New York Irish musicians Joe and Joannie Madden

Sadly, the end of 2008 saw the passing of one of the most popular of Irish traditional musicians in the USA, accordionist Joe Madden. Joe emigrated from his native Co. Galway in 1956. This set of reels, featuring Joe, his daughter Joannie (one of the great exponents of the concert flute and leader of "Cherish the Ladies") and Felix Dolan on piano was recorded in April 2004 at the Comhaltas North American Convention in Parsippany, New Jersey. Joe introduces the reels, including "The Caucus" and two which he learned from the playing of Mike Rafferty and Johnny Doherty. The wonderful rapport between himself and Joannie is evident in the music.

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