I found it great to watch and I was wondering if there are any other examples of performers that have enjoyed performing well into their later years? (Sean Maguire also comes to mind)
Maybe it's because I live in Florida and play with lots of elderly folks, but I've noticed the great thing about 'the music' is that it doesn't matter how old you are. I really enjoy playing with older folks, they're not in a big rush, they know tons of good old tunes, and they're happy to be playing and having a good time.
Of course, I think you're asking about performers and so on, but...there you have it.
Well, Ben Lennon's still going strong and his brother Charlie's no spring chicken either. Gerdie Commane and Joe Ryan recorded 'Two Gentlemen of Clare Music' when they were 82 and 78 respectively.
I agree totally... It doesn't matter how old you are. We have a very broad range of ages in our sessions here... and each have something to contribute.
Well, there's Loreena Mckennitt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRAAfEK7dBM
who is now 51 (not exactly a young age there!!) She's been performing long before I was born and her first album came out when my parents were naught but children!!
Indeed davydd. Another nice thing about playing with the auld ones is they don't seem to drink as much as the young'uns, which leaves more free beer for me. Ho ho ho.
Seriously, it's a nice feeling to have an elderly gent or lady play a set with you, and then give you a wink and a smile. It's like a sign of approval from 'the tradition' somehow.
The lady violinist in question is 81. I'm no spring chicken myself but 'I'm 'only a chap' as opposed to a couple of fiddle players I regularly have a few tunes with '88 and 86' respectively. As with Jazz the older you are when playing trad, the more respect you get from your peers.
Thanks for the clip from the Maurice O'Keeffe Festival. Here's the first part: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mceHoB2ZBQ
Can anyone identify the musicians? I presume that O'Keeffe is the older fiddler playing with Jackie Daly, standing up, near the end of the 2nd part. And Connor Keane is in both clips on the box. Who is the older fiddler in the green shirt? I have a photo I took of him in Knocknagree six or seven years ago. Is that Connie O'Connell on the left end of the concert footage in part 1, wearing the tan jacket?
BTW, 51 isn't old - especially if you're dyslexic.
Add to the list: Junior Crehan, Mary Ellen Curtin, Elizabeth Crotty, Jimmi O Se, Mike Rafferty, Father Charlie Coen, Peadar O'Loughlin, Joe Derrane, Paddy O'Donoghue, etc.
Jimmy Kelly from Marshallstown, Enniscorthy, is I think one of the guys Free Reed mentioned above.
A great man I learned many tunes from who never recorded but is well known around the South East.
Another one is Tom Ferris from Wexford town. Every session played with Tom would (and I'm sure still does) produce a completely different collection of tunes, and he,d have all the names if you wanted them.
And of course Mr Free Reed himself. I learned many tunes from him over the years.
And talking of him I was thinking of starting a new post on the use of Pringle box drums in Traditional Irish Music!!........
Not to forget the lampshade, an assortment of glasses on the table, the table itself, an assortment of instrument cases, peoples heads, pots on the shelf, a wood block and a cowbell...
I believe I heard of a group in Ireland called the Stiff Six (not sure of the number) a while back. I assume the reference was to age, not inebriation or death.
My aim is to get to an age when people see me play tunes in a session in between dribbling into my Guinness (or someone else's), and someone remarks "they say he was quite good in his youth" (never mind that in fact I never was). That's how legends come into being. Just give me another 10 years ....
I saw that program Davydd. She is amazing. Truly amazing. A consumate Diva. Even her casual dress was platform stilts and embroidered calots (spelling?) ... and her wardrobe ... gee out of a fairytale!. I would love to meet her, an amazing person. When she plays she doesn't sound old, she just sounds beautiful ... so professional ... and in that program when the conductor bent over and said Yes I'm sorry you were right ... it brought tears to my eyes.
Erm.........Yes, Cuchulain, you can. By a few months, in fact !
Used to drink with those guys in a pub in Richmond (Surrey), but that´s another story !!
