>
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as 'Euro-English'.<br><br>
In the first year, 's' will replace the soft 'c'. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard 'c' will be dropped in favour of 'k'. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. <br><br>
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced with 'f'. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.<br><br>
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.<br><br>
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.<br><br>
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent 'e' in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.<br><br>
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' with 'z' and 'w' with 'v'.<br><br>
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vordskontaining 'ou' and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.<br><br>
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.<br><br>
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61153
2009-11-05T07:15:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:40-06:00
Joe Burke archive...
The one and only Joe Burke...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/b417cccdc2abcc090a86b5ddd2a38f1d1bc0a625/original/Joe-Burke.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="395" width="300" /> <br>
The Joe Burke <a target="_new" href="http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/joeburke/">archive</a> is now open...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61154
2009-10-23T08:15:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:40-06:00
Martin Hayes on Tradition...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3c881c6849988f2fa3b5884de49ef86d092246ac/original/Martin_hayes.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="270" width="217" /><br><br>
Fiddle-player Martin Hayes on traditional music in the twenty-first century<br><br>
Like most other musicians, I have a lot of strong feelings and beliefs about music that I would rarely share unless I felt safe in doing so. I grew up listening to people with hugely strong opinions on what was good, and what was bad – people like my father, Peter O’Loughlin, Martin Rochford and Paddy Canny. They didn’t even say ‘good’ or ‘bad’, they said right or wrong!<br><br>
When I started to play, as a child, I didn’t have any clear opinion about what was traditional or what was not traditional. In fact, my musical vision centered around whatever musicians I heard and whatever records I had in my collection. I wasn’t even aware of such a thing as an East Clare style of fiddle playing until I went to West Clare – but I did then begin to make that distinction.<br><br>
As a child I didn’t like Sliabh Luachra music, and I didn’t like Donegal music. This was to become a deep moral issue for me; I adhered quite strictly to what I was familiar with musically and it took me until I was an adult to actually come around to understanding what Donegal music is and what Sliabh Luachra music is – and this is after having played obsessively throughout my teenage years.<br><br>
Though I did, of course, come to an understanding of these styles, it was a long time before the Donegal fiddle player Johnny Doherty made sense to me, and the music of Tommy Peoples at first felt harsh to my ears. It just wasn’t appealing according to the aesthetics of East Clare at the time, though I began to slowly recognise a kind of stark high loneliness in the music and a kind of tension and a beauty. That, for me, was stepping outside; my first ‘stepping outside’ musically was to embrace things that were already part of the tradition. This indicated to me that we have a diverse and sometimes aesthetically conflicting tradition. In other words, this tradition is actually a combination of many traditions.<br><br>
Adamantly traditional<br>
At the age of twenty-one I moved to the United States. Being from East Clare really didn’t matter so much in Chicago. In fact, being from Ireland wasn’t even that significant. Slowly, I began to embrace and think about other forms of music, and I have thought deeply about music ever since. I have come to many conclusions, through an ever-expanding experience of embracing ever-wider fields of ideas that I find applicable to this music.<br><br>
And yet, I remain, I think, adamantly traditional, at least by the standards that I would like to see define the tradition.<br><br>
I left Ireland as a result of some foolhardy business ideas that I had at the time, which left me paying off the bank manager in Tulla. Being in America without a Green Card meant there was just a couple of options: one was hauling lumber (that lasted for about nine months), and the other was playing in a lounge bar on the south side of Chicago where the musical choice was either Neil Diamond or ‘Danny Boy’. I went down the ‘Danny Boy’ route.<br><br>
At all times I realised I was playing music that I would have previously dismissed, and yet I was forced to do it, and learned to be humble about it. I actually began to enjoy doing some of the stuff, as ridiculous as it might seem. I played in wedding bands, rock ‘n’ roll bands, had an electric fiddle and grew my hair just to fit in.<br><br>
Eventually I got tired of this. Having found that fate had cast me in a situation of earning my income as a musician, I decided to play the music that meant something to me. I felt some level of guilt around the whole issue of performance as a profession, believing that there was very little of it in our tradition and that it had, in some respects, a distorting influence. I grappled with that.<br><br>
The truth, however, is that performance has always been a part of the tradition, even if only in small intimate settings where only a few, or even one, was listening – or even if nobody was listening. I believe that to play the music is to perform it – you respond to circumstances, whether it be in front of a large audience or privately for oneself. I don’t think that the ultimate purity comes from ignoring the circumstances or ignoring the audience as a distorting influence, but rather that there is an artistic lack of integrity in not trying to reach toward the listener.<br><br>
When you become a professional musician there are a lot of responsibilities that you have to take heed of. For example, when a person books a concert for me in, say, Holland. In such a case, I would feel a responsibility to this person; I would feel a responsibility to the tradition; I would feel a responsibility to an audience; I would feel a responsibility to myself; I would feel a responsibility to the musicians that I got the music from. When you start brining together all these responsibilities, there is a degree of compromise that has to be reached. In many ways, the question of authenticity then becomes a personal one in which you have to do your best to balance these various ethical matters. I’ve often felt that in previous debates regarding traditional music people didn’t truly understand the life experience and dilemmas that are involved in navigating these choices, and that judgments of musicians in these situations can be overly simplistic and sometimes unnecessarily harsh. <br><br>
Tradition and authenticity<br>
When I think of what is good traditional music I’m back to people like Martin Rochford. I’m back to that very beginning point. I know what people like him felt good music was, though it is a highly subjective thing. I remember looking at Fleadh Ceol adjudication sheets and fifty per cent of the marks went, I think, for something called ‘tradition’. That should really be called ‘subjective opinion’, for that is what good music amounts to in many ways. It amounts to whether one can in fact respond to it. The word ‘tradition’ is loaded. The tradition in Donegal is different from the tradition in Clare, as is the tradition in West Kerry and East Kerry – everywhere you go is different. Even people from the same musical region will often have widely divergent views of what their particular tradition is.<br><br>
If we substitute the word ‘authentic’ for the word ‘tradition’ we might be moving towards something that may be sufficiently comprehensive to embrace a wider and more musical definition of Irish ‘traditional’ music. Authenticity might mean representing the voice of your forebears. In some minds it could also be considered authentic to recreate music by a process of mimicry. But it is also authentic to be yourself, completely, as an artist, as a human being. Following your deepest artistic impulses while being informed by, and being respectful of, the tradition from which you come is, in my opinion, an authentic musical path in this music.<br><br>
However, there are a few authenticities in conflict with each other here right away. The question is now wider and more complex and cannot be easily resolved by simple definitions of what is good or bad traditional music. As the priests taught us in school: you have to have an informed conscience. The morality of your musical choices are dependent on how much you already know. If you play ‘bad’ music, and you don’t know the difference between it and good, then you’re doing fine. It is only when you know better and don’t act accordingly that you’re actually walking into the grey, moral territory in traditional music.<br><br>
There is also ‘the muse’ – the intangible aspect of music, the source of inspiration, the key motivating force. In most discussions this is left out because it does not fall within the accepted criteria. Is it traditional or acceptable to talk about the Zen of fiddle playing? Well, I would argue that it is. How do we talk of heart, of draíocht, of feeling, of a deep spiritual meaning in music? Even though there is no precedent for the music of Tommy Potts can we say his music is traditional or not? I would argue vehemently that it is traditional.<br><br>
I would like to argue against an often unquestioned assumption, which suggests that what we most commonly hear played as traditional music should, by an act of simple democracy, define the parameters. I would prefer to focus on those I consider the masters – the true innovators in music – and define the music by people such as Tommy Potts, Willy Clancy, Johnny Doherty, and Pádraig O’Keeffe, rather than by what I normally hear in a session, which is how we tend to define it now. We need to take a few steps backward and examine what is now mainstream Irish music and see how we got to this point. <br><br>
More than dogma and repetition<br>
It might not be so obvious when you live in Ireland, but when you live in Seattle, you become very aware of how insular thought can be around issues to do with traditional music, what I would call ‘cultural nationalism’. It gets confused because the music in itself, though it does clearly suggest, in some sense, our identity, in other ways it is actually just pure music. There are, therefore, issues of national identity battling against the forces of creative musical expression.<br><br>
I would like to move it onto the plain of just pure music and assume that we now have a universal acceptance that our national identity is both diverse and secure. This is not to say that our music is not reflective of our past or of some essential part of our national psyche. However, we are treating the music as an unruly teenager to whom we are unwilling to offer full independence lest it not adhere to some static notion of what the tradition is. That fear exists because the context that created the music, that nourished it, that even brought the revival movement of this music into existence, all of these things have, in some sense, almost run their course and we now no longer have the cultural environment that created this music. The passing on of the tradition has to involve more than dogma and repetition. It must now also include some of the universals that are part of any artistic journey.<br><br>
