Work with me, babe ...

Joannie Madden and Mary Coogan played a wonderful concert April 22, 2006, at the Coatesville Cultural Society, sponsored by the Coatesville Traditional Irish Music Series. As the concert began, Joanie unwrapped her whistle bag to show the audience her great collection of what look to be mostly Burkes.

The bag, a lovely piece of work, is from Sassafrass Grove. The top picture is a close-up of all those whistles (drool ...), and the bottom photo shows Joanie laughing after I yelled to her, "Work with me, babe." (It just seemed to be the right thing to say.)

Joanie's whistles

As much as I love to hear Joanie whistle, it just wipes me out to hear her laugh. Her laughter is at least as musical.

You might also enjoy my partner Denise's interview with Joanie and our brand-new photo essay.

- Jeff Meade

 

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