I saw an enjoyable performance by George Wilson last weekend at the Northern Roots music festival in VT. He's definitely in this age category. He just released a new CD. His page is http://www.oldsongs.org/georgewilson.html though his latest CD is so new it isn't on there yet. I think it would be inappropriate for me to guess his age, but...well...older than the other fiddlers I know!
I am beginning to enjoy being the old fart in my musical circle.
You don't get much respect for your experience....after all all the newbies showing up have degrees in Performance, Tuba expression or Comparative Musical Geneology or some such. Unlike many of us who learned from some dead old fart many years ago, got thrown out in front of people one day...and very quickly you become a real musician.
But you've been around so long no one wants to challenge you because they think you must have 'tight connections' to have survived so long!
Age and Music
Age and Music
I caught a documentary on this lady the other night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUB_SWzJzbg
I found it great to watch and I was wondering if there are any other examples of performers that have enjoyed performing well into their later years? (Sean Maguire also comes to mind)
I've still a long way to go of course...
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by davydd
Re: Age and Music
Kitty Hayes, anyone?
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Age and Music
Maybe it's because I live in Florida and play with lots of elderly folks, but I've noticed the great thing about 'the music' is that it doesn't matter how old you are. I really enjoy playing with older folks, they're not in a big rush, they know tons of good old tunes, and they're happy to be playing and having a good time.
Of course, I think you're asking about performers and so on, but...there you have it.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Age and Music
Well, Ben Lennon's still going strong and his brother Charlie's no spring chicken either. Gerdie Commane and Joe Ryan recorded 'Two Gentlemen of Clare Music' when they were 82 and 78 respectively.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Age and Music
Andy McGann, god rest 'im
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by pipewatcher
Re: Age and Music
Hey SWFL...
I agree totally... It doesn't matter how old you are. We have a very broad range of ages in our sessions here... and each have something to contribute.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by davydd
Re: Age and Music
And Paddy Canny. Also, Maurice O'Keefe - you can see him here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZd5gZEoqKs&feature=related
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Age and Music
Well, there's Loreena Mckennitt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRAAfEK7dBM
who is now 51 (not exactly a young age there!!) She's been performing long before I was born and her first album came out when my parents were naught but children!!
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by ScotiaBalach
Re: Age and Music
Indeed davydd. Another nice thing about playing with the auld ones is they don't seem to drink as much as the young'uns, which leaves more free beer for me. Ho ho ho.
Seriously, it's a nice feeling to have an elderly gent or lady play a set with you, and then give you a wink and a smile. It's like a sign of approval from 'the tradition' somehow.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Age and Music
The lady violinist in question is 81. I'm no spring chicken myself but 'I'm 'only a chap' as opposed to a couple of fiddle players I regularly have a few tunes with '88 and 86' respectively. As with Jazz the older you are when playing trad, the more respect you get from your peers.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Age and Music
Thanks for the clip from the Maurice O'Keeffe Festival. Here's the first part:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mceHoB2ZBQ
Can anyone identify the musicians? I presume that O'Keeffe is the older fiddler playing with Jackie Daly, standing up, near the end of the 2nd part. And Connor Keane is in both clips on the box. Who is the older fiddler in the green shirt? I have a photo I took of him in Knocknagree six or seven years ago. Is that Connie O'Connell on the left end of the concert footage in part 1, wearing the tan jacket?
BTW, 51 isn't old - especially if you're dyslexic.
Add to the list: Junior Crehan, Mary Ellen Curtin, Elizabeth Crotty, Jimmi O Se, Mike Rafferty, Father Charlie Coen, Peadar O'Loughlin, Joe Derrane, Paddy O'Donoghue, etc.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Age and Music
Ah, the old ones are the best, and here I am.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Age and Music
Its like at our office and in our church music program.
Most of the 20 and 30 somethings think the world was created for them in 1984
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by zippydw
Re: Age and Music
Jimmy Kelly from Marshallstown, Enniscorthy, is I think one of the guys Free Reed mentioned above.
A great man I learned many tunes from who never recorded but is well known around the South East.
