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ITMA is fortunate to have Felix Dolan’s (1937-2013) private collections showcasing the rich musical talent in the US and Ireland from the 1950s to the 1990s. Apart from recordings made by Felix, he also received tapes of sessions and concerts in both the US and Ireland. This month we feature some of these recordings made at different locations.
Mullingar was the location for a famous Fleadh Cheoil in 1963 and among the musicians was Seán Ryan (1919-1985), the renowned Tipperary fiddle player. Later in the 1960s, Seán travelled to the US with his wife Kathleen and accordion player Paddy O’Brien of Offaly (later to emigrate to the US where he still lives) where a memorable session was recorded featuring these sets of tunes. In the 1970s, back in New York, Felix’s old friend, accordion player Charlie Mulvihill (1917-1975), gave Felix recordings made with his son, Tommy and daughter Geraldine. Felix was also fortunate to receive a tape from Charlie featuring Catherine Brennan-Grant (1915-1979) the doyenne of New York fiddle players, accompanied by his son Tommy.
Moving from the 1960s to the 1990s, when a vibrant, powerful session was held in John Whelan’s house in Connecticut. John is a famous accordion player who moved from the UK to the US in the 1980s and this session captures both the entire compliment of musicians present and an exciting ‘Mason’s Apron’ by the fiddle players, backed tastefully as always by Felix.
Finally, Seán Maguire (1927-2005), from a private recording made in Chicago 1958, when Seán was touring with a group in the US. This is early Maguire, displaying his flair, imagination and controlled virtuosity. More form this special 1958 recording next month.
Enjoy.
– Pádraic Mac Mathúna
