Its a real privilige that these tapes/videos survive so that the likes of myself can hear and appreciate the sublime playing skills of Paddy O'Brien. Thanks for posting ☘️👍
Revolutionized the B/C system on the Irish Button Accordion to play traditional Irish music in virtually any key. Often regarded as the King of the Accordion Players.
I tend to look very serious when I play, as do many players - it’s true that there’s no need to stick a fake smile on if it’s not natural to you. Some players seem to do it as if to lead the audience, like ‘I’m enjoying it, so you should be too.’ But most players are concentrating, for one thing, and also perhaps appreciating that an outwardly jolly tune can also be very wistful or have a nostalgic kind of twang that can be very emotive, and not simply a matter for grinning about. In fact, I find The Cuckoo to be somewhat like that.
@@thelightisahead I often close my eyes and focus on the tune. I can understand if people (who don't play) mention to me that I should smile etc, I have little control over my face, just trying not to drool. But sometimes its enjoyable for the audience to see a musician really getting into the tune (as Eryn Marshall does in this version of Charleston Gals - sorry different genre) ua-cam.com/video/HL89hWAARjo/v-deo.html
No need for Paddy to smile. He let the accordion do the smiling for him. One of the greatest box players that ever lived and composer of many traditional reels, jigs & hornpipes...R.I.P.
Marvellous. Brought a tear to my eye, thinking of my late uncle, who played the button accordion, as well as a general it's-neat-being-Irish-isn't-it feeling :)
My dad played the same type of accordion, self-taught. Back in `76 my parents went to Newfoundland where the instrument is still popular and he SMOKED all the locals. None of them rocked the left hand (bass) like he could. This guy Paddy did extraordinary things with a limited instrument. Masterful.
Some people are smilers and some are not; we are all different. But wow! such a vibrant player and handsome also. I recall the Ted Mack show as a child in the 50s. I never saw the program much because my parents seldom watched it. Perhaps the host's personality had something to do with it.
He's into the MUSIC, the MELODY, the unque IRISH CADENCE . . heart and soul [ and fingers ! ]. So, quit distracting him with "smiles" and "smiling" ! The only button-box accordion players who smile are SOME Swiss guys, while playing their traditional dance tunes, playing to the camera, with their Alps in the background. But the SOUND created by Paddy DOES get THIS Prairie Grandpa -I'm a "cradle" accordion-sound lover, will turn 80 this August ] dancin' and excited and SMILING with joy " in me heart". Paddy's very focussed "straight face" is "A SECRET" which HIDES [ but barely ] all the celebration conveyed in his accordion's superbly-played musical tones. So, don't bother him; he's got work to do . . if ye know what I mean.
Smile ...we were on the road to long hair black hats shoddy clothing 200mph tempo...and a notion that if you were not drunk you had hopes in that direction...any views ...??
The aul musicians playing by ear were too busy concentrating to smile. You'd think some of them were chewing something but that was how they were. No fancy notes or reading music them times.
The host was so out of touch. You're witnessing, first-hand, that Americanising, "Plastic-Paddying" of Irish music that is prevelent everywhere today. He even referenced "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" as some kind of back-up to his request for a smile, but that song has nothing to do with Irish people and wasn't part of our Irish song tradition. I get it occassionally, particularly from Americans. "Why don't you smile when you play?". "Why should I?".
Its a real privilige that these tapes/videos survive so that the likes of myself can hear and appreciate the sublime playing skills of Paddy O'Brien. Thanks for posting ☘️👍
Revolutionized the B/C system on the Irish Button Accordion to play traditional Irish music in virtually any key. Often regarded as the King of the Accordion Players.
Brilliant accordion playing beautiful style and ornamentation
Super playing. And a collision between two value systems
Great player. Atrocious host. Thanks for sharing!
agree!
@@fluteheart He meant no harm but just helped Paddy to have a better approach and improve his audience.
@@seanrathmakedisciples1508But why do people assume plastering a smile on is a better approach?
Absolutely brilliant playing from the master paddy O'brien
Where is Paddy O Brien from. What county in Ireland?
@@seanrathmakedisciples1508 Near Portroe Co. Tipperary ...He was a son of Dinny O'Brien .
An amazing player, and composer of many tunes that are Irish session staples today!
Thanks for sharing more info on Paddy. I will have to Google him to find more of his performances. 😊
Great player, I also love how points out - why smile when there's no reason for it.
Had the same problem. It’s really none of their God D- business.
