Ronan Browne was the piper on the original Riverdance recording (the single)
i wonder if it’s possible to tell his playing of the same material from davy spillane’s recording later on
Hi there,
Davy plays Concert “D” 100 pipes what can you say about the “guy” he’s my heroe and he’s one hell of a piper! I’ve got all his album’s,
you must listen to the track “Port na bPuccai” off the album Forgotten Days with Kevin Glackin, It’s Davy at his best and he’s “Working”.
"Brilliant control of the Chanter, you won’t hear any better than this.
" STEW " 
I disagree. That is a hoorid rendition of the tune. It pales in comparison to version by Ronan Browne on Drones and the Chanters vol 2. 
I agree with Stew, I like spillanes version of Port nabPucai the best.
I suppose it’s personal preference, but I do highly enjoy both versions of that air.
I picked up the Pipers Rock in Celtic Note (Dublin) this January - and I have to say that I have never had a CD like this that I could listen to over and over again without getting anxious for something else… Of course they were out of the D&C vol.II. The Spillane / Glackin CD is enjoyable for me, but one of those that I would program my old CD player to drop certain tracks (low whistle, mostly). Funny how one’s enjoyment of an artist changes based on last perception… Didn’t consider buying Spillane much, at first, based on Riverdance. Bought Forgotten Days on a whim, liked it enough to grab up Pipers Rock when I saw it. Now if he was putting out more of the same I’d be right there in line. If.
Just a mostly listening perspective, I’m nowhere yet as a piper.
Trent
Try this link too:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005MB45/uilleannpipesobs/103-6515913-3245448
Patrick.
Dear GLANDS,
I also like Ronan Browne version, its played on a narrow Bore D chanter which sounds sweeter than Concert, excellent playing on them Johnny Burke regulators, and “them” Drones just sing,
But “Concert” has that bigger sound and I like the “INTRO” then in with Drones and Regs “MAGIC” its just two different versions by two PRO’S.
But I still prefer Davy’s version,I have to he’s my “Heroe”
Tis out on CD. has been for a while on the Mulligan lable i think. 
Tis out on CD. has been for a while on the Mulligan lable i think.
Well, I really like Ronan Browne’s version too. A friend gave me a webcast recording where Mr Browne played this as his piping solo. Very nice! Definitely my favorite. However, I have to give Spillane his props. Glands, if you listen closely to his playing of the tune, I think you would have to admit that you are not likely to ever hear a more in-tune set of pipes. His intonation on that track is awe-inspiring. Drones, regulators, everything is just singing. I don’t really care for some of the embellishing note runs, but liked the regulator work. Anyway, despite the fact that it’s not my personal favorite, I still think he did credit to the tune.
As to the whole album itself, it’s one of those albums thats really understated. Not alot of flashy playing or “WoW” factor. But it grows on you the more you listen to it. I like to listen to albums ALOT before I decide whether I like them or not. Some of my favorite albums are ones that I didn’t care for initially. Spillane’s playing on this album is like that I think. Especially since the sound is alot different from his other albums (that I’ve heard, ie no reverb). Anyway, there’s my mini-review.
James D
Well said j dasinger, 
I totally a gree when Devy plays either “live or recorded” his pipes are always bang on in “Tune” Concert pitch that is, he’s does not only master just the one instrument but “two” that takes “practice and dedication” which a lot of people totally forget.
“STEW”
…
I saw Davy live at the first Guinness Fleadh held in the States some years back. It was on Randall’s Island.
Davy’s playing has always impressed me. He has amazing control of the chanter. His experimentation with using the UP’s in other genre’s has always been interesting, but not much more, IMO. But I must submit that when he “hits it”, he usually hits a homerun. And I would further submit that his collaboration with Sean Tyrell on Walker of the Snow was absolutely brilliant. Tyrell’s voice on the title track is a thing of beauty, and Spillane’s work on the interlude floored me. It was such a wonderful demonstration of how the most beautiful stuff does not have to be complicated to be perfect for the piece.
Is he one of the greatest?..In my opinion, no. Is he one of the greats? Yep.
Big Mick,
I would say that Davy Spillane is the greatest modern day player and Celtic music composer and as he grows older I think you may
hear him playing more of the older traditional Irish music which will
quietly silent some of his critics, he certainly has written a lot of music also for Films ~TV programs there are a few more moderm players but Davy Spillane is still no.1 for me.
I heard Davy play with Kenin Glacken last March St. Patricks day at the Irish Arts Center in NY city. It was inn their small theater and with no amplification. They played for only about an hour (at most), mostly tunes from their cd, but it was fantastic.
Neil
P.U.I.FA
Did Davey play Port na bPucai when you saw him play live
just wondering I’m hoping to see him play this year
if I can manage it.
Check out the Amazon link that D’Arcy posted there is "other CDs " ..
I purchase Uillean Pipes of Ireland…which I think is fantastic Piping by a French Piper who’s name escapes me. I purchased it on a whim and was pleasently surprised. It is one of those CD’s you’ll listen to many times.
I wont drink French wine 
but I cant stop listening to this CD!
Also, just to enhance.. I have added a page of links to Amazon of uilleann piping and other items I think are essential to uilleann pipers for a broad understanding of the music and to some extent the culture.
The link is:
http://www.concentric.net/~pdarcy/page1/store.shtml
Patrick.
the French piper is Jean Yves LePape.
I like the CD also, but find the piping a bit sterile.
Jeff