I was talking to a fellow piper the other day and was reminded that I had once run across a collection of old LPs, and one was of a group called “The Irish Country Four.” This album was recorded in the 60’s or 70’s (can’t remember).
There’s an uilleann piper in the group named Trevor Stuart, who play a set of pipes made by Frank McFadden.
Any of you historians know of this piper, and esp. the pipemaker McFadden, from Belfast (would like to hear all about him), or the group and what ever happened to them?
There’s probably only one Trevor Stewart who plays uilleann pipes in the North. He’s alive and well and in his fifties now…still playing very well.
He now plays a 3/4 set by Andreas Rogge.
He used to have an old Rowesome chanter.
Works in Belfast…at the Belfast Telegraph, I think [a newspaper!].
I keep in touch with him and we meet up sometimes.
I suspect he’s the fella you’re talking about…I must ask him if he was ever in such a group.
[..and give him stick about the group’s name ]
Boyd.
[ This Message was edited by: boyd on 2002-11-01 08:45 ]
Thanks. I sent an email to Neil to reserach Trevor and McFadden and found this article in the Belfast Telegraph today:
Folk: Pipes are calling to Armagh
By Neil Johnston
DOWN in Armagh city, all is set for a pulsating week of music focusing on the worldwide family of the pipes.
I refer, of course, to the 9th annual William Kennedy International Festival of Piping, which will run this year from November 10-18.
Organised as ever by the Armagh Pipers Club, the packed programme will include concerts, sessions, workshops, reed making classes, poetry readings and exhibitions.
Among the many big name uilleann pipers taking part will be Liam O’Flynn, Michael McGoldrick, Neillidh Mulligan and Armagh’s Tiarnan O’Duinnchinn.
Leading traditional groups Lunasa, Dorsa and North Cregg will also be performing, the former at the opening concert and the latter at what promises to be a monumental sets ceili in the City Hotel.
The director, Armagh piper and artist Brian Vallely, tells me…(for more click here>)
Re. McFadden pipes, and piper Trevor Stewart, I’ve recieved emails from Trevor, Brian Vallely, and Neil Johnston-reporter for the Belfast Telegraph. BTW McFadden pipes are some of the most ornate pipes I’ve seen, made similar to the Taylor style.
Brian says: “We have a lot of McFadden Pipes here in the club since the early 60’s and I was a personal friend of Frank up until his death . My Uilleann Pipe tutor published in the mid 70’s just before Frank died is dedicated to him . His father made uilleann pipes as well and both his son and grandson had attempts at pipe making but didn’t persevere .
At the moment I am tied up with the annual William Kennedy Festival but after the 18th I can talk to you and answer any questions you have”
Trevor says “Frank died about 1977 or 78 as far as I remember. He lived in Dunstan Street, off the Springfield Road, in Belfast. The houses have gone now. His grandson, Gerry, made an LP in the 80s. Regarding the Country Four: I joined them shortly after buying the pipes and we played in the London folk clubs in 68 and 69 during our holidays, mainly singing with a few tunes. We were all beginners. However, in 69 we played in the Singers’ Club, run by Ewan McColl, Peggy Seeger and A L Lloyd and two days later Bert Lloyd asked us to come back the next year and record for Topic records, which was THE label to be on in those days. Haven’t received the Gold Disc yet, but I keep on hoping. I have played a lot since then, winning the All Ireland in 1976. Wouldn’t like to try it nowadays with all these young whizz-kids around.”
Interesting stuff!! I would have never known w/o C&F. Thanks Boyd!!
[ This Message was edited by: Lorenzo on 2002-11-10 14:30 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Lorenzo on 2002-11-10 14:32 ]
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