I teach workshops in various corners of the world and I go to great pains to explain to the students that the people in Ennis can also watch CNN and order in pizza. In fact, these students abroad that I teach can get all the latest recordings, chat on the internet, subscribe to magazines, turn up at the Willy Clancy week every summer and be equally well informed and engaged as anybody in Clare. Though I can’t statistically offer any facts for this, I think that there are presently so many traditional musicians in the United States, the UK, Australia, Canada, Tokyo, and around the world, that it is possible that there are more traditional musicians residing outside Ireland than within.<br><br>
I often think about the evolution of jazz music in the United States in relation to the learning of traditional music. It went through something similar to Irish music, but only just a few decades ahead. There was a point when most of the mainstream media was dismissing jazz as some kind of un-thought-out, intellectually deficient music, but now there is widespread acceptance of it. Virtually every music school has a jazz department and, in fact, some would argue that they have figured out how to reproduce this music in an almost assembly line manner. The problem now is that much of the music played can be without depth of expression. There are people who can play like John Coltrane, but they haven’t undertaken the journey that John Coltrane did, so it doesn’t feel the same. That’s why it doesn’t feel the same if some band today is exactly like the Bothy Band. If we put Ceoltóirí Chualann on stage today, it would not sound as good to us because it wouldn’t be breaking any ground. It wouldn’t be changing anything.<br><br>
In our understanding of developments in music we have to take the visionary spirit and the creative imagination of the artist more seriously than the end product of their creativity. It is the driving creative imagination of John Coltrane or Seán Ó Riada that we should be emulating. It may be more important to understand how they navigated their uncharted roads as artists than to try and draw conclusions from their artistic output. Every artist has to speak from the depth of his/her soul and that goes for artists that come out of a proscribed tradition as much as it does for artists in genres where personal creative expression is the norm. <br><br>
Why I do what I do<br>
As a professional musician I have to grapple with what the value of traditional music is. I haven’t much interest in religion, but I do have a deep interest in spirituality. I have had to try and rationalise what my position in music is – why I do what I do, other than to make a living, because that would be, in a way, a kind of a misuse of it. But I’ve often felt that the only clear thing I can offer as a performing musician is to actually enliven the spirits of the people that are there with me for that period of time.<br><br>
In other words, I don’t have a long-held agenda. I don’t have a big plan to change Irish music or to move anything in radical directions. I can only go deep into a musical experience at that particular moment when I play and to bring people into it with me. I am very proud of this music and the strengths and qualities in it, and I am very aware that it does cross boundaries. The notion that I once grew up with, that only certain people could understand this music, is no longer true. What is lacking in the music, however, is some discourse, some criteria for performing it, some rationale, some basis by which we can decide what is good and what is right and what is the way to go about it. I once read a book called Zen and the Art of Archery. In many ways it reflects, in a universal sense, what it takes to engage in an act of performance, how one must truly engage in the most committed manner possible. That kind of thought has been very important to me. It is important that what is offered from a performance is something that truly reaches the heart of people, that it moves people in a deep way.<br><br>
That is performance. Traditional music ‘sessions’ are another thing. I don’t turn up at sessions very often, usually because I’m afraid I won’t like it, and that people will expect me to play all night! I did organise sessions in Chicago when I lived there. I found out that it wasn’t always about making good music.<br><br>
I would get people together to play at whatever level suited them, and usually I found that the lowest level was the best level to play at. I got people into a kind of communion, and I became very engaged in the concept of community, in the concept of people feeling united in their music. I was very concerned that we didn’t get too caught up in trying to make it the highest musical experience possible. It could get there. Sometimes it would get there for just five minutes a night. <br><br>
Tradition and aspiration<br>
As a teenager I remember an occasion when I was alone, walking down one of the roads not so far from our house after counting cattle. I remember thinking about the music of that locality and thinking that nobody will ever want to hear it. Nobody, I thought, will ever want to hear Joe Bane play because a lot of hiss comes out of the whistle when he plays, a lot of bad tone comes out, a lot of intonation issues, a lot of getting tunes wrong.<br><br>
The outward shell of this music, however, was just a reflection of the musical aspiration; as with any artistic expression, the message is often more significant than the artistic vehicle. They spoke their inner aspirations through the musical vernacular of their locality with a naive innocence and purity that the most accomplished of artists have a hard time achieving. This music wasn’t widely appreciated because they played in a local, almost personal, vernacular and the outward form wasn’t often very refined. The musical voices of Martin Rochford, Joe Bane, Bill Malley, Junior Crehan and Bobby Casey, were, however, personally very important to me. I sometimes enjoyed it more when Martin Rochford sang a tune into my ear or when he talked about it, than when he played. I got a strong sense of his musical aspiration this way.<br><br>
John Naughton came to the house a lot when I was a child, so did Tommy Potts, and various other people. There were always high moments, moments of communion between the listener and the player. There were high moments that the performer had no control over. But there were also a lot of dry stretches in between when the music was only OK. In fact, the majority of the time, that’s how it really was, but I choose to remember the special moments by which to define those people.<br><br>
I’ve chosen to hear the aspiration of Martin Rochford and Junior Crehan. I don’t copy them and I don’t copy anybody else, but I do, in a sense, define tradition as my attempt to embody their aspirations, and to follow through, to keep reaching. As an artist, unless one is reaching forward or deep within, there isn’t life in what you do. The tradition can move forward without mimicking the past, while at the same time actually emulating it in as many personal ways as there are people playing it.<br><br>
My talking about musical aspirations does not necessarily reflect where I am as a musician. These are things that I believe in. These are things that I aspire to. These are things that I very, very often do not achieve and these are things that maybe in my lifetime, I won’t achieve. But I do really feel that the first instruction I received, to play with feeling, is still the most consistent and most meaningful instruction that I’ve ever known.<br><br>
My father used to say, ‘That music has no tradition...’, or ‘This music does...’, and I often felt it was a very naïve way of expressing it, but he was entirely accurate. For him, tradition was defined, not by whether a person played in a definable traditional manner, but merely whether the echo of that feeling, that emotion, that content, that melancholy which gives it meaning, was contained in the music or not. If the music didn’t have some of those qualities, it wasn’t traditional music at all.<br><br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61155
2009-09-14T08:20:00-05:00
2009-09-14T08:20:00-05:00
...
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit.” Enough said...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61156
2009-09-13T08:25:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:40-06:00
The Beatles: remastered masterpieces...
I listened to nearly 10 and a half hours of the remastered Beatles in my studio yesterday. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/ba2eb0d69fd8f3c5316a25b7357abf9fd199decb/original/The-Beatles.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="99" width="137" /><br><br>
The reissues were sonically superior to all previous versions (and that was even after I made the transfer from disc to iTunes).<br><br>
An unbelievable group (goes without saying, but IS worth saying)<br><br>
All said and done, their songs would sound great even on wax cylinder connected to a milk pail speaker. <br><br>
If you are a Beatles fan (and really, who isn't??) definitely worth checking out...<br><br>
Now back to the "reel" music...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61094
2009-09-12T08:30:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:40-06:00
Liam Clancy & The Yellow Bittern
I was fortunate enough to spend quite a bit of time with Liam Clancy over the years - quite the man and musician. Looking forward to this documentary when it is released in the US<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/cafda1dd36d0811971717ce0031c14c6061959cc/original/Liam-Clancy.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="127" width="85" /><br><br>
----<br><br>
Last Clancy standing<br><br>
Sat, Sep 12, 2009<br>
Irish Times<br><br><br>
INTERVIEW: Before Van Morrison, before U2, Ireland (and the world) had The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. A fine new documentary by Alan Gilsenan marks out the group's sole survivor, Liam Clancy, as a storyteller of the highest calibre - and what a story, writes DONALD CLARKE <br><br>
THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL has been squatting on St Stephen's Green for more than 150 years, but, to people of a certain age, its bars and staircases always summon up memories of the 1970s. Before luxury hotels sprung up on every Dublin corner, the Shelbourne served as a vital way station for the era's key celebrities. Look: there's Richard Harris and John Huston. Is that Edna O'Brien sharing a glass with JP Donleavy? Hang around long enough and you would surely catch sight of a Clancy brother. While Van Morrison was still something of a niche act, and U2 were just shedding their bondage nappies, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem remained the closest thing the country had to a musical supergroup. They were, of course, never exactly cool. Dressed in thick jumpers and fishermen's caps, they sang the sort of ballads to which even Americans knew the words. But they were very famous indeed.<br><br>
So, the Shelbourne seems like the right place to meet the mighty Liam Clancy. Possessor of a voice that is both sweet and booming, Liam is, sadly, the last member of the group still above ground. Now, having said goodbye to Bobby, Tom and Paddy Clancy and, as recently as 2007, having lost his old mate Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy remains an avatar of a lost age. It must make a man think.<br><br>
