Felix Dolan and Geraldine Cotter are among the best accompanists.
Felix Dolan is on loads of albums...his two recordings with Catherine McEvoy are particularly fine.
Geraldine Cotter's album Piano+ is reputed to be good, and her playing on The Thing Itself with Maeve Donnelly and Peadar O'Loughlin is magnificent.
For Charlie Lennon, you can't get any better than A Tribute to Joe Cooley, with Frankie Gavin and Paul Brock.
And this might be of particular assistance: Geraldine Cotter has written a book on piano accompaniment called Seinn an Piano. There's an accompanying cassette for it, too.
I can't remember the guy's name, but I have an album that Joe Derrane and Frankie Gavin did together a few years ago that has some mighty fine accompaniment, and as I remember it, a lot of session standards are played.
I can recommend Geraldine as well (she being my piano teacher!) but I also like Ciaran Coughlan, Caoimhin Vallely and Padraic O'Reilly. Having said that I don't really play too much like any of them; it's important to experiment - don't be afraid to mess around with your own style.
A bit off the beaten path, perhaps, and not strictly ITM -- but I was quite impressed with the playing of Beryl Marriott on Dave Swarbrick's solo albums.
In addition to Charlie Lennon, Geraldine Cotter, and others mentioned above, I'm a big fan of Eugene Kelly's piano accompaniment. He appears on albums such as "The New Road" by Charlie Piggott and Gerry Harrington, "Clare Accordion" by Seamus Walshe, and "Traditional Music From The Legendary East Clare Fiddler" by Paddy Canny.
As far as I know, most of the piano accompanists are fine musicians on other instruments too: Charlie Lennon, Josephine Keegan, and Seamus Quinn on the fiddle, Brian McGrath on the banjo, John Blake on the flute and guitar, etc. And all the Cape Breton fiddlers can play the piano.
I thought for a minute there I'd taken a wrong turning - this surely can't be the session dot org! For I am reading a happy, informative and upbeat thread on piano accompaniment in Irish music.
If you have played the piano before I would listen to the musicians mentioned above. If you are new to the instrument I belive there is a cd-rom tutor available from mad for trad
i used to play with a pianoist in a band called emerald roses. dont get me wrong she played good but she put cheesy effects and base sounds on her keyboard it drove me feckin mad after a while so i left.
Gawd but I lurve good piano accompaniment. Had a great session afew months ago with Josephine Keegan who is still absolutely humming as far as I'm concerned!!
Dont forget that Alec Finn was also know to tinkle the old ivories as well. Heard him at a De Danann concert many moons ago in the Ulster Hall and he was great.
But Charlie Lennon also ranks up there for me as well.
Speaking of Cape Breton style, I just saw Troy MacGillivray and Joel Chiasson this past weekend. What performances they put on, including switching instruments and playing three hands on. And they both step danced as well.
Hilda (no relation, but good friend, according to Joel) Chiasson-Cormier told me a few years ago that she danced and played for the customers as well as served as chambermaid, etc. when she worked at a bed and breakfast up there. They have to do it all...
Piano accompaniment
Piano accompaniment
Have recently bought a piano and want to learn some trad accompaniment. I know I'm gonna have to learn the basics -scales etc.,
Any recommendations on good tasty accompaniment!!
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Shtrum
Re: Piano accompaniment
Charlie Lennon
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by mickray
Re: Piano accompaniment
Also Paul Machlis (accompanies Alasdair Fraser)
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by mickray
Re: Piano accompaniment
Felix Dolan and Geraldine Cotter are among the best accompanists.
Felix Dolan is on loads of albums...his two recordings with Catherine McEvoy are particularly fine.
Geraldine Cotter's album Piano+ is reputed to be good, and her playing on The Thing Itself with Maeve Donnelly and Peadar O'Loughlin is magnificent.
For Charlie Lennon, you can't get any better than A Tribute to Joe Cooley, with Frankie Gavin and Paul Brock.
And this might be of particular assistance: Geraldine Cotter has written a book on piano accompaniment called Seinn an Piano. There's an accompanying cassette for it, too.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Tintin
Re: Piano accompaniment
Yes, listen to Seamus Quinn on any of these:
http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/webrevs/cicd152.htm
&
http://celticgrooves.homestead.com/CG_Lennon_Ben_Dog.html
&
http://thesession.org/recordings/display/285
&
http://www.jimmcgrathmusic.com/
&
http://www.claddaghrecords.com/www/product.asp?pID=42&cID=18&c=28758
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Piano accompaniment
For God's sake don't listen to Michael Coleman's accompanist. Ouch!
