Just got this CD in the mail this morning and am listening to it right now. I have not had a chance to see Mikie playing live other than the few bits of video on the web. From the CD I would not call him a “flash” player, more a “slow and steady” player, but his regs are in tune and he sure knows how to use them. Great stuff to learn playing the regs from. If you haven’t ordered your copy from SCUPC yet, get your thumb out of it!
djm
I also got this CD and have listened to it several times during my commute. It is very good.
John
The SCUPC is sold-out of “The Wild Keys.” I’ve got an e-mail into Mikie to see who will be distributing his CDs, but I probably won’t hear back until after he gets back from Drumshanbo.
No (mor)E
Here’s a video of him on this thread:
Good drones ? - Uilleann Pipes - Chiff & Fipple 
PS it was David Lim who sorced the vid for the NWUP web 
Received mine yesterday, thanks PD.
I find Mikie’s playing on the CD, slow, steady and flash. Very enjoyable, the man is an artist.
David
I am interested to have his new record, do you konw haw I can get it?
Merci
Also got a hold of this CD from the SoCal guys while they still had some. Excellent recording! I listen to it at work and absolutely love his rendition of “The Fairy Boy”. If you can get a copy of the CD, do it! He’s a superb piper and all around great guy. I can only hope I’ll be able to play the regs like him someday.
-Mike
I’ll post the information here as soon as it becomes available. Mikie’s website is http://www.mikiesmyth.com. No information there yet, but you might check there in a couple of weeks.
No E
Perhaps you could try NPU. Members get a discount.
djm
Hi,
Nothing in NPU.
Hi Sylvain,
The CD was mixed on May 13, 2005, and pressed later, so it’s still pretty new. Let Mikie settle down from his travels and I’m sure his site will indicate how to make it more widely available. SCUPC just had a few copies because Mikie was visiting us folks here in Los Angeles in June.
Kevin Krell
NPU had boxes full of it during Willie week.
NPU is always a bit slow to update their web site catalogue. I usually have more success writing to them directly when looking for CDs.
djm
Heard back from Mikie, he said to e-mail him directly to order his CD.
PM me if you need his e-mail address.
BTW, the SCUPC is out of the on-line CD sales biz.
-Larry
I was lucky enough to hear Mikie play at the piping recital on the Wednesday of Willie Week, and I was (once again) completely blown away by his amazing piping. To me he is a total piper: beautiful controlled chanter playing with flawless rhythm and amazingly subtle ornamentation- sounds simple, but try to replicate it!- unbelievably dextrous, rhythmic and tasteful regulator accompaniment, and perfectly tuned drones which made the full set sing like a church organ. His bass drone can be overblown to sound a “G” and the effect is so pleasant that you really miss it when he doesn’t use it.
So I splashed out and bought his new CD, and wasn’t disappointed. It underlines what a maestro he is- the sound is so pure that it’s hard to listen to any other piping after hearing it. His whistle and flute playing too is beautiful-some amazing ornamentation on The Gold Ring. The whole album is played at a lovely steady pace which allows the music to shine through. I think the highlight for me is his playing on “The Wild Geese”, but his interpretation of The Fox Chase is stunning too.
Treat yourselves and get a copy of this brilliant album!
I have just received word from Mary Walsh at NPU. The CD “The Wild Keys” by Mikie Smith and “The Dusty Miller” by Gay, Conor, and Sean McKeon are now available on the NPU web site. She says these were the only two piping CDs released at WCSS this year.
As well, Mary says their new web site will be up sometime in August, will be much easier to shop from, and will include a New Releases section so you won’t have to scan the entire catalogue to find what’s new. NPU comes through again.
djm
You can here Mikie in the Late session 10 july
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/story/1034196.html
Just checked the NPU website. “The Wild Keys” by Mikie Smyth is now available in their on-line store (21 euros, before member discount).
No E
What’s up with that RTE fanfare music? Sounds like they want you to erase all notions of ThoughtCrime.