"It's inevitable. Everything passes," he says, before reaching for an oxygen cylinder and attaching the tubes to his nose for a spell. "I am on my last legs. I need a bit of oxygen every now and then. I got this virus in California, and it attacked my immune system. It's called pulmonary fibrosis - scarring of the lungs. That's what killed my brother. There's no cure, but it seems to be moving quite slowly in my case."<br><br>
Yet it can't be denied that he looks rather fabulous. Still proudly wearing his trademark cap, his feet wriggling in the Shelbourne's slippers, Clancy is a good colour and, despite his pulmonary difficulties, he has no difficulty belting out an array of disgraceful, well- structured yarns. That talent is also on display in a fine new documentary entitled T he Yellow Bittern: The Life and Times of Liam Clancy. Alan Gilsenan's film places Liam in a huge hangar at Ardmore Studios, and sets him loose on one of the great show-business sagas.<br><br>
The youngest of the Clancy brothers - the other three of whom all served in the RAF during the second World War - Liam, now 74, was raised among the unglamorous streets of Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. Looking back, he remembers the country as being "run by Ayatollahs", and remarks that his home area had "barely changed since medieval times". It must, therefore, have been a shock to encounter an exotic American moneybags with a crate of recording equipment. Diane Guggenheim, heiress to the mining empire that bears her name, developed an enthusiasm for Irish folk music and, in the mid-1950s, toured Ireland in search of strong singers.<br><br>
Liam was swept along by her enthusiasm, and accompanied her to Armagh, where she recorded Tommy Makem's mother, the renowned folk singer Sarah Makem. Later, Guggenheim lured Clancy, whose ambitions were then in acting, to New York, and introduced him to bohemian Greenwich Village. But it soon transpired that she had developed a dangerous obsession with the young Tipperary man.<br><br>
"She was 32 and I was 19. She was twice- divorced and I had been brought up a strict Catholic," he marvels. "And, of course, I'd never come across anybody who had been deep in psychoanalysis before. Later I saw the movie Fatal Attraction, and I thought: 'Jesus, that's what I went through with Diane.' Except those two characters were from the same culture. At that point, the extent of my world was the rain- sodden streets of Carrick-on-Suir."<br><br>
Guggenheim threatened to commit suicide when Clancy refused to have sex with her, and the unfortunate woman eventually ended up in a mental institution. By this point, Clancy, deeply disturbed by the incident, had put his acting ambitions on hold, and was allowing the lucrative distractions of folk music to lead him elsewhere.<br><br>
"Tommy Makem had gone to New Hampshire, working on the cotton mills," he explains. "We had agreed to meet later in New York, and get into acting. We eventually got a job together playing two priests. Then, while we were doing that, a club opened called The Fifth Peg, later known as Gerde's Folk City. Now, whereas acting paid $45 a week, we got $125 for singing a few songs. There's no choice there."<br><br>
In The Yellow Bittern we hear how, in later years, following innumerable fallings out between the group, Tommy Makem became a somewhat austere fellow. The impression given is that he was the puritanical northerner to the Clancys' more dissolute Munster men.<br><br>
"Ah no. That only emerged later on," he says slightly sadly. "He was as devil-may-care as the rest. He was a joker, always great fun. He got serious somewhere along the line."<br><br>
Gerde's Folk City was the club where Bob Dylan played his first professional gig, and the great man is quoted on the poster of The Yellow Bittern , describing Liam as "the best ballad singer I ever heard in my life". It was, however, as part of a group that Clancy finally encountered proper fame. He had never known his older brothers as adults and, when he met up with them in New York, he was slightly appalled to discover that they had American accents. Still, he plugged his ears, and, with Makem in tow, became part of the world-conquering The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.<br><br>
Their big break came in 1961, during an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show . The headline act cancelled and, originally booked to do just two songs, the group stormed their way through a triumphant 20-minute set. A year later, the boys sold out Carnegie Hall.<br><br>
"After The Ed Sullivan Show , crowds suddenly began stopping us on the street, looking for autographs," he says. "I remember Tom looking around and saying: 'Jesus. We're f***ing famous!' Then straight into Carnegie Hall, and then a tour round England.<br><br>
"Then we branched into Australia. I remember somebody once asking if we'd planned all this. There was no time to plan. It's like we were thrown onto a raft on the Colorado rapids for 10 years. It was all we could do to keep afloat."<br><br>
The Yellow Bittern should help Liam Clancy recover some of the respect he deserves. The group recorded stirring, skull-rattling versions of songs such as Kevin Barry and Brennan on the Moor and, in the mid-1960s, their albums sold by the lorry-load in Ireland. Some more puritanical folk musicians were, however, a tad suspicious of the show-business aura that hung about them. With those jumpers and those hats, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem did conform to certain stereotypes of the stage Irishman.<br><br>
Clancy laughs good-naturedly.<br><br>
"We had a manager, Marty Erlichman," he says. "He once asked us to cut 10 minutes from our show to give this unknown girl a break: Barbra Streisand. Anyway, Marty said to us: 'I can make you stars if you do what I tell you.' We came home after Christmas and my mother had knitted these sweaters. We brought them back and Marty said: 'That's it!' You have to remember it was part of the business then. You had to have an identity. Marty insisted." Clancy goes on to explain how, much later, he received a letter from a knitwear manufacturer in Donegal who, by the mid-1960s, was preparing to emigrate. The sweater craze took off, and he was able to remain at home, marry the girl he loved and create a large family. Indeed, you might argue that all those jumper shops in Nassau Street, Dublin airport and every other Irish tourist trap would not exist if Marty had not had his sartorial brainwave. Yes, the Clancys created one ideal of the robust, cosily dressed Paddy.<br><br>
"God yeah, for years they were called Clancy Brothers sweaters," a currently sweaterless Liam says. "That's our sackcloth and ashes. I tell you, they were good for one thing: keeping the weight down. You sweated so much you never got fat."<br><br>
The Clancys may not have been cool, but, if contemporaneous records are to be believed, they could have drunk a combined force of Mötley Crüe, Black Sabbath and Lynyrd Skynyrd under the table, out the door and into the gutter. Nobody ever confused Liam Clancy with Val Doonican. "I looked at one of our set lists. I found it in an old suitcase. We once did 35 concerts in 21 nights," he says. "Of course there was a lot of drink. We'd fuel up with whiskey to get up to speed on our way to the next gig. There were a hell of a lot of parties. We were under contract to Playboy, I remember. Hugh Hefner would have these parties and there'd be all this champagne about. We were given these little champagne glasses and he'd say: 'You don't give an Irishman a glass that size.' We ended up with tankards of champagne."<br><br>
Even if you haven't heard the Clancy myth, you can probably guess where this story is heading. As the jolly 1960s mutated into the less merry 1970s, the group encountered all the usual rock'n'roll calamities. One accountant made a mess of their taxes, and his replacement only managed to get them deeper in debt. Personal feuds developed and, eventually, giving in to the pressures of work and bad living, Liam Clancy suffered a very serious breakdown. He describes the incident movingly in The Yellow Bittern .<br><br>
"It was much more than just the drink," he says. "It's something that runs in the family. I can remember, as a teenager, people saying my mother 'suffered with her nerves'. I had anxiety attacks and panic attacks. And the stress of touring brought it on again."<br><br>
He admits that, even now, he occasionally suffers from "his nerves". Still, there is no doubting that Liam Clancy is one of the great survivors. In the 1970s, broke and without a recording contract, he made his way to Canada and embarked on a notable television career. Eventually, he made up with Tommy Makem and, until 1988, the two men performed throughout the world as a successful duo. Further reconciliations came with his brothers and, in 1996, four decades after they ran into one another in New York, an incarnation of The Clancy Brothers took to the road again.<br><br>
Throughout all the glories and catastrophes, Clancy has kept a home in Ring, Co Waterford. He still lives there with his wife, and maintains that pottering about the area is the thing that has "kept him sane". Mind you, for all his eccentricities, Liam Clancy strikes me as a man with a proper sense of his place in the world. Early on in our conversation, he tells a lengthy anecdote about travelling from Alaska to Los Angeles with Tommy Makem in the early 1980s. The flight took them past an erupting Mount St Helens and, eventually, to the smog and noise of southern California.<br><br>
"You just see this liquefied, vaporised manure in the air," he says. "Then you suddenly realise there is a human settlement in there. Below you see these homes full of stars, who think the world can't get by without them. Then you are at the concert, and you, who would be this infinitesimal speck from the air, are playing before all these other specks. You have to keep that sense of perspective."<br><br>
What an impressive figure this man is. He may require oxygen to get through the day. He may not be able to sing any more. But he still looks as if he could chew the average contemporary celebrity into gristle. "I'm doing fine, for the most part," he smiles. "For a guy who's dying, I'm not doing too bad." Well, I think Liam Clancy's pretty darn cool.<br><br>
The Yellow Bittern: The Life and Times of Liam Clancy is on general release<br><br>
© 2009 The Irish Times
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61157
2009-09-08T08:40:00-05:00
2017-02-01T13:58:07-06:00
Irish Step Dancing
Two really creative uses of Irish Step Dancing featuring Suzanne Cleary & Peter Harding<br><br><div style="text-align: center; ">
<a target="_new" href="http://vimeo.com/5304629">dance one</a><br><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s51aD0_HMk&feature=player_embedded">dance two</a>
</div>
<br type="_moz">
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61159
2009-09-03T08:50:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
My longtime friend Pompilio Rosciani...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e53f5cb4812937ae30080224a2da32c97307c3de/original/Pompillio.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" width="500" />
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61158
2009-09-03T08:40:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
accordion...
