The Master Pipers Series
Volume 1 – Johnny Doran
Na Píobairí Uilleann NPUCD 011; 48
minutes; 2003
Volume 2 – Tommy Kearney
Na Píobairí Uilleann NPUCD 012; 58
minutes; 2003
On seeing the uilleann piper Séamus Ennis for
the first time the singer Martin Carthy is reported to have commented that the
experience was akin to “watching a man wrestle an octopus”. It’s well worth
keeping that aquatic analogy in mind when listening to these two fabulous
examples of the piper’s art with demonstrate complete understanding of this
most complex of instruments.
Johnny Doran
(who died in 1950) was one of the last of the travelling pipers, earning his
crust by touring Ireland to play at fairs and sporting events, entertaining
through his astonishing expertise, characterised by a torrent of sound
engendered by his open, legato style of playing the chanter and subtle
supporting use of the regulators. Doran’s only recordings were made by the
Irish Folklore Commission in 1947 and subsequently issued on cassette as The
Bunch of Keys. The original discs have now been remastered and are here
accompanied by highly detailed, but ever cogent notes on Doran’s playing and
his music, alongside a brief biography. Reels such as Colonel Fraser flow
from Johnny’s pipes to devastating effect.
A similarly presented booklet accompanies
the recordings of the still-active uilleann piper Tommy Kearney who recalls
listening to Doran’s playing on the streets of his native Portlaw, County
Waterford. Also favouring an open, flowing style, though fond of very crisp
staccato triplets. Tommy was recorded at home, first in 1965 and subsequently
thirty-seven years later, and offers a host of examples of his wizardry. On
some of the earlier tracks, such as the sparkling jig The Cook in the
Kitchen, Kearney is accompanied by the renowned and sadly late London-based
fiddler, Jimmy Power, whose son, Dick, compiled and edited the liner notes. Two
renditions of The Flogging Reel, one from each recording session, demonstrate
that Tommy has fully retained all his inventive powers over the intervening
years.
This review by Geoff Wallis was originally written for Songlines
magazine – www.songlines.co.uk.
For More information about Na Píobairí Uilleann visit www.pipers.ie.