Today’s back page of the Wall Street Journal has an article about Mick Moloney and his contributions to Irish music in America. Al Purcell is mentioned regarding the recording Leaves through the Trees. I called Ann Purcell and she was delighted! I’m sure Al is smiling.
This is good to hear. I grew up in the Detroit area and had seen and talked to Al all during my adolescence. When I decided to learn the Irish pipes in the late 80’s Al provided me with my first practice set. He was always ready to give me advice and listen to my progress (god, how did he stand it in my early days?) and was just a really great guy. I feel priveleged to have known him and it’s great to see that even though he is gone he has not been forgotten.
I miss him a little every day.
Yes, it’s often I think about him too.
Thanks for the information Edmund. I photocopied the article and will give to friends of Al and Anne tomorrow night here in Windsor, Ontario.
I bought a practice set from Al two days before he died and had one lesson on the pipes. Needless to say I was just married and with the demands of that, and not being able to attend lessons at the White Heather Club on regular basis, I sold the set to Cohaltas.
I knew Al for ten years and had whistle lessons with him on a regularschedule he was always the teacher and a gentleman and what I did learn from him has stayed with me. The one fine memory I have of Al, is when he played his pipes with my wife on harp and when they went into the second tune I joined them on whistle. Although my wife and I kind of messed up a bit, Al played the second time a bit slower so that we both got the tune right.
I and others in this area deeply miss him and it is good to see that he still lives in our memories.
Thanks again Edmund
MarkB
You are most welcome, MarcB.
Al had that amazing ability to touch students in the piping community in a very profound way. It didn’t matter how little or how much you knew him the impact was the same.
When I called Ann Purcell to let her know about the article and the mention of the coffee percolator sound on the first two takes of the recording, she laughed and said that Al and Mick had a big laugh with it and called the original takes, “Purcell’s Purcolating Pipes!”
I hope many memories of Al continue in the years to come.
Best,
Edmund
I am sure they will ed .
tok .
I called Al Purcell and told him that, at the age of 50 I was going to live up to my life long dream and take up the pipes. He laughed and said I didn’t have enough time left. After a good laugh, he asked if I played whistle. I indicated that I played pennywhistle and Low D whistle with my band. I also told him that I could get over to see him twice a month at most. He was a bit hesitant, but then I told him what my day job was. I am a Union Organizer. He said, “Mick, stop in any time you want, cause I am a retired Union Man. If you are willing to practice a lot, I will work with you. And learn the airs first. They are an Irishmans soul music”. I spoke with him a few days later, made arrangements to see him the following week. He died before I could get there for the lesson.
I don’t claim to have known him well, but he was a sweet man. I would bet he was one helluva instructor.
God be good to him.
Mick