Oak Lawn accordion shop owner fights to keep music playing<br>
What can Anne Romagnoli do to sell you an accordion?<br><br>
By Christopher Borrelli<br>
TRIBUNE REPORTER<br><br>
September 3, 2009<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/9c26d6b4beaf5fd982b34fddcc43714703d86942/original/Anne-Romagnoli.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="85" width="127" /><br><br>
"I am going to sell you an accordion," said Anne Romagnoli.<br><br>
"Not right -- " began the teenage boy.<br><br>
"No, listen, I've got to sell you an accordion. Why can't I sell you an accordion? You need an accordion. Look at you."<br><br>
"I know, but my accordion, it was my uncle's accordion, and, uh," he said, dissolving into mumbles.<br><br>
"You're playing a child's accordion. You need an adult's accordion. How old are you?"<br><br>
"I'm 15."<br><br>
"You're 15, and you're playing a child's accordion. What can I do to sell you an accordion?"<br><br>
Friday morning, a few days before Romagnoli's 83rd birthday, she sat behind the gray steel desk where she sits most days, cheerful despite a broken wrist, a container of cantaloupe before her, trying to sell an accordion to anyone who might wander into her Oak Lawn store, the Italo-American Accordion Co., on 95th Street. It's 94 years old, possibly older. You need an accordion? She sells accordions. You need a leather strap to shoulder that 30-pound instrument? She sells the leather straps. Need anything else? She sells nothing else. But Friday morning -- well, Friday morning was unusual, because Dovas Lietuvninkas, 15, wandered in and checked out accordions the way other kids might wander into a guitar store. "Unusual," Romagnoli whispered. "He's white, young and plays accordion. It is unusual."<br><br>
She pounced.<br><br>
Last month, she sold three accordions. Three. Last month was bad. Some months she sells 15. Once in a great while she sells double that. Lately, though, she's selling fewer than 10 a month. Four. Three. Six. Generally used.<br><br>
Everything changes. Even with accordions. The Italo-American Accordion Co. probably started in 1910, under a different family; Romagnoli's daughter Roseanne has seen vintage receipts that prove as much, she said, but her mother doubts the date.<br><br>
Anne was born a Piatanesi, the family moving to America from the tiny coastal Italian town of Castelfidardo, "where all they know is accordions," Anne said. Soon after arriving, her father, Demo Piatanesi, and his brothers Bramante and Finau joined the business and moved it from Taylor Street to 51st and Kedzie; in 1948, an accordion salesman named Joe Romagnoli, whom Anne had met in Italy, moved to the United States and married her. Two years later, he took over Italo-American, first importing from Italy, then making the accordions himself. Joe and Anne traveled throughout the 1950s with accordions in the back seat of their car, selling several hundred a month to music stores.<br><br>
But "he wasn't a businessman," Anne said, and her daughters spoke of finding unclaimed checks stuffed in drawers after his death in 1994.<br><br>
"He was an artist," Anne said. He made the accordions himself, for years, from scratch -- reeds, springs, keys, more than 2,000 parts -- until his death. "He would make just enough to sell throughout the next year," said Anne's older daughter, Joanne Hernandez, 59, who lives in Florida. Anne had her accordion school, Republic Music School, on South Kedzie, which closed in 1976 because of declining enrollment; Joe had the Italo-American Accordion Co.. "When my father died," Hernandez said, "the business just dropped in her lap, and she had to learn it on the fly. I have to give it to her, as controlling as she is, she made it profitable. Not hugely profitable, but she did all right, and she needs to be admired for that."<br><br>
"Anne is pretty much a legend," said Letticia Garfio, the leader of Vencedoras, a Mexican band from Chicago formerly known as Las Destinadas. They buy their accordions from Anne. "Her competition is small, of course. But it's a tradition, and without her accordions our music probably wouldn't be out there at all. It always seems the accordions catch all the attention with us."<br><br>
Still, the accordion business is not booming. "The market is more scattered than it was in the '50s, when the accordion was the No. 1 instrument and everyone took lessons and there were schools," said John Castiglione, whose Castiglione Accordions has been in Warren, Mich., for 79 years. "People still buy, but for all intents and purposes, you don't find stores selling just accordions."<br><br>
Anyway, this kid, this Dovas, this kid who looked as if he should be riding a skateboard, so young his older sister had to pick him up, he stopped by Italo-American to get the accordion he dropped off for repairs and stayed to sample the accordions.<br><br>
Of course, Anne pounced. "Young white kids don't have the interest now. Mexican bands, they do," she explained to a visitor. "The Eastern Europeans. The Lithuanians. This kid, his parents must have introduced a foreign element into the household." She looked at him then, the instrument tilting his thin frame forward, a shaggy head of hair falling across his brow. "Am I right?"<br><br>
He heard what she said and nodded. He explained his parents are Lithuanian. He learned to play folk songs, waltzes, at Lithuanian summer camps. He said he's the only kid he knows who can play the accordion. His sister, waiting to leave, nodded, then rolled her eyes.<br><br>
"Who do you normally see in here?" the sister asked Anne.<br><br>
Anne thought. "Serbian, Polish. A lot of Mexicans. Mexicans, mostly. Look. Enough. I'm selling you an accordion."<br><br>
"Next year," Dovas said.<br><br>
"I grew up at 55th and Kedzie," she offered, trying another way to his heart, recalling how she lived a few blocks from the old location of the Italo-American Accordion Co. "All the Lithuanians used to go to Marquette Park. You go there too?"<br><br>
"Our parents."<br><br>
"Lithuanians used to sit there playing cards and arguing."<br><br>
At that moment, through the door came a music teacher, Gloria Guido, who owns Guido's Music in Hickory Hills. She was carrying a bouquet of flowers and a yellow birthday card. She leaned over and kissed Anne and wished her happy birthday, while Pompilio Rosiani, 67, Anne's only employee, took Dovas aside, to show him electronic accordions. Anne and Guido chatted a few minutes more, then Guido kissed Anne and started to leave. "Gloria," Anne said. Guido turned. "Don't be a stranger," Anne said. "Love you," Guido said and left.<br><br>
"So," Anne said, turning back to the boy, "what you thinking?"<br><br>
"I don't have money," he said.<br><br>
"How much you got?"<br><br>
"Like $200, $300."<br><br>
"You borrow some?"<br><br>
"No," he said, smiling at her insistence, "but I'll be back, next year."<br><br>
His sister spoke up, explaining for her brother: "He works at camp, as a music teacher."<br><br>
"The money I make playing accordion," he said, "I am going to use to buy another accordion."<br><br>
Anne listened with a flat expression. "How about this black one?"<br><br>
"Next year," he said.<br><br>
"Give me $300."<br><br>
"Next year."<br><br>
"We'll see."<br><br>
It seems every now and then this newspaper checks in on Anne Romagnoli. Once, back in 1990, when her husband was alive. Once, a few years after that, after Joe had died and Anne took over, moving the Italo-American Accordion Co. from 51st and Kedzie to Oak Lawn. And once in 2005, to see how Anne was doing, nearly a decade later. This time, we were mostly wondering how an accordion business stays afloat in a recession, and whether the news that the Grammys would no longer recognize polka music had dealt a blow -- at least to morale.<br><br>
Turns out, Anne didn't know about the Grammys.<br><br>
But she smiled tightly at the news and shook her head. "I knew," said Roseanne, her younger daughter, 57, then, changing the subject, "Hey, want to see where old accordions go to die?" She led a visitor past the workroom into a long, cavernous space, holding rows of corroded accordions. The Italo-American Accordion Co. makes most of its profit on repairs, Roseanne explained, for older people who find an accordion in the back of their closet and try to nurse it back to health.<br><br>
Accordions are no longer made at Italo-American. It's a nostalgic business now, holding back inevitable decay.<br><br>
Said Juliano Milo, a Belgrade-born accordion player who used to teach the instrument at the Old Town School of Folk Music, "We need that place. You have an accordion, it breaks, what choice do you have but see Anne?"<br><br>
Said Ron Grenda, of the Chicago Accordion Club, "I wish I had the money, I'd buy it and move it close to where I live."<br><br>
Said Joanne, Anne's daughter, "To this day my mother calls to ask, 'Did you play accordion today?' I'm like, 'Yeah, Ma, I played accordion -- first thing in the morning!' I mean, my mother, she wants this to go on forever and ever. She thinks it's her obligation to the American public to keep it alive."<br><br>
For years, Anne's daughters have asked her to retire. "Retire to what?" Anne asked. "What do you do with all this stuff?"<br><br>
She changes the subject. She points at the showroom, at accordions in sparkling Mexican-flag colors and accordions in funereal hues, with names such Cordovo and Monterrey. She's unsteady these days, so she pulled herself across the room by her heels, the wheels beneath her chair squeaking. She took an accordion from a shelf and pointed at its serial number -- 103-49. "That means this was the 103rd accordion made by Italo-American in 1949." Then she began to play, maybe 20 seconds of a happy song, nothing in particular, the instrument tight against her chest, her chin resting on the edge. Rosiani stepped from the repair room: "Hey, Lawrence."<br><br>
"Lawrence?"<br><br>
"Welk."<br><br>
Anne gave a deadpan look. Then she returned to a conversation she'd been having an hour before. "Look, what else can I tell you? If you have an old accordion, put life into it. The accordion is a happy thing. There is no other instrument this self-sufficient. You play guitar, you need people. But you can take an accordion to a picnic. You can't take a trumpet to a picnic! Not that it matters. I run an accordion company, and my great-grandson, he gets a guitar for Christmas. You believe that? Nice, huh?"<br><br>
"Mom," Roseanne said, "give kids what they want."<br><br>
"How do they know what they want?" Anne asked, then turned to a visitor. "Listen, I'll play it again. Someone comes in and wants me to play them a song, I always play them a song. I have a broken wrist, but I will play them a song. What else can I do?"<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61160
2009-08-16T08:55:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
The Piano Accordion