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by KC Gross
Re: Piano accompaniment
mango chutney
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by mcknowall
Re: Piano accompaniment
See: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/5808
Well, I love John Blake as a piano accompanist. http://www.claddaghrecords.com/www/product.asp?pID=1596&c=28460
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by slainte
Re: Piano accompaniment
I can't remember the guy's name, but I have an album that Joe Derrane and Frankie Gavin did together a few years ago that has some mighty fine accompaniment, and as I remember it, a lot of session standards are played.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Piano accompaniment
I can recommend Geraldine as well (she being my piano teacher!) but I also like Ciaran Coughlan, Caoimhin Vallely and Padraic O'Reilly. Having said that I don't really play too much like any of them; it's important to experiment - don't be afraid to mess around with your own style.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by tbag
Re: Piano accompaniment
If you like Cape Breton style, www.troymacgillivray.com
He is amazing
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by anastasiadesroches
Re: Piano accompaniment
A bit off the beaten path, perhaps, and not strictly ITM -- but I was quite impressed with the playing of Beryl Marriott on Dave Swarbrick's solo albums.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by sts
Re: Piano accompaniment
Don't forget Josephine Keegan!!!
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by I_Fel
Re: Piano accompaniment
In addition to Charlie Lennon, Geraldine Cotter, and others mentioned above, I'm a big fan of Eugene Kelly's piano accompaniment. He appears on albums such as "The New Road" by Charlie Piggott and Gerry Harrington, "Clare Accordion" by Seamus Walshe, and "Traditional Music From The Legendary East Clare Fiddler" by Paddy Canny.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by tedium
Re: Piano accompaniment
You might have been thinking of this CD - Al - "IRELAND'S HARVEST" Joe Derrane with Frankie Gavin ..... & Brian McGrath on Piano.
http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/cds/09232.php
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Piano accompaniment
As far as I know, most of the piano accompanists are fine musicians on other instruments too: Charlie Lennon, Josephine Keegan, and Seamus Quinn on the fiddle, Brian McGrath on the banjo, John Blake on the flute and guitar, etc. And all the Cape Breton fiddlers can play the piano.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by slainte
Re: Piano accompaniment
Ptarmigan, That is the CD I was thinking of--mighty good piano player, and the melody players are no slouches either!
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Piano accompaniment
I thought for a minute there I'd taken a wrong turning - this surely can't be the session dot org! For I am reading a happy, informative and upbeat thread on piano accompaniment in Irish music.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by kris
Re: Piano accompaniment
If you have played the piano before I would listen to the musicians mentioned above. If you are new to the instrument I belive there is a cd-rom tutor available from mad for trad
http://www.madfortrad.com
This one is with Ciaran Coughlan who plays with North Cregg
# Posted on July 29th 2006 by TradLad
Re: Piano accompaniment
i used to play with a pianoist in a band called emerald roses. dont get me wrong she played good but she put cheesy effects and base sounds on her keyboard it drove me feckin mad after a while so i left.
# Posted on July 29th 2006 by S.McMullen
Re: Piano accompaniment
Have to say you can't beat Padraic O'Reilly for good piano accompaniment. A class player.
# Posted on July 29th 2006 by ceolgal
Re: Piano accompaniment
Gawd but I lurve good piano accompaniment. Had a great session afew months ago with Josephine Keegan who is still absolutely humming as far as I'm concerned!!
Dont forget that Alec Finn was also know to tinkle the old ivories as well. Heard him at a De Danann concert many moons ago in the Ulster Hall and he was great.
But Charlie Lennon also ranks up there for me as well.
Pedal to the metal
# Posted on July 29th 2006 by breandan
Re: Piano accompaniment
Another Piano player who is certainly worth checking out Schtrum is Denis Carey of the Brock McGuire Band:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2121
&
http://www.brockmcguire.com/
# Posted on July 30th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Piano accompaniment
Patsy Broderick lovely piano player with Arcady. I don't think she has any solo albums though.
# Posted on July 30th 2006 by ceolgal
Re: Piano accompaniment
How about Michael O'Dhomnaill (sp.)?
Speaking of Cape Breton style, I just saw Troy MacGillivray and Joel Chiasson this past weekend. What performances they put on, including switching instruments and playing three hands on. And they both step danced as well.
Hilda (no relation, but good friend, according to Joel) Chiasson-Cormier told me a few years ago that she danced and played for the customers as well as served as chambermaid, etc. when she worked at a bed and breakfast up there. They have to do it all...
# Posted on August 1st 2006 by vonnieestes
Re: Piano accompaniment
was never really a fan me self - but find myself warming to it daily...
John Blake is great, for modern recordings.
Frankie Gavin is also a great piano accompaniest. Thats true i tells ya.
# Posted on August 2nd 2006 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Piano accompaniment
Blown away!!
Cheers all, lots of listening to do!
# Posted on August 13th 2006 by Shtrum