John Carty Banjo Reels, 1983

[@Ptarmi]

10 out of 10 for this clip! Tenor Banjo playing just doesn't get any better than this! ... straight into favourites! ;-) Even way back then, as a youngster, he was already way more inventive & technically far more accomplished than most players ever become, even after a lifetime of playing ... & check out that fantastic rhythm! John's has been my favourite Banjo player for 31 years now, since I first saw him play in London at a party in front of the likes of Barney McKenna & Charlie Piggott.

[@gaffneynouveau]

Best there is no question. Absolutely fantastic

[@hansfinanger9822]

This song just gives me goosebumps and tears flow. Congress Reel with the harp! chills I tell you... haunting, beautiful, epic, energizing... The transition into Mason's Apron... people can't hold it in... they hoot and hollar. The whole scene causes me to just blast heart energy! Thanks John.

[@josephofaolain1192]

I'm playing banjo about 40 years, myself. He's one of the few I'd listen to anymore. Most of the young lads are playing at high tempos and messing with the tunes to the point that the tunes are no longer recognisable. Johnny is a tasty player.

[@FinleyBrayMusic]

Starting off a statement with "ive been playing 40 years" means nothing when in them 40 years you have done nothing for irish music or impacted and propelled quality tenor banjo playing... for all we know you could just be playing the same old "top 50 irish session tunes" all your life with no understanding or repsect for the musicians who have came before you. So I have a big problem with generalising "most young lads" when in fact some of the greatest tenor banjo playing ever is being done by "young lads (and ladies)". Sometimes its best not to comment on things you are ignorant on!

[@nebbser]

CCÉ tour of Ireland 1983, left to right: Seamus MacMathúna (flute/singing), Siobhán O'Donnell (flute/singing), Anne Conlon (fiddle), John Carty (banjo), Éamonn Coyne (fiddle), Dermot Lernihan (2 row accordion), Aidan Culhane (dance) & Máire Ní Chathasaigh (harp). Not seen in video: Michelle O'Sullivan (concertina/dance) Siobhán Kennedy (flute/dance), Joe Doyle (pipes) & Caroline Judge (2 row acc).

[@gabrielkeown38]

A young aspiring back then Since then he has performed even more magical musical fetes Brilliant 11 out of 10

[@peterhannaway7188]

Gabriel, if you are the piper? then I first saw you a few years before this clip. It was the regional Fleadh Ceol in London, the sound you made was amazing. You're very under-rated 👍👍

[@mrbodhranhead]

@thesheepdip1 I got to do some banjo workshops with him in 2009 at the Swannanoa gathering. His mind is constantly going, looking for variations on the tunes. A fine gentleman, and a wizard player. He does flute, as well, like his Dad.

[@Pipingpicker]

Wonderful!

[@banjostrings7799]

Lovely sound off the Paragon great playing

[@alanorourke1770]

Now thats some playing could listen to this all day ,thanks for posting this .Alan ORourke alsbanjos.

[@eoinmcmahon4072]

That's one hell of a banjo player

[@Dayepipes]

Absolutely wonderful, thanks for sharing.

[@shelleyconnolly9926]

I'm with you, Dick! He's the grooviest banjo player ever. I love not only the variations and ornamentation, but that swingy groove is damned sexy!

[@gaffneynouveau]

The best ever!

[@iCMGi]

Amazing

[@vanhunter7600]

Nice smooth sound, not over embelished.

[@crazyace02]

Brilliant!!!!

[@simongreene1]

That is Eamonn Coyne from the Liverpool Ceili Band - RIP

[@tradceltic]

Just got this clip sent to me of my Dad Eamonn Coyne standing behind John Carty. Very little video footage of any kind exists of my dad, so I was delighted to see this.

[@earllogan6223]

Love to learn that note for note

[@jazlabaw]

This 29 year old video is rated only at 98%? I guess the 2% don't know what they're listening to. This is some of the best banjo playing I have ever heard - maybe even better than John Carty's own playing today. Is that possible?

[@lmtt123]

Way ahead of his time

[@Mggcarty]

lovely head of hair on him!! ; )

[@banjo234]

Virtuoso (if that's the right word in this case)......a musician who manifests a talent that simply cannot be taught. You sure as hell couldn't teach anyone to do this kind of thing with a tune.

[@alvinomahony7518]

Is john carty still playing today

[@itsEasyMmkay1]

is that Eamonn Coyne of the Liverpool Ceili Band behind John? great stuff and fair play for posting these clips!

[@tradceltic]

Just got this clip sent to me of my Dad Eamonn Coyne standing behind John Carty. Very little video footage of any kind exists of my dad, so I was delighted to see this.

[@simongreene1]

Is that Micheal Coyne hiding behind the Harp?

[@GaedicChambrier]

There's only one fuc.ing ignorant... This video is absolutly awsome!!

[@DJFozter]

yeah like this is kids stuff. stop trolling great vids!!

[@conanmcdonnell7628]

Great playing. Barney McKenna, God rest him, couldn't hold a candle to John Carty. Different plane entirely. Anyone who thinks otherwise has cloth ears. John Sheahan was the real musician in the Dubliners.

[@KD0071812]

Had john as a teacher for 4 years amazing appreciation and taste for the music

[@jameshenrymurphy]

Comparisons are odious ,your comment is in poor taste.

[@balddonaldcerrone7930]

James Murphy an erroneous assessment This is a reply to that spastic in these comments saying this guy John Carty is beneath BARNEH MCKENNA’,,, in terms of musical ability

[@banjo234]

Someone who pressed the wrong button by mistake perhaps?

[@padraigdrew7861]

wouldnt come near mckenna ,this sort was easy for mckenna kids stuff ,he was playing jazz ,classical, beautiful slow airs and accompaniment behind ronnie and lukes songs which none of the modern banjo players can do ,they just dont have his touch! but lovely playing all the same

[@howayakatie]

HUPOUDAT! nothing else need be said x

[@jumpoffmountaineers]

@Mggcarty lol

[@thomasdonelon8384]

haha go home ! you're drunk! completely different players