I'm currently sitting here listening to "Saffron and Blue" by Manus McGuire and was wondering about him.
Is he related to the Sean McGuire who recently passed away? Actually after looking about a bit, I doubt it; is Maguire = McGuire as a last name?
One thing I'm always amazed by when I listen to this CD is the "light" touch he seems to have. Even on quick jigs and reels his playing *sounds* so airy and relaxed. I've tried playing along with some of the tunes and found them to be anything but!
Is this typical of the Sligo style?
I know he was a member of a band called Buttons and Bows (that I've never heard of) and one called Moving Cloud (that I have).
Does anyone know anything else about this great fiddler?
This is the one to get hold of, if you can. No relation to Sean, that I've ever heard of - 99% certain about that. I'll post some more later, if no-one else does. Have to go !
Manus McGuire is AFAIK not related to Sean Maguire, although basically they do have the same surname. Sean Maguire was from the North, while Manus is I believe a Clare man originally (and definitely is now). Manus does however have a brother Seamus who also plays the fiddle. Seamus and Manus were both in Buttons and Bows years ago. Manus has since then been in Moving Cloud (as you mentioned) for many years, along with Kevin Crawford (flute), Paul Brock (accordion), Maeve Donnelly (fiddle) and Carl Hession (keyborads). When Moving Cloud split up, Manus and Paul Brock got together with Enda and Fergal Scahill (banjo and guitar, although I cannever remember which plays which) to form the Brock-McGuire Band. They did at least one very nice recording, a couple of years ago, but I don't know if they're still active as a band. Haven't heard much from/about them lately.
In addition to his music, Manus is a physician, currently living in Scarriff Co. Clare, which may limit his time for musical activity a bit. I agree, though, his playing is lovely and his solo albums are quite nice.
BTW, Manus's brother Seamus is also a doctor as well as a fiddle player. (What is it with these Irish fiddle-playing doctors? Sean Smyth of Lunasa is one too...) Seamus McGuire lives I think in Letterkenny Co. Donegal, and about 15 years ago he did a great duet album with flute player John Lee called The Missing Reel. You should look for it, especially if you like flute-fiddle duets. It's an all-time classic!
Both Seamus and Manus McGuire I'm pretty sure had some classical violin training in their backgrounds along with the trad fiddling. It definitely shows up in their playing, and Seamus I think even did a string quartet recording a while ago. I think both brothers also spent some time in Canada years ago (I know Manus did) and picked up some licks and tunes from Quebecois and Cape Breton fiddlers while there. Both of them are lovely Irish fiddlers, and nice guys as well the few times I've met them over the years.
As said, no relation to Sean McGuire. According to the biography on the website of Brock McGuire Band, Manus is originally from Offaly and was raised in Sligo and lives in Clare now. See: http://www.brockmcguire.com
Questions about Manus McGuire
Questions about Manus McGuire
I'm currently sitting here listening to "Saffron and Blue" by Manus McGuire and was wondering about him.
Is he related to the Sean McGuire who recently passed away? Actually after looking about a bit, I doubt it; is Maguire = McGuire as a last name?
One thing I'm always amazed by when I listen to this CD is the "light" touch he seems to have. Even on quick jigs and reels his playing *sounds* so airy and relaxed. I've tried playing along with some of the tunes and found them to be anything but!
Is this typical of the Sligo style?
I know he was a member of a band called Buttons and Bows (that I've never heard of) and one called Moving Cloud (that I have).
Does anyone know anything else about this great fiddler?
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1784
This is the one to get hold of, if you can. No relation to Sean, that I've ever heard of - 99% certain about that. I'll post some more later, if no-one else does. Have to go !
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Kenny
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
Manus McGuire is AFAIK not related to Sean Maguire, although basically they do have the same surname. Sean Maguire was from the North, while Manus is I believe a Clare man originally (and definitely is now). Manus does however have a brother Seamus who also plays the fiddle. Seamus and Manus were both in Buttons and Bows years ago. Manus has since then been in Moving Cloud (as you mentioned) for many years, along with Kevin Crawford (flute), Paul Brock (accordion), Maeve Donnelly (fiddle) and Carl Hession (keyborads). When Moving Cloud split up, Manus and Paul Brock got together with Enda and Fergal Scahill (banjo and guitar, although I cannever remember which plays which) to form the Brock-McGuire Band. They did at least one very nice recording, a couple of years ago, but I don't know if they're still active as a band. Haven't heard much from/about them lately.
In addition to his music, Manus is a physician, currently living in Scarriff Co. Clare, which may limit his time for musical activity a bit. I agree, though, his playing is lovely and his solo albums are quite nice.
BTW, Manus's brother Seamus is also a doctor as well as a fiddle player. (What is it with these Irish fiddle-playing doctors? Sean Smyth of Lunasa is one too...) Seamus McGuire lives I think in Letterkenny Co. Donegal, and about 15 years ago he did a great duet album with flute player John Lee called The Missing Reel. You should look for it, especially if you like flute-fiddle duets. It's an all-time classic!
Both Seamus and Manus McGuire I'm pretty sure had some classical violin training in their backgrounds along with the trad fiddling. It definitely shows up in their playing, and Seamus I think even did a string quartet recording a while ago. I think both brothers also spent some time in Canada years ago (I know Manus did) and picked up some licks and tunes from Quebecois and Cape Breton fiddlers while there. Both of them are lovely Irish fiddlers, and nice guys as well the few times I've met them over the years.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by johnkerr
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
As said, no relation to Sean McGuire. According to the biography on the website of Brock McGuire Band, Manus is originally from Offaly and was raised in Sligo and lives in Clare now. See: http://www.brockmcguire.com
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by slainte
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
Thanks for all the info, folks. I'm definately going to have to look for some of these recordings.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
Hmm, both Manus and Seamus McGuire are actually from Sligo.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
Manus also has a lovely CD that was released not too long ago called "Fiddlewings" which is certainly worth checking out.
# Posted on July 29th 2006 by bud sargent
Re: Questions about Manus McGuire
Nothing to add, .... well, except this required listening:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2121
# Posted on July 30th 2006 by Ptarmigan