I had the great pleasure of seeing Sean playing live in concert along with the box player Dave Bulmer when they were the headline guests at a Falkirk Folk Festival back in the 1980s and for the finale to their set, Sean invited all the musicians in the audience to come up on stage "for a stramash" as he put it. I just happened to have a D tin whistle in my pocket and so went up with about a dozen others and we must have played a set that lasted about 10 minutes at least! What an amazing honour and an unforgettable experience it was to share some special time with such a true gentleman like him.
My Brother Brian Farrell an accomplished flute player himself, played with maguire, sherlock, and bolger, in the laurel tree pub in Camden Town in late fiftys early sixties ,Brian was a Roscommon man RIP
Sean was also an excellent ullian pipes player. He played them on our American tour in the 60s. After every show he was always invited to someones house for another music session. He was a one off.
This video is incredible. Sean seems like he is doing hardly anything, but if you close your eyes the music is so full of spirit I just want to get up & dance for joy. His bow technique is mesmerizing, this is really fast playing!
I have happy memories as a child listening to Sean Maguire. My Mother Eileen Stapleton (Lane) played piano in the Four Star Quartet in the 1960's with Sean Maguire fiddle, Bill Power banjo and Sean Cotter bass. They recorded the best traditional record ever made , recorded at Bill Stapleton's Studios ( my late father) Dublin . I donated recordings of Sean Maguire to the Irish Traditional Music Archives ! .
My father played (accordion) with him in the UTV series With a fiddle & a flute. When I was a young lad, I think around 10 or 11 my father took me to sessions at his home just off the Springfield Road in Belfast. He also taught me how to accompany on the piano.
i have a camcorder recording dated 19 july 2003 of sean playing the fiddle ,the uileann pipes in our house . a pure genius and he even played the masons apron for me even though he had gone off the tune.i first heard him play this on a tape from 1972. my late father and he were great friends for many years.Slan libh.
I knew Sean when he lived in Cavan He used to rehearse with his accompanist Pat Conroy one of the truly Great Guitarists of this or any century. Sean was a perfectionist and always said Pat Conroyis the greatest accompanist I ever had. They had a telephatic link. Pat was his driving Rhytm. It's tragic that a film was'nt made of his musical exploits. His Technique was classical and he was phenomenal. There should be a record in National Music Archives. He lost his voice for a number of years but it came back. The last time I met him was in Drogheda in 1996 HE was with Mick McKenna,(Barneys Brother who played a 4 string Tenor Guitar) now sadly Gone. and Pat Conroy and Pierce McKenna Belfast. Where they played at a retirement doo!! It was an extraordinary night.
Great stuff from Sean Maguire. He suffered in the latter years from throat cancer (no voicebox) I have joined in playing with him a few times. I played in an Irish band 'Tara' in Lancashire with his brother Jimmy for a few years. Band members included; Gordon Johnston (Top man) on Tenor and 5 string banjo plus guitar and mandolin, Pat Simmons guitar, whistle and vocals Myself on accordion. He ran a session in Lancaster called the 'Pan Celtic' which was very well attended every week. RIP both
Danced to his brilliant music in many dancing championships in the sixties. He made the music come alive particularly the Masons Apron.He toured with us round Americia with our dancing school ( McCoys) and was a great guy. PS. He played even better when he had a few jars. He is sadly missed.
memories of sessions with Sean and Seamus Tansy in Harrogate a number of years ago, at the Yorkshire Lass. Dave Bulmer used to arrange them - brilliant
Yes, and if watched closely - especially at 2:33 - it can be seen very slightly flexing at the top-right of the instrument - no doubt a reflex action from a player used to acoustic mode. (All accordian bellows can be locked in a closed position)
omg he is now my idol im only fourteen and i love playing fiddle music especially irish :] its sd to see such good talent be gone he sounds really good
The middle tune is called Lad O'Beirne's Favourite. Lad O'Beirne was a fiddle player who resided and played, I believe, in New York City around the 1930's - could someone verify?
It's an electro/acoustic accordian. No need for bellows in electronic mode. They've been around for many a year and have all the capabilities of a conventional keyboard when amplified.
The only record I can find of Barney McKenna playing the Mason's Apron accompanied by fiddle is with John Sheahan of the Dubliners. Not trying to nit pick - Sean was the very very best! The Dubliners - Mason's Apron
+Gerard Colgan I've seen it Gerard - an absolute genius as well. I remember him playing as a 12 year old at the London Irish festival in the early 1990's. His father played too but tragically died young. Dezi's version of the Mason's Apron takes a new direction altogether but you can see the McGuire influence. He reminds me of a cross between Stephan Grapelli and Sean McGuire
Brilliant music, Just one question is that Vincent Brown in the auidance from 2:19-2:26 looks very like him......Or maybe i am just going fucking blind
Full flight? Crikey! That's jet propulsion! tremendous talent! Hello to my wonderful friends Jackie Fallis and Brian Fagan - they're both tremendous too! WE don't have to WIN the human race ... just SAVE it ... Colin Hugh Abbott.
