The Session >> Discussions >> Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
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Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Does anyone have any information about a fiddler from Donegal, Ireland by the name of John "Simmey" Doherty? He was evidently quite well known in the early 1900's.
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
I have an LP entitled Pedlar's Pack, recorded by Peter Kennedy and published by the English Folk Song and Dance Society in 1964. This includes songs and stories. According to the notes, Simon "Symie" Doherty was one of John's three brothers, who all played fiddle.
One of the stories relates how John's father got up from his deathbed to chastise John for his careless playing, and demonstrate how it should be done.
"My father, he was called up to be the King Fiddler of all. In fact, when he would be playing a reel with a cheer and good spirits, yhou could feel the top of the bow whistling, and that's no lie".
This is not the same person as the well known John Doherty. John Doherty's grandfather was called Simon, as mentioned here: http://www.iol.ie/~ronolan/doherty.html
I don't know whether either of these are the same person as John 'Simey' Doherty, but Simon is apparently a traditional name in John Doherty's family (and, in my experience, not an especially common name in Ireland), so he was very likely related somehow.
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
chauncey,
Any chance you could summarize the relevant information, for those people that don't have access to that fantastic (but nearly impossible to find) book?
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Simi was a great player, of course. I have some recordings of him on the Donegal Fiddle CD. Extraordinarily gifted technically and musically. I think he is agood example of what was referred to recently. Johnny, with some exceptions is a player that would not challenge expectations of current players that much. Simi was a different type of player, certainly would surprise some current players. He is breathtakingly fast at times, and bowed triplets like nothing I have ever heard from anyone, living or dead.
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Now I really have no idea who we are talking about.
If there are several John Dohertys, and they all have relatives named Simon, how can the question be answered?
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
A lot of lazy people lookin info they couldn't be bothered reading about on this site.
Sleeve notes of the floating bow will suffice for those who don't need spoon-fed Georgi. Best.
John Simey' brother Simon (Simon Simey) was killed in a house fire.
The Simeys were the Dohertys after the grandfather 'Simey'.
'david a' knows his stuff - must be all the cider he drinks!
Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Does anyone have any information about a fiddler from Donegal, Ireland by the name of John "Simmey" Doherty? He was evidently quite well known in the early 1900's.
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by jdhfl
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/doherty.htm
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by Toni Ribas
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Pick up his album "The Floating Bow" and there is extensive sleeve notes with it to give you a good background to the man.
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by 52Paddy
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
I have an LP entitled Pedlar's Pack, recorded by Peter Kennedy and published by the English Folk Song and Dance Society in 1964. This includes songs and stories. According to the notes, Simon "Symie" Doherty was one of John's three brothers, who all played fiddle.
One of the stories relates how John's father got up from his deathbed to chastise John for his careless playing, and demonstrate how it should be done.
"My father, he was called up to be the King Fiddler of all. In fact, when he would be playing a reel with a cheer and good spirits, yhou could feel the top of the bow whistling, and that's no lie".
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by oldstrings
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
There's a reference to John 'Simey' Doherty here:
http://www.finnvalley.ie/people/herrons/index.html
This is not the same person as the well known John Doherty. John Doherty's grandfather was called Simon, as mentioned here: http://www.iol.ie/~ronolan/doherty.html
Here is a reference to a Simon 'Simey' Doherty, a nephew of John Doherty.
https://listserv.heanet.ie/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0110&L=irtrad-l&P=25530
I don't know whether either of these are the same person as John 'Simey' Doherty, but Simon is apparently a traditional name in John Doherty's family (and, in my experience, not an especially common name in Ireland), so he was very likely related somehow.
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
I think a few of you are getting it all wrong.
Read The Northern Fiddler (oak publications).
Read all about it!
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by doggone
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
chauncey,
Any chance you could summarize the relevant information, for those people that don't have access to that fantastic (but nearly impossible to find) book?
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by Georgi
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Simi was a great player, of course. I have some recordings of him on the Donegal Fiddle CD. Extraordinarily gifted technically and musically. I think he is agood example of what was referred to recently. Johnny, with some exceptions is a player that would not challenge expectations of current players that much. Simi was a different type of player, certainly would surprise some current players. He is breathtakingly fast at times, and bowed triplets like nothing I have ever heard from anyone, living or dead.
Eastaigi leis le chroi mhaith mhór
# Posted on September 6th 2007 by Pól
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
Now I really have no idea who we are talking about.
If there are several John Dohertys, and they all have relatives named Simon, how can the question be answered?
# Posted on September 7th 2007 by oldstrings
Re: Any information about Donegal fiddler John "Simmey" Doherty?
A lot of lazy people lookin info they couldn't be bothered reading about on this site.
Sleeve notes of the floating bow will suffice for those who don't need spoon-fed Georgi. Best.
John Simey' brother Simon (Simon Simey) was killed in a house fire.
The Simeys were the Dohertys after the grandfather 'Simey'.
'david a' knows his stuff - must be all the cider he drinks!
# Posted on September 7th 2007 by doggone