I’m told that one way to help yourself with your Irish flute studies is to listen to ITM flute tunes. See (hear actually) what it sounds like and how it’s done. Well, makes sense to me.
I’ve had some suggestions on some CDs, like from June McCormack and such, any others?
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/favorite-irish-flute-album-cd/60577/1
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/your-3-favorite-flute-albums/40988/1
Thanks.
You know…I keep forgetting about the search feture here.
Probably help myself alot if I remembered.
= dunce hat
MRS
i was looking for a copy of Cran’s A Crooked Stair, based on Jem’s recommendation, and found it at Celtic Grooves. he sent me an email with his new releases, which include a few flute albums:
- Dave Sheridan (flute): Drivin’ Leitrim Timber ($19.99) – Sheridan is one of the great flute players in the Leitrim/Sligo tradition, his music is full of energy and invention, and a touch of humor here and there as well.
- Dave Sheridan & Ciaran Somers (fiddle, flute): Faoi Bhlath ($21.99) – an excellent album, not overly produced, slightly rough at the edges, of great tunes played with gusto by this duet from the southeast of Ireland, accompanied by ex-Arcady Breton guitar player Nicolas Quemener.
- John Wynne (Roscommon, flute): Like the Wind ($27.99) – powerful playing in the Roscommon/Sligo tradition
- Harry Bradley & Michael Clarkson (Belfast, flutes): The Pleasures of Hope ($19.99) – formidable Ulster-style duet playing by two masters
- Michael McGoldrick (flute): Aurora ($16.99) – fabulous low whistle, flute and pipes playing, combined very successfully with modern grooves (featuring trumpet and sax sometimes). Features Manus and Donal Lunny on bouzouki.
enjoy,
eric
HMMPH. Haven’t a clue.
<=-
You should buy all 3 of Kevin’s Wooden Flute Obsession double CDs - a treasure trove of interesting music and styles,
and a real bargain, too. http://www.worldtrad.org/
d’uh!
i just joined that emusic.com thing recommended in the first thread… they’re offering a $20 bonus if you sign up now. i bought the Conal O Grada cd, a Kevin Crawford cd, the Paddy Carty cd, some stuff by Turlach Boylan, Chris Norman (a Turlough O’Carolan tune : ), Cathal McConnell, Grey Larsen… and i still have $9 left to hunt and peck through some Lunasa stuff. 
then i’ll probably cancel it.
cheers,
eric
ps no flute obsession, but i’m going to get those too. 
I just got a duet CD with PJ Crotty and James Cullinan. Great Clare music in relaxed style. I like the piano vamping. It gives a good swing to the whole.
Kind of like asking what is a good food for dinner. Every one will have different opinions and none of them might be best for your tastes.
For instance, there is a very excellent musician (who I don’ want to pick on) who is technically very skilled and plays beautifully, I have the greatest respect for his abilities, but I don’t like his style and I wouldn’t listen to his CD’s. I am sure that others would disagree and love his style.
Kevin’s Wooden Flute Obsession CD’s are the best thing for a person new to flute or ITM looking for a style and player that he likes. They are the best from the best. You will listen to many different players with many different styles. You will be able to decide who you like and what style you like and then make an educated decision on whose CD’s you want to buy. Trust me you couldn’t afford to buy enough CD’s to get that kind of education.
After that, a more appropriate question might be “Which (insert an artist name) CD is you favorite and Why?”
That said it still is kind of like going to 31 flavors and deciding which flavor you want. You want them all!
Jeff
Kevin: you can send my free copy of WFO 4 to me now 
Best I’ve heard in the past few years has been Steph Geremia’s CD. As I pointed out in a recent discussion, my favourite flute recording, “Bad Turns And Horseshoe Bends” by Harry Bradley is available through iTunes [ and you’d be hard pushed to find it anywhere else ]. If you’re not sure about this, buy the first track. I’d be very surprised if you didn’t then buy the rest. I’ll agree certainly with the recommendation above for the Ciaran Somers/Dave Sheridan/Nicolas Qemener CD.
Cosa Gan Bhróga has never been re-issued has it? I have a fondness for that one as a whole. And the singing on it adds greatly to the enjoyment.
Not as far as I know, Mr G. and that’s a great pity. Possibly the first ever recording of “The Shelf” polka - and didn’t Desi play it well ?
My favorite at the moment is The Top of Coom.
Since I’m surprised no one has yet mentioned it … Matt Molloy’s black album. It’s still a benchmark recording IMO, regardless of your stylistic preferences. Mostly Eb flute, of course, but that can be “remedied” with software. And the tune selection is excellent session fodder.
Plus, now there’s the whole Flutes in Space thing.
Oh, and I agree that Kevin’s WFO is an excellent sampler.
Thanks to all.
But since I’m old school, i’ll just stick to the records…er, I mean, the CDs over the software or down loads 
Looking forward to trying out some of the recommendations.
MRS
I didn’t recommend it because I find Molloy discouraging. Only kidding, that is a great cd.
Yeah seriously I thought this whole thread would be filled with Molloy’s stuff. I second the recommendation and also add that Matt’s second solo album Heathery Breeze is just as good if not better than the first one. Although there are a lot of good flute albums out there IMO none of them hold a candle to these two. Stony Steps isn’t bad either, I don’t really think much of Shadows on Stone though just my taste. Also Matt’s duets with fiddlers should be checked out Matt Molloy, Paul Brady, and Tommy Peoples plus Contentment is Wealth with Sean Keane and Arty McGlynn to be more specific.