Hi guys and gals,I have just come across an old clip from 2001 of John McSherry playing his version of Colonel Frazers at the launch of the At First Light CD gig in Dublin.I didn’t Know I had it until reviewing the old tapes.You’ll find it in the MOVIES section under John McSherry_Dublin_01 at www.kerrywhistles.com
Hope you enjoy it.
Phil.
Great stuff Phil. Thanks. 
Man, he tears the arse out of that one. Great stuff, thanks!
great playing 
By the way who made his brown colored chanter?
I could be wrong, but I want to say Cillian O’Briain
Martin preshaw
Aaah, ok, thanks Ben. BTW I love the sound of your O’Briain chanter. I just finally got to listen to your MP3’s on clips 'n snips. Great stuff.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing it…-gary
Most of young pipers make a confusion between speed and music . It’s a good exemple of that . You must heard the old pipers they have played this tune ! This kind of piping is killing the pipes !
Sorry for my english language .
JLG.
Actually, Sean Macaloon made the chanter (it’s extremely dirty boxwood)
That’s what he himself said anyway :
and i suppose he knows
How does this kill the pipes? If it weren’t for the likes of pipers such as McSherry, the state of the ‘tradition’ would be much worse off today that it is. There’s been a whole new generation of pipers inspired by the likes of John and many many others like him. No, it wasn’t Ennis, Doran or Clancy that enraptured the new recruits - though fair enough has been said about their own merits. Give the guy credit where it’s due. He can pipe circles around every one of us I’d bet. And even if he isn’t the greatest piper in your tastes, realise that he is very well known and respected in the piping community as a whole.
I personally liked the piping on this album, “At First Light”, very much. McSherry seems to me to be playing about the same speed as Ennis in the 50s, and no where near as fast as someone like Tuohey. I am curious, JLG, who you are comparing this piping to to say that it is too fast, and that it is faster than old-style pipers.
djm
In addition…he’s playing Colonel Fraiser’s…a piece that practically screams to be played quickly and precisely. Why, I’d give my left…uh, no, I don’t have that one any more… 
Colonel Frazer’s is, I think, one of those tunes that truly sounds better when played fast. IMHO.
Hello ,
I am happy to have such a reaction about my point of view (?) . I don’t contest that JMcS. is well known and respected and I think also the best about him . Before to answered you , I heard three version of Colonel Frazer : J.Doran , S.Ennis and Tommy Kearney ( NPU CD from a piper living in Waterford , this CD make with the help of David Power from Waterford too , and livind now in USA ) . I know this tune is a speed playing one but I regret some linearity in the piping of McS. I think I have not yet understand the piping of young pipers like you ! It’s only a question of taste not of speed . But speed prevent to do funny things as we can heard with Doran or Kearney .
I am waiting all from you !!! But somebody in USA spoke from "old europe " few month ago ! Perhaps that goes with old piping !
Sorry ,
Jean-Luc
Okay, Jean-Luc, it now sounds like you are more concerned with McSherry’s lack of variation than the speed of his playing. That would be a valid point. I don’t think he is restricted by his speed, but just by his interpretation of the tune. There is a little bit of variation there in McSherry’s playing, but it is not as extensive as some of the older styles. This could be attributed to a matter of personal taste and choice. When I can play as well as John McSherry, I will start to get fussier in my tastes. 
djm
Many thanks DJM , I see you have understand that I mean . In no case I said that McS. was not a goog pipers . It’s very difficult to explain one’s thought with a language you dont no well.
In a word , I am abble to listen Ennis and the others during hours and hours and I’m always dicover something new .
I hope everybody has understand me !
Jean-Luc
Loud and clear Jean-Luc. Don’t be too hard on yoursself for your difficulty with English…fact is, there are many for whom this is a native tongue but they cannot write it as clearly as you.
I couldn’t agree less. And anyone who can attract audiences and be part of the ‘top shelf’ contemporary evolution of traditions like him is doing us a favour. Killing the music is a harsh label for Mr McSherrys playing.
Alan