At Casey’s Altar – exploring the life and music of Bobby Casey
This thesis explores the life and music of Bobby Casey (1926-2000), an Irish traditional fiddle player born and raised in Annagh, a small townland in rural West Clare, who is regarded as one of the finest exponents of Irish traditional fiddle playing of the twentieth century. Utilising an comprehensive multi-method approach, employing ethnographic fieldwork interviews, archival ethnography, historiography, as well as musical transcription and analysis, this thesis presents the reader with a comprehensive study of Bobby’s character, life and creative process. Furthermore, the repertory nature of this study, culminating in the form of a transcribed tune collection, not only illuminates complex elements of style present in his musical idiolect, but preserves his performance repertoire in the largest collection of his music in existence. The introductory chapter of this thesis contextualises the study within existing research in the field as well as outlining the methodologies used throughout the research process. Chapter Two examines the vernacular creative and social practices in rural West Clare during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, by providing an informed view of the tradition that existed during Bobby’s formative years. Chapter Three explores Bobby’s musical life from his childhood to his death at the age of 73 and how his interpersonal relationships informed his practice. Chapter Four explores the process of analysing elements of style in Bobby’s music through the parameters of pitch and rhythm, by exploring stylistic intricacies present in the transcriptions completed as part of this study. Chapter Five presents to the reader a collection of forty-nine detailed transcriptions of his repertoire transcribed from various commercial and archival recordings taken over a 40 year period. I submit to the reader, that this work acknowledges the significance of both the cultural context of the individual and the process and product of their creative practice. It recognises and is informed by existing research in the fields of Irish musical studies, Irish historical studies, cultural anthropology, and ethnomusicology. Furthermore, this study aims to contribute to the growing body of work in these fields by offering new historical accounts of creative and social practices, analysing elements of style in the creative process, and preserving of the music of one of the finest Irish traditional fiddle players of the twentieth century.
Irish traditional music, Ethnomusicology, Irish Studies, Oral history, Irish Cultural Studies, Irish Historical Studies, Musicology, Transcription studies, Musical analysis, Creative process, Irish fiddle, Bobby Casey, Junior Crehan, Style, West Clare, Irish musical studies, Dance Halls Act, Social practice
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