Long time since I posted anything -- I did say it would be sporadic -- but I came across this article written by fellow (and she not be a fella) accordion player Edel McLaughlin. A good read and I get a mention... Thanks Edel!!<br>------<br>THE PIANO BOX: PRESSING ON<br>EDEL MCLAUGHLIN<br>Journal of Irish Music / January 2006<br>Changing attitudes towards the piano accordion in Irish traditional music.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/50dc13ff2d5e53937ac1dd161adba9c5bf9ea990/original/the-jmi-cover.gif?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="125" width="107" /><br><br>The piano accordion – or piano box – has provoked a variety of reactions over the years within Irish traditional music. Often, in the context of a session, it has suffered from negative attitudes among other musicians, resulting in a certain stigma attached to playing the instrument. I have encountered fellow musicians who would describe the piano box as a ‘JCB’ even before the performer has an opportunity to sound a note! However, there is evidence that attitudes may finally be changing.<br><br>The piano box has for long been in vogue with céilí bands, most notably during the 1950s and 60s. Traditional musician Tomás Ó Canainn played the piano box as his main instrument as a member of the Liverpool Céilí Band at that time. In his thirties, however, Tomás encountered Seán Ó Riada at University College Cork. Ó Riada had a strong influence on Ó Canainn’s decision to abandon his accordion in favour of a more ‘acceptable’ traditional instrument, the uilleann pipes, the instrument with which Ó Canainn is most strongly associated today.<br><br>Ó Riada had dogmatic opinions concerning the use of piano accordion within traditional music. In his 1960s radio series Our Musical Heritage he claimed that all accordion players were affected, in some way, by laziness! The focus of his argument was that, unlike playing a fiddle or flute, for example, where the performer creates the sound they produce, an accordion player can simply press a key to produce a musical sound. This to him meant the accordion was an ‘inauthentic’ instrument. He openly stated his contempt for the so-called mechanical nature of the piano accordion, and described the instrument as ‘the greatest abomination of them all…’, concluding that ‘Nothing could be further from the spirit of Irish music.’<br><br>In his preface to the printed version of the lectures, Tomás Ó Canainn mentioned how the harsh nature of the above statements caused ructions among many accordionists at the time. Interestingly, Ó Canainn shares his experience of confronting Ó Riada on the subject, whose simple response was that sometimes one must overstate their argument in order to make sure their voice is heard. At this point, I could remind readers that Ó Riada himself chose to play the harpsichord as his instrument within Ceoltóirí Cualann – his ‘ideal’ traditional ensemble. In a similar vein to the accordion, the harpsichord produces sound when the performer presses a key on the keyboard. In this way, the mechanical nature of the harpsichord is not unlike the accordion. It seems to me that, in this case, Ó Riada contradicted his theory of traditional music with his practice.<br><br>As an experienced piano-box player myself, I feel that the piano accordion is accepted much more widely in some places rather than others. For example, it is largely accepted by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The piano accordion features alongside other instruments in terms of their annual Fleadh Cheoil competitions and Scoil Éigse workshops, as well as their examinations and the teacher-training programme, Teastas i dTeagasc Ceolta Tíre. It could be said that the piano box is not fully recognised in that it is not often represented on CCÉ tours – which do in fact cater for button accordion and concertina – but overall CCÉ has to receive credit for a largely positive attitude towards the piano box. On the other hand, the piano accordion is still not an instrument that is taught at the Willie Clancy Summer School, which suggests the organisers of the festival do not recognise the piano accordion as an instrument worthy of teaching.<br><br>Changes in attitude towards the use of piano accordion have come about, however, as a result of the work of some excellent soloists and some recent recordings on the instrument. Names such as Alan Kelly, Jimmy Keane, Mirella Murray, Phil Cunningham and Karen Tweed spring to mind for their brilliant contributions to the body of recorded piano-box music. What makes these performers stand out is the way in which they approach the instrument as a means of expressing their musicality. They display an admirable degree of knowledge and appreciation of the sensitivity of the instrument. Their box playing is subtle yet powerful; confident yet not forceful in its nature. These musicians know their instrument well; they have control over its capabilities and know its downfalls. They will negotiate elements such as bellow movement, volume, tone and rhythm in order to create the best possible sound. Group recordings of bands such as Capercaillie (Donald Shaw), Flook (Sarah Allen), The Border Collies (Declan Payne) and Danú (Ciarán Ó Gealbháin) must also be mentioned for the part they have played, as should those who as teachers have done trojan work at local level – Martin Power (Cork), Michael Tennyson (Leeds), Mary Finn (Sligo), and Paul Harrigan (Donegal). Up and coming players are also emerging fast, including Martin Tourish from Donegal who has just released an impressive debut recording.<br><br>Although it was once deemed to be an unacceptable instrument that was foreign to the concept of a ‘traditional’ style of playing, the piano accordion has endured a difficult journey whereby it now sits much more comfortably within traditional music practice. The stigma once associated with the use of the instrument has faded and has been replaced by a broader mindset, which promotes inclusion as opposed to exclusion. Considering the high level of success these soloists and recordings have already achieved, we are clearly currently witnessing the beginning of a new era for the piano box.
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61165
2008-12-10T08:25:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
foe-tog-ra-fee?
Dennis Cahill has become quite the photographer of late. He had his newest pocket camera with him last week at the Tuesday session at Chief O'Neill's. Its one of the new formats called "Micro Four Thirds System" - I think Dennis picked up the Olympus version. It is basically a mini S.L.R. camera <br><br>
Here is a snap I took of Dennis (by accident if you must know):<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/bb6f2f7a7162864e516b27dc2c3ee6d5ef81ac09/original/Dennis-Cahill-Ho-Ho-Ho-taken-by-me.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="288" width="288" /><br><br>
He is using it as his jolly looking Christmas card. (I like the empty chair to his left). <br><br>
Dennis took this one with his camera (on purpose) calling it "end of session." The water is mine and the whisky to the man behind the lens.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/ad3346c4ca8eec4bd028d420875927a32967a73a/original/endofthesession-Dec-2008.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="255" width="300" /><br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61299
2008-12-08T10:15:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
got yours?
Had a brilliant evening with Joanie Madden and the ladies from Cherish the Ladies (Mary Coogan, Roisin Dillon, Mirella Murray, KT Boyle, and Michelle Burke) along with the dancing crew including Joe Dwyer and Cara Butler, and soundman John Murray. My bohola bandmate Pat Broaders (and his wife Sara) were also in company for the show and after's. CTL performed their Christmas show in Park Forest at the Freedom Hall Theatre, which is a lovely place. The Christmas show was great fun itself with the Ladies playing and performing in stellar fashion. The chat we all had afterward in a hidden treasure of a pub called Freeh's Again in nearby Matteson was a complete blast!<br><br>
Joanie told me that her family received a letter of thanks from two of the recipients of her late Dad Joe's eye's which went to two blind people who now have regained sight. A marvelous thing and something that we should all consider in our life plans. More information is available here <br><br>
Years ago I was playing in the second location of the Emerald Isle Pub in Chicago with the late Mike Deignan, founder of the Irish Minstrels. We were in the middle of a set of tunes and I happened to open my eyes while playing, and lo and behold, there was this elderly gentleman weaving his way towards the stage (an apparent victim of half a dozen too many martini's) with the thumb of his right held up over a clinched fist as if he were a camera man scoping out his next shot. He eventually twisted his way to stage where he leaned over and gently placed his thumb on the front of my accordion, smiled, and wove his way back to bar. When I finished playing that set, I took the accordion off and there was this small round orange sticker with the words Organ Donor...<br><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3f6c808da36ee89ee09cef2f805dd8079652e566/original/orange-dot.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="100" width="100" /></div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61260
2008-11-30T10:20:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
da Smithereens...
Met up with long-time friend Mike Courtney last night in the city. Turns out Mike had an extra ticket to see the Smithereens at the Beverly Arts Center which he kindly talked me into going. A double first time for me. The center itself is one of them modern glass and brick jobeen's with multi-wings over two floors. The 400 seat theater is very comfortable with great sightlines from any point. Acoustically I think it is just a bit too boxy for loud rock music but it would be a grand room for more acoustic based music. Thanks to Mike we had fifth row seats so we got the full blast from the Marshall & Ampeg stacks and the full Pearl drum kit along with the eight dual onstage monitors. (We were too close to the stage to tell, but I imagine it was as loud on stage as it was in the house if not louder...)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/d0420ae9aa50cdc8543acec1b666e95aecc10681/original/da-smithereens.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><br><br>
Anyway, for the first time seeing/hearing the Smithereen's live, I was quite impressed. It was good old fashioned solid straight forward rock without any of the modern pretenses. And they are definitely a man band -- not a boy band ;-) Nice and steady rhythms laid down by the brilliant drummer Dennis Diken -- for any of you inspiring rock drummers out there he'd be a great role model for you. They rolled out their hits including their #1 Billboard single "Only a Memory" and capped the night with "A Girl Like You." They also threw in a couple of original christmas songs, and for fun, Elvis' version of "Blue Christmas," and Chuck Berry's version of "Run Rudolph Run." Pat DiNizio is an affable front man and an earnest singer who would make a great next door neighbor. Definitely would see them again -- in a larger rock venue or a small rock club. Thanks Courts!<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61161
2008-11-14T08:00:00-06:00
2008-11-14T08:00:00-06:00
Joe Madden
Joe Madden died on Friday, November 14, 2008, five days after a tragic fall at his home. Joe is Joanie's Dad. I first met him shortly after meeting Joanie well over thirty years ago. He was a wholeheartedly nice man and a great musician -- always with the warm powerful handshake, quick smile and abundance of kind words. <br><br>
I know only too well the pain that Joanie and her family are going through right now. I went through the same thing when my Dad, Jimmy "Horse" Keane, died in a construction accident nearly twenty years ago. After meeting the rest of Joanie's siblings, I know they have the fortitude to carry on albeit with a big part of their hearts missing...<br><br>
Years ago Mick Moloney asked me and the "Horse," to take part in a Father's and Daughter's concert held in NYC -- we were the token father/son combination to appear on stage along with Joe & Joanie Madden, Liz & Kevin Carroll, The Mulivhill's, Mulhaires, and dozen other father/daughter combinations. It was a great night which the Horse appreciated greatly. It was also the first time that Horse met Joe -- Joanie reminded me that at a certain point the two of them went missing at the venue only to appear later with reddened cheeks from making a sizable dent in the bottle of whiskey which somehow made its way into Joe's accordion case! Two Galway men, an ironworker (Horse) and a carpenter (Joe) who both greatly loved their families and music. And both were very proud that their kids played music too. Rest in Peace Joe (and have another sup with the Horse when you see him)...<br><br>
Here is Earle Hitchner's Irish Echo article on <a target="_new" href="/files/22702/Joe%20Madden%20Irish%20Echo.pdf">Joe</a>...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61227
2008-11-07T10:25:00-06:00
2008-11-07T10:25:00-06:00
An Irish Homecoming...
