Thursday 19 June 2014

The Return of the King! Paddy Keenan, plays Kingston, Ontario, Friday 1 Aug 2014


There is not much to say, except a chance to hear Paddy Keenan play his sweet sounding uilleann pipes and low whistles is not one that should be turned down with any sort of a casual shrug. This may explain why I have brought Paddy to Ottawa twice since 2008. Paddy's piping is sublime, and in my opinion I have yet to hear any pipes that sound as good. It may not just be the superb playing that draws you to a Paddy Keenan concert, but also the piping tradition of the Travellers of which Paddy Keenan is a direct continuation of that fine line of traditional musicians from Ireland. Paddy Keenan came to prominence in the 1970's with the emergence of The Bothy Band, a group which set the bar to new heights for all musicians in the Irish traditional style that have since followed. Surely, The Bothy Band will go down in the history of Irish music as one of the best ever (no exaggeration!).

A huge thank you to the fine people in Kingston that are hosting this house concert for Paddy, the king of the pipers, a person I have the good fortune and privilege of calling a friend, and one of the finest people I have ever met. Can't wait! (and this time I just have to pay and listen!)

All the details are located on the Harp of Tara branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) special events page.  Tickets may be purchased online at the link. There are only about 45 seats available, and they are going FAST.

-Craig