by way of an annexe (and with apology) to the older thread 'James Byrne R.I.P.' just to let people know that a well written piece by Joe Crane (plus pic) appears in todays 'Guardian' newspaper (www.guardian.co.uk) finally
a fitting tribute to this younger member of 'the old school' who died last november at only 62
I think many people would take issue with the Guardian's description of Donegal music as being "essentially derived from the Scottish folk tradition" and having pretty much died out until being revived by Dermot McLaughlin. See, for example, Caoimhin Mac Aoidh's book, "Between Jigs and Reels" or Allen Feldman's "The Northern Fiddler" for more accurate, complex, and holistic accounts.
I think to compare a small part of a 600 word obit with the scope of a whole book never mind two, seems a bit unfair. Everything you delve into becomes more complicated the greater depth you go.
I agree with Lisaniska I thought it had good tone for a British national newspaper or would you have preferred Siobhan Long from the Irish Times to write a piece.
Siobhan Long probably doesn't know who James Byrne was, she's too busy going to George Michael concerts. I thought it was shocking that there was no mention of James' passing in the Irish Times. I mean if the Guardian sees fit to pay tribute to him surely one of our main natiional papers would too............
Of course one can't fit all that's in a book into an obituary, but part of being able to write is being able to be clear, accurate and concise. My comment (which is just a guess as to what Floss was talking about, based on my own understandings) is less about the inclusion of detail, and more about how things were framed, which doesn't take a lot of space.
Have Ireland's National Press been shamed by the Newry Journal?
One of the reasons I posted the links to the other Obits here, was to point out that now we'd heard from The Guardian, but in Ireland, as far as I knew, no National Paper had seen fit to mention his passing or celebrate his life, in a fitting manner.
I'm sure we would all have been very surprised if the Donegal Democrat hadn't covered the story at least twice, but hey, fair play don't you think, to the folks at the wee Newry Journal!
As for Feldman, well, he actually did record James in the late 1970s for an album (also featuring Danny O'Donnell, Simon Doherty and Con Cassidy) which was supposed to complement Topic's release of John Doherty's 'Bundle and Go'.
It was never released because Danny withdrew his permission, possibly because he did not want to be heard without piano accompaniment. He would also have appeared on 'The Brass Fiddler', but for the same stipulation.
A couple of years back I took James a copy of this album, legitimately acquired via Topic from The British Library (where it can be heard, if you're in the vicinity). He had no recollection of the recording being made, but his ears pricked when I mentioned Feldman and he recalled being paid a tenner and being bought a few pints in return for being recorded. How much Feldman paid the others and how much he would have made himself from this 'enterprise' are details probably best forgotten.
The great shame is that it's a cracking album and James's playing is even more fiery than on his solo album or any of the Cairdeas recordings.
Floss, surely it is better that James be remembered, with a few small errors in the story, than to be completely ignored & forgotten about by Ireland's National Press.
Also, did Feldman really make a fortune from his book?
I suspect, like a lot of those type of projects, it was more a labour of love & if you counted up all the man hours he put into it, he probably came out with a pretty small wage, for his trouble.
Let's face it, if he hadn't done it back then, who else around at the time, was going to get off their bum & do it?
I had a word with Joe and he told me that he is giving the money paid to him by the paper to the widow and as for the comments above well lets say his reply is not available before the watershed
James Byrne obituary
James Byrne obituary
by way of an annexe (and with apology) to the older thread 'James Byrne R.I.P.' just to let people know that a well written piece by Joe Crane (plus pic) appears in todays 'Guardian' newspaper (www.guardian.co.uk) finally
a fitting tribute to this younger member of 'the old school' who died last november at only 62
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by lisaniska
Re: James Byrne obituary
The link is http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/feb/11/obituary-james-byrne
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by Trevor Jennings
Re: James Byrne obituary
Donegal Democrat: "Donegal fiddle "legend" laid to rest in stormy Glencolumbkille"
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Donegal-fiddle-34legend34-laid-to.4688412.jp
Donegal Democrat: "Musicians from around Ireland pay tribute to James Byrne"
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/Musicians-from-around-Ireland-pay.4679050.jp
Newry Journal:
http://www.newryjournal.co.uk/content/view/2102/
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by Ptarmigan
Re: James Byrne obituary
On the one hand, it's great to see such coverage in The Guardian, but, on the other, it's sad that the obituary is utterly riddled with errors.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: James Byrne obituary
What errors are those ?
