Hi there! The session bodhranist in my “session circle” gave me this CD shortly after realising that I play the whistle. Its called “Totally Traditonal Tin Whistles”. She didn’t like it and told me I could have it if I wanted it.
Its one of the best technical/solo whistle CDs I’ve ever heard, with various tinwhistle legends inside, including Willie Clancy, Micho Russel, Cathal McConnel, and many others. Easily comparable to Feadoga Stain in terms of whistle-playing technical power. I totally recommend it to anyone, and its done by Ossian.
I’m just totally blown away by some of them unknown-to-me whistlers on the album, like Fintan Vallely (whose tonguing on the emphasized notes gives such a unique sound - like the synthesizer shakuhachi on an Enigma track), and Josie McDermott, who must be the High Priestess of Tripple Tonguing - my new idol! It is a mixture of exhileration and discouragment listening to them. Does anyone know more about them and their styles?
I agree with you, this is a brilliant CD. The best thing about it, I think, is that it shows many different styles of “authentic” Irish whistle playing…there is no one “right” way. The individuality of the performer is as important as technique. All the players showcased are champions and highly respected in tradtional Irish Music circles. Some are no longer with us, but many of their old recordings are being re-issued. Josie McDermott (a man by the way!) was known mostly for his flute playing. Check out the RTE website http://www.rte.ie/ and find Radio Ceolnet under the radio shows. This has continuous interviews & music, often from older players like many on this recording.
While at RTE check out Ceili House and The Late Session, two weekly radio shows.
Good stuff!
Sue
Blaine,
FE is correct..Ossian sells it. I picked up mine at Irish Arts Week in the Catskills last year. Ossian Records USA had a booth there with some terrific, hard-to-find discs. Unfortunately some are Irish imports and a fair bit of $$ but worth it.
Sue
I did a “backdoor search” on google using Fintan Valley and found the CD is available from Andy’s Front Hall. (A U.S. source - I also found several scotland/Ireland sources.)
The sound samples were great. Unfortunately I live in California. I ordered a couple of CD’s (Eoinn O’Neil’s Ceili Bandits)from Mary Custy’s shop some time ago because absolutely no one in the U.S had them and the and shipping costs can be killer.
When I looked at Andy’s Front Hall I saw that one of the players was Festy Colon. That sounds more like a condition than a name. At the other site I see that it is Festy Conlon.
actually the condition is called feisty colon, and occurs when you become unfaithful to your first love, that is, irish-trad, and indulge in too much tex-mex.
Hi, Eldarion,
I agree that this is a great album. Fintan Vallely is truly wonderful to hear. I have a track of him playing an air on the flute also, and believe me, it is one SERIOUS piece of playing. Must check him out further…