# The Pipes of Three Nations **URL:** \ **Category:** Uilleann Pipes\ **Created:** [July 21, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/the-pipes-of-three-nations/29892 "2005-07-21T15:43:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kevin\_L\_Rietmann](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/kevin_l_rietmann/32/3125_2.png) [@Kevin\_L\_Rietmann](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Kevin_L_Rietmann)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/the-pipes-of-three-nations/29892/1 "2005-07-21T15:43:55Z")
![](http://www.asaplive.com/farneimages/jpgs/M0500400.jpg) “On this photograph we see pipers (clockwise from left) - D. Laidlaw V.C., W.A. Cocks, J. Robertson, G.V. Charlton, R.W. Clarke. The photograph was taken at the home of W.A. Cocks at Ryton on Tyne some time in 1927-28. Amongst those present was G.V. Charlton, who along with Cocks, helped to revive interest in pipes in the region, writing many articles for the press.” This picture is from the [FARNE website](http://www.asaplive.com/farne/home.cfm), of which I’ve written before. The Pipes of Three Nations was a series of 78 RPM discs made in 1928 . It featured Willie Clarke on the Irish pipes, Anthony Charlton on the Northumbrian pipes, and Piper Major James Robertson on the Highland pipes. A commerative concert staged in Dublin in the early 90s (I think) featured Ronan Browne, Kathryn Tickell, and Terry Tully in the above featured roles. Why they couldn’t get a Highlander to play Highland pipes I’m not sure although Terry’s a fine musician anyway. (My apologies of Terry IS from Glasgow or thereabouts! I seem to recall that he’s from Kildare or Offaly or…) If you wish to read more about Willie Clarke go [here.](http://mustrad.org.uk/articles/w_clarke.htm) Looks like a Coyne set he has there. It’s also pictured on the bio page, along with a 3/4 set that perhaps is his own make - not quite so nicely turned out. You can buy the Anthony Charlton tracks on a record called ‘Wor Nanny’s a Mazor’ (PHCD2K1). I have a snippet of Willie Clarke playing Miss McLeod, he was a lovely old time player, a nice tight style of playing. Seamus Ennis and his father were friends with Willie, I’ve a tape with Seamus playing Willie’s version of Down the Broom, which sounds a bit like what the Rowsomes called the Broom reel, in O’Neill’s this is called Sheehan’s reel but Leo Rowsome (and Liam Walsh) started out the first part a bit different, with a run up to the second octave E. Willie Clarke also recorded his version of Down the Broom. ---
**Author:** ![Cayden1](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@Cayden1](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Cayden1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/the-pipes-of-three-nations/29892/2 "2005-07-21T15:49:34Z")
![](http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/mittelgrosse/medium-smiley-095.gif) Happy looking bunch. ---
**Author:** ![AaronMalcomb](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/aaronmalcomb/32/216_2.png) [@AaronMalcomb](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/AaronMalcomb)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/the-pipes-of-three-nations/29892/3 "2005-07-21T16:03:28Z")
Each one looks as though he’s thinking the same thing: “Who invited those wankers? They don’t play a **real** bagpipe!” It is odd that they didn’t choose a Scot for the GHB performance in the commemorative concert though I agree that Terry Tully is a fine piper in his own right. Thanks for the post, Kevin. An interesting bit of history. Cheers, Aaron ---
**Author:** ![djm](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/djm/32/420_2.png) [@djm](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/djm)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/the-pipes-of-three-nations/29892/4 "2005-07-21T17:37:18Z")
If they could pick off and reproduce the Anthony Charlton tracks, why hasn’t someone done the same with the Willie Clarke recordings? - or have they? I’m also curious about a mention of bellows-blown lowland pipes mentioned in the Willie Clarke article. Are these the same as border pipes (now being marketed as reel pipes)? djm