Recently completed the first leg of a new show put together by Joanie Madden called "An Irish Homecoming." It features Joanie & Cherish the Ladies, Maura O'Connell, bohola (Pat Broaders and I), Dermot Henry, and a rake of dancers including Joe O'Dwyer and Dan Stacey. Liz Carroll and Daithi Sproule joined us for one of the performances in Orange County CA as well. Needless to stay it is a blast onstage and equally blastatious offstage. More to come in 2009 -- please check out the tour dates listed elsewhere in this site for more information! Some reviews below and in the promo section of bohola as well... <br><br><a target="_new" href="http://blog.cityfolk.org/2008/10/review-irish-homecoming.html">Cityfolk</a><br><a target="_new" href="https://www.activedayton.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/artsandentertainment/entries/2008/10/17/an_irish_homecoming.html">Dayton</a><br type="_moz">
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61306
2008-11-04T10:35:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
new day ahead...
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/9b2ca9bb191802d993859c64582a18ddaa8b87b3/medium/barack-obama-official-small.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="375" width="300" /><br><br>
It's been over 45 years since I arrived in the US along with my parents from Ireland. I still remember the afterglow of JFK being elected as President. I hope for that same afterglow tomorrow morning with the newly elected Barack Obama to lead us for the next eight years. I know my late dad Jimmy "Horse" Keane would be thinking the same thing...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/072e3330004fdbbb6c8ad4af2a36218800e383af/original/JFK.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="180" width="150" /><br type="_moz">
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61307
2008-10-02T11:40:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
welcome “back” again
(Full Disclosure: I currently work with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill as the music publishing administrator for Martin and as Dennis’ music publisher under my music publishing company Cappal Beag Music. I also am Dennis’ personal manager although he does not need much of that...) <br><br>
But, I am a music lover above all and I PURCHASE (although I do receive a lot of complimentary copies) and repeat again that golden word, PURCHASE as many of the new trad CD’s/downloads/Vulcan digital audio mind transfers that are available both here and abroad...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/55ec80c6526911a697a28a2bbe08d8c6e6743431/medium/Martin-Dennis-Welcome-Here-Again.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><br><br>
Welcome Here Again (GLCD 1233) on the revamped Green Linnet Label is Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill’s long awaited newest release. I was fortunate to hear bits and pieces of the work in progress over the past several years as well as several renditions of the “final” mixes and master (done with considerable care by mastering engineer Charlie Johnson (plug-plug) who also (plug-plug) did the recent bits of bohola series of releases. <br><br>
All biases aside, this is one brilliant recording.<br><br>
My current favorite track (and has been since hearing for the first time -- when it completely gobsmacked me) is Martin’s powerful and moving rendition of The Dear Irish Boy. Not something that will be fully appreciated while driving with the windows down, but definitely a soulful experience in a quite room with a good set of headphones or speakers. <br><br>
Dennis plays a larger tune playing role on this recording with the addition of the mandolin, part of the extended lute family (and second cousin twice removed from the upright bass, except really, really, really, smaller). <br><br>
[Note: I have a running joke with Mick Moloney for years over the mandolin, refusing to even call it a musical instrument (but freely calling it other things). At a concert in Davis Elkins College in Elkins West Virginia, I was coming off stage carrying my instrument along with Mick’s mandolin since he was still onstage announcing the next group. There was a covered grand piano backstage. It was dark. I placed the mandolin gently on the piano, except it was the curved part of the grand which does not have a part on which to place something. CRASH!!! Mick and the whole audience hushed. But alas, no mandolin was harmed in that incident nor in the writing of this blather. Needless to say, I no longer carried Mick’s mandolin -- instead, I would just kinda kick it (kindly) along the floor...]<br><br>
My fave track at present featuring Dennis and his toyolin, I mean, mandolin is P Joe’s Reel, titled after Martin’s late Dad, fiddler P.J. Hayes. Dennis really has that Clare thing down on this track and on the mando to boot!<br><br>
All joking aside, this duo has truly evolved musically from its excellent beginnings as Martin with Dennis to Martin and Dennis. <br><br>
Another interesting development on this recording is the turning back of the time clock and resurrecting the single form (one tune per track) on most of the album. In early days of recording, this was the de facto standard as the physical time constraints of wax cylinders and 78 records were about two to three minutes (although even some artists back then combined a couple of tunes into the one track).<br><br>
I have been a life long proponent and practitioner of the “long form” (combining several tunes into one track/performance; or as we do in bohola, combining multiple songs and tunes into the same track/performance set); so has Martin & Dennis in past recordings and in live performances. I am not sure what the actual intention behind this shift was/is, but I venture that it is just the natural progression (or maybe it is just our ever shortening attention spans). Whatever the reasoning, and considering the proliferation and availability of single digital downloads, it came at an appropriate time. And I do like it very much -- the notion of just exploring the one tune and then create an overall musical smorgasbord of tunes throughout the entire recording. <br><br>
[Note: There is also a music business ramification of using this method. If someone recorded a track with several tunes combined which were composed by someone other than the artist as in this example: Martin/Dennis record a track which contains a Liz Carroll tune & a Jimmy Keane tune & a Charlie Lennon tune. At the current rate for statutory mechanical royalty licensing in the US, Martin/Dennis (or in this case Green Linnet) would have to pay each of the above $.091 (a total of $.0273) from that particular track. Considering that Green Linnet would receive approximately $.70 from Apple iTunes for the $.99 sale on the track (or even less if Green Linnet were using a third party digital aggregator which supplies iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, etc with the digital downloads), that does not leave very much to pay artist royalties (usually applied to any recording advance the artist receives), marketing, distribution, overhead etc. More on this subject on another blather...]<br><br>
Martin & Dennis also took full advantage of the studio this time and created multiple layers and used a variety of instruments on each track including Martin on viola and Dennis on aforementioned “weeolin” and guitar bass.<br><br>
If you purchase only one recording this year (aside from all the bohola recordings you may not have...) Welcome Here Again is THE essential add to the Martin Hayes/Dennis Cahill library:<br>
Martin Hayes (Martin without Dennis)<br>
Under the Moon (Martin without Dennis)<br>
The Lonesome Touch (Martin & Dennis)<br>
Live in Seattle (Martin & Dennis )<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61308
2008-09-07T11:40:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
Masters of Tradition
A spectacular five days of pure music. Without a doubt, the finest traditional music festival anywhere, held in the equally impressive Bantry House, Bantry, Co. Cork.<br><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/ad8588ab8148a631caf5fdd52de9d8c3cf02b6cc/thumb/Bantry-House.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
<br>
Artistic director Martin Hayes opened the festival with a breathtaking solo set followed by a great set featuring Kerry accordionist Danny O’Mahony. The second half of the concert was performed by Micheal O Suilleabhain who was in flying finger form and played a couple of nice versions of “Lament for Limerick.” The late night concert on opening night was chaired by Waterford piper David Power, a mighty piper and a very nice man as well.<br><br>
One of the Thursday night highlights was Frankie Gavin with Steve Cooney who followed the fine solo piping set by the aforementioned David Power.<br><br>
Friday night opened with Martin’s sister Helen Hayes singing a few songs before one very nervous Jimmy Keane took the stage. <br><br>
It had been a good fifteen years since I played an unaccompanied solo set (oddly enough it was also in Cork during the Dear Old Erin’s Isle concert series held at University College Cork). At one point, my brain was telling my fingers “...play G with the middle finger, A with the fourth, G again with the third, F# with the index and back to G with the middle...”. <br><br>
Well, my fingers were having none of it! They were playing note and finger combinations which I did not think possible on my accordion nor with my hand. In the end, it was probably not even noticeable to anyone but me, but since it was noticeable to me, it made for one uncomfortable Jimmy playing onstage wishing the huge twelve foot glass courtyard doors behind me would open up and swiftly carry me up the 100 steps to the vista point behind the House. All joking aside, it was a thrilling experience which I would do again in a heartbeat. (Note to self -- play more solo sets in the future...) <br><br>
Joe Burke and Ann Conroy Burke closed the first set of the evening with both being in great form. The late show that evening featured Frankie Gavin. Galway was fully represented that evening!<br><br>
Saturday saw a much more relaxed Jimmy along with long time friends Dennis Cahill & Martin Hayes. Dennis and I opened up the late night concert before being joined by Martin for a couple of extended sets (my favorite kind as well as Martin’s).<br><br>
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61312
2008-09-04T11:55:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
closed...
