Derry singer releases album of previously thought lost music

An 86-year-old Derry musician has released an album of what were thought to be lost recordings.

Paddy Morrison with his daughter Gail uncovered his previously unheard 50–60-year-old recordings with the hope of burning the recordings onto CD’s for friends and family members.

But following a conversation with Mr Morrison’s daughter Gail, family friend and founder of DaCosta Rocks record label Louise DaCosta decided to release the music to surprise Paddy.

She believes people deserve to hear his music.

Louise said: “I was just talking to his daughter, and I was saying would it not be great for everyone and his family across the world to hear his music.

“So, we decided to release it for him. We mastered as much as we possibly could without losing the quality of the original recordings.”

Paddy sung in ballrooms and concerts throughout Derry during the 1950’s and 1960’s. He won various singing competitions including a competition in the old Corinthian Ballroom on Bishop Street.

He was presented with a prize from the British jazz-singer Helen Shapiro and met the singer following the competition.

Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Ms DeCosta said: “I think it’s a brilliant piece of Derry history to share and its amazing for someone in their eighties to be releasing their first album. He’s an incredibly talented musician. It’s wonderful he’s getting a chance to get his music out now.”

The 25-track album features live covers of country songs from the 1950’s and 1960’s with Paddy Barr playing keyboard. It infuses ‘traditional airs, Hank Williams and music from the ballroom era’.

Ms DeCosta believes fans of traditional music and history will be able to enjoy the record.

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She said: “It’s a piece of Derry history as well. The old ballroom-style and all that is gone is really gone. So, it’s a great cultural link with Derry’s past.”

DaCosta Rocks is the sub-label of DaCosta Records, an independent Irish record label that represents artists such as Dun Laoghaire band Screefy and RTE comedian David Mc Savage.

‘Pat Morrison - Sings Country’ is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and YouTube.