B-Side the Leeside: Finbarr Dwyer - Irish Traditional Accordionist

In the latest of our B-Side The Leeside series, we  see how the album showed Dwyer's incredible technique and ear for innovation 

Finbarr Dwyer playing in Slough. Picture Frank Conroy 

“Nobody has ever played the accordion like Finbarr and to be honest I don’t think anybody will.” Though many have attempted the feat, few would dispute the assertion of Teresa McMahon, accompanist and long-time friend of the late Finbarr Dwyer.

“He was totally unique,” agrees Kerry accordion maestro Séamus Begley. “He danced reels around the tune and he just could not play it straight. He had to put his own twist on. As he said himself, he gave it the kiss of life.”