Sean was an absolute genius...but heres what bothers me ,did he enjoy it?I got the impression he was burdened by his ability ,cursed by his extraordinary talent..maybe it was better for us to listen to him ,than it was for him to play.....
Sean had a wicked sense of humour that would very rarely come across in his performances. I had the pleasure of seeing him in action most weeks for a number of years, teaching kids in the Clonard area. He used to smack me on the head with his bow, mutter "Dog, do you know this one?" and flash a cheeky grin. Mad crack.
this is great to see my grandfathers music being celebrated even now...never got to see him play...ony only got to hear cds a few years ago...
I had the great pleasure of seeing Sean playing live in concert along with the box player Dave Bulmer when they were the headline guests at a Falkirk Folk Festival back in the 1980s and for the finale to their set, Sean invited all the musicians in the audience to come up on stage "for a stramash" as he put it. I just happened to have a D tin whistle in my pocket and so went up with about a dozen others and we must have played a set that lasted about 10 minutes at least! What an amazing honour and an unforgettable experience it was to share some special time with such a true gentleman like him.
My Brother Brian Farrell an accomplished flute player himself, played with maguire, sherlock, and bolger, in the laurel tree pub in Camden Town in late fiftys early sixties ,Brian was a Roscommon man RIP
Sean was also an excellent ullian pipes player. He played them on our American tour in the 60s. After every show he was always invited to someones house for another music session. He was a one off.
RIP Sean...One of the finest Fiddle players in Ireland...
This video is incredible. Sean seems like he is doing hardly anything, but if you close your eyes the music is so full of spirit I just want to get up & dance for joy. His bow technique is mesmerizing, this is really fast playing!
Thank-you for posting. He's so amazing never fails to lift the spirits. I use some of his recorded tunes in my fitness classes - fabulous.
I have happy memories as a child listening to Sean Maguire. My Mother Eileen Stapleton (Lane) played piano in the Four Star Quartet in the 1960's with Sean Maguire fiddle, Bill Power banjo and Sean Cotter bass. They recorded the best traditional record ever made , recorded at Bill Stapleton's Studios ( my late father) Dublin . I donated recordings of Sean Maguire to the Irish Traditional Music Archives ! .
My father played (accordion) with him in the UTV series With a fiddle & a flute. When I was a young lad, I think around 10 or 11 my father took me to sessions at his home just off the Springfield Road in Belfast. He also taught me how to accompany on the piano.
What an extraordinally gifted man Sean was!I,too had the pleasure of seeing him live and have never forgotten.
clarebannerman you really do put some gems on here. Long live TH-cam and the internet.
RIP Sean.
Hi Willy, great times, great sessions, miss both Jimmy and Sean, fantastic players and great craic!
God bless you Mr McGuire, you gave and continue to give pleasure to so many people, with your masterful and sensational playing.
i have a camcorder recording dated 19 july 2003 of sean playing the fiddle ,the uileann pipes in our house . a pure genius and he even played the masons apron for me even though he had gone off the tune.i first heard him play this on a tape from 1972. my late father and he were great friends for many years.Slan libh.
that is some serious playing,,,great timing
My first time ever hearing Sean McGuire, it wont be my last. exceptionally brilliant
this gets better every time I watch it
Thrilling, exhilarating genius absolute perfection
I knew Sean when he lived in Cavan He used to rehearse with his accompanist Pat Conroy one of the truly Great Guitarists of this or any century. Sean was a perfectionist and always said Pat Conroyis the greatest accompanist I ever had. They had a telephatic link. Pat was his driving Rhytm. It's tragic that a film was'nt made of his musical exploits. His Technique was classical and he was phenomenal. There should be a record in National Music Archives. He lost his voice for a number of years but it came back. The last time I met him was in Drogheda in 1996 HE was with Mick McKenna,(Barneys Brother who played a 4 string Tenor Guitar) now sadly Gone. and Pat Conroy and Pierce McKenna Belfast. Where they played at a retirement doo!! It was an extraordinary night.
what an amazing talent.he is sadly missed.r.i.p.sean.
Great stuff from Sean Maguire. He suffered in the latter years from throat cancer (no voicebox)
I have joined in playing with him a few times. I played in an Irish band 'Tara' in Lancashire with
his brother Jimmy for a few years. Band members included; Gordon Johnston (Top man) on Tenor and 5 string banjo plus guitar and mandolin, Pat Simmons guitar, whistle and vocals Myself on accordion. He ran a session in Lancaster called the 'Pan Celtic' which was very well attended every week. RIP both
Just wonderful.
