Does anyone know if this wonderful flute and whistle player, erstwhile of Deanta, is up to anything these days?
Also, does she appear on any albums other than the two with Deanta? I hear there’s a recording of her in sort of a session atmosphere out there; I would love to get a copy of it if anyone has it.
TIA, Charlie
I would also like to know. I love playing on WFO CD.
Hi, Deidre has been at workshops here in Northern Ireland recently, she’s holding one with Marcus Hermon this weekend (Master Level)at Cushendall Secondary School. Not much use if you’re in the U.S.A. though! I’ve no idea if she has any recording projects on the go, if I hear anything I’ll post it. I won’t be attending the workshop myself as I’m still at struggling level 
Cheers, Mac
Deirdre is one of the featured flute players on “Wooden Flute Obsession” 2-CD set (I ordered mine from Elderly Music, Lansing Michigan).
Also featured are many players oft discussed in C&F forums including: Eamonn Cotter, Michael McGoldrick, Laurence Nugent from around Chicago somewhere I think, Loretto Reid out of Toronto, Hammy Hamilton, Turlach Boylan, John Skelton out of the eastern US, of course Joanie her very self, Skip Healy, Grey Larsen in the Midsest US, Fintan Vallely, Micho Russell, Seamus Egan, matt Molloy, Franke kennedy to name a few.
I think that track of her is with Deanta.
Anyway, a left-handed player with marvelous style, she has a few All-Ireland titles to her credit, too.
I wish she’d make some more recordings. She’s a marvelous player with incredible intonation and technique.
On 2002-11-05 21:27, David Migoya wrote:
I think that track of her is with Deanta.I wish she’d make some more recordings. She’s a marvelous player with incredible intonation and technique.
Correct, the WFO track is from Ready For The Storm, with the other members of the group. It is 1 of 2 ensemble pieces that snuck onto the CD. The flute line can be followed pretty well throughout the set, and I thought her playing showed incredible versatility. I have corresponded with Deirdre, and she realizes she does need to put things together for a solo CD when practical. I’d be glad to help, if it made any difference.
Kevin Krell
never got noted that she apparent was (is?) with London Lasses.
Not heard their records, but I don’t doubt that with her it’s terrific stuff.
she rolls E’s like no one’s business!
dm
I’ve got the London Lasses CDs and there’s excellent playing there from everyone involved, including Deirdre…also Siobhan O’Donnell, another fine flute player.
Also someone (I wish I could remember his name…he was on the Woodenflute list) taped an entire concert that Deirdre gave in Germany some years back; she gave him permission to make a limited number of copies and I have one of those, she plays quite a bit of whistle on there as well as flute and it’s powerful playing.
Quite the thread resurrection, Dave. I’ve got the London Lasses album with her – not my cuppa. The piano accompaniment really bugs me, and Ms. Havlin just takes too much of a backseat to musicians who I don’t think are as good.
I’ll give it another listen and see if it’s grown on me.
The piano accompaniment really bugs me
Have to agree with you there Chas and the piano player’s not even a lass 
I don’t think the piano is suited for Irish trad, the exception being on the Arcady recording where it really adds some swing. I’ve got a few albums where in my opinion the the music is spoilt by the piano. An example is the Catherine McEvoy album, the great flute playing can hardly be heard for the piano accompaniment. So Dee when you record your solo CD please, please no piano.
John
The person who might best know Deirde Havlin on this website is “Ptarmigan”. He plays sessions with her regularly in Co. Antrim. If you wanted to ask Deirdre any questions directly, go through him.
I have 1 “London Lasses” CD and like it very much. She’s an excellent player, and I know that “Ptarmigan” holds her in very high regard also.
I agree that the piano has ruined more ITM recordings than it’s helped. I’ve grown to like Felix Dolan’s accompaniment on Ms McEvoy’s albums, though. Maybe it’s just that the fluting is so damn good that I’m not distracted by the piano anymore.
So > Dee when you record your solo CD please> , please no piano.
We can only hope. She’s one of my absolute favorites and hasn’t recorded nearly enough.
But nowhere near as many as have been ruined by the guitar, though! 
Hear Hear!
Deirdre is a lefty, too, i think.
I just am a believer that some of the greatest players are left handed (either holding it righty with a great left hand…or holding it “backward”)
Consider the list:
Mike McGoldrick
Deirdre Havlin
Larry Nugent
Cathal McConnell
Katherine McEvoy (isn’t she?)
Brian Halloran
Asher Gray
Great righty players whom I dont’ know are left-handed, but I would guess they might be because their left hand work is so good:
Seamus Egan (he plays flute “righty” but whistle “lefty”…go figure)
Matt Molloy
Mike Flatley
Brendan McKinney
on and on and on…
dm
I’ve had the same curiosity myself. I’ve also wondered about creative people … seems like the most creative folks I’ve known in my career are lefties.
As a musician and a writer … I’ve been genetically ROBBED! 
(And it’s so not fair; my Irish mother was truly ambidextrous.)
Speaking of, since I am right-handed and must thus be relegated to the non-creative (and anal-retentive?) plodders class: Her Most Eminent Leftiness’s name is, I believe, spelled Catherine McEvoy; i.e., Catherine-With-A-C.
(just for those who may be doing a search in the future … )
XO,
A Righthanded Detail-Oriented Dullard.
whoops
you’re so right!
tee-hee
let’s add Seamus Tansey to the list!
Garry Shannon
And I’ve not seen John Wynne in ages, but doesn’t he play lefty?
you’re right!
Shannon for sure
i thought wynn’s cd cover shows him righty?
hmm