Paddy Keenan
Encyclopedia
Paddy Keenan is an Irish player of the uilleann pipes
who first gained fame as a founding member of The Bothy Band
. Since that group's dissolution in the late 1970s, Keenan has released a number of solo and collaborative recordings, and continues to tour both as a soloist, and with singer/guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan.
, County Meath
in 1950 to John Keenan (an Irish Traveller
) and Mary Bravender Keenan (of settled descent). Though the Keenan family abandoned the Traveling lifestyle early in Paddy's life, he spent much of his youth contending with discrimination, including regular physical confrontations. His father and grandfather both played the pipes, and his father spent many nights playing along with piper Johnny Doran
. Paddy was introduced to the tin whistle
by his brother Johnny Keenan (a notable Irish banjo player) around age six, and began playing the pipes around age nine. Recognizing his son's interest, John Keenan tutored Paddy, along with neighboring children including Finbar Furey and Davy Spillane
. During this period, the Keenan household was, de facto, an ongoing session
. At age 14, Paddy played his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, followed by a few years of touring with a number of musicians, including his father, as "The Pavees." At 17, attempting to escape the strictness of his father's household, Paddy went to England; he ended up busking around London, singing and playing blues
and rock
songs on guitar for the majority of the following four years. Having nearly sold or thrown away his pipes multiple times, he discovered in 1971 that busking with them was far more lucrative than with the guitar, and resumed his piping career.
, of which Keenan was a mainstay from its inception to its demise in 1979.
on the 1978 album Doublin. He subsequently recorded a second solo album for Gael-Linn Records
, Poirt An Phiobaire, in 1983.
After rejecting the chance to join Moving Hearts
in the early 1980s, Keenan's musical career went into abeyance. However, in the 1990s he relocated to North America
, rediscovered his musical talents and issued "Na Keen Affair" in 1997, recorded at Dadyeen Studios, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. Supporting musicians include Tommy Peoples on fiddle, Arty McGlynn and Tommy O'Sullivan on guitar, as well as Newfoundland musicians. This led to an ongoing musical relationship with the London-born, Kerry-based guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan. Together, the pair issued "The Long Grazing Acre" in 2001, touring jointly to promote the album. According to their respective websites, Keenan and O'Sullivan have continued to perform together periodically since 2001.
chanter), Paddy played until 2000. At that point, Keenan received a full set from maker Dave Williams of Grimsby
, England, who died a few years later in a car accident.
This set, which was a copy of the previous Crowley set, remains Keenan's primary instrument.
Uilleann pipes
The uilleann pipes or //; ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, their current name, earlier known in English as "union pipes", is a part translation of the Irish-language term píobaí uilleann , from their method of inflation.The bag of the uilleann pipes is inflated by means of a...
who first gained fame as a founding member of The Bothy Band
The Bothy Band
The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band active during the late 1970s. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the most influential bands playing Irish traditional music...
. Since that group's dissolution in the late 1970s, Keenan has released a number of solo and collaborative recordings, and continues to tour both as a soloist, and with singer/guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan.
The early years
Paddy Keenan was born in TrimTrim, County Meath
Trim is the traditional county town of County Meath in Ireland, although the county town is now Navan. The town was recorded in the 2006 census to have a population of 6,870....
, County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1950 to John Keenan (an Irish Traveller
Irish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
) and Mary Bravender Keenan (of settled descent). Though the Keenan family abandoned the Traveling lifestyle early in Paddy's life, he spent much of his youth contending with discrimination, including regular physical confrontations. His father and grandfather both played the pipes, and his father spent many nights playing along with piper Johnny Doran
Johnny Doran
Johnny Doran was an Irish uilleann piper.- Life :Johnny Doran was born in 1907 in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow...
. Paddy was introduced to the tin whistle
Tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
by his brother Johnny Keenan (a notable Irish banjo player) around age six, and began playing the pipes around age nine. Recognizing his son's interest, John Keenan tutored Paddy, along with neighboring children including Finbar Furey and Davy Spillane
Davy Spillane
Davy Spillane is a songwriter and a player of uilleann pipes and low whistle.early yearsDavy was born in Dublin in 1959 . At the age of 12 he started playing the uilleann pipes. His father encouraged him and inspired him with his love of all music genres...
