I just went to see Flook - www.flook.co.uk - because they were playing at my local arts centre. I hadn’t a clue who they were… but I have to say - I was blown away (lol). They are four musicians - one flute, one whistler, a guitarist and a bodhran. The flutist plays the whistle and vice-versa.
They are incredible - a great mix of traditional tunes plus their own - irish, breton, spanish, hungarian… The whistler is amazing. The flautist - Sarah - plays flute in a wierd yoga style Her Low G flute is so enormous and she’s tiny so she stands on one foot to balance it out. An the bodhran player did a stunning solo in the middle of the last number.
They’re touring around Britain now - and then off to Europe - according to the website. I recommend them. Needless to say, I have nothing to do with them - tho they did give me a bar of chocolate during the performance for some reason!
They’re a really energetic band, the bodhran player is John Joe Kelly, he’s one man who can make a bodhran sing.
My claim to fame - I’ve played in a band with Brian Finnigan, the other whistler in the group. He was playing on a homemade bamboo flute which almost fell to bits during the performance (I told him not to rinse it out), and I was on a string bass whose the string broke, twice, and I finished the number smashing out the rhythm with the broomhandle on the top of the bucket soundbox. Luckily the Pringles tin Ocarina player, hanging cutlery chimes and biscuit tin & elastic band mandolin carried the tune.
You’re right about John Joe Kelly… I’ve seen a few Bodhran players before - who impressed me, but this was another level. If you had just been listening to a CD you might have imagined he had a whole drum kit there. I think he was suffering too… spent most of the evening rubbing embrocation into his wrist! Smelt good tho…
Absolutely, if you get a chance to see Flook don’t miss the opportunity - I’ve been a fan of their music for several years and finally got an opportunity to seem them (thanks to some friends ) last year in Asheville, NC. and can’t wait to see/hear them again
Her Low G flute is so enormous and she’s tiny so she stands on one foot to balance it out. An the bodhran player did a stunning solo in the middle of the last number.
) last year in Asheville, NC. and can’t wait to see/hear them again 