Does anyone know anything about the Bb chanter that Paddy Keenan plays on “The Streets of Derry” from the Bothies’ last album? Was it/is it his or a loaner? Who was the maker? I’m just curious, as I’ve never seen him playing a Bb set or chanter and I think that’s the only recording (at least commercial) of him playing in anything but concert pitch.
I may be mistaken but I heard it was a Matt Kiernan chanter. I might be thinking of someone else entirely.
I could have sworn it was a B chanter. I have a B and a Bb whistle, and the B was closer on as I remember. It’s been a while since I played along to that recording so I will have double check.
It certainly sounds like a Matt Kiernan chanter. I have a B flat chanter made by Chris Bayley using Matt K’s dimensions and bore data, and it has that beautiful liquid sound you hear on the album.
I have a flat Kiernan and they do sound rather similar. That said, recording techniques and reeds can do a lot to change the timbre of an instrument. Kiernan’s a fairly safe bet, however.
When I play my B whistle with the chanter Paddy is playing in the key of B not Bb. Do I hear the regs been played also.
The song The Streets of Derry is played in the Key of E on the B chanter. It also sounds great on my low E whistle with the B chanter.
Cheers
Ferg
Thanks all!
Well I do have this album, and on the back of the cd case, it says: "Paddy Keenan - Pipes, Low Whistle, B Chanter, Whistle. While on the liner notes, it says: Keenan - Pipes, Low Whistle, Bb Chanter, Whistle. If it is a Bb, then it’s very sharp, or the recording process sharpened it, but I hear closer to B.
It’s possible that someone creating the ‘Bb’ notes heard him say a ‘flat B’ set, or a ‘B, flat set’ and decided it was a B-flat set for the liner notes. I’ve seen the same confusion among UPipers who should know better.
I remember seeing the Bb in the notes (which I don’t have anymore) so I went with that. when I’ve listened to it I felt it was closer to B. I assumed that the recording process either sharpened it or that it was a case of the “B flat” vs “Bflat”. Anyhoo…I always liked how that chanter sounded and got curious.
I sent Paddy Keenan an email on monday evening about the Chanter he was playing on The Bothy Band CD “Out of the Wind, Into The Sun” track Streets of Derry. He sent back email today.
Hi Fergus,
Nice picture!
Yes it’s a B chanter I borrowed from
Matt Kiernan, of dublin,
Take care,
paddy
All the best
Ferg
Excellent! Thanks Fergus.
Always trust the ear!
unless the ear can’t be trusted… 
it’s always better to Bb than to C#!
:-=)