Favourite recordings of slow airs.

Whistle
1

I’d love to hear whistlers’ choices of their favourite slow air recordings - and in particular on Low whistles.

2

Eoin Duignan’s Dance of the Gypsy Queen. That one tune is why I play today.

3

Thanks Blackhawk. Now, I’m amazed! I thought whistlers would be falling over themselves to be the first to tell me about their favourite recording of a slow air. What does this mean?

4

I can’t say that I’ve got that many actual recordings of low whistle to choose from (!),apart from Joe McKenna’s 'Low whistle’album.
A slow air, played on soprano whistle, that does come to mind though is ‘Liam 0’Raghalliagh’,from Mary Bergin’s ‘Feadoga Stain’ album.
This recording struck me, at first,as being unusual in being played on a SOPRANO ‘F’ whistle -Now I tend to gravitate towards lower whistles for slow tunes-Mary does the exact opposite here-and it works! The high whistle actually adds a plaintive quality to the tune.

5

You’re very welcome, Bittafchiff. One reason you didn’t get many responses may be that we did this recently. Check here, my friend:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=12014&highlight=favorite+favourite+slow+airs

6

My favorite slow air recording is the one I did with Mick Woodruff last year. :wink:
Of course that opinion is heavily biased, but almost everyone who has heard it has loved it too.
Here’s the URL if you’d like to have a listen… click ‘play’ instead of ‘download’.
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=180732&T=7211

7

The first two aren’t airs (I’m not sure about the third), and the second is primarily on fiddle, the third on whistle:

The Fairy Queen, an O’Carolan tune, done by Chris Norman on "The man with the wooden flute. " Quite possibly the best playing of an Irish tune I’ve ever heard, and often brings tears to my eyes, it’s so beautiful. It’s followed by a rousing version of Hugh O’Donnell. I’ve slowed both of them down, and I still don’t know how he does what he does. The album is full of beautiful flute-playing in many different styles.

The Waltz of the Lilies, written by Katie O’Brien, on Deanta’s third album, “Whisper of a secret.” It’s a gorgeous waltz, made even more beautiful knowing that Katie wrote it for her own wedding. Deirdre Havlin on flute.

Another beautiful one, played on a Thin Weasel boxwood (I think), is Wild Geese, a traditional Irish tune, on The Baltimore Consort’s album “The mad buckgoat.” Another played by Chris Norman – the guy is soooo amazing.

8

Chris Norman is extraordinary…

So is Gary.

9

Thank you, Blackhawk, for all the links you provided for the slow airs, laments and ballads of the past posts. I saved them all to peruse at my leisure, thanks to you!!

best wishes,
Baen

10

Currently listening to: “Bhuitis” by Brian Duke, flute & Tim Murray, guitar on Cian’s CD “Three Shouts From a Hill” - awesome.

Kevin Krell

11

My pleasure, Baen! Glad to be of help. This is one of my favorite subjects as well, so I knew right where to go for the links.

12

[quote="kkrellCurrently listening to: “Bhuitis” by Brian Duke, flute & Tim Murray, guitar on Cian’s CD “Three Shouts From a Hill” - awesome.

Kevin Krell[/quote]

I would have to agree. I really like the CD, and the song is really excellent.

All the Best, Tom

13

You’ve got my vote, too. I love your arrangement/recording of this tune.

14

And also previously canvassed here:

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=3783&highlight=

15

I like playing fast tunes on the low whistle…

16

although it’s not a slow air I heard a recording of cliffs of mohr done really slow, it was pretty cool but I can’t remember who did it.

17

Griogal Cridhe—the oldest known Gaelic-language song—is still my favourite by a long way. The recording by Mac-Talla is still my favourite by a long way. That’s a vocal version, it is after all a lament with very moving lyrics.

I’ve never heard an instrumental version of any kind, let alone a whistle version. I play it on whistle using a two finger start: key of A mixolydian on a D whistle. Works very well played that way.