Listening to the winners of the 2003 Fleadh Ceol,
Clonmel, I could almost hear that lonesome sound
that we used talk about in Joe's Accordion
playing. It seems as if they too, maybe like meself,
liked the Cooley sound
Still today not many have heard of Joe Cooley, and
fewer still know that the original played Irtrad
on the diatonic tuned Accordion; infact most folks
out here think that Joe Cooley IS a rapper.
Here I wish my badspelling would oblige but hope
eternal; oh well. Anyway the lonesome sound in Cooley
can also be found in other traditions, not the
least of which in Blugrass as sung by Mr
Bill Munroe - now departed - who raised hell all
over Kentucky and elsewhere later in life.
The fact that both Joe and Bill lived in this
culture for many years, US I mean, and would surely
have heard the great players of the time, Leadbelly,
Parker, etc, does seem to me to suggest just maybe
that inspiration came from another time, and
another place.
OC there is much of the Leperachaun in the revivalists
style, O Riada > Chieftains etc, but I think far
more in keeping with the fairly recent history of Ireland,
the sad lamenting - almost dirgish - quality
of Cooley, and in before him Michael Coleman, seems
more accurate.
Perhaps I have it wrong, if so please forgive me,
but in Airs - esp Paddy Cany and Junior Crehan-
I hear no laughter.
It's a great pity there are so few recordings of Joe Cooley as he has to be the greatest of all time - not for technical wizardy but for the soul in his playing and the life and lift he managed to get into the tunes. The pace was always unhurried and I would like to think he could be seen as a role model for the up and coming young musicians of today, particularly the box players.
What sf lacks in erudition he at least goes some of the way to make up for in spirit. Cooley's delivery of whatever tune he chose was a unique phenomenon to behold.
Have you ever heard the playing of Anders Trabjerg? He's a Danish accordeon player based in Galway... He plays at that unhurried but regular pace that's so unfashoinable nowadays... He's got dra
He does play the fiddle... I guess he's be able of playing the flute as well, even though I never heard of it...
Anyway, there's an easy way to identify Anders: he looks exactly like a blonde, young Santa Claus... Big beard and long hair. And usually a cap.
Take it from one of his friends from Denmark. Yes, Anders does play the flute too.
He does live in Galway and he does play in the Crane Bar .......and he is one of the best box players I have heard.
Joe Cooley gone but not..
Joe Cooley gone but not..
forgotten.
Listening to the winners of the 2003 Fleadh Ceol,
Clonmel, I could almost hear that lonesome sound
that we used talk about in Joe's Accordion
playing. It seems as if they too, maybe like meself,
liked the Cooley sound
Still today not many have heard of Joe Cooley, and
fewer still know that the original played Irtrad
on the diatonic tuned Accordion; infact most folks
out here think that Joe Cooley IS a rapper.
Here I wish my badspelling would oblige but hope
eternal; oh well. Anyway the lonesome sound in Cooley
can also be found in other traditions, not the
least of which in Blugrass as sung by Mr
Bill Munroe - now departed - who raised hell all
over Kentucky and elsewhere later in life.
The fact that both Joe and Bill lived in this
culture for many years, US I mean, and would surely
have heard the great players of the time, Leadbelly,
Parker, etc, does seem to me to suggest just maybe
that inspiration came from another time, and
another place.
OC there is much of the Leperachaun in the revivalists
style, O Riada > Chieftains etc, but I think far
more in keeping with the fairly recent history of Ireland,
the sad lamenting - almost dirgish - quality
of Cooley, and in before him Michael Coleman, seems
more accurate.
Perhaps I have it wrong, if so please forgive me,
but in Airs - esp Paddy Cany and Junior Crehan-
I hear no laughter.
# Posted on August 27th 2003 by sorefingers
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
It's a great pity there are so few recordings of Joe Cooley as he has to be the greatest of all time - not for technical wizardy but for the soul in his playing and the life and lift he managed to get into the tunes. The pace was always unhurried and I would like to think he could be seen as a role model for the up and coming young musicians of today, particularly the box players.
# Posted on August 27th 2003 by Bannerman
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
What sf lacks in erudition he at least goes some of the way to make up for in spirit. Cooley's delivery of whatever tune he chose was a unique phenomenon to behold.
"
# Posted on August 27th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
Have you ever heard the playing of Anders Trabjerg? He's a Danish accordeon player based in Galway... He plays at that unhurried but regular pace that's so unfashoinable nowadays... He's got dra
# Posted on August 28th 2003 by nutsmuggler
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
Davide - Does he also play an Irish wooden flute? I think i saw him in a session at the Crane Bar.
Joyce
# Posted on August 29th 2003 by JMH
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
He does play the fiddle... I guess he's be able of playing the flute as well, even though I never heard of it...
Anyway, there's an easy way to identify Anders: he looks exactly like a blonde, young Santa Claus... Big beard and long hair. And usually a cap.
# Posted on August 29th 2003 by nutsmuggler
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
That's him! Yup he does look like a blond santa with the hair and beard.
Joyce
# Posted on September 2nd 2003 by JMH
Re: Joe Cooley gone but not..
Take it from one of his friends from Denmark. Yes, Anders does play the flute too.
He does live in Galway and he does play in the Crane Bar .......and he is one of the best box players I have heard.
Mich
# Posted on September 3rd 2003 by Mich