OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda

Subject: Brendan O'Dowda
From: Fiolar
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 05:15 AM

The death has been announced of the Irish singer Brendan O'Dowda age 76. He made his reputation in singing the songs of Percy French and was probably one of the finest singers of his generation. The pool of such professionals must be getting mighty empty by now. Go nDean Dia Trochaire ar a hAinmm.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: brioc
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 07:28 AM

yes, what a pity. He did such a good job of them too. We were almost brought up on those songs, and today my group and I continue to sing them. Maybe it will lead to a launch of a great book, or midi site!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: alison
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 08:58 AM

I remember playing my dad's LP "Brendan O'Dowda sings songs of Percy French".... he had a beautiful voice... and led to a love of Percy French songs....

rest in peace Brendan

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: Jimmy C
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 02:12 PM

Sorry to hear this piece of news. I always admired his voice. He was a great footballer as well.
Sleep well Brendan.

Slan

Jimmy

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha.
Date: 27 Feb 02 - 05:08 PM

Yes , Brendan O`Dowda a very much underrated singer, the songs on his LP By Special Request brought out the best in him. Brendan also was a more than capable Gaelic footballer for his County, Louth, a lovely man. May he rest in peace. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,JIm I
Date: 28 Feb 02 - 05:08 PM

Funny that! We started singing Percy French songs on Tuesday night at the club I occasionally visit in Liverpool. That brought on some talk about Brendan and about how he helped to popularise the songs. Eerie that is; we hadn't sung any of those songs for ages, wonder why we suddenly decided to do them then?

Subject: RE: Percy French request
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 10:52 AM

I'm sitting here in the library with Brendan O'Dowda's book "The World of Percy French" and an anonymously edited "Songs of Percy French" published in Cork 1976 - and I can't remember what obscure Percy French song someone was looking for in a fairly recent thread. If you help me, I may be able to help fulfill the request.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 11:28 AM

?McBreen's heifir rings a bell, but haven't found the relevant thread

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,Den
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 12:10 PM

Sad news indeed and I echo many of the sentiments already stated. I have that book aswell Philippa, minus the cover, the result of a bored and overactive puppy. The book is now out of print but its certainly worth tracking down for anyone who loves the songs of Percy French.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 12:18 PM

Liam O'Flynn used to play a reel version of "Phil the Fluther's ball", and there are one or two other PF tunes creeping into the session repertoire. Which raises the question: did Percy French compose his own airs, or did he set his songs to existing tunes?

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: ard mhacha
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 12:51 PM

An PC, last week my old friend came across a couple of Videos on Percy French`s life.
The two Videos were taken from RTE and Ulster Television around the early 80s, French`s nephew related that his Uncle wasn`t shy about adding any tune that handily suited his songs.
The programmes were gems, Brendan O`Dowda`s singing of French`s song was a delight.
There were contributions from Percy`s daughters ,Etty and Joan, Etty`s reciting of Carmody`s mare was brilliant.
What a pity the programmes are cannot be purchased as I am sure all admirers of French would have delighted in them.
Grainy old recordings they may be, but I will have another look when I get them back from another friend. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: Fiolar
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 08:48 AM

Phillipa: It was I. I posted under the heading "The Three Francies" and "Ard Macha" was kind enough to send me the words of the correct version "The Three Farrelys." Thanks for your kind offer.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,Deiseach
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:57 PM

I heard recently, that Brendan O Dowda was one of a singing group with Val Doonican and his guitar, in London back in the 5os. They were called the "Ramblers Four" I believe and I cannot remember who the other two were? Anybody

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 07:47 AM

Dieseach,He certainly sang in a Group named The four Ramblers and was spotted by Val Parnell who signed him for The London Palladium.
I don`t remember the names of the other Group members. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,machree01
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 07:32 AM

Here is one of the videos, that Ard mhacha was talking about..
Brendan O'Dowda profiling the life of Percy French, 1854 -- 1920, from his art-work, poems and most of all the songs Percy French had written. Also the wonderful singing voice of Brendan O'Dowda. Get a cup of tea and a few biscuits, sit-down relax and watch this brilliant documentry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKLWO2F3WgQ

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,topsie
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 08:12 AM

I'd love to watch it, with or without biscuits, but it's 50 MINUTES long and my machine can't cope.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Brendan O'Dowda
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 10:02 AM

This is sad news though I never had much time for Irish tenors. The book Philippa was reading was probably the one published by the Mercier Press and therefore edited by James N Healy, accountant and actor.