While driving from Clare back up to Dublin on Monday, I was alarmed by the amount of closed (out-of-business) family owned shops and other empty for-sale commercial buildings I saw along the way, particularly in the small towns. The lashing of the Celtic Tiger’s tail perhaps? <br><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/68f7e1b41f2c4c94422d801f8c3c29d232ba564d/thumb/closed-shops.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
<br>
The new Motor-way system and redone main arteries are great to drive on, but I miss all the towns I USED to pass thru on my way throughout most of Ireland. This has to have had a great impact on the above situation. Even in Kinnegad (which has always been a traditional stop for me) had several closed business in a town that did not have that many to begin with. It is now a couple of kilometers off the M4 from my driving perspective...<br><br>
I guess I could take the now “rural” routes, but in most cases that is not an option as far as I can tell. I do drive off when I can. Maybe one day, much as we have in the States, business will start to bulk up near the main arteries and exits although it does not look like there is much room to do so on the handful of exits I did take. And more likely than not, it won’t be the mom/pops which will fill the need...<br><br>
Maybe its just part of my “imagined notion” of what Ireland is versus what it is. (I sometimes jokingly - only codding like - refer to Ireland as “Euroland”)...<br><br>
Will mull this over a bit and get back to you on Tuesday (as the contractor joke goes) but I won’t say which Tuesday...<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61311
2008-09-04T11:50:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Feakle
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/1f09debfce074b6467833b2a3bf4d28dc496ebd6/thumb/Feakle.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
<br>
Rain. Music. More Rain. More Music. Much More Rain and Music. Much Much More Music and Rain. Massive lashings of both, but the Music won out. <br><br>
Friday night’s main concert was a Clare & Galway smorgasbord with a solid foundation from Chicago. Lineup featured: <br>
Martin Hayes (fiddle) & Dennis Cahill (guitar) <br>
Frankie Gavin (fiddle) & Mairtin O’Connor (button box)<br>
Roisin Elsafty (sean-nos singer)<br>
Helen Hayes (traditional singer)<br>
All were in fine form but the highlights for me were the two duo’s. <br><br>
Frankie and Mairtin reworked some of their previous De Dannan material and each took a solo turn with Frankie playing My Lagan Love (air) and a newly composed reel he wrote for his nephew. Mairtin’s solo was the individual highlight of the evening. He is without doubt the best box player today. He performed an air entitled The Crying of the Women at the Slaughter with a break which featured a tune called Planxty Brian Haw (named after the peace protestor in London - which I believe Mairtin wrote) and two jigs: an Irish Jig song (could not catch the title) and The Black Rogue. Simply stunning.<br><br>
Their duet playing was great. The interplay between the two Galwegians contained an abundance of counter-point melodies and chordal confluence. The two were always my favorite fiddle/accordion DeDanann combination and gave solid proof that you don’t need a separate accompaniment instrument in Irish Music. It’s already in the tunes -- you just need to bring it out when playing them.<br><br>
The final act of the evening was Martin & Dennis and they showed why they are the premier duo in Irish Music -- quite possibly the best-ever fiddle and guitar combination. Ten plus years of playing together and getting tighter and more as one as the days go on. Their opening set featured a combination of tunes from the new album and some new show only material. They had the audience in their nimble hands from the first notes of the slow air Easter Snow followed by Beare Island Reel composed by (I believe) Richie Dwyer of the Dwyer Clan (Finbarr, Micheal, John). A slip jig called The Night Poor Larry was Stretched from their new “Welcome Here Again” followed by the Cavan Reel, Torn Coat, the Mountain Lark and ending with Tom Doherty’s Reel. A spectacular display. <br><br>
The remaining 30 minutes was exponentially better. At one point all that was heard in the Church was fiddle, guitar, and several hundred pairs of feet tapping the wooden floor in unison (and in perfect sync) with Martin & Dennis. Talk of performer and audience in a complete meld with the music...<br><br>
The music (and how they play it) can be misinterpreted as simple -- but its more like this version of s.i.m.p.l.e.:<br><br>
Soulful.Intelligent.Melodious.Plaintive.Lift(ing).Elaborate<br><br>
Afterward the talk outside the venue was that it was the best performance the people had heard in the last ten years than Martin & Dennis performed here. I wholeheartedly agree...<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61310
2008-09-04T11:50:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
boxes galore...
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/e36fa6c801fb2ddb528d6fd64bb63377df7f8e69/thumb/Josephine-Marsh.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="105" width="125" /></div>
Attended an interesting concert at the Glor Theatre in Ennis on Sunday night. It featured three box players, Josephine Marsh (pictured above), Derek Hickey (ex-De Dannan) and Dermot Byrne (Altan). There were accompanied by Ed Boyd (guitar) and John Jo Kelly on bodhran (Flook). It is part of a concert series featuring accordion, fiddle, banjo and singing. Glor is a nice theatre with very good sight lines, lighting and sound. <br><br>
Unfortunately, a smallish crowd was in attendance but they were very receptive to the lads and lassie.The weather (rain - what else...), Sunday night, and possibly the over abundance of free music available in Ennis (and Clare in general) may have contributed. Also, a few miles away, the closing night of the Feakle Trad Festial was in full swing<br><br>
The three box players played together and in a series of duets and solos. It was a blending of three distinct styles: Josephine (Clare), Derek (Limerick) and Dermot (Donegal). Josephine played more of the “straight man” during the trio selections with Derek and Dermot playing more harmonies and octave work on those joint selections. Nerves aside, they all played very well. The highlights were the solos, with Derek kicking off his first one with a fine rendition of an unnamed waltz he learned from box player Jackie Daly (I know the tune but cannot think of its name either). Josephine played a couple of reels (could not catch the titles but heard the tunes before) with great gusto. Dermot’s selection was a Michael McGoldrick (flute) composition (title unknown -- the MOST popular tune title...). It was one of those nicer off-kilter new tunes which was played extremely well by the box phenom. <br><br>
(Aside: I first saw Dermot play, funny enough, in Ennis at the All-Ireland Fleadh in 1977. He was only a very young kid (maybe seven or younger) on the lawn outside the Old Ground Hotel, sitting on his accordion case with the top of his red fullsize Paolo Soprani box coming up just below his eyes. His Dad (I believe) was holding the accordion straps at his back to keep the box on. Dermot’s wee fingers were barley able to get around the edge of the keyboard, but he was playing up a storm - mimicking a rake of Finbar Dwyer tunes one after another. I was astonished by his playing abilities. I must dig up that tape and post a bit of that day at some point...)<br><br>
Overall, a very good night of music. Hopefully they will join forces for another night of “box-ing” sometime down the line...<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61309
2008-09-01T11:45:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Euro, the quicker picker upper...
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/5a334a7c17d4a5acff52b0e97b89201e6d0415c6/thumb/Euro-quicker-picker-upper.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
Off the plane. No sleep. Finished dealing with the car rental company and all their “extra-bits-of-stuff-they-charge-you-on-your-prepaid-car-rental-rotten-weather-be-grand-place-if-the-put-a-roof-over-it-sign-here-and-here-and-initial-here-AND-then-try-to-downgrade-your-reserved-car-class.” Nip into the airport cafe for a cup of coffee to take to the car which has six cup-holders -- ALL in the back seat. Not a single front seat cup holder (now I know why GM is in trouble). Holding a 10 euro note in my left hand, folded around my finger like the vendors at the White Sox games. Older paper euro’s do not have the same texture as USD. They definitely feel more like a paper towel, which I just so happen to be holding in right hand to wipe the sweat from my brow. Throw out the paper towel. My turn to order. Can’t find my ten’r in the left hand that has mysteriously disappeared. Check all pockets and then chalk it up to lack of shut eye. Go ahead and order a coffee and a bagel. Pay with another bill. Finish bagel and throw wrapper into garbage can where I see my.folded 10 euro smiling up at me...<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61314
2008-08-01T12:00:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Dermot O'Brien
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/b203fd5291d3de7e3f779476420bb611f5b48981/thumb/Dermot-OBrien.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
When flying over the Ireland the other day, the late Dermot O’Brien (1932-2007) came to mind. I had the good fortune to meet Dermot a few times over the years. He was a pure gentleman and a great accordion player. He would have made a great traditional accordion player too. The showband circuit provided him with a decent living. There was not the equivalent for the trad musician at the time.<br><br>
Dermot also wrote many songs including one that entered into the aural tradition (and one of the most requested songs my dad would sing in English a la sean nos), the Connemara Rose. <br><br>
Jimmy “Horse” and Uncle Mick “Killer” Keane met Dermot too in the 1950’s at a dance in Meath. Both Jimmy and Mick were excellent boxers (and fighters too) and were always challenged by the new kids on the block (or at the bar). As you might imagine where this is going, a wee bit of a fight broke out that ended not too long after. Well, one of the defeated “new kids on the block” found himself throw in the direction of stage landing atop Dermot and his accordion inflicting enough minor damage to the box to end the show for that evening. I found out about this thru Dermot when he and Jimmy were chatting about football (Dermot was the captain of the 1957 All-Ireland Football Champions Louth) in Irish (later translated by Jimmy to me). They both had a huge laugh some thirty years later. I wonder what ever happened to the new kid on the box...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61316
2008-07-04T12:05:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
ya like mo dawgs...
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/a32b068e9a2c2b7a988b343e83ad0e9df7704ef8/medium/Bailey-on-carpet.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /></div>
This is Bailey, he would like to be the boss, but no way with Allie around. Bailey is our foster dog and has been with us for about a year now. Bailey does not like loud noises but he seems OK with the accordion -- or maybe he is just tone deaf. Might make a good record company executive...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61315
2008-07-04T12:05:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
ya like dawgs...
This is the boss Allie on her vacation in Mackinaw City/Island this past 4th of July. Allie just turned seven a month ago. She is in resting mode awaiting her walk/run/jog. Its the calm before the storm...
