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It
was and still is a shock to learn that he is gone his friendship and encouragement
will be missed by me and many T'was only Sunday he played for a project
for Autistic Children in Windsor, Canada and I had the pleasure of holding
a mike to his lovely set of Uillean pipes as he rendered full justice
to the "Lark in the Morning" while he soloed for us. He endeared himself
to many people and in Ireland I'm been constantly asked, "where is the
piper or did you not bring the piper with you??" at the sessions in Portumna
and Kilfenora and Loughrea . Slan Al ta tu ar deis lamh de anois. I am saddened.
I will miss him. I always looked forward to our chats when we met at CCÉ
conferences and Fleadhs. He was in great shape at Celtic Fest. Please pass
on to the Purcell family the sincere condolences of all in the Irish Pipe
Band Association on the death of Al. Al has left
a lovely legacy behind him. Terence and Brendan will carry on the tradition
as will many more the young folks Al nurtured through the years on his
short sojourn. He will be sadly missed. I said an old prayer for Al last
night that came out of me last night that hadn't occurred to me since
Angela had passed on. Heartfelt condolonces to Anne and the girls. Hello to
all in Detroit. My name is Patrick Davey, piper with Irish traditional
group Craobh Rua. Tom Kennedy has just contacted me with the devastating
news of the untimely passing of Al Purcell. Words cannot adequately express
how shocked and saddened I am to learn of the passing of such a wonderful
person & musician. I had the great fortune to meet Al in Dublin in 1996
when we were both students on the Comhaltas Teaching Diploma course. It
was indeed a privilege and a pleasure to meet Al - his charm and friendliness
were appreciated by all who met him during that week and his obvious love
and understanding for traditional Irish music were an inspiration not
only to me but to many others too. I will have a Mass said here in Ireland
for the repose of his soul - I'm sure the sound of the pipes is to be
heard in heaven this evening. With every good wish to the Purcell family
and to everyone touched by the passing of a truly gentleman piper. May he play
before God. Our deepest
condolences to Al's wife, Anne, and to all the family. He will be sadly
missed. He played, taught and enjoyed great music but he also loved the
craic. He was never too busy for that, wherever he was. I met Al many
times, over the years, at the Willie Clancy Week in Miltown Malby where
he taught at the Summer School. We always enjoyed a great chat. Busy though
he was in that mad week in Co Clare, he was generous enough with his time
and his talent to come to our little party and play. Yes, we will miss
him. It was
with sincere regrets that I learnt today of the passing of Al Purcell.
I met Al for the first time this year at Willie Week. I enjoyed a long
converstion in the warm Clare sunshine with Al, and i immediately felt
very comfortable in his company as he told me lots of stories about his
piping exploits both in Ireland and America, playing Jimmy Cagney's pipes,
having Leo Rowsome as a tutor. i intended to team up with Al later that
night for a few tunes but got sidetracked in the wonderful musical madness
that is Willie Week. Iwas to see Al once more that week and he came over
and talked very naturally as if we were old friends. i am very sorry that
i will not again have the opportunity to talk to thsi very warm and charming
man. Isuppose it illustartes the mark of the man that Iam very sorry to
hear of his passing having met him on just two occassions Ar dheis De
go raibh a anam uasal. Many times
we have had the pleasure of sharing Al's company at the home of David
and Tina Bowen. And as many times, we have had the distinct pleasure of
listening to Al play his pipes. Often we have pondered the good fortune
bestowed upon us to keep the company of such a gentle man and be blessed
with the gift of his music. Our hearts feel his loss and feel for the
loss to his family. I'm very
sorry for Al's family and friends. He taught me a lot about music and
the Irish spirit in the short time I lived in Detroit (1975-78). I was
honored to bring him to the Indiana Fiddlers Gathering in Battle Ground,
Indiana in 1980. Then life intervened and I didn't see Al again until
a couple of years ago when he came to play in the Chicago area. I got
to hear him and visit with him after the concert. I just missed him again
at Chicago's Celtic Fest because I had my own booking that day. In fact,
we were playing in the large place -- Grant Park on the lakefront. I'm
very sorry that I missed seeing Al again. I know you all will miss him
every day. May God's mercy help you through these difficult days. Dear Friends,
My sincere condolences on the passing of Al Purcell. I was fortunate enough
to meet Al on two occasions through the Southern California Irish Pipers'
Club. He was very kind and helpful to me in sharing his many musical gifts,
and I know that he has touched many lives in the uilleann piping community,
and we are all better people for having known him. Ar dheis DŽ go raibh
a anam d’lis. It is with
deep sorrow that I have heard the news of Al's passing. I met him a few
times in Ireland and more recently at North hero. I shared a delightful
meal with him, his wife and other pipers and found him as always be be
a gentleman. My condolonces to the family. I met Al
at North Hero a while back and for the last two years I had direct contact
with him because I helped to organize the North Hero event. What a wonderful
man. This sad news breaks my heart. I had hoped to see Al again and again.
