Today I read an interesting comment from one Paddy Maloney of The Chieftains.
It seems he was being interviewed for the Colorado publication of “The Celtic Connection”, by Cindy Reich. During the interview, Cindy inquired of Paddy, “How do you feel about coming back to Denver, which has become an annual stop for The Chieftains?”
Paddy’s response was, “Funny you should mention that, because it is my worst nightmare - the reeds in my pipes seize up! The wood contracts and I end up with a very hoarse chanter on the pipes. I don’t get a very sweet tone. I get away with it, but not to my satisfaction. I do feel it, you know? What you need to do is get a set of pipes that bands pick up on when they come
through so they are acclimatized - that would solve the problem. In the meantime, I’ll play lots of whistle tunes!”
The Chieftains are scheduled to appear on January 17 at the Paramount Theater in Denver, and on January 18 at the Pike’s Peak Center in Colorado Springs.
Just don’t expect to hear much piping.
Stay tuned,
Brian
PS: In January 2000, I was fortunate enough to play the last set with the band, and afterwards Paddy and I had a moment to discuss the matter of the dry Colorado climate. I offered to receive from him a ‘ready reed’, which I’d play in my chanter in order to acclimatize the reed for his next visit. He never did take up my offer. (as if he would!)
[ This Message was edited by: brianc on 2003-01-13 23:11 ]
Well, after attending the show (01/17, Denver), Paddy admitted that (as usual) the pipes were sharp, (he advised we local musicians to tune to 447), but that didn’t mean he didn’t play them much, he had them going in quite a few numbers.
The show was very good, and they played numerous tunes from their newest album “Down the Old Plank Road”.
The ending set was a blazing fast 3 reels consisting of “Maid Behind the Bar”, “Miss McLeod’s” and “The Steampacket”.
Brian,
Was it justthe remaining four Chieftains
(Paddy, Matt, Kevin, and Sean) or have they taken on guest members to replace Derrick Bell and Martin Fay? I would imagine there must be a sad absence in the overall sound with Derrick’s harp and tiompan missing.
Marc
Derek has not been replaced, however, for at least part of this tour, they have a cellist playing along, a lady named Christine ?_.
Also, here in Denver they did bring in a local harpist by the name of Star Edwards, and she played in a couple of sets with them.
They did have a guest fiddle player - a young Canadian fellow, whose name escapes me, but he did some double-duty along with his brother with some “Ottawa Valley” style dancing (a pretty wild take on Irish step dancing).
However, the direct answer is, ‘No’ Derek Bell has not been replaced. Martin Fay hasn’t toured in about 2 years (at least he wasn’t in Denver in 2001 when they performed) but they typically have guest fiddler along.
Paddy stated that it was doubtful that they’d attempt to replace Derek.
I found the names of those appearing with the band:
Moloney is bringing on a guest harper at each concert for a tribute to Bell (Denver-based Star Edwards will play at both Colorado dates).
Singer/cellist Caroline Lavelle, who will sit at stage right - Bell’s former neighborhood.
Others who will join the show include Jon and Nathan Pilatzke, traditional dancers from Canada’s Ottawa Valley;
Country-bluegrass musicians Allison Moorer and Chris Jones, and the usual handful of invited local players for the traditional jam session at concert’s end.