Joe Cooley

"Tony MacMahon, knowing that Cooley was dying from cancer, arranged this famous recording session in Lahiffe's Bar in Peterswell, County Galway on November 29, 1973. Accompanying Cooley was his brother Jack on bodhran and banjo player Des Mulkere from Crusheen in Co Clare. Joe Cooley died a month later, in St Luke's Hospital, Dublin, on December 20, 1973. This clip is precious to me. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam."

Written by the bannerman for youtube



"There must be more of these around somewhere. The man was a master at emphasizing certain notes which gave him his excellent tempo. He played at a lively tempo, yet not so fast as to destroy the melody."


"Perfect celebratory affirmation of LIFE!"


"What's most interesting to me about this video is the look on the faces of those in the audience, the pure enjoyment they are getting from the music and the performers. It's such a contrast to now. Thanks for posting this insight into a time, a people and their music."


"The obvious love of this music is so strong, that I doubt Mr Cooley would let a little thing like his passing stop him from playing, he rests in peace, but I suspect, not in silence."

Written for bannerman and youtube.

Wherever Irish Music is played Joe Cooley is never far away. He composed great Irish music that is played at most seisuins and his name an essential part of that tradition, still spoken with love among the ordinary people's heritage. - Brian Clarke

BBC CULTURAL CENSORSHIP

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Most of us are aware of the battle between the traditional media and bloggers regarding content which is generally politicized one way or the other. It is about political control and manipulation of public opinion.

Political control of the masses it appears, is now conducted to a large extent, by the media at the behest of huge agencies, with considerable resources. A free press, an important part of a genuine democracy, has been compromised. This is my principal interest in journalism.

My previous involvement in writing articles, of a harmless sporting nature in the BBC, included emails and phone calls from detectives, to desist from contributing, in what was a solely sporting debate. I am aware for quite some time, that British agencies have a particular interest in silencing people like me.

The extent of subtle but considerable censorship of our apparently free press, is to say the least alarming. They can be certain, that I will not continue to be censored in the future, on matters of importance to me.



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The IrishBlog list above when clicked, includes Irish performers such as, Enya, Ron Kavana, Clancys, celtic, Planxty, Christy Moore, Luke Kelly, travellers, Kila, tommy Tiernan, Kathleen Largy, Mary Coughlan and Phil Coulter to name but a few in this particular post.






I've been around trad music for 50 + years but I think this is my favourite song, the pipes solos make it special. Maith go leor !

IrishBlog

Click for List


The IrishBlog list above when clicked, includes Irish performers such as, Enya, Ron Kavana, Clancys, celtic, Planxty, Christy Moore, Luke Kelly, travellers, Kila, tommy Tiernan, Kathleen Largy, Mary Coughlan and Phil Coulter to name but a few in this particular post.







I've been around trad music for 50 + years but I think this is my favourite song, the pipes solos make it special. Maith go leor !