Thanks for posting the pics and forwarding the condolence email because
it helps me grieve for him, and I hope it comforts his family. Dear Ann
and family, This is hardly a proper condolence, but as I just found out
about Al's passing by email and web, and I'm sitting here crying over
the keyboard, if it's not proper, then at least it's heartfelt. Al's passing
seems almost unbelievable to me because I can only imagine him as lively
and full of passion for music, sharing his gifts with those around him.
I feel so lucky to have known Al even a little bit, heard his music and
his ideas. I am so,so sad to think that I won't see him again. And you
must be hundreds of times sadder. Please let me extend this cybernetic
hug and wish you love during your time of grief. Bless you all, My sincerest
condolences to Anne, Maureen, Patty, Aline, and all of Al's family. I
will always remember him as a kindly mentor and a great friend. I will
miss him terribly. I was numbed
by the news as I'm sure you all were. Al was one of the nicest people
that I ever knew. I heard last night from al's brother in Ireland. It's
nice to have the picture of him. Best wishes I am very
sad to hear that Al has passed away. I first met Al in 1996 when he taught
the first piping class I ever had, at Miltown. I liked him straight away,
and it was great to hear his stories and knowledge about pipes and piping.
In 1998 Al taught me in two classes in Miltown and at Tubbercurry. I learnt
a great deal just by listening to Al talk ,apart from the actual piping
lessons. I met up with Al this year at Miltown again. I think of Al as
a kind of Zen master of the pipes in that he was interested in the philosophy
that lay behind piping and why certain people became pipers. I will really
miss him not being at Miltown and Tubbercurry, but I'll always carry my
memories of him. He was an impressive man, a real gentleman and a fine
piper. take care Dear Anne,
Aline, Patty and Maureen, I'd just like to let you know how deeply saddened
I am. The 'scene' in Detroit will never be the same without Al. Al's warm
encouragement was always appreciated and I will keep it with me always.
The music itself is beautiful and the personal associations that develop
as a result of it are equally so. I will always remember Al and we will
remember Al and all of you in our prayers. God bless you I guess
it's typical of Al that he should be bringing people together even in
his passing. You and I (Terence) met at the North American Comhaltas convention
in Detroit many years ago, in the company of my teacher Chris Langan.
You may remember rehemping every joint on my set for me! I'm still at
it, God help me. I've bumped into Al many times since, and his presence
was always a welcome reminder of a more unhurried approach to piping and
to life, and a reminder of how important it is to remember those who have
gone before us. He was a veritable encyclopedia of piping history, and
laughingly told me the lads in Dublin called him the Missing Link. And
so he was: a throwback to a more gentlemanly way of being in the world,
and an essential source of piping history. He remembered everybody, including
those he knew now: I last saw him at North Hero. I blundered through his
class having come in through the back door. He was busy so we didn't get
to talk then, and I had to leave the same day. But at Xmas a card arrived
from Florida, sending his best. A lovely, understated piper and a lovely,
understated man. He'll be sorely missed. Deepest sympathies to Anne and
the family. Dear Mrs.
Purcell, Although we are miles away and have never met, your husband made
a deep impression on my family. My daughter had the privilege of having
Mr. Purcell as a judge at the Midwest Fleadh a few years ago. She had
not been playing long. She nervously stuttered over the music, he patiently
listened. After awarding the medals he gave advice to the competitors.
He shared his attitude toward practice, his belief that the air was an
important form as it offered the listener an opportunity to hear and express
the music. Clare worked hard, often without a teacher. She quoted the
advice and I reminded her of the practice tips. Last year she was proud
that she won a second place in "airs" in both the flute and whistle. She
was most pleased however that "Al Purcell" enjoyed and complimented the
style that he had inspired. I know we have less music on earth today but
the heavens will be moved with it. We are truely sorry for your loss.
