Joe Burke R.I.P. King of the box players. Last saw him, maybe, 2008 in Camden Town
Preferred the sound of the old Paolo Soprani boxes from the 50s and 60sto the drier tone of today’s instruments.
Outlet was a great inexpensive Belfast label. Traditional music and also all the Orange stuff. So the owner got attacked from two sides! Back in the heyday of the ceil bands when the craic was good in Cricklewood and the accordion was the loudest instrument so the box player was usually the leader.
Consultants advise that he will never wear a Homberg hat as well as Crusty. They suggest he goes for an
‘If you’ve got it flaunt it ‘ approach. They believe this will play better in Texas than the ‘gentleman from previous centuries’ thing.
“Got a brand new pin stripe suit of clothes
Big, wide polka-dot tie
Cuff links as big as j-bird eggs
And look at this - SHOOs made out of ALLIGATOR hide !”