Does anyone know which Olwell model Tom Doorley plays? I’m assuming it’s the large hole (Pratten)? I’m watching the Danu DVD right now and it’s blowing my mind.
It sure sounds like one.
Isn’t he a classy player?
DUH!!!
I just looked and the middle section is one piece.
So I guess it’s the Pratten 
Yes, absolutely fabulous.
His grip is different than anything I’ve seen: piper’s grip on top and fingertips on the bottom hand.
Muireann is great too..
he is such great player,
we have seen them in concert, and have the DVD, but he holds the flute so different, and his embouchure is different…so i just listen and try to get there “my way” (swinging the flute like a bat )
e.
I’ve tried his flute.
It’s kinda nice. 
–James
Is it legal to say “weenie!” on this board?
You lucky dog. Although then again, I would been so self-conscious I might have yarked in it or something.
At least you don’t hit anything with it. I just whacked some poor girl in the chin a couple of weeks ago. 
(Of course, she had an Olwell too, so maybe the Murray was just jealous) 
That’s funny; I literally just bookmarked that DVD yesterday for near-future-ordering purposes. Glad to hear it’s a good one!
Here’s a couple of pics of him showing his flute hold that I found from Google:
Bob
Oh, NO!!!
It’s the patented Turlach Boylan sleeper hold (at least on the left hand)!!!
After 30+ years of holding the flute one way, I am now (probably terribly, horribly wrongly – John, where are you??? STOP ME!!!) experimenting with this very grip after watching Turlach play for a few days and talking to him about it (of course, he has hands the size of South Dakota, so …).
If I’m not careful it seriously sores up my forearm – and it is SO hard to stay relaxed, especially when it feels like the flute is going to roll right off my thumbs – but I have to say it’s doing really cool things for my left-hand rolls and finger lightness, and I’m liking having the flute more mobile on my lip, too.
But I’m really not sure if I can sustain it over the years, particularly with the big McGee flute. I played a few hours that way in a rollicking session Saturday night, and my hand felt like some sort of twisted claw at the end of it.
And Bb? … UGH.
Anyway, that’s interesting. I was wondering if more people held the flutes that way than I’ve paid attention to …
cat.
The fact that a flute has a single center section (rather than two sections) does not it a Pratten make. I have an Olwell Eb with a single center section and Patrick does make Nicholson models with single center section. One reason is so that the G# hole – and key placement – won’t interfere with the socket and tenon.
Conversely, will Patrick make a Pratten with a split body? potential flute purchasers want to know!
Conversely, will Patrick make a Pratten with a split body? potential flute purchasers want to know!
I don’t know. Keyless, he probably would. keyed… maybe… in twelve years, perhaps?
There was a keyless one on ebay like that a while back.
That was a keyless cocus with medium holes.
Actually, the one I’m talking about was up a couple of months ago; it was a blackwood pratten with a split mid section.
Ah here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7339075087
Anyway, I thought these were an oddity and that he normally does the “Prattens” with a single mid section. But hey what do I know; I don’t own one! 
We saw Danu play a concert at the Copenhagen Irish Festival this last weekend. They played very well even though Tom Doorley wasn’t with the band. Jessie Smith was back on fiddle instead of Oisin McAuley and a guitarist who we at first thought was Artie McGlynn, but turned out to be a John Williams (not the classical guitarist), replaced Donal Clancy. Also Donnchadh Gough is back, recovered from his broken leg and thumping his bodhran in his usual restrained and dainty manner, and playing very well on the pipes. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh was in great form, singing well and playing the flute and whistle. Her flute did get a little lost in the mix, though overall the sound was very good. She has a great voice and personality. Jessie was also in great form and had a nice warm sound from his fiddle. We were at the festival Friday & Saturday so missed Kevin Crawford who played on the Thursday evening. We didn’t see anything of Davy Maguire, pity as they say he’s very good on the flute.
Gossip column: We had a close encounter with violin virtuoso Frankie Gavin and exchanged a few words in the restaurant next door to the festival local. Frankie came in with a beautiful, black haired Irish lady, and sat at the table next to ours.
Michelle Lally Egan
I thought since there’s a picture of Mr. Doorly, it’s allowed to post a picture of her too.
She sang with his band on saturday night. Lovely clear voice and nice choice of songs too.
What’s the title of the Danu DVD? I’ve got to put that on my Christmas list!
Thanks, Jeanie