Paul Kelly (Irish musician)
Encyclopedia
Paul Kelly is an Irish multi-instrumentalist musician from Tallaght
in Dublin, Ireland. He has played Irish traditional music, bluegrass and country, and is equally at home in a variety of different styles of music.
, where his style was honed, playing regularly with the Russell brothers
from Doolin
, Noel Hill, Tony Linnane
and other great Clare musicians. In 1975, he won the Slógadh award as All-Ireland banjo champion. Around this time Paul also started to play fiddle and gig with different folk bands in the Dublin area.
and spent four years as fiddler with the Sackville String Band, the popular Dublin outfit that played at concerts and festivals all over the country.
The band had been established by Niall Toner in late 1975. Influenced by the recordings of the Fuzzy Mountain, Hollow Rock, and Highwoods String Bands they played "American traditional music, old-time songs and bluegrass". A typical line-up in the late 1970s consisted of Imor Byrne (fiddle), Colin Beggan (guitar), John Caulfield (fiddle), Niall Toner (mandolin) and Richard Hawkins (banjo). The band's reputation was such that many visiting U.S. musicians would jam on stage with them and so Kelly got to hear and play with Bluegrass legends like Peter Rowan, Tex Logan and Kenny Baker
.
While Niall Toner went off to form Hank Halfhead & the Rambling Turkeys, Kelly joined forces with Irish singer/songwriter Mick Hanly, whose band Rusty Old Halo, he helped to form. Their only release, Still Not Cured, played a large part in establishing a "New Country Music Scene" in Dublin, with bands like The Wilf Brothers, Hank Halfhead, Chris Meehan and his Redneck Friends and the biggest of them all, The Fleadh Cowboys
, all touring the country on a regular basis. Although he had played with all the above bands at some stage, he joined The Fleadh Cowboys in 1989, who were one of the hottest bands in Ireland at that time, touring regularly around the country and also playing monthly in two of London's best known venues: The Mean Fiddler
and The Powerhouse. In Dublin, The Fleadh's had the night owls dancing in the aisles at their weekly late-night sell-out residency at The Olympia Theatre. The band established a format where every week a guest or guests would join them on stage. Some of the more notable were The Waterboys
, The Hothouse Flowers, Nanci Griffith
, John Prine
and Joe Ely
. The Fleadhs popularity was such at that time that they were invited to play support to U2
in The Point Theatre and to Bob Dylan
in the RDS
. They also supported The Pogues
(who were riding high on the success of Fairytale of New York
), on the English and Irish leg of their world tour.
In March 1992, after he had established himself as a studio session musician, and had composed the music for the Irish movie, Hard Shoulder, Kelly returned to his traditional roots by joining with Trevor Hutchinson
and Gerry O'Beirne in The Sharon Shannon Band
. They toured America and Europe that year, in a hectic schedule which culminated with a Late Late Show
TV Special which was dedicated to the Clare accordion wizard.
In 1997 Kelly founded a record company called Malgamú Music, which tapped in to the new eclecticism in Traditional Irish music, and encouraged its artists to experiment with other musical styles, although keeping Irish Music at the core. This project saw six releases including those by the exciting band Lia Luachra, fiddler Kevin O' Connor, guitarist Sean Whelan and his own offering "a mandolin album", which received excellent reviews and is often quoted as a defining album in Irish music for the mandolin.
, a third level college in Dublin. He still teaches there and has also given mandolin workshops in Haapavesi, Finland
; Milwaukee University, USA; Carlo Aonzo’s International Mandolin Academy in Ferrara, Italy; Tesserete, Switzerland and in the University of Limerick, Ireland
.
A book of 110 mandolin tunes selected from his repertoire (including some of his own compositions) was published in 2007 and is distributed by Mel Bay.
He currently plays and tours with popular Irish singer Eleanor Shanley
.
Tallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
in Dublin, Ireland. He has played Irish traditional music, bluegrass and country, and is equally at home in a variety of different styles of music.
Early life
At 12 years of age, and already playing the guitar for five years, he was introduced to Irish Traditional Music by neighbour and well known fiddler Des Carty. During his teenage years he developed as a banjo and mandolin player, making many trips to Fleadhs (Irish Music Festivals), as well as many weekends in County ClareCounty Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, where his style was honed, playing regularly with the Russell brothers
Micho Russell
Micho Russell was an Irish musician and author best known for his expert tin whistle performance. He also played the simple-system flute and was a collector of traditional music and folklore.-Biography:...
from Doolin
Doolin
Doolin is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland, on the Atlantic coast. It borders the spa town of Lisdoonvarna. It is a noted centre of traditional Irish music, which is played nightly in its pubs, making it a popular tourist destination. There are numerous nearby archaeological sites, many...
