Chris McMullan solo album

[36pipers]

Hi,

Thought I'd post on the forum. My new album is available for anyone who might be interested.

Here's a track on low whistle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0jkgwxNSOg

It's available from Bandcamp here: https://chrismcmullan.bandcamp.com/releases

And it can also be downloaded on digital format from amazon and google play music.

[AngelicBeaver]

I love the four low whistle tracks, and the guitar backing is excellent. I'm not as fond of the uilleann pipes, particularly when the drones are used (personal preference), and there's only one tune set where the drones aren't used and the guitar is used instead (Monaghan Jig set). I wish that uilleann pipers would put a low whistle in their hands more often and use the pipes as album seasoning rather than as the main course, but again, that's just my taste. I love Michael McGoldrick on flute and whistle, but not as much on the pipes.

I went ahead and bought your album because I've really enjoyed seeing a lot of your videos on YouTube (the low whistle ones), particularly your rendition of Inion Ni Scannlain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4Z1T52IV0) and the Legacy Jig (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzGH6ltuII). You should make a mostly whistle album just for me . I would buy an entire copy.

[tin tin]

I'm not as fond of the uilleann pipes...

Have you tried flat pipes? They're like purring cats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSI9Gyo ... BFZW077iBJ

Anyway, regardless of pitch or instrument, it's lovely playing, 36pipers!

[Peter Duggan]

Without having heard the album myself (though now taking a listen through the Bandcamp player)...

I'm not as fond of the uilleann pipes, particularly when the drones are used (personal preference), and there's only one tune set where the drones aren't used

The clue is surely in the name 'Uilleann Tales'? And pipes have drones (also regs when they're uilleann pipes).

I wish that uilleann pipers would put a low whistle in their hands more often and use the pipes as album seasoning rather than as the main course

Then it would be 'Low Whistle Tales'!

[AngelicBeaver]

Without having heard the album myself (though now taking a listen through the Bandcamp player)...

I'm not as fond of the uilleann pipes, particularly when the drones are used (personal preference), and there's only one tune set where the drones aren't used

The clue is surely in the name 'Uilleann Tales'? And pipes have drones (also regs when they're uilleann pipes).

I wish that uilleann pipers would put a low whistle in their hands more often and use the pipes as album seasoning rather than as the main course

Then it would be 'Low Whistle Tales'!

He did post it in the whistle forum, so I gave my own whistler's perspective. I did check, and was glad to see, that he got a warmer reception in the Uilleann Piping forum. I recognized him as the guy from YouTube and was sad that he hadn't gotten any responses on his post, so I bought and listened to his album. I did qualify my statements with a "personal preference" disclaimer. He's a really good player, and I did enjoy the album, I just wish there was more whistling and less "regulator".

"Low Whistle Tales" would be an excellent followup album .

[AngelicBeaver]

I'm not as fond of the uilleann pipes...

Have you tried flat pipes? They're like purring cats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSI9Gyo ... BFZW077iBJ

Anyway, regardless of pitch or instrument, it's lovely playing, 36pipers!

I have that album! I didn't realize they were flat pipes. Now that I listen, they do have a different sound. Doing a quick search, it sounds like "flat pipes" are basically the low whistle of the uilleann pipes, being lower and more mellow. Very interesting.

[tin tin]

I have that album! I didn't realize they were flat pipes. Now that I listen, they do have a different sound. Doing a quick search, it sounds like "flat pipes" are basically the low whistle of the uilleann pipes, being lower and more mellow. Very interesting.

That's one way to look at it. But flat pipes actually pre-date concert (D) pipes. As I understand it, at some point in the 19th (I think?) century, the normal (pitched anywhere from around Bb to around C) pipes were rescaled to play at the higher pitch of the key of D. Of course, a redesign like that affects the inherent character and sound of the instrument.