I really enjoyed the Sam Murray Documentary.
Were most of those Flute Players in fact from Belfast?
Now to how they were playing… it seemed to me several of the players had a very strong attack, notes well articulated.
Also not a lot of ornamentation as I’ve heard with some other Irish Flute Players.
Could anyone elaborate on these Players on the documentary?
BenS
Haven’t seen the documentary, but I sat in on a session in Belfast in 2002 after meeting Sam in his local pub. Next morning, I visited Sam in his workshop. He asked how had I enjoyed the session. I responded not much. Very fast, very straight, unrelenting. “Ah”, he said. “Belfast PowerDiddle.”
Terry
..
I also enjoyed it thoroughly. I found the powerful attack and style of most of these players exciting and energizing. Very inspirational.
While I listen to a wide variety of musics, I do tend to like styles that feel just a bit raw and emotional, as opposed to overly smoothed and prettied up; which, unfortunately is all too often how I arrange my own music. Go figure.
I can’t remember everyone who was in the documentary, but most of them were from the Belfast area - at least originally. A couple of these folks post here and I am sure I am getting some of this wrong, but here’s a general take.
Gary Hastings now lives in Mayo, but is originally from Belfast. Michael Clarkson and Harry Bradley are both from Belfast, but live elsewhere now. Cathal McConnell is from Fermanagh, which is also in the North. He also had a big influence on a lot of players from Belfast. Desi Adams and Marcus O’Murchu are from the Belfast area. Tina McSherry is also from Belfast and the list goes on.
All in all, I think most of the players embody what a lot of people refer to as a “Northern” style of playing. While I think there is a lot of variation between the different players, the general take is that the rhythm is pretty straight ahead and powerfully articulated with the breath. That said, as soon as you go there, there are more exceptions to the rule than not.
B
Michael Clarkson web tome of huffypuffyness.
I’m very interested in this style of playing and its a great resource to me.
ok now this is a REALLY good link. Thanks for sharing!
Good link.
Dude, if you’re into huffypuffyness and don’t have all of Harry’s CD’s yet, then get 'em, you won’t regret it.
Now, if only we could Larry Nugent back into the the studio, I’d be a happy man.
Loren
Michael is well ensconced in the Belfast milleu, since he lives here with his lovely wife and new baby! No better man!
Yes, but Christine, where is Maria Rafferty?
Kevin Krell
She’s around, Kevin, and playing great!
Of course I would still like her to record a track for a Wooden Flute Obsession volume. If you see her, please ask her to get in touch. I can’t reach her the old way, and she doesn’t come in here to pick up her PMs anymore.
Also, she was supposedly working on a CD with Brendan O’Hare, possibly with some singing - would like to see that happen.
Kevin Krell
Some background on the “Belfast style” of flute playing from Hammy Hamilton:
http://www.firescribble.net/flute/hamilton.html
and Desi Wilkinson:
Always great stuff to revisit and, as always, thanks so much for it Brad!
Loren
Yes, dammit!
I just re-bought all three of Larry’s albums over the internet a few weeks ago in fear that my copies may somehow, someday become damaged and the I won’t be able to share Larry’s music with my kids and grandkids and great-grandkids. The scary part is that it’s really hard to buy Larry’s CDs any more. At least one of them is out print (maybe more), so I had to buy them through shadowy, black-market channels.
Larry, if you’re reading this, your music is amazing. Please, please make another album.
Peace,
Chris
UPDATE - It appears that all three are out of print. I can’t find them for sale anywhere.
you can still find LN’s recordings in mp3 on emusic.
I found the documentary about Sam’s instruments, his thoughts on flutemaking, and the contributions from the musicians in the program, their manner of playing, to be very inspiring. I was not aware of Michael Clarkeson’s playing before this documentary, very impressive, his web site too! Sam Murray is an interesting and remarkable man, and as he mentioned in the program “a custodian”. Seeing Sam in the program I recognise him as a man who was sitting, listening to us play at a session in the “The Blonde’s” during Willie Week last year. I wonder what he thought? He stayed for quite a while anyway. I like the raw powerful “Belfast” style of flute playing, as it reminds of the playing of Conal O’Grada on his CD “Top of Coom”. Conal is from Co. Cork though, and also of the playing of Sligo fluteplayer Pat Mahan and even the playing of Ciaran Somers.
I’d like to know some more about Pat Mahan, as he’s got the same last name as me. I’ve not tried to find any of my roots in Ireland. I just know that someone traced it back to the 1700s I think. A Thomas Mahan, born 1731 in Ireland, coming over to the states. He was apparently married to Margaret James.
You never know…
Michael
Pat Mahan or prehaps Pat Mahon? People seem to use both spellings, is probably the finest flute player I’ve ever heard live in Ireland. I last heard him 7 years ago at Tubbercurry in Brennan’s. An unforgettable musician and man. Pat’s from Easkey, Co. Sligo. He’s the real deal.
http://irishflute.podbean.com/
will find Michael Clarkson