I’m planning on buying a couple of Upiping albums for the first time. So when I get my pipes I’ll have some inspiration.
Would Paddy Keenan and Ronan Browne be a good starting point ?
If so which album by Paddy Keenan would be recommended? The most easily obtainable albums for me would be “Poirt an Phiobaire”, “Na Keen Afair” or “Paddy Keenan”.
Would “The Wynd You Know” be a good one of Ronan Browne’s to start with?
Or would older pipers be a better starting point - Seamus Ennis, Willy Clancy?
I would prefer only minimal accompaniment so I can hear the pipes clearly and maybe a few Airs as these may be easier to learn for a beginner.
I like Brian McNamara’s recordings as examples of good clean, articulate piping. A Piper’s Dream and Fort of the Jewels have minimal accompaniment that does nothing to detract from the piping.
Brian McNamara albums for sure; Eoin ORiabhaigh- handed down, and when David Power FINALLY finishes his, I’ll buy that as well. Mick O’Brien,-kitty lie over is another
Mick’s stuff us great, and I’m a fan of Keenan as well. Also like Browne, Vallely and McSherry. Not too hot on MacNamarra to be honest though as his playing style is SO articulated that I get worn out after just listening to a few tunes. I much prefer the more flowing, open styles of the afre mentioned myself - no offense meant to Brian.
his playing style is SO articulated that I get worn out after just listening to a few tunes. I much prefer the more flowing, open styles of the afre mentioned myself - no offense meant to Brian.
That’s what I initially thought as well, but I started to LISTEN- it was like a peeling an onion, wondering how he pulled off a triplet, how a particular roll was done. But, variety is a spice to be used a lot
Apart from buying mine (which you should any way, coz my rent needs it)
Leo Rowsome is my fav piper ever!!!
listen to him if you you get a chance.
There are Ennis and Clancey fans out there but if you you ask me, Leo Rowsome was/is the BEST PIPER EVER!!!
Dont even try and argue with me because when it comes to Rowsome, he is the best ever!!
it is only my opinion but I’m right.
I’m a Leo fan and thats that.
Tommy…I have over the past few months been working on the Leo transcripts and have been more than pleasantly surprised at his mastery.When broken down his arrangements are really quite simplistic,using far more rolls than I at 1st realized and little else by comparison.Of course he uses crans and triplets but…and this is the mark of the man…he doesnae overdo it and he is musical at all times.By that I mean that the melody is important throughout(unlike some who think it better to try and impress with ornamentation thereby losing the tune)..
Yep indeedy a truly great player…
Slan Go Foill
Uilliam
Tommy Keane’s “The Piper’s Apron” is good clean piping. As is Declan Mastersons “Fairwater / Fionnuisce”. Can learn a lot from them. Both are of the Liam O’Flynn/Willie Clancy sort of style rather than the flowing Travelling style or the staccatto style of Pat Mitchell et al.
oh yeah..I forgot…for a good cross-section of the master pipers, the album “The Gentlemen Pipers” is good value - everyone from Sean McAloon, Leo Rowsome, Ennis, Pat Mitchell, um…all sorts. Can’t remember now…all my CDs got nicked from my apartment a couple of years ago and I’m still only remembering which ones were taken. If you’re into Paddy Keenan, I think Johnny Doran and Felix Doran were his influences and they’re on the above CD too, at least, one of them is anyway.
[quote="AlanB And he was one to never let the regs get in the way of a good tune either
Alan[/quote]
Ah Alan ,his reg playing is another matter…I was talking about his transcriptions of the music…his reg playing was an ad hoc kinda thing and a bit OTT in my opine.He maybe kept his ornamentation reasonably simple in order to facilitate his regulator work…or…he didnae play the regs at all but got that fella in London who was bashing the snare drum to bash his regulators for him?? :roll:
Slan Go Foill
Uilliam
Best bet is to just start off with the collections of various pipers to get an idea of the differences, and what might be to your tastes. Try not to get drawn into liking the tunes a particular piper plays, but listen to their style of playing to see what is more to your tastes. Also expect that as you learn to play, your tastes may change as well, as your appreciation for what it takes to play UPs broadens.
Everyone here has their own tastes and favourites. Take recommendations for any particular piper with a grain of salt, i.e. they might think someone sounds great, while you think its abysmal.
Thanks everyone.
Djm I have taken your advice and ordered an album with a variety of pipers on it - The Drones and Chanters Vol 2. I might get hold of Vol 1 then which features some of the older pipers.
What are some of the various styles of piping. This may be a broad question.. ie What is a Travelling style or staccatto style?? Or will the various styles be obvious to me once I start listening to a variety of pipers?