God be with you, To Patty
and her family I lost my father a year and a half ago and still feel pain
and sadness, he also played the pipes. It was a great love of his when
he was younger. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family "Oh
sacred heart of Jesus I place all my trust in thee" From Sandra and family. My name
is Michael Dow and I am the chairman of The Pipers' Gathering Inc. For
the last two years, Al has been one of our uilleann pipe teachers (along
with Jerry O'Sullivan) in North Hero, Vermont and it came as a great shock
to all of us to hear of his untimely passing. He was such a great person
and wonderful instructor and we will miss him terribly next summer at
our 2001 Pipers' Gathering. We were planning to use a few pictures of
Al instructing on our up coming web site. Thanks again for your wonderful
tribute. He was loved and respected byall that knew himBest... I had the
pleasure of meeting Al at the musical part of a festival at Michigan State
Univ. a few years ago.Although I am originally from Co. Clare myself,
The musical abilities of that Dubliner were obvious.Anyway, he can now
chat with Sean O'Riada (my cousin)up in heaven .They have plenty of harpers
there already,but obviously needed another fine piper.R.I.P. Dear Ann, Aline, Maureen, and Patty, Returning home from Rocky Mountain National Park Saturday morning we were shocked to hear of Al's passing. Patti and I thought there must be a mistake, hadn't we just had two wonderful visits with Al and Ann this winter in Florida? Hadn't we just had a Guinness at the "Harp and Thistle"? Much has been said of Al's musical talent and his willingness to share his gift with so many others, as a musician, a teacher, a historian, and a craftsman. However, I'd like to touch on another side of Al Purcell. In the 40 plus years that I have known Al and the 35 plus years that I worked with him as wood model makers, he never waivered from his commitment to his fellow Union brothers and sisters. Al and I shared a philosophy that put worker's rights first and Al spent many years as a representative of skilled tradesmen at Local 160, at the GM Technical Center. He was consistent in his respect for his peers' many skills and craftsmanship and dedicated to elevating their status within the General Motors Engineering Community. As giving as Al was to his beloved music community, he was equally as giving to those he worked with and represented. I know how Al compromised his own career to remain true to his trade unionist principles and I will always respect him for that. Al has been a "true" friend whether it be standing by me in the workplace, in my personal life, seeing me through some very dark days, or sharing his love of anything Irish. I have to smile through my tears as I recall Ann saying, as Al was sharing one of his Gaelic stories, "Of course you know that Jesus was Irish too". The last
thing Al said to me as we said goodbye at the "Harp and Thistle" this
past January was, "I love you". I love you too Al and I will always remember
what a wonderful man and friend you were! Play loudly up there in heaven
so Patti and I can hear you down here! Our heartfelt condolences to Ann,
Maureen, Patty, and Aline and their families. My condolences
for the loss of Al. I have spent some time with him at the last couple
of N. Hero pipers gatherings and enjoyed my time with him. I have been
in a state of shock for the last couple of days since the last tim eI
saw him was just a short time ago and he seem so vibrant and alive. He
was a kind and sharing person. I would
like to offer our sympathy to Al's family at this time of their loss.
I have known Al for over 40 years, but have not been able to see him very
often because we lived so far apart geographically. I met him through
my Aunt, Mary Rita Dean, who is Anne's sister. I have had the opportunity
to see him play, mostly in his younger days. He was a very fine man and
a great pipe player. Heaven will be a happier place when he starts piping
there. Sincerely, IN TRIBUTE:
ALOYSIUS PURCELL No piper
better played an air, nor was so loved by all. My name
is Sean Fukada. Actually, my name is "JUN" but Al gave me an Irish name
as "Sean". My sincerely condolences to Al's family. I met him in 1997
in Willie Clancy Summer School when I've just got my own pipes and started
piping. At that time, I didn't have much passion to Uilleann Pipes as
well as my skill. But because of some luck, I happened to attend to the
school. And Al was my teacher in beginner course. He taught me the basic
of piping, not only technique, but also a philosophy about piping. I was
strongly impressed with it. Before taking his lesson, I couldn't have
a passion to piping because I couldn't even get any sound from it. But
after Al's lesson, I was completely captured by pipes' attraction. I have
my web site about Uilleann Pipes, and most of explanation are owned by
him. (http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~junf/UP5e.html#top) This year, I could
attend to Scoil Acla (Achill Island Summer School) for 2 weeks. I always
thought "How Al recognized my progress? Will he be glad with my progress?"
