Jimmy Faulkner 1950-2008

7 March 2008

All of us here at Kielys are saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Jimmy Faulkner on Tuesday. One of the truly great Irish guitarists of the last thirty years, Jimmy emerged from the pub-rock and folk scene in the Meeting Place in the 70s, going on to play and record with Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan, Luka Bloom, Red Peters, Kieran Halpin, Donal Lunny, Mick Hanley and many others. A prolific session musician, Jimmy's musical proficiency extended across all genres from blues, rock and folk to classical and jazz.

In recent years Jimmy was a regular performer at Kielys, both with his band The Houseshakers and guesting with other bands.

He is remembered not only for his talent, but for his humility. Christy Moore has written "In both life and music he was a sensitive and compassionate man . . . It was a privilege in my life to have known and played with such a beautiful man" while Paul Brady told Hot Press "He was the best guitarist around . . . While guitar players like myself struggled to do what we did, with Jimmy it seemed to come quite naturally." Announcing his death on RTE Radio, Ronan Collins called him "the ultimate sideman. He had no interest in the limelight and was a real working musician.".

To his wife Pauline, son Jamel and daughter Catherine and to his family and many friends we extend our deepest sympathies.

And to Jimmy, we say Thank You. May you play slide with the Heavenly Choir.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.