Flook appeared at Kansas State University last night.
I’ve heard their music, had their Rubai disc. Nothing could have prepared me for the pure unbridled intensity of their music. What a performance! What wonderful blending of timbre, tone, showmanship. Brian Finnegan - a “whistle players whistle player” was astounding. His fingers fly like a devil wind. His body movements, facial expressions, breath control and obvious joy left me sitting at the edge of my seat - literally (my wife told me to sit back several times- LOL). Brian “puncuates” his playing, getting tremendous variety from his whistles. Part traditional style - no wait… - there he goes - inspiration - part miracle! Wow! How does he do it. Why can’t I do it? Brian is tremendous inspiration for all of us chiffers that love the whistle. He was the show for me!
In one of the pieces from the new Haven disc, Finnigan produced chiffs that were amazingly controlled - put in to match the music being played. Sara was “answering” with sounds I’ve never heard from a flute before. As much percussion as tone. Never have heard it before. What a talent! Sarah Allen played incredibly on her flute. Some of the tones she got out of it - I just did not know you could do that with a flute! Very, very well done. And not bad to look at to boot! It was a pleasure to hear the blending with Finnigan’s work, both against whistle and flute. Wow! She is really a talent in her own right.
Ed Boyd was very very strong on the guitar. I had not thought much about his guitar work - but what a great player - anchors the entire group. The live performance really showcased his work. Exremely strong when taking the lead, subtle when in the background. Very nice indeed.
Then of course there was John Joe Kelly. Before the show started, the people in the row behind me started discussing what this “one guy” was going to play that “looked like a tambourine”. The lady sitting to my right pronounced carefully that it was a “Bow-ran” and that her husband played one. He had one from years long ago, had not played it for quite some time. I asked him if he knew about John Joe, he said no. I opined he would enjoy one of the, or THE finest player in the entire world. He looked at me like I was crazy. Let me tell you that after John Joe’s solo his eyes were about glazed over. He had no idea what the instrument he “played at” was capable of. Very strong ovation from the crowd after John Joe’s solo. People in that auditorium were just stunned. I was certainly among them. And they make jokes about Bodhrans…
Which brings me to a comment on the crowd. Most of the people in the front rows where I was, were a 40-50 plus crowd. They were pretty dignified for a Flook performance. Without a doubt they were there for the headliner - Karan Casey. I don’t think but very few there had any idea what this Flook group was. Well, they knew after that wonderful 90 minutes. And there was a standing ovation for the group from this crowd of middle aged folks who had absolutely no clue what they were in for. I think there is no doubt that Flook was a little put off by the crowds initial courteous behavior. There was a group in the back of younger fans. But only a few “Oyes” came out. I did however help out in that regard much to the chagrin of my wife and the haunting stares of some seat mates. Oh well, they probably thought I was on drugs - even though I had a proper tie on. I don’t care. I had fun. I liked it. No - I loved it!
Let me tell you, they were just phenomenal!
Karan Casey took the next 80-90 minutes. I had gone for Flook. She did great, I really enjoyed her and her group - great musicians. I think that Flook actually got a larger response. Must have really surprised the crowd. I had talked with a young usher fellow before the concert. He told me he did not know what Flook was. We chatted before the concert. He was grinning ear to ear after Flook. We made a convert I think!
Flook had to get to Kansas City right after their part of the concert. They had started the concert late while trying to get the sound system up to “snuff”. Flook had a 6:00 AM flight to get to Wausau Wisconsin via Chicago. so, no mingling with the crowd.So I could not talk with them. Bummer.
I did buy the Haven disc just released. No chance for an autograph, or on the Rubai disc copy carefully secreted in my wife’s purse with the camera. Bummer.
Maybe I can say hello to them some time in the future. My wife told me after the concert that John Joe (that drum guy - you know -whacamicallit thing player) walked right past her before we went in to the seating. I missed him as I was talking with the usher in the ticket area. Big Bummer.
I’ve never been a groupie or a roadie. Tough luck - heh?
If you get the chance - make sure you go to see Flook in person. You will be very glad you did!
but I’m using my imagination. Last year there was a family that had followed them to Iowa from their gig in Wisconsin, or something like that. They had a young boy with them, about 12 or so, and Flook just mentioned that the boy was making great headway on the whistle. When they played a certain tune, the boy looked at his dad and you could see that the boy just was wild about that tune—with good reason. I thought it was so neat that the family would go to such lengths to let the boy get to hear Brian Finnegan as much as he could. Gigs are pretty few and far between in the Midwest!