. During this period, the Keenan household was, de facto, an ongoing session
Irish traditional music session
Irish traditional music sessions are mostly informal gatherings at which people play Irish traditional music. The Irish language word for "session" is seisiún...
. At age 14, Paddy played his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, followed by a few years of touring with a number of musicians, including his father, as "The Pavees." At 17, attempting to escape the strictness of his father's household, Paddy went to England; he ended up busking around London, singing and playing blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
songs on guitar for the majority of the following four years. Having nearly sold or thrown away his pipes multiple times, he discovered in 1971 that busking with them was far more lucrative than with the guitar, and resumed his piping career.
Early groups and The Bothy Band
Returning to Dublin, Keenan played regularly with his brothers and father at folk clubs and various venues around Ireland. In 1975, he was part of a band called Seachtar, from the Irish word for 'seven people.' This band was the genesis of The Bothy BandThe Bothy Band
The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band active during the late 1970s. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the most influential bands playing Irish traditional music...
, of which Keenan was a mainstay from its inception to its demise in 1979.
A solo career
Keenan's first (and eponymous) solo album appeared in 1975, and he also duetted with fiddler Paddy GlackinPaddy Glackin
Paddy Glackin is an Irish fiddler from Clontarf, Dublin. His father Tom Glackin was from Donegal and Paddy's fiddle style reflects his family's Donegal roots. Glackin is considered one of the leading Irish fiddlers in the late 20th/early 21st centuries. He became fiddle champion at the All-Ireland...
on the 1978 album Doublin. He subsequently recorded a second solo album for Gael-Linn Records
Gael-Linn Records
Gael Linn Records is an Irish record label, run by the Irish language promotion organisation Gael Linn.Gael Linn released records by many of the world's most renowned Gaelic and Irish Traditional musicians known today...
, Poirt An Phiobaire, in 1983.
After rejecting the chance to join Moving Hearts
Moving Hearts
Moving Hearts is an Irish folk-rock band formed in 1981. They followed in the footsteps of Horslips in combining Irish traditional music with rock and roll, and also added elements of jazz to their sound.-Career:...
in the early 1980s, Keenan's musical career went into abeyance. However, in the 1990s he relocated to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, rediscovered his musical talents and issued "Na Keen Affair" in 1997, recorded at Dadyeen Studios, St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. Supporting musicians include Tommy Peoples on fiddle, Arty McGlynn and Tommy O'Sullivan on guitar, as well as Newfoundland musicians. This led to an ongoing musical relationship with the London-born, Kerry-based guitarist Tommy O'Sullivan. Together, the pair issued "The Long Grazing Acre" in 2001, touring jointly to promote the album. According to their respective websites, Keenan and O'Sullivan have continued to perform together periodically since 2001.
Pipes and Pipemakers
Upon demonstrating and aptitude for, and interest in the pipes around the age of ten, John Keenan got Paddy a full set of pipes by John Clarks. Six years later, in 1966, Keenan's father bought him a full set made by the Crowley family, which (with the addition of a Leo RowsomeLeo Rowsome
Leo Rowsome was the third generation of an unbroken line of uilleann pipers. He was performer, manufacturer and teacher of the uilleann pipes - the complete master of his instrument...
chanter), Paddy played until 2000. At that point, Keenan received a full set from maker Dave Williams of Grimsby
Grimsby
Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...
, England, who died a few years later in a car accident.
This set, which was a copy of the previous Crowley set, remains Keenan's primary instrument.
Solo albums
- Paddy KeenanPaddy Keenan (album)-Musicians:Paddy Keenan : Uilleann Pipes, Tin Whistle, Low whistleJohn Keenan : BanjoThomas Keenan : Tin Whistle on 2, 3, 14Paddy Glackin : Fiddle-External links:*...
(1975) - Poirt An PhiobairePoirt An Phiobaire-Musicians:Paddy Keenan : Uilleann Pipes, Tin WhistleArty McGlynn : Guitar...
(1983) - Ná Keen Affair (1997)
External links
Sound Sample
- Reels: Julia Delaney / Farewell to Erin (4:52) with Irish-Newfoundland band Tickle Harbour
- Reels: Scotch Mary/Earls Chair/Pigeon on the Gate
- Air: Johnny's Tune, For The Avalon