But I miss the opportunity to get any advice from Al forever. Yesterday,
I played pipes for Al during midnight alone. When I played 2 tunes which
he taught me, Saddle the Pony and Gander in the Pratie Hole,
I couldn't stop tears from my eyes. I hope my playing reached to his spirit
-
Ann, Thanks
for sharing this wonderful, noble man with the piping community. We'll
never know how many hours you sat waiting for him to finish another tune,
another conversation, another bit of advice. As you can see from these
letters, the pipers are just now realizing the impact his playing and
instruction had. My thoughts will be with you and the family on Tuesday,
and in the coming months. It is sad to see him go, but I would have been
much sadder to never have made his acquaintance, to never have been able
to sit in a circle while he instructed, or sat at a nearby table as he
played. May God bless you with understanding and the strength to carry
through these days of great sorrow. I was away over the
weekend and just heard the news from Bruce Childress. I just had the pleasure
of meeting Al in the last few years meeting him first in Milltown Malbay
and then in Los Angeles where he contacted me so we could have a few tunes,
such generosity! We met again in Milltown after that and again in LA with
Anne and Aline, and all the rest....there's an army of Purcells over here
in California ;) To all of you I send my deepest condolences. I felt I
had a lovely relationship with Al, maybe due to us both being from Dublin
and now living in America? We shared a similar background I suppose. I
think a lot of people felt this way about Al, he was a very easy person
to get along with and was never at odds with anyone that I could tell.
May you rest in peace Al, it was really great knowing you for the short
time I did. My deepest
sympathies to the Purcell family. I have very fond memories of Al. He
was a man who, without hesitation, invited me to his house just to talk
about and play the pipes. Meeting his wife Ann at the door was another
pleasant experience as she laughingly commented how Al was in the basement
where he spent every free moment with his pipes. I'll always remember
Al as a very generous man - sharing his time, experience, appreciation
of music, and freely giving away chanter and drone reeds to troubled pipers.
The piping community is robbed of a man who had a selfless motivation
to teach the pipes. His piping will echo for years to come in the tunes
of his many students and friends. I learned
of Al's sudden death when I was at Tommy McCarthy's funeral in Miltown
Malbay last Friday. I got to know Al over the last few years at WCSS.
Al's wife has Mullagh antecedents like myself. I can only concur with
others who have said that Al was an absolute gentleman. He was always
good-natured & great company. He had great stories about traditional musicians,
among other things, but he was never unkind. Al & Tommy were both men
you'd look forward to meeting at Willie Clancy week & I'll miss them both. To the musicians
who knew Al Purcell, I must say that I feel a slight envy, for countless
in-home lessons and festivals ideally positioned you to benefit from Al's
concentrated time, attention, and mastery. For the rest of us, well, we
were lucky to corner him at a party, to chat with him about favorite topics
-- be it music or poetry, history or politics -- and let learning of a
different kind begin. Over a course of years at such parties, often in
my mother's house, Al Purcell became My Pal Al (as I called him), a person
whom I admired for the discipline with which he mastered his music, for
the humility with which he shared it, and for the genuine good nature
with which he lived his life. All who had the honor of meeting him knew
that he inspired by example, being always poised for the next note and
the first laugh. To pipers everywhere - students and masters alike --
Al gave you the gift of music. To the rest of us, he gave us the gift
of a life lived superbly. With sincere condolences to all the Purcells, I first
met Al Purcell 25 years ago through playing fiddle with the Gilmour Brothers.
In the last 10 years I had the pleasure to accompany Al, infrequently,
through David Bowen's hospitality. As a threesome we even played a wedding
reception together. I found Al to be a kind and gentle soul; always modest,
sincere, yet ready to help others, like myself, learn and appreciate the
music that was his life. His passing was a great shock to me, and I will
miss him. I cherish the few occasions I was allowed to be with him. Know
that his memory will live on in the music he played. Please extend my
condolences to his wife and family. It's a great
shock and my condolences to yourself for the loss of a mentor and friend
and to all of Al's friends and fellow musicians in Detroit who learned
from him and shared music with him. Our thoughts are with you, Dear Purcell
Family, I met Al when I was a little girl and have heard many stories
about the warm and loving relationship he had with my father, Ron Reedy.
When I was visiting my Dad this summer he mentioned that he had seen Al
in Florida and the last words that Al spoke to my dad were "I love you".