, Noel Hill, Tony Linnane
Noel Hill & Tony Linnane
Noel Hill & Tony Linnane is an album by Noel Hill.When Noel Hill and Tony Linnane recorded this album back in 1978 they were two young musicians just starting out.-Tracks:# Humours of Ballyconnell; Drunken Landlady; Ryan's Reel# Geese in the Bog...
and other great Clare musicians. In 1975, he won the Slógadh award as All-Ireland banjo champion. Around this time Paul also started to play fiddle and gig with different folk bands in the Dublin area.
Musical career
In the early eighties he discovered BluegrassBluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
and spent four years as fiddler with the Sackville String Band, the popular Dublin outfit that played at concerts and festivals all over the country.
The band had been established by Niall Toner in late 1975. Influenced by the recordings of the Fuzzy Mountain, Hollow Rock, and Highwoods String Bands they played "American traditional music, old-time songs and bluegrass". A typical line-up in the late 1970s consisted of Imor Byrne (fiddle), Colin Beggan (guitar), John Caulfield (fiddle), Niall Toner (mandolin) and Richard Hawkins (banjo). The band's reputation was such that many visiting U.S. musicians would jam on stage with them and so Kelly got to hear and play with Bluegrass legends like Peter Rowan, Tex Logan and Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker (musician)
Kenneth Clayton Baker was an American fiddle player best known for his 25-year tenure with Bill Monroe and his group The Bluegrass Boys.-Biography:...
.
While Niall Toner went off to form Hank Halfhead & the Rambling Turkeys, Kelly joined forces with Irish singer/songwriter Mick Hanly, whose band Rusty Old Halo, he helped to form. Their only release, Still Not Cured, played a large part in establishing a "New Country Music Scene" in Dublin, with bands like The Wilf Brothers, Hank Halfhead, Chris Meehan and his Redneck Friends and the biggest of them all, The Fleadh Cowboys
Fleadh Cowboys
The Fleadh Cowboys are a Dublin-based folk-rock/country band.The Fleadh Cowboys were formed in 1985 by Johnny Moynihan, Pete Cummins and Frankie Lane, in Kenny's pub in Westland Row in Dublin...
, all touring the country on a regular basis. Although he had played with all the above bands at some stage, he joined The Fleadh Cowboys in 1989, who were one of the hottest bands in Ireland at that time, touring regularly around the country and also playing monthly in two of London's best known venues: The Mean Fiddler
Mean Fiddler
The Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub at 165 Charing Cross Road in London, England.The venue was connected to the London Astoria such that the two venues could function as a single venue where needed...
and The Powerhouse. In Dublin, The Fleadh's had the night owls dancing in the aisles at their weekly late-night sell-out residency at The Olympia Theatre. The band established a format where every week a guest or guests would join them on stage. Some of the more notable were The Waterboys
The Waterboys
The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York, and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a...
, The Hothouse Flowers, Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith, is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter from Austin, Texas.-Biography:...
, John Prine
John Prine
John Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
and Joe Ely
Joe Ely
Joe Ely is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music touches on honky-tonk, Texas Country, Tex-Mex and rock and roll....
. The Fleadhs popularity was such at that time that they were invited to play support to U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
in The Point Theatre and to Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
in the RDS
RDS Arena
RDS Arena is a multi-purpose sports stadium, owned by the Royal Dublin Society and located in the Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge, Ireland.The arena was originally developed to host equestrian events, including the annual Dublin Horse Show, which was first held there in 1868. The site was acquired in...
. They also supported The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
(who were riding high on the success of Fairytale of New York
Fairytale of New York
"Fairytale of New York" is a song by the Irish rock group The Pogues, released in 1987 and featuring the British singer Kirsty MacColl. The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God...
), on the English and Irish leg of their world tour.
In March 1992, after he had established himself as a studio session musician, and had composed the music for the Irish movie, Hard Shoulder, Kelly returned to his traditional roots by joining with Trevor Hutchinson
Trevor Hutchinson
Trevor Hutchinson is the bass player and a founding member of Lúnasa. Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland, he played with numerous bands before Lúnasa, including The Waterboys and Sharon Shannon.-Discography:With Lúnasa* Lúnasa...
and Gerry O'Beirne in The Sharon Shannon Band
Sharon Shannon
Sharon Shannon is an Irish musician. She is best known for her work with the accordion and for her fiddle technique. She also plays the tin whistle and melodeon. Her 1991 album Sharon Shannon is the best selling album of traditional Irish music ever released there...
