I'm not sure if I've missed something along the way here... but I was watching The Dubliners: Live From Vicar Street DVD last night and noticed that Barney's banjo wasn't his usual Paragon. Is he using a different banjo all the time now? What type is it and how long has he had it?
I never knew he'd switched. His playing on the disc is brilliant as usual but you miss the trademark Paragon twang.
Hugo, thanks for the correction-when I met Sean Og a couple of years ago he kindly let me play his Paragon . Barney was playing the short neck Dave Boyle then I'm sure. I hear the Lighthouse has been demolished? for flats? Has the Sunday session there kicked off somewhere else?
He played in the Pier house about 3 weeks ago with Ozzie and a group of Scottish musicians who just happened to pop in. Great session that night. But this isn't anything regular for Barney, he's not great on the aul feet and was assisted there and back home. He lives right beside the Lighthouse which is being developed along with a number of adjacent properties into apartments but rumour has it that they will be keeping a small bar in it still. But because of ongoing court cases it's unlikely to open anytime soon. The Pier House is where it's at as regards the Sunday afternoon session.
barney gave his paragon to a young lad who is learning the banjo his name is padraig drew barney plyed in trim last fridayin the castle arch hotel for the opening of the new road in trim finegans way, barneys getting another boyle banjo made with a 12 inch pot will keep yoz posted
Barney McKenna
Barney McKenna
I'm not sure if I've missed something along the way here... but I was watching The Dubliners: Live From Vicar Street DVD last night and noticed that Barney's banjo wasn't his usual Paragon. Is he using a different banjo all the time now? What type is it and how long has he had it?
I never knew he'd switched. His playing on the disc is brilliant as usual but you miss the trademark Paragon twang.
# Posted on December 26th 2007 by camwebby
Re: Barney McKenna
Well he certainly played a Vega at one point and I've seen him mostly playing a David Boyle in his most recent vids on telly etc.
# Posted on December 26th 2007 by 52Paddy
Re: Barney McKenna
Unfortunately he had a stroke and subsequently got Dave Boyle to make him a 17 fret to make life a bit easier.
# Posted on December 27th 2007 by concertinaplayer
Re: Barney McKenna
Speaking about Barney, did you catch himself & the boys on "Come West Along the Road" last week?
Great old B&W footage of the lads in O'Donoghues Pub, & Barney was certainly playing his Paragon back in 1965!
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on December 27th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Barney McKenna
I didn't realise he had a stroke but Dave Boyle told me he had made him a sort neck. Sean Og , his brother now plays his old Paragon
# Posted on December 27th 2007 by banjoian
Re: Barney McKenna
barney who!
# Posted on December 27th 2007 by pdubliner
Re: Barney McKenna
pdubliner, what an intro!
# Posted on December 27th 2007 by Backer
Re: Barney McKenna
I know he mostly plays the David Boyle (nice banjos!), but I've heard his nephew now and again takes the paragon out for a twang.
# Posted on December 27th 2007 by Larshansen
Re: Barney McKenna
pdubliner, millons of people have heard about,and heard
the brilliant Barney McKenna.How many have knowledge of you?
# Posted on December 28th 2007 by gooseinthenettles
Re: Barney McKenna
I was just thinking about Barney, to post a new question, and along comes this thread. Amazing !
What's a sort neck ? ( Sack the proofreader ?).
# Posted on December 28th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Barney McKenna
Banjoian,
Sean Og plays a different Paragon.
I played Barneys a couple of weeks ago.
He has given it to an old friend.
# Posted on December 28th 2007 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Barney McKenna
Does Barney play anywhere these days. I heard he was in the Cobblestones a few months ago but nothing else?
# Posted on December 29th 2007 by 52Paddy
Re: Barney McKenna
Hugo, thanks for the correction-when I met Sean Og a couple of years ago he kindly let me play his Paragon . Barney was playing the short neck Dave Boyle then I'm sure. I hear the Lighthouse has been demolished? for flats? Has the Sunday session there kicked off somewhere else?
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by banjoian
Re: Barney McKenna
He played in the Pier house about 3 weeks ago with Ozzie and a group of Scottish musicians who just happened to pop in. Great session that night. But this isn't anything regular for Barney, he's not great on the aul feet and was assisted there and back home. He lives right beside the Lighthouse which is being developed along with a number of adjacent properties into apartments but rumour has it that they will be keeping a small bar in it still. But because of ongoing court cases it's unlikely to open anytime soon. The Pier House is where it's at as regards the Sunday afternoon session.
# Posted on December 31st 2007 by blaydo
Re: Barney McKenna
Thanks for that blaydo.
# Posted on January 2nd 2008 by banjoian
Re: Barney McKenna
he is SAUSAGE
# Posted on January 3rd 2008 by pdubliner
Re: Barney McKenna
barney gave his paragon to a young lad who is learning the banjo his name is padraig drew barney plyed in trim last fridayin the castle arch hotel for the opening of the new road in trim finegans way, barneys getting another boyle banjo made with a 12 inch pot will keep yoz posted
# Posted on June 12th 2008 by myparasgon
Re: Barney McKenna
who is pdubliner? may be a blow in
# Posted on June 17th 2008 by myparasgon
Re: Barney McKenna
Anyone know what gauge strings and plectrum Barney uses on
his short neck banjo
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by checker