Episode 67: James Keane Interview (Accordion) Part 1

The legend. A photo of a photo, pictures within pictures. Father's shift work at Clondalkin paper mill and growing up in Drimnagh. Memories of those that are gone, embedded in the tunes, and bringing them back each time you play. Ceoltóirí Chualann, not letting on that you play the diddley-eye stuff and midnight gigs at the age of 11. 'That quiet part of the world' and the Dublin folk revival scene of the '50s and '60s. Thirteen gigs in the one night and remembering the McPeakes of Belfast.

James is the recipient of the 2020 Irish Artist in America Achievement Award at the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat.  
https://oflahertyretreat.org/instructors_staff/james-keane/

To attend this year's virtual O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat go here:
https://oflahertyretreat.org/our-virtual-camp-plans/

James's Irish Music Therapy YouTube page is a collection of tunes and memories, and as you'll hear in our second part of this two part interview, played a major part in helping James recover from throat cancer. Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/user/IrishMusicTherapy

Thanks to Kate O'Connell for recording this chat and the tunes:
 
The Two-and-Sixpenny Girl, The New House and The Tar Road to Sligo  

Levallagh

Tom Ward's Downfall, Farewell to Erin (from the playing of Paddy O'Brien) and Dillon's Fancy

Lament for the Battle of Aughrim (after the McPeake family) and Return from Fingal

Lastly - in the intro we mention a documentary Dom produced for BBC Radio 4 on The Gay Byrne Radio Show.  
Written and presented by the great Fintan O'Toole, it's a great listen:

https://soundcloud.com/dominic-black/a-cup-of-tea-a-sticky-bun-and

James and Theresa, thank you.

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Om Podcasten

The Blarney Pilgrims Podcast is a weekly journey to the heart of Irish music. We interview players of Irish music about how they first came to the music and the place it occupies in their lives now. We use the word ‘heart’ intentionally, because heart is what this music, and the people who play it, are all about. It’s a funny, warm and often unexpected journey – and the tunes are crackin' too. NOTE: Hey there - it's Darren and Dom here. So...we want to let you know that last week was the last episode (Ep 94) of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast for now. We've come to a point where we've both decided to take a long pause and focus on a few other things. Knowing how much the podcast means to you all, it's a decision we've been really reluctant to take. What we DO know is how massively grateful we are for every text, every thumbs up, every raised eyebrow of support we've had over the past two years. You are all legends, and we're forever in your debt. Thanks especially to everyone who's become a Patron Saint and supported us through the toughest of economic times, and thanks most especially to the musicians. To those who have been so generous to share their tunes and stories with us, and to those who've welcomed us into pub sessions and festival gatherings and house sessions and campsite sessions. Wherever in the world we've chatted with players of the music, we've been made to feel like lifelong pals. It's a testament to the open heartedness of the communities who keep the music going wherever they are, and we can't thank you all enough. We hope this archive will remain of use to people even as we're taking a pause. So - please do stay in touch, don't be a stranger, and if you see us out and about, do say hello. And we'll see you when we see you. Dom and Darren.