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By Pádraic Mac Mathúna
New York remains an invaluable resource for Traditional Irish music. The ITMA is fortunate to have Felix Dolan’s (1937-2013) and Larry Redican (1908-1975) private collections showcasing the rich musical talent in New York from the 1950s to the 1990s.
We continue this month Felix’s many musical friends from memorable musical occasions. Back to 1992 Felix was joined by Joe Madden (1938-2008), Martin Mulhaire (1936-2020), Mike Raferty and Kevin Killeen for a memorial céilí event for Jack and Mae Whelan, capturing the atmosphere of the occasion. Fiddle player Brian Conway recently released a new CD and had a successful tour in Ireland with Felix’s son, Brendan. Brian teamed up with Felix and Tony De Marco, another great New York fiddle player for a concert in France in 1996 displaying their virtuosity in full flight in a number of tracks here.
We return to the Redican collection from the 1960s with private recordings (one in Jack Coen’s house), when Larry and Felix once again are in the company of old friends and legends, Joe Burke (1939-2021) and Andy McGann (1928-2004).
Hope you had an enjoyable summer of music at sessions, festivals or fleadhs. More from ITMA collections next month.
– Pádraic Mac Mathúna
