James Keane playing 3 traditional Irish reels while recovering from cancer (#1 in series)

http://www.jameskeane.com

This is a video of James Keane from Dublin playing three reels at his home in New York around Christmas. By this time he had already undergone a battery of radiation treatments to fight esophogal cancer, with another set coming up the next morning and so on.

Despite the draining ordeal also complicated by severe diabetes, he turns to music to keep good spirits. We won't know the efficacy of the procedure for a few weeks more.

His voice is greatly diminished, but his music is still alift with that classic James Keane style.

He is playing the Castagnari KEANEBOX, a signature instrument, commissioned as a testimony to his mastery of the two row button box. This was the instrument he played on his award-winning albums and critically acclaimed That's the Spirit, Sweeter as the Years Roll By, and the first release LP by the super-group Fingal.

more info: http://www.jameskeane.com

------------REELS-------------

Derrycrag:
James learned this tune from the great East Galway fiddle-player named Aggie Whyte in the late 60s. The reel was composed by missionary priest Father Kelly, also from that musical area that produced Jack Coen, Patsy Touhey, Mike Rafferty, Joe Madden and a long list of greats. James recorded the reel on his 1999 Sweeter as the Years Roll By album that was voted one of the top twenty traditional albums of the last twenty years by Irish America Magazine.

The Whistling Postman (or Gallagher's):
James learned this reel from Paddy Reynolds, the great Longford fiddler who lived and became legendary in New York City. It was recorded by Reynolds on an album that featured James on one side, and the fiddler with Charlie Mulvihill and Felix Dolan on the other. Made in 1970, Sweet and Traditional Music of Ireland is a classic of the genre, and a collector's item for any connoisseur.

The Galway Reel:
This reel was chosen by Paul Brady for an album he began recording with James, and which has yet to be finished. On it, Brady lilts to Keane's instrumental.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Irish
• traditional
• music
• trad
• accordion
• button accordion
• ceoil
• ceol
• Dublin
• Clare
• Celtic
• TG4
• RTÉ
• James Keane
• Ireland
• Gaelic
• box
• player
• Castagnari

[boxplayer2]

the first reel - derry criag wood - is the reel im using for this years fleadh hopefully it does me good :)

[IrishMusicTherapy]

I started to play it during the mid-sixties and it was not really popular even then.Sounds like another Fr. Kelly tune and it was the other one that most people played..I also have it on a cd "Sweeter as the Years Roll By"It is a nice box tune and you should feel comfortable playing it.Best of luck at the Fleadh.

James..

[clarebannerman]

I remember James with his brother Seán (from the Chieftains) playing in Dublin/Clare in the 60's. Lovely box player. ♥

[IrishMusicTherapy]

Thank you very much. Not quite as wild anymore but still enjoying the music.

Up Ballynacally,

James

[reelsonwheels]

Lovely selection! Keep the videos coming!

[TheWoodyturner]

best wishes james please come home and play for us you ledgend

[Stargreened]

I bought one of these in 2007 (Castagnari Kriss III) and i just got a middle reed block fitted in it. So it was LMM now it's MMM but i've got the option of swapping the reed blocks over any time i feel which is great.

I've just had it also tuned a bit wetter by a tuner in Birmingham it sounds better now than the really dry factory setting it was.

Really cracking playing here by the way love that first reel.

[xXxEmileighxXx]

This is great!!!!

I have to ask, James, do you know a couple by the name of Margaret and Bill Winnett?? Im their step granddaughter :D I believe that she learned a hornpipe from you??

[glubux]

Definitly my favourite video, I just love those reels! I just don't know if I'll ever be able to play them as fast and well as you do!

I'm happy to read than your health is back.

Keep posting great videos ;)

[gibsonpaddy]

magic music mate

[schaumorgenrot]

All best wishes from Cambridge, Ma and a fan, i hope you are doing better. Great great playing. Thanks!

[scotsophrenia]

Unbelievable playing. How he could do it while so unwell is beyond me. Genius.

[mactcampbell]

Hello Skip. Great stuff. I'm sorry to hear of your medical condition. It hasn't affected your playing any. All the best with your recovery and perhaps we will get to jam again someday.

Mac Campbell Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton, NS. from back in the days of Ryan's Fancy.