<div style="text-align: center; "> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/3cb27bd3d5ea19c7c7222e0ca8a8f2f15e4702af/medium/Allie-on-bed.jpg?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" />
</div>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61320
2008-04-01T12:15:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Ireland
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/b9062d2fce9cb4d5cc91dd5f5d1b7ad64f8cd647/thumb/map-of-ireland.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
For those of you who have not been in a long time (or ever) you will hardly recognize the place. Motorways chris crossing the country and encircling towns, round-a-bouts within round-a-bouts WITH traffic lights (asphalt crop circles), travel times as bad (if not worse) than Chicagoland, drive thru fast food places, 24 hour shops, broadband everywhere... <br><br>
But with all the changes, there are still not too many places where you’d see an ass & cart following a line of BMW’s and Mercedes in the traffic circle dance of the morning and upon my return to Limerick city a horse & buggy mixed in with the lorries (semi’s)! A wonderful sight!<br><br>
The smiling face that greets you at the shop, restaurant, hotel is more likely to be Polish, Eastern European, African etc.,. than Irish. The language stew is a blast -- imagine a native Polish speaker with slightly broken English exclaiming an East Clare induced “Janie Mac” or “Ya knoooow wat I mean like”?<br><br>
Makes me feel like I never left Chicago...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61319
2008-04-01T12:15:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Pride of the West
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/0e8a926923c73212263c16ce74d1cad8369e32e2/medium/Pride-of-the-West.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="225" width="300" /></div>
Just purchased a copy of a brilliant duet recording called “Pride of the West” with John Wynne (flute) and John McEvoy (fiddle) now available on CIC Records. I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing John Wynne on Friday Dec 7 during a two hour special Christmas show taping of Martin Donohoe’s Shannonside Radio Program due for broadcast on Christmas Day. More on that later... Anyway, I had met John McEvoy over thirty years ago in Dublin performing with his sister Catherine (flute) upstairs at Slattery’s. That was brilliant duet playing then and even more so now with Wynne & McEvoy. It ranks up there with my benchmark duet recording of “A Tribute to Michael Coleman” with Joe Burke and the late Andy McGann. That being said, both of the recordings would not be the same without the unrivaled “backers” on those respective recordings: Arty McGlynn on the former and Felix Dolan on the latter...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61318
2008-04-01T12:10:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Martin Donohoe
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/59522b8a93e3472a8b28c30873a64d30de7dfc26/thumb/Martin-Donohoe.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
Martin Donohoe is one of the most interesting, nicest, and hardest working musicians I had the honor of meeting in ages. I believe Martin has single handedly revitalized music in Cavan and for that matter, well beyond it’s borders with his constant promotion and boosting of the music and the musicians fortunate enough to fall into his wake. With all his tireless work in helping others, it is his own music and playing which is really the important thing here. He has a unique style and does not follow conventional button box playing (whatever that’s suppose to mean): it’s lively and wild but with a sense of purpose and direction. Check out his latest recording called Tasty Touches. I am sure you will know what I mean after even a brief listening...
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61317
2008-04-01T12:10:00-05:00
2017-01-14T13:15:42-06:00
Brendan Mulkere
<div style="text-align: center; "><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/05cf034b23e13ceef6b686d08aa177559ab25c93/thumb/Brendan-Mulkere.jpg?1373903697" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="94" width="125" /></div>
Spent a couple of days with my dear old friend Brendan Mulkere over from London at his home in Clare. I first met Brendan in 1977 when I ventured over to London after a successful win at the Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis for a two day weekend to visit my relations. That weekend stretched out to nearly a year. Brendan was teaching several hundred kids Irish music at the time all over London and beyond. Some of his students around that time included multi-instrumentalist John Carty and accordionist John Whelan. I ended up teaching a wee bit for Brendan but spent more time playing along with Brendan and the roving cast of musicians all over greater London and Ireland...<br><br><br>
We chatted for several hours and played music at his house for a few hours too. Also had a couple of tunes with Brendan, Tim Collins (concertina), Diarmuid O’Brien (fiddle), Sean Keegan (banjo) last night in Crusheen
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61164
2008-02-02T08:10:00-06:00
2017-01-14T13:15:41-06:00
What type of accordion(s) does Jimmy Keane play?
I currently play a custom-made* Italian accordion which I branded Cappal and has the following:<br>
4 sets of hand made middle reeds (no treble couplers)<br>
46 treble keys (starting on a low C)<br>
120 bass<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/59919/4329e3252f225342526349a9705a9b104c337f75/medium/crooked-JK-accordion-pic.png?1373903696" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="297" width="300" /><br><br>
I also have another Cappal (my first custom-made one) as well as off the shelf accordions by: Beltuna, Saltarelle, Imperial, Paola Soprani, and several other generic accordions including a Bass accordion which I got from bodhran and hot sauce maker Albert Alfonso. That Bass accordion was used as a picture on one of the Talking Heads recordings (I must ask Albert which one it was)<br><br>
All my accordions are maintained and modified by Pompilio Rosciani located here in Chicagoland<br><br><br>
* This is the second custom-made accordion I had made. “Custom-made” is a funny word in Italian -- it translates roughly:<br><br>
Custom-made (adjective)<br>
We’ll give you about 80 to 90% of what you order in writing and pay for in advance. The rest is what we want to do without telling you and you find out when the accordion is delivered. Ciao!<br><br>
fake mother-of-pearl is sooo much better looking than real wood.........<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61163
2008-02-02T08:05:00-06:00
2008-02-02T08:05:00-06:00
Who were Jimmy Keane's biggest musical influences?
My dad, Jimmy (Horse) Keane was my initial influence. Although he did not play an instrument per se, he was a great sean-nos (old style) singer in Irish (and in English) from Connemara. He loved music and musicians. If you have been around Irish Music for a while, you will get to meet some wonderful characters, particularly the older ones. Alas, less of them now, but still a few gems about. <br><br>
Of course, my Mom Mary played a big part too (she’s from Kerry - Dun Geagan, Ballinskelligs to be almost exact -- or as Horse would refer to it as the “arse-end” of Kerry). Man, the drive to there from near Dublin would be as long as the transatlantic flight from Chicago. She played piano as a child but I never heard her play.<br><br>
Horse “knew” when it sounded right and when it did not. And let me tell ya, he let me know in no uncertain terms on the latter. His favorite instrument was the accordion (button box). I was offered the button box but I insisted on playing the piano accordion. (I now realize I was dropped on my head several times as a youngster)<br>
Liz Carroll<br>
Without a doubt, my main actual musical influence was Liz. Growing up playing music with Liz was phenomenal. I have yet to meet anyone with the musical capacity of Liz. She’d have a new tune in memory the second time around hearing it (sometimes during the first time) and the uncanny ability to pull tunes out of the ether that (I think) only Liz and the tune’s composer ever heard (if she wasn’t composing that “ether” tune on the spot and not cognizant of that action -- which I always wonder about....). We worked hard too at the music learning a couple, two, three tunes a day for a long stretch. One of the highlights of those formative years of playing together was being the first US based duo to win the All-Ireland Senior Duet.<br>
Other Irish Musician's in Chicago<br>
In addition to Liz, the musicians of Chicago would be the next biggest influence. Including, but not limited to, <br>
and in no particular order: <br>
Johnny McGreevy (fiddle)<br>
Joe Shannon (uilleann pipes)<br>
Kevin Henry (flute/pipes)<br>
Pat Cloonan (C#D box then later BC) <br>
Eleanor Neary (piano)<br>
Mary McDonagh (piano/fiddle)<br>
Nancy Harling (piano)<br>
Terry “Cuz” Teahan (concertina & zaniness)<br>
Martin Byrne (button box)<br>
Tom Masterson (flute)<br>
Jimmy Coyle (button box)<br>
Jimmy Considine Sr. (button box)<br>
Seamus Cooley (flute & a wee drop of whiskey)<br>
Tommy McGuire (button box)<br>
Joe Cooley (button box)<br>
Kevin Keegan (button box)<br>
Eileen Carroll (Liz’s mom)<br><br>
All the above (and those that I forgot to mention at the moment) were musical mentors sharing their love for the music and knowledge with myself, Liz, Michael Flatley (yes that “RiverDance/Lord of the Dance” Michael) and Marty Fahey during the 1970’s. <br>
(Please note that all the above four were southsiders at the time too.) <br>
And see, there was more going on musically than just the BeeGees, Sex Pistols, Eagles, Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen during the 1970’s<br><br>
Joe Burke<br><br>
Paddy Gavin<br><br>
Brendan Mulkere<br><br>
Mick Moloney<br><br>
Robbie O’Connell<br><br><br>
(TO BE CONTINUED)<br>
Jimmy Keane
tag:jimmykeane.com,2005:Post/61162
2008-02-02T08:05:00-06:00
2008-02-02T08:05:00-06:00
When did Jimmy Keane start playing the accordion?
I started at the age of seven. I went to an old pipe smoking German-American accordion teacher on the south side of Chicago (the “only side”) named Mr. Marsh who taught me the basics on a 12-bass accordion (how to hold the instrument, the names of notes and bass/chords). We moved west a bit and I went to another German-American pipe smoking accordion teacher named Mr. Husk. What I really wanted was to learn to play Irish music and neither could help me with that so I just started learning by ear. Now, whenever I smell pipe smoke and see an accordion, I immediately have a hankering for Wiener Schnitzel...<br>
Jimmy Keane