some years back I was at a pub in clifden, and there was a box player, I'd guess about 75, who alternated between accompanying schmaltzy waltz-songs (no offense to those who like that) and tearing up the floor with some killer fast tunes. I hadn't heard much box playing then so I don't know about his technique (it's not nearly as common an instrument here in the u.s.) but he had cool variations and squeezed in the odd extra beat.
anyone know who he was? if he's locally famous it'd be cool to track down a recording
I'm not sure if it's the same box player but....... I know two great box players in Clifden, John G.Walsh and his daughter Marie. I would guess that John G is about 55-60. He's a rather large man,with an even larger smile, and both of them were playing red Sopranis. As regards his technique I seem to recall that John only uses 3 fingers, although it sounds like he's using 5! He was runner up in the All-Ireland in 1987, and Marie went one better in 2004. She also won All-Ireland piano the previous year, and is a fine fiddler. He has a few recordings . The Magpies Nest was the last one I bought, and highly reccommended.
Clifden is a town way out on the west coast of Connemara and it's well worth a visit. It seems all of the locals can either dance or sing, or do a party piece.
The pictures of John G on Marie's website look vaguely familiar, as does the red box. Makes me realize I don't have a clear visual on this guy. Does playing non-trad waltzes while another guy sings (what to my ears are) sappy songs fit John G?
Waiting to hear back from Marie about how to buy his cd. I'll post what I learn
who was that box player in clifden?
who was that box player in clifden?
some years back I was at a pub in clifden, and there was a box player, I'd guess about 75, who alternated between accompanying schmaltzy waltz-songs (no offense to those who like that) and tearing up the floor with some killer fast tunes. I hadn't heard much box playing then so I don't know about his technique (it's not nearly as common an instrument here in the u.s.) but he had cool variations and squeezed in the odd extra beat.
anyone know who he was? if he's locally famous it'd be cool to track down a recording
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by yrneH
Re: who was that box player in clifden?
I'm not sure if it's the same box player but....... I know two great box players in Clifden, John G.Walsh and his daughter Marie. I would guess that John G is about 55-60. He's a rather large man,with an even larger smile, and both of them were playing red Sopranis. As regards his technique I seem to recall that John only uses 3 fingers, although it sounds like he's using 5! He was runner up in the All-Ireland in 1987, and Marie went one better in 2004. She also won All-Ireland piano the previous year, and is a fine fiddler. He has a few recordings . The Magpies Nest was the last one I bought, and highly reccommended.
Clifden is a town way out on the west coast of Connemara and it's well worth a visit. It seems all of the locals can either dance or sing, or do a party piece.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by Tony O'Rourke
Re: who was that box player in clifden?
Finbar Dwyer ?
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by Dawros Frog
Not Finbar Dwyer
Finbar is one of the famouse Dwyer brothers from West Cork.
# Posted on October 30th 2009 by David Levine
Could have been Walsh
The pictures of John G on Marie's website look vaguely familiar, as does the red box. Makes me realize I don't have a clear visual on this guy. Does playing non-trad waltzes while another guy sings (what to my ears are) sappy songs fit John G?
Waiting to hear back from Marie about how to buy his cd. I'll post what I learn
# Posted on October 31st 2009 by yrneH