Ay typical american response demanding a disingenuous smile, they haven’t changed ha ha
I tend to look very serious when I play, as do many players - it’s true that there’s no need to stick a fake smile on if it’s not natural to you. Some players seem to do it as if to lead the audience, like ‘I’m enjoying it, so you should be too.’ But most players are concentrating, for one thing, and also perhaps appreciating that an outwardly jolly tune can also be very wistful or have a nostalgic kind of twang that can be very emotive, and not simply a matter for grinning about. In fact, I find The Cuckoo to be somewhat like that.
@@thelightisahead I often close my eyes and focus on the tune. I can understand if people (who don't play) mention to me that I should smile etc, I have little control over my face, just trying not to drool.
But sometimes its enjoyable for the audience to see a musician really getting into the tune (as Eryn Marshall does in this version of Charleston Gals - sorry different genre) ua-cam.com/video/HL89hWAARjo/v-deo.html
No need for Paddy to smile. He let the accordion do the smiling for him. One of the greatest box players that ever lived and composer of many traditional reels, jigs & hornpipes...R.I.P.
...that's a rather difficult instrument to play...
@@daleburrell6273 Not as difficult as the Uilleann Pipes...
Marvellous. Brought a tear to my eye, thinking of my late uncle, who played the button accordion, as well as a general it's-neat-being-Irish-isn't-it feeling :)
Fine musician and man
Great vintage tv.
My dad played the same type of accordion, self-taught. Back in `76 my parents went to Newfoundland where the instrument is still popular and he SMOKED all the locals. None of them rocked the left hand (bass) like he could. This guy Paddy did extraordinary things with a limited instrument. Masterful.
Thank you Richie for posting this here and also on your website. Great stuff!
Complained that he didn't SMILE!!!!!! omg!
Some people are smilers and some are not; we are all different. But wow! such a vibrant player and handsome also. I recall the Ted Mack show as a child in the 50s. I never saw the program much because my parents seldom watched it. Perhaps the host's personality had something to do with it.
The early days of TV was similar to photograohy.You were expected to smile
Program host was codecending
Very true the man was very talented and as an earlier comment said he let the music do the smile
Yes he pissed me off
The accordion is a smilin',
And the wee fairies are a dancin'.
Reels and hornpipes are just soo cool and this guy can play the heck out of them. I'd love to see what a good Bluegrass band could do with this,
Rest In Peace, Paddy. There came Ireland through the mist but just for a moment.
Was he a louth man
He was from County Tipperary. Great musician.
Where is Paddy O Brien from?
Originally from Co. Tipperary.
He's into the MUSIC, the MELODY, the unque IRISH CADENCE . . heart and soul [ and fingers ! ].
So, quit distracting him with "smiles" and "smiling" ! The only button-box accordion
players who smile are SOME Swiss guys, while playing their traditional dance tunes, playing to the
camera, with their Alps in the background. But the SOUND created by Paddy DOES get THIS
Prairie Grandpa -I'm a "cradle" accordion-sound lover, will turn 80 this August ] dancin' and excited and SMILING with joy " in me heart". Paddy's very focussed "straight face" is "A SECRET" which HIDES [ but barely ] all the celebration conveyed in his accordion's superbly-played
musical tones. So, don't bother him; he's got work to do . . if ye know what I mean.
Interesting.
Good.
Smile ...we were on the road to long hair black hats shoddy clothing 200mph tempo...and a notion that if you were not drunk you had hopes in that direction...any views ...??
😊🇺🇲
The aul musicians playing by ear were too busy concentrating to smile. You'd think some of them were chewing something but that was how they were. No fancy notes or reading music them times.
true
How old was Paddy here.
Thanks Adrian xxx
What a wack host. Playing was beautiful Pat. You`re weren`t a clown for everyone; no need to smile. Different times.
Got any more stereotypes to make the guest feel awkward?
im smiling
A complete master
As a box player myself the concentration required to play these instruments the last thing you want is some idiot telling you to smile.
Exactly so! Cheers!
The host was so out of touch. You're witnessing, first-hand, that Americanising, "Plastic-Paddying" of Irish music that is prevelent everywhere today. He even referenced "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" as some kind of back-up to his request for a smile, but that song has nothing to do with Irish people and wasn't part of our Irish song tradition.
I get it occassionally, particularly from Americans. "Why don't you smile when you play?". "Why should I?".
Nice played!!! 👏👏
He could write a noveel in less than an hour! He's cool - not a smiling Joe
magic
ahh, Ted Mac's Amateur Hour and what an amazing performance!!!