Another one is Tom Ferris from Wexford town. Every session played with Tom would (and I'm sure still does) produce a completely different collection of tunes, and he,d have all the names if you wanted them.
And of course Mr Free Reed himself. I learned many tunes from him over the years.
And talking of him I was thinking of starting a new post on the use of Pringle box drums in Traditional Irish Music!!........
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by banjoburger
Re: Age and Music
Not to forget the lampshade, an assortment of glasses on the table, the table itself, an assortment of instrument cases, peoples heads, pots on the shelf, a wood block and a cowbell...
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by banjoburger
Re: Age and Music
GaryAMartin -- Maurice O'Keeffe is the older fiddler with Jackie Daly. Sorry to say I don't recognize any of the others, though.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by John Culhane
Re: Age and Music
'Most of the 20 and 30 somethings think the world was created for them in 1984.'
That George Orwell still gets around a bit, doesn't he?
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Age and Music
I'm still reeling from ScotiaBalach telling me 51 is "not exactly a young age." Can we have a retraction? Otherwise I'll end up being mean to the cat.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by grego
Re: Age and Music
The fiddler on the far left in the concert clip is Connie O Connell
I think his daughter (Aine ? ) is sitting beside him.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by skellig
Re: Age and Music
In The US, George Orwell was only off by 20 years......
Fortunately we got rid of his adherant while we had a chance.
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by zippydw
Re: Age and Music
I believe I heard of a group in Ireland called the Stiff Six (not sure of the number) a while back. I assume the reference was to age, not inebriation or death.
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by will morgan
Re: Age and Music
My aim is to get to an age when people see me play tunes in a session in between dribbling into my Guinness (or someone else's), and someone remarks "they say he was quite good in his youth" (never mind that in fact I never was). That's how legends come into being. Just give me another 10 years ....
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Age and Music
grego, no worries. 51 is the new 30.
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Age and Music
I sure hope so, Will! I'm starting over in a new career, a college freshman at 50! (after getting two other degrees!!!)
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by wyogal
Re: Age and Music
My favorite quote on the topic of age:
"The older the fiddle, the sweeter the music"
...George Burns
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Age and Music
and 15 is the new 15, which is what ScotiaBalach must be
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Hup
Re: Age and Music
I saw that program Davydd. She is amazing. Truly amazing. A consumate Diva. Even her casual dress was platform stilts and embroidered calots (spelling?) ... and her wardrobe ... gee out of a fairytale!. I would love to meet her, an amazing person. When she plays she doesn't sound old, she just sounds beautiful ... so professional ... and in that program when the conductor bent over and said Yes I'm sorry you were right ... it brought tears to my eyes.
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Clear Drops
Re: Age and Music
I suppose you will want to add Molly McCarthy and Bridget Dineen to the list, both Clare women were still at the concertina aged 105.
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Age and Music
Mick Jagger & Keith Richards. Hoo, boy, can you GET any older?
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by cuchulain54
Re: Age and Music
Erm.........Yes, Cuchulain, you can. By a few months, in fact !
Used to drink with those guys in a pub in Richmond (Surrey), but that´s another story !!
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by murfbox
Re: Age and Music
George Burns at 90(?)
Q.George, what does your doctor think of all those cigars you smoke?
A. My doctor? My doctor is dead.
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Age and Music
I saw an enjoyable performance by George Wilson last weekend at the Northern Roots music festival in VT. He's definitely in this age category. He just released a new CD. His page is http://www.oldsongs.org/georgewilson.html though his latest CD is so new it isn't on there yet. I think it would be inappropriate for me to guess his age, but...well...older than the other fiddlers I know!
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by worthy
Re: Age and Music
I am beginning to enjoy being the old fart in my musical circle.
You don't get much respect for your experience....after all all the newbies showing up have degrees in Performance, Tuba expression or Comparative Musical Geneology or some such. Unlike many of us who learned from some dead old fart many years ago, got thrown out in front of people one day...and very quickly you become a real musician.
But you've been around so long no one wants to challenge you because they think you must have 'tight connections' to have survived so long!
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by zippydw