. They toured America and Europe that year, in a hectic schedule which culminated with a Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
TV Special which was dedicated to the Clare accordion wizard.
In 1997 Kelly founded a record company called Malgamú Music, which tapped in to the new eclecticism in Traditional Irish music, and encouraged its artists to experiment with other musical styles, although keeping Irish Music at the core. This project saw six releases including those by the exciting band Lia Luachra, fiddler Kevin O' Connor, guitarist Sean Whelan and his own offering "a mandolin album", which received excellent reviews and is often quoted as a defining album in Irish music for the mandolin.
Current Activity
In 2002 he began teaching music in BCFEBallyfermot College of Further Education
Ballyfermot College of Further Education is an educational institution in Ballyfermot, Dublin, Ireland.BCFE is a college of further and higher education providing vocational education.MANAGEMENT...
, a third level college in Dublin. He still teaches there and has also given mandolin workshops in Haapavesi, Finland
Haapavesi
Haapavesi is a town and a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Oulu and is part of the Northern Ostrobothnia region. The town has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
; Milwaukee University, USA; Carlo Aonzo’s International Mandolin Academy in Ferrara, Italy; Tesserete, Switzerland and in the University of Limerick, Ireland
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
.
A book of 110 mandolin tunes selected from his repertoire (including some of his own compositions) was published in 2007 and is distributed by Mel Bay.
He currently plays and tours with popular Irish singer Eleanor Shanley
Eleanor Shanley
One of Irelands foremost singers, Eleanor Shanley, from Keshcarrigan in County Leitrim in the North West of Ireland, is renowned for her unique interpretation of Irish and Roots songs. She has been at the top of her profession since her first appearance as the singer with traditional group De...
.
Appears On
- The Black Family (The Black FamilyThe Black Family (band)The Black Family are a Celtic music ensemble, composed of Mary and Frances Black and their siblings, Shay, Michael, and Martin. The family has been called "one of the most important musical clans in Ireland"....
, 1986) - Still Not Cured (Mick Hanly and Rusty Old Halo, 1987)
- Hi-Ace to Heaven (The Fleadh CowboysFleadh CowboysThe Fleadh Cowboys are a Dublin-based folk-rock/country band.The Fleadh Cowboys were formed in 1985 by Johnny Moynihan, Pete Cummins and Frankie Lane, in Kenny's pub in Westland Row in Dublin...
, 1988) - A Sonic Holiday (Engine Alley, 1992)
- No Deeper BlueNo Deeper BlueNo Deeper Blue is a 1994 studio album by Texas country/folk singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt.This was Van Zandt's first studio album of original songs in seven years following, At My Window and the last to be widely released before his death on New Year's Day 1997...
(Townes van ZandtTownes Van ZandtJohn Townes Van Zandt , best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American Texas Country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet...
, 1994) - Out the Gap (Sharon ShannonSharon ShannonSharon Shannon is an Irish musician. She is best known for her work with the accordion and for her fiddle technique. She also plays the tin whistle and melodeon. Her 1991 album Sharon Shannon is the best selling album of traditional Irish music ever released there...
, 1995) - Dobro (Frankie Lane, 1995)
- Further AlongFurther AlongFurther Along is the title of a recording by The Dubliners. Following Ronnie Drew's departure from The Dubliners at the end of 1995, Paddy Reilly joined the group and this album was released in 1996 on their own new label, Baycourt.-Track listing:...
(The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
, 1996) - Lia Luachra (Lia Luachra, 1998)
- Traffic (Lia Luachra, 2000)
- You'll Never Beat the IrishWolfe Tones discographyThe discography of the Wolfe Tones, an Irish folk and rebel group from the suburbs of Dublin, consists of sixteen studio albums, three extended plays, three live albums and ten compilation albums. The Wolfe Tones released their first album with Fontana Records in 1965 and released their most...
(The Wolfe Tones, 2001) - Gunsmoke at El Paso (Frankie Lane, 2003)
- Live at the Spiegeltent (Jerry Fish & The Mudbug ClubJerry Fish & The Mudbug ClubJerry Fish & The Mudbug Club is an independent alternative band from Ireland.Jerry Fish is the alter ego of musician and record producer Gerard Whelan who founded an independent record label and the band Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club, an eclectic, roots collective of musicians, friends and songs...
, 2004) - A Place of My Own (Eleanor Shanley with Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly, 2008)