Johnny Doherty playing fiddle Part 1 of 2

[propinquity5]

Tinya was 8 at the time. She played a penny whistle and recalled it was raining, but not that hard. It should be noted that in many of these films, Toshi was the driving force. See the Texas Prison Work Song video for example. That's the news, I hope it helps. ....and you should know that the Seegers enjoyed watching the video. Thanks.

[propinquity5]

A mutual friend knew John who lived on a steep mountain and it was agreed John would come down to a cottage, but the light was poor to shoot a film. The film was shot in Pete's rented 20 ft. RV. They set up lights and cameras and made the movie. The "Fla" was held at a different small town every year. Tommy Makem told him nobody sleeps. Music for 24 hours. Pete asked where's the stage. He was told everywhere-wherever there were 5 people, there was music! All at the end of their world tour.

[propinquity5]

Pete, Toshi, and Tinya all recall that day. Mika usually ran the sound for Toshi's camera work. Danny ran the other camera. They had a new recorder that could record optical sound. It was possible to shoot a film, develop it, and run it on TV in 15 minutes. Toshi recalls it was raining, but not terrible.  Unknown if he was sick. The Seegers attended something called a "Fla" (sp?) where the whole town played music for 24 hrs. Pete was disappointed when the best fiddler was not attending.

[fanwick]

I love that kind of historic vids. Very fine, thanks a lot!

[malek321]

Thats a lovely version of Lord McDonald's Reel. I'm not used to hearing it played differently than the way Coleman played it, which of course is mighty as well. Beautiful way of playing The Irish Washerwoman as well. Thanks for this clip

[Steviegottagunn]

Pure class.

[georgikeith]

I believe the tune at 2:05 is "the President", by James Scott Skinner...

[oldflute]

How many more gems like this featuring the older generation are lying around somewhere in personal film archives (or audio archives)? Thanks to whoever rescued this one. Stunning.

[bohola]

Great to see and hear!! BTW, the last reel in this portion of the clip is commonly known as "Lord McDonald's Reel"

[KennedysKitchen]

Just beautiful. 

[athulican]

that's why we need a chin rest.

[Pagra50]

I wonder , did he have classical training? That`s what his technique seems to suggest. Great stuff, regardless.

[Joe1729]

@Pagra50 Look at his left hand. He *definitely* didn't have classical training!

[georgikeith]

@Pagra50 I'm pretty sure he had no classical training worth mentioning. Though it's likely/possible that some of the techniques did filter down to him, through other musicians he would have come across over the course of his travels... Likely a technique here, a tune there. Nobody lives in a complete vacuum... not even in Donegal in the 1960s.

[rikardo5101]

Brilliant, my idol in fiddle playing. Dick. Hogan

[cocusflute]

I am stunned- first by his technique, second by his sensitivity, third by his perfect bowing... and so on.... Thanks so much for posting this. Doherty is a modest genius. He makes Sean McGuire appear boastful, vain, and pretentious.

[DEKEKendo2]

Fuckin class!!!!

[zydecobill]

This is just beautiful. Met with and recorded Johnny in 1976/7. Just beautiful.

[clarebannerman]

That's a lovely old clip of this great musician.