It’s mostly slow airs played on whistle with drones supplied by synthethiser or Indian (India as in Ghandi, not as in American Indian) instruments. There’s also a “bonus track” that is based on hip-hop rhythms, and shows a glimpse into a possible future album. Most of the airs are traditional Irish, but there are a few modern compositions.
The quality of the playing is very good and shows depth of feeling and a good ear for improvisation.
Maybe one way of describing this album is a convergence of Irish and Indian music done by a sympathetic American. Calling it New Age doesn’t really do it justice. Although not my usual cup of tea, i enjoyed listening to the samples, and i’m sure quite a few people here would like the album. It’s available for sale on the same URL above, for $15 plus postage.
There are a couple of minor problems with the sound samples: “Black is the colour” doesn’t play, and “Sadhbh” and “The Drone” are pointing to the same music file.
Thanks for the link. After the other fiasco of a thread I was curious to hear some of this guy’s playing. I was able to listen to one of the tunes(some wouldn’t play) and what I heard was pleasant. But that cd cover- woah nellie!!! . That is one seriously disturbing funky pic.
All new age stuff aside - the synths and drum machines just don’t do it for me. Sadly, I feel they detract quite a bit from what this recording could be. I don’t know what could be used in their place, but I never got the impression the music on this type of CD would die without them. I’d say ditch the electronica and find a few more decent Irish style musicians to back you up Tal. Then you’ll have a real winner!
That being said Talbert is quite a hand at the whistle here and it will be interesting to see where his talents take him in the future. A fair start anyway…
Powerfully expressive low whistle playing,
pushing the envelope on the sort of music
done on the instrument. Liked the fusion
and other instruments. I would have appreciated
something fast and lively occasionally, but
in this innovative spirit,
as a counterpoint.
I envy Talbert’s musicianship. I wish I could play a low whistle (or any other whistle for that matter) as well as he does. However the type of music he plays on the album is just not my particular cup of tea.
I think it’s very pretty and intriguing. I wish Talbert the confidence to keep making music he loves. There is no one-size-fits-all music. Or book. I know how dumpy I felt when after spending a year writing a book my husband read it and said he found my characters too freaky to relate to. (He’s a straight Robert B. Parker kind of guy, no surprise, and others did like it,) but one must be oneself…there’s always a niche…somehow I think Talbert’s niche will end up being bigger than mine.
Did you try all tracks? Not all were working for me either. I remember for sure “drones” and the hiphop one (“Hollow Ashplant”) worked.
Also, i think the links go to .m3u files (MP3 playlists? I think?). In my system, Winamp gets started and plays these. I wonder if Media Player knows how to handle them. It would probably be better to have the links directly to the .mp3 files.
Nan, have you downloaded all the latest updates etc.? I donno why that would make it not play for you but who knows. I’m also on a cable connection now (Woo HOO!) and that may also have something to do with it. Bandwidth? Buffers??
Things are just bollixed up today. Had trouble with Paul’s link, too. Too bad. Looked like a fun show. 