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Meeting Joe Derrane in Boston
By admin | February 5, 2009
I had the loveliest day with Joe Derrane on Thursday last. I have been fascinated by his story - he recorded some highly acclaimed 78s in the 1940s, then disappeared from the Irish music scene and was presumed dead, only to make the comeback of all comebacks in 1994. And he’s playing better music than ever now at age 79. I wanted to meet him, so Jimmy Noonan made the call, and Gerry Dunleavy drove me down to Randolph, 11 miles south of Boston. What a gentleman. And what a storyteller. We talked for hours. And he recounted in detail the amazing turns and twists of his musical career: from the heyday of the Irish dancehall scene in Middle St., Boston, through his days playing piano accordion at Jewish weddings, then his synthesizer days at sought-after supper clubs - to his re-entering the world of traditional Irish music in the 1990s after a 35 year absence. And during that time he didn’t even own a button accordion.
You’ll hear the full interview on The Wednesday Session on Clare FM, when the Kitchen Sessions finish. But for now have a listen to Joe talking about the ballroom scene in 1940s Boston. Watch this space - later I’ll post another clip of Joe on how and why he got back into traditional music.
Topics: Gerry Dunleavy, Boston, Podcasts, Series 2 |