It was a gift repeated a thousand times through Al's kind acts. Wherever
you are Al, I thank you for the friendship you shared with my father.
With loving thoughts to you at this time. Thursday
was a clear, lovely late summer day here. That night the air became very
still and we had a hard freeze, our first. In the early morning, every
twig and leaf and every blade of grass was layered in white frost; the
crickets were silent and nothing stirred in all the world. It was a sudden
end to one of the most beautiful summers I have ever seen, and it couldn't
help but feel oddly synchronous with the sudden passing of one of the
finest men I every knew. Al was generous, kind, supportive, fair-minded,
and he made it all look effortless. I hope that he had some idea how much
I loved and admired him, and I hope that all of us who were blessed with
his example can go on and emulate him as best we can. None of us can even
begin to comprehend your own loss, but please know that my heart and my
thoughts are with you and your daughters. Please also remember that if
there is anything at any time that I can do, you have only to ask. I believe
that we are put on this earth for many reasons, one of which is to make
a difference. Al Purcell made a difference with his music, his teaching
of music and life, and his kindness. During our trip last August 2000
back to Ireland, we met Tyler Duncan's Dad. Tyler Duncan is the 1999 and
2000 All Ireland Champion of the Pipes for his age and a student of Al's.
As we put together our Irish heritage and links, our common bond was Al
Purcell. Tyler's Dad was carrying at the time, the special Cup which Tyler
and Al had won. Although Tyler had competed for the Cup, The father still
considered it Al's too......AL was his teacher, his support and his best
friend according to Tyler's Dad. Tyler's Dad shared so many wonderful
stories of lessons, and competitions, playing at different occassions.
It seemed as Al was a very special part of this mans family/life. I couldn't
help thinking....I wonder if AL has any idea how much he meant to this
family and this Young Man. Al you made a huge difference and have made
our world a much better place. Al, You and your family will be remembered
by many. With Fond memories, We send
our Love and Sympathy to the Purcell Family. Our Thoughts and prayers
are with you at this time. Love, Our condolences
to Al's wife Anne and their children. The music in heaven has just improved
with the addition of the "Gentlemen Piper". We'll miss you Al, thanks
for everything you've shared. I first
met Al when he came down to St.Louis for our first Tionol in 1998 and
he returned each year to work with the advanced pipers and he was a great
hit at the concert. He was such a help and inspiration to me in so many
ways that I couldn't begin to recount them. His cheerfulness and willingness
to share his knowledge were legend among pipers and musicians everywhere.
In every way he was the embodiment of the "gentleman piper" and I, for
one, shall miss him sorely. I was "two
weeks old" knowing no one in piping when I came to North Hero this year.
I ventured into the Friday night informal session and saw a stately man
playing a blond set of pipes. I stood, watched and listened. I felt a
connection then. Later, I went to Al's beginners' class and he taught
me "Eileen Aroon" in the "old way" rather than giving me notes to read.
This was my first tune on pipes; up to then I had only struggled with
scales and getting a sound. On Monday, at the close of North Hero, Al
went through the group having everyone play. When it came to my turn,
he looked at me, and with a twinkle in his eye, said "You have a new tune,
why don't you play it for us!" I did and did so successfully. Loving kindness,
respect, support and slow aires, that is what he taught me. I thank you
for your laughter and sharing from North Hero. You added much to my great
time on the Island. You and Al, in a very short time, made a tremendous
difference in my life. Thank you. In this time of loss, remember to eat,
sleep, cry and let the piping world love you. May God bless you, Al and
all your family. When I was
serenaded by an Irish tune played on the fiddle through the halls this
morning at U of D high, I had no idea what news would follow. I was told
by a fellow teacher of the sudden passing of Al Purcell, a quick-to-be
friend of mine through his dedication to Irish Music and to peace in N.
Ireland. Al was one of the main links to an large number of Irish musicians
in the area (and beyond!) who came together on two different occasions
to perform as a fundraiser for the Metro Detroit Ulster Project. Al was
the picture of physical and emotional health. His concern for others and
his love for his Irish heritage were both an inspiration and a joy to
me. He will be missed as many of us live on, lives changed, by the wonderful
experiences Al invited us into. Thank you, Al! I deeply
saddened to hear of Al's death. We had only spoken by telephone a few
times this past summer, but I recognized quickly what a gentle and generous
soul he was. I asked him to be a part of the Archdiocese of Detroit's
Eucharistic Congress pre-mass program on Sunday Sept. 17 at St. John Center,
Plymouth. He was honored to be asked and accepted, saying that he had
attended the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin as a boy. He was unable to
grace us with his talent because of difficulties with flight arrangements
from Chicago the night before. He recommended to us one of his students,
Tim Miller, who filled in beautifully for him. I had hoped that he would
be a part of our Archdiocesan 300th anniversary celebrations next year.
