Episode 38: Joe Fitzgerald (Accordion, singing)

The great Joe Fitzgerald, of east Clare and Melbourne. On first hearing his mother play the melodeon. On drovers, the bush, and working with his father. On lost players: Mick Minogue, Mrs Brady, Mrs Purcell and Frank MacNamara. Growing old and the curative power of music and song. 'Strange thing I have...I was born in Galway. I was raised in Clare. We lived just inside the parish of Ogonnellow, but I went to school in the parish of Bodyke and played my hurling there...and I have Ireland and Australia. So I have two of everything, and I love them all.' 

Joe plays two reels to start:
The Stone of Destiny and The Trip to Cullenstown.

Then, Miss McLeod's Reel, the first tune he heard his mother play.
Then, The Foxhunter's Reel.

He sings 'Andy's Gone With Cattle' and finishes with a slow air which we don't have the name of.

You can hear Paddy, Joe's brother, talk about their childhood and the role of music in their household here, in Episode 14:

https://blarneypilgrims.fireside.fm/14

And Eileen O'Brien and Mary MacNamara's full episode here:

https://blarneypilgrims.fireside.fm/4

Beautiful stuff. Thanks to Joe, and to Chris and Bryony Fitzgerald and the staff at The Last Jar in Melbourne.

Enjoy!
Darren & Dom
...

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