Two Compilation CDs

Uilleann Pipes
1

I noticed two compilation CDs around, both seemingly budget CDs. One, titled “Uilleann Pipes - 13 Classic Irish Tunes” mostly contains songs - “1 THE ISLE OF INNISFREE 2 THE COOLIN 3 EDDIE’S FAVOURITES 4 RATHLIN ISLAND 5 MY LAGAN LOVE 6 THE CLIFFS OF DOONEEN 7 SHOE THE DONKEY 8 GALWAY BAY 9 CARRICKFERGUS 10 OLD ARDBOE 11 THE DARK ISLAND 12 THE LONESOME BOATMAN 13 SALLY GARDENS” The piper isn’t credited on the information I could find online.

The other, which looks more promising, is titled “The Celtic Uilleann Pipes Collection” and contains

  1. THE DUBLIN REEL / THE RECONCILATION REEL

Featuring Uilleann Pipes from Ray Gallens MAN OF THE HOUSE

  1. THE BLACKBIRD (set dance)

Tomas OCanainn

  1. HARDIMAN THE FIDDLER / KERRY SLIDES

Brian Vallely, Armagh Pipers Club

  1. KING OF THE FAIRIES (Jigs)

lnnisfree CeoiI featurinq Uilleann Pipes

  1. JOHN RYAN’S POLKA / THE LARK IN THE MORNING

Gerry McFadden

  1. THE HEATHER BREEZE / BOYS OF THE TOWN / OFF TO CALIFORNIA (Reels)

Gerry Mcfadden

  1. THE CUCKOOS NEST HORNPIPE / THE END HOUSE OF CONNAUGHT REEL

Sean McGuire

  1. MY LAGAN LOVE (Slow Air)

lnnisfree CeoiI

  1. THE HUNGRY EYE / THE ROLLING WAVE (Jigs)

Ray Gallen on bodfiran featuring Neil Martin on pipes

  1. THEODORE STREET / POPE’S QUAY / DUN CIOVAIN (Reels)

Tomas Ocanainn

  1. THE SONG OF THE CHANTER

Brian Vallely, Armagh Pipers’ Club

  1. A CHAILLEACH DO MHARAIS ME / THE GOLD RING

Brian Vallely. Armagh Pipers’ Club

  1. THE PRATIE SET (Jigs)

Tomas Ocanainn

  1. THE FOXHUNTER’S JIG / FERMOY LASSES REEL

Gerry McFadden

  1. ROISIN DUBH

lnnisfree Ceoil featuring Uilleann Pipes



Does anyone know who the piper on the first CD is, and whether it’s listenable (personally, I particularly like playing songs on my pipes, especially at my playing level), and whether the second CD contains exclusive material?

Thanks

Andrew

2

Depends what your tastes are.

Speaking only for myself here, I wouldn’t want CD 1… it appears like it was created for the uneducated tourist, as the choice of music (to me) reflects.

I would get CD 2, if only for the tracks of Brian Vallely… not to belittle the other pipers featured, I just haven’t heard their playing to date.

3

If CD 1 is straight playing of songs on the pipes, then I would probably enjoy it. But not if it’s swimming in synthesiser washes and the like.

Andrew

4

Does it have mist on the front cover?

DavidG

5

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

6

No, funnily enough, it has an illustration of a piper. What’s wrong with a bit of mist?

I recently came across a CD of Irish music played on the cello, which sounded interesting until I saw a picture of the cellist:-

7

lnnisfree Ceoil … a big group of young musicians from the North. I think it might have John McSherry piping as a callow youth.

Neil Martin [tracks 1 and 9] is a very good piper, think he also plays classical stuff [viola or cello ?] and arranges music.
I’ve heard this CD and his tracks are far and away the best on this recording…

Boyd

8

This almost looks like M. Flatley incognito.

9

Isn’t that a contradiction in terms? :wink:

10

Wasn’t this guy a villain in a Batman movie or something???
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

11

Whoa! You may be right there.

12

I listen to CD #1 quite a bit. To me the piping is excellent, especially if you are partial to slow airs and a mellow sound. It’s also nice when non pipers comment on how beautiful the music is and discover it’s uillean pipes. The piper on the CD, in my opinion, never “show-offs” with unnecessary technique and just lets the melody flow. A nice change of pace. Best to all.

13

Sounds promising. Is it solo piping, or are there other instruments?

Andrew

14

Andrew, one track, Eddie’s Favorite is solo. The Lonesome Boatman has an orchestral background. The rest are accompanied by a piano. However, the pipes are always dominant. It’s a nice one to have in the collection. Best, Jim