He played this tune in Crowley bar, many moons ago, majestic
Not that one another one 😂
Sean , Mc, Guire, mastroe, years speedy
Danced to his brilliant music in many dancing championships in the sixties. He made the music come alive particularly the Masons Apron.He toured with us round Americia with our dancing school ( McCoys) and was a great guy. PS. He played even better when he had a few jars. He is sadly missed.
memories of sessions with Sean and Seamus Tansy in Harrogate a number of years ago, at the Yorkshire Lass. Dave Bulmer used to arrange them - brilliant
This man was a genius...but that electronic pick up doesn't do him justice...
Would you post Segg's Hornpipe from the same video/DVD? It features some of his best playing, in my opinion.
The pick up is pretty poor sounding but, like you say, the man was a genius. My dad had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times in Shetland
Wish we could hear the tone of the fiddle, but technique and precision keeps us listening to the last note.
My Grandfather James Maguire (Sean's brother) used to play hell about Sean using that electronic pick up.
Yes, and if watched closely - especially at 2:33 - it can be seen very slightly flexing at the top-right of the instrument - no doubt a reflex action from a player used to acoustic mode.
(All accordian bellows can be locked in a closed position)
The Stephan Grapelli of Trad Fiddle. Amazing!
omg he is now my idol im only fourteen and i love playing fiddle music especially irish :] its sd to see such good talent be gone he sounds really good
The middle tune is called Lad O'Beirne's Favourite. Lad O'Beirne was a fiddle player who resided and played, I believe, in New York City around the 1930's - could someone verify?
what a musicianxxxx
good stuff, excellent, nice etc
Great!!!!!!!
Absolute genius
Anyone know if the documentary tg4 showed about Sean McGuire few years back is available? that's what got me into his music, love to see it again..
It's an electro/acoustic accordian. No need for bellows in electronic mode.
They've been around for many a year and have all the capabilities of a conventional keyboard when amplified.
check a link " Sean Mc Guire in full flight" abbolute demonstration of one of the best
that is ridiculous ....what talent...I would give anything to be able to do that......
My Brother in Law knew Sean AKA Sticky R/I/P to THE BOTH OF THEM
At least I can always fall back on my muffin baking skills if my fiddle playing never catches up. LOL!!!
Wow@! didn't know about this guy. He's like an irish vassar clements
Correct--thanks Key
and one of Irelands finest fiddle players
The only record I can find of Barney McKenna playing the Mason's Apron accompanied by fiddle is with John Sheahan of the Dubliners. Not trying to nit pick - Sean was the very very best! The Dubliners - Mason's Apron
John McGowan Look up Dezi Donnelly playing the Masons Apron
+Gerard Colgan I've seen it Gerard - an absolute genius as well. I remember him playing as a 12 year old at the London Irish festival in the early 1990's. His father played too but tragically died young. Dezi's version of the Mason's Apron takes a new direction altogether but you can see the McGuire influence. He reminds me of a cross between Stephan Grapelli and Sean McGuire
sean mc guire was also my mothers first cousin! I'm from cavan u? and i have a fiddler in my family,, maureen
Brilliant music, Just one question is that Vincent Brown in the auidance from 2:19-2:26 looks very like him......Or maybe i am just going fucking blind
Surprised there is no smoke coming from the fiddle!
Savage!
Wow - what verve! Pity about the pickup quality, but there's enough of the performance captured here to see that he was one of the greats...
Hi Mike. Who are the other musicians playing with the great Sean? Most enjoyable.
Terry.
sounds like a great musician. I've never heard of Belfast Symphony Orchestra. Was this the old BBC NI Orchestra?
No. It was the precursor to the Ulster Orchestra
Is there any vidio of Sean playing Maisons Apron?
On second listening to this clip the third tune sounds like a variation of the 1st and 4th parts of the Mason's Apron any one agree?
Sounds like an electric fiddle. am i right?
Acoustic fiddle with (questionable) pickup. Adds up similar/same sound
Note the glass of Guinness 2.20: THAT'S the secret!
arva!! whats you name?
I have to say, his playing must be terrific, but his pickup makes him sound like he's playing a Casio electronic one!
The horse was wasting energy: Sean only needs 2" of bow! I met him once: a LOVELY Irish gentleman.
Full flight? Crikey! That's jet propulsion! tremendous talent!
Hello to my wonderful friends Jackie Fallis and Brian Fagan - they're both tremendous too!
WE don't have to WIN the human race ... just SAVE it ...
Colin Hugh Abbott.
Thats my husbandds teacher
Sean was an absolute genius...but heres what bothers me ,did he enjoy it?I got the impression he was burdened by his ability ,cursed by his extraordinary talent..maybe it was better for us to listen to him ,than it was for him to play.....
Sean had a wicked sense of humour that would very rarely come across in his performances. I had the pleasure of seeing him in action most weeks for a number of years, teaching kids in the Clonard area. He used to smack me on the head with his bow, mutter "Dog, do you know this one?" and flash a cheeky grin. Mad crack.
ll
Take that you country wannabees. Irish people rule and Yankee Irish are even better. UP LONG BEACH NY!!!!!.