Joe Cooley 1924 - 1973

Tony MacMahon, knowing that Cooley was dying from cancer, arranged this famous recording session in Lahiffe's Bar in Peterswell, County Galway on November 29, 1973. Accompanying Cooley was his brother Jack on bodhran and banjo player Des Mulkere from Crusheen in Co Clare. Joe Cooley died a month later, in St Luke's Hospital, Dublin, on December 20, 1973. This clip is precious to me. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam. ♫♪ ♫

For more info. on the late Joe Cooley go here: http://www.iol.ie/~ronolan/cooley.html

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Joe Cooley
• Cooley
• Accordeon
• Session
• Reel
• Galway

[cuchaia]

What's most interesting to me about this video is the look on the faces of those in the audience, the pure enjoyment they are getting from the music and the performers. It's such a contrast to now. Thanks for posting this insight into a time, a people and their music

[clarebannerman]

It's the music I was born into & love with all my heart & soul. When I was a kid traditional Irish Music was neither popular or profitable. It was considered a backward country orientated type of music. It's only in the last twenty five years thanks to Ciarán Mach Mathúna,the Chieftains etc, etc.

[cathycook1]

Brilliant stuff, playing with such life when he must have been very sick at this stage.The audience shots are great too, I like the old fella with the wild hair near the end.

[spunnek75]

I get really inspired to learn and play it,when I hear the music of Joe Cooley.

maybe I should go after that cd..(I believe there is an album of recordings from this session)

His music is hard to find on the internet,a bit mysterious..

And Cooley´s Reel happens to be one of my favorites,and this one will become too!

[captbanjo1]

This IS Irish music.



[gcpropertymanagement]

Great!

[spunnek75]

Amazing performance by Joe Cooley.

I wonder if this is the only recording of him..

He must have felt really sick during the period this was filmed,but the music is so powerfull!

The banjo suits well with Cooley´s accordeon...

[TheCARENTAN]

Magnifique

A great moment

Thanks for these vidéos

TeCARENTAN

[clareman21]

music to lift the heart on a dark damp winter's evening.May you Rest in Peace Joe

[martinmcmutrie]

I come to watch this vid at least every couple of months. It's a touchstone.

[catmelodeon]

Still one of my alltime favourite vids... I could laugh or cry every time I see this one.

[cernernut]

I heard Joe Cooley play in this pub on a night which was very close to this night; I don't remember any cameras the night I was there; the music was GREAT-what a memorable night

[PaddyBanjo]

Very pleasant moment of great music. I am one of these (many) french who love irish music (and try to play it but... not so good). This video shows the pleasure and the joy of people looking even through the windows ! Thank you