My prayers and condolences to all who knew and loved him, especially his
wife and family. May he continue to fill our lives with the beauty of
his new life in Christ! I'm very
saddened to hear that Al died. We had a very short friendship. A big miss
for the world of piping. Anne, Patty,
Maureen and Aline (and to Al) I never really got the chance to thank all
of you in the Purcell household for the profound effect your warmth, gracious
hospitality and generosity had on me when Al took me under his wing as
a novice musician. Dispite the fact that Al played pipes and I concertina,
he was still dedicated to teaching me the music with the same passion
and detail he had for the pipes. People listening to me play then and
now often joke that they never heard a concertina played like the pipes,
slurring and popping notes,but that was Al's influence: giving my playing
a unique soul and style, as others had handed it down to him. The wonderful
hours I spent in those early days, playing music in the basement rec room,
as the girls came and went, Anne popping down every now and again to chat
or drop off tea, made me feel very special. The music parties that went
on til all hours of the morning are still in my mind everytime I play.
But most of all, I remember the great ensemble of wonderful people that
I met by just being at Al and Anne's house: Marty Somberg, Mick Maloney,
Eugene O'Donnell, Terence and Brendan, Wallace Hood, Ray McGuire, Frank
Kennedy, Mick Gavin,and Frank Edgley, just to name a few---You couldn't
help but meet great musicians when you were around Al, and I know all
of us will miss him greatly. What a nice tribute. We only met him a few times, but he was always
nice to see. Sincere
condolences to all Al's family and friends. He was a great person who
always had time for everyone. He pased on his great love for the pipes
to many adoring students. With deepest sympathy I recently
had the great pleasure of meeting Al Purcell...at the North Hero Pipers
Gathering up in Vermont this recent August. In fact I am now finishing
a short article on the event for The Bagpipe Society's newsletter, and
I had chosen to include a paragraph on Al. I do not play the Uilleann
pipes...yet. But I sat in on a few of Al's sessions in North Hero...and
was so taken with his way of explaining things that I resolved to one
day learn the UP. I can tell you that he seemed to connect with just about
everyone who attended his sessions...from buttoned-down middle-agers to
the free and easy college-age kids. It was quite apparent that he had
a true gift...graced with a musicians love of his art and uncommon generosity
of spirit. Yes, one can sense these things even on a first brief meeting...when
the person is genuinely special. Al simply emanated that special quality.
And so it is that I now feel quite lucky that my path crossed ever-so-briefly
with Al Purcell's. I will take up the Uilleann Pipes...and I will do it
sooner rather than later. May his family know this to be yet another way
in which Al's legacy will grow. Please express my condolences on their
loss...and my high regards for a most distinguished life. Since until recently
there was no uilleann pipes teacher in Cincinnati, we only knew Al as
the Fleadh judge who devoutly stood up for the tradition. In our eyes
he was larger than life. When we competed, it was important to please
Al...the right tempo, the right feel to the tunes... I value even more
now our copies of his hand-written evaluation sheets. I am sorry that
we never got to know him personally, and I am especially sorry for your
and his family's tremendous loss. We just always need to focus on the
fact that he has only gone through the door ahead of us. I trust he has
joined Bobby Casey and Tommy McCarthy for an absolutely terrific session. I'm still stunned
and upset at Al's death. He was wonderful company, a great Piper, and
always enthusiastic and supportive. He came up to the Workshop at the
Willie Clancy School to see me, and, typical of the man, stood in a queue
of mostly beginners wanting reeds or leaks attended to, waiting his turn
until I spotted him. A true Superstar unafflicted by ego or pretensiousness.
I then had the great joy and privilege of putting Willie Clancy's old
Coyne 'B' set on Al and listening to him play it for an hour or so. Another
evening in Miltown Al agreed to play (but only after Mass) and I sat enthralled
listening to Al play solo, and with Tom Clarke, Patrick D'arcy, and Mikey
Smith. July in Miltown was just wonderful for me and spending happy hours
with Al was a big part of that. My wife Patricia and I share your grief. |
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Posted September 28, 2000
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