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: James Byrne obituary
Floss the Tethers - Can you elaborate as to the nature of the errors in the obituary in The Guardian? - Thanks.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by DaveA
Re: James Byrne obituary
I think many people would take issue with the Guardian's description of Donegal music as being "essentially derived from the Scottish folk tradition" and having pretty much died out until being revived by Dermot McLaughlin. See, for example, Caoimhin Mac Aoidh's book, "Between Jigs and Reels" or Allen Feldman's "The Northern Fiddler" for more accurate, complex, and holistic accounts.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by jasonb
Re: James Byrne obituary
I think to compare a small part of a 600 word obit with the scope of a whole book never mind two, seems a bit unfair. Everything you delve into becomes more complicated the greater depth you go.
I agree with Lisaniska I thought it had good tone for a British national newspaper or would you have preferred Siobhan Long from the Irish Times to write a piece.
# Posted on February 11th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: James Byrne obituary
Siobhan Long probably doesn't know who James Byrne was, she's too busy going to George Michael concerts. I thought it was shocking that there was no mention of James' passing in the Irish Times. I mean if the Guardian sees fit to pay tribute to him surely one of our main natiional papers would too............
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by The Tune Composer
Re: James Byrne obituary
Of course one can't fit all that's in a book into an obituary, but part of being able to write is being able to be clear, accurate and concise. My comment (which is just a guess as to what Floss was talking about, based on my own understandings) is less about the inclusion of detail, and more about how things were framed, which doesn't take a lot of space.
Floss?
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by jasonb
Re: James Byrne obituary
Have Ireland's National Press been shamed by the Newry Journal?
One of the reasons I posted the links to the other Obits here, was to point out that now we'd heard from The Guardian, but in Ireland, as far as I knew, no National Paper had seen fit to mention his passing or celebrate his life, in a fitting manner.
I'm sure we would all have been very surprised if the Donegal Democrat hadn't covered the story at least twice, but hey, fair play don't you think, to the folks at the wee Newry Journal!
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by Ptarmigan
Re: James Byrne obituary
OK, here's just a sample of the many errors in this article.
1) 'Several exceptional fiddlers lived near the Byrne farm, and it was visited by at least one, the legendary John Doherty.'
John Doherty never 'lived near the Byrne farm', unless one counts a few years when he resided in Carrick, some 15km. away.
2) 'However, a young fiddler from Derry, Dermot McLaughlin, heard about Byrne's prowess on the instrument and tried to revive the tradition.'
That would be by himself then!
3) 'As Byrne's fame grew, so did that of a young band from Donegal called Altan, who played many of his tunes.'
No, Altan did not and James would never call them 'his tunes'. They did play some tunes learnt from James, but certainly not 'many'.
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: James Byrne obituary
As for Feldman, well, he actually did record James in the late 1970s for an album (also featuring Danny O'Donnell, Simon Doherty and Con Cassidy) which was supposed to complement Topic's release of John Doherty's 'Bundle and Go'.
It was never released because Danny withdrew his permission, possibly because he did not want to be heard without piano accompaniment. He would also have appeared on 'The Brass Fiddler', but for the same stipulation.
A couple of years back I took James a copy of this album, legitimately acquired via Topic from The British Library (where it can be heard, if you're in the vicinity). He had no recollection of the recording being made, but his ears pricked when I mentioned Feldman and he recalled being paid a tenner and being bought a few pints in return for being recorded. How much Feldman paid the others and how much he would have made himself from this 'enterprise' are details probably best forgotten.
The great shame is that it's a cracking album and James's playing is even more fiery than on his solo album or any of the Cairdeas recordings.
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: James Byrne obituary
Floss, surely it is better that James be remembered, with a few small errors in the story, than to be completely ignored & forgotten about by Ireland's National Press.
Also, did Feldman really make a fortune from his book?
I suspect, like a lot of those type of projects, it was more a labour of love & if you counted up all the man hours he put into it, he probably came out with a pretty small wage, for his trouble.
Let's face it, if he hadn't done it back then, who else around at the time, was going to get off their bum & do it?
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by Ptarmigan
Re: James Byrne obituary
I had a word with Joe and he told me that he is giving the money paid to him by the paper to the widow and as for the comments above well lets say his reply is not available before the watershed
# Posted on February 14th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: James Byrne obituary
That's very nice of him. I certainly meant no offense.
# Posted on February 15th 2009 by jasonb
Re: James Byrne obituary
my dad (eighty this year) use to tell us when we were young :
'if you havn't a good word to say about anyone say nothing'
now is he right (or what?) but it sets an almost impossible dictum to follow no matter what or who you are
conversely, a great friend of mine and low whistle player told me :
'don't listen to what anyone else says, all musians are w****** '
now there's definitely something to be gleaned here but i'm not sure what . . .
# Posted on February 15th 2009 by lisaniska