I have just now received the first copy of the wonderful CD ‘Tobar an Duchais’ by whistleplayer Brid O Donohue. This is the sort of CD I cherish, pure traditional, unaccompanied whistleplaying by one of the finest whistle players in Ireland.
Right from the opening track, a lovely lively version of the Green Groves of Erin followed by the Copperplate to final offering of reels : Ambrose Moloney’s and The Concert reel this is a recording of pure joy.
Brid draws from the well of her heritage (the Tobar an Duchais of the title) to play West Clare whistle music at it very best. Here we hear echos of the ever lively dance music and the air playing of Willie Clancy (a relation who gave Brid many tips at a young age) and the exquisite whistle and fluteplaying of Brid’s uncle JC Talty and many other greats from the West Clare tradition.
Included are Jigs Reels, hornpipes, a number of great airs, slip jigs and the great set dance Mount Phoebus Hunt (and Bloomfield's favourites: The Humours of Lissadel and the Reel of Mullinavat are included). Whistles played are D (Sindt), a Generation Eflat, C, an O’Briain improved e flat and a B Susato (all pictured on the cover by the way).
The music on the CD was selected for it’s associations with the people Brid learned from, in that sense it’s a very personal recording, here she plays the tunes learned when growing up. It is often said Irish traditional music is the music of people and places. If ever there was a CD that reflected that, this is the one.
From a very early age Brid has been one of the primary whistleteachers at the Willie Clancy Summerschool passing on the music she was given. Throughout the year she runs music classes for local children. SHe has a great way of handing on the tunes and she manages to pass on her wonderful rich ornamentation and sheer joy of playing to all her pupils. One of the great joys at the christmas concert she usually stages for her pupils was the band of 13-16 year olds. The band had all the lift of the old ceilibands and a wonderful strong flute section that reminded me of the sound of the Ballinakil. It was a real testament to her ability to hand on her music.
The CD cover has extensive notes and a large number of photographs, from old shots from the family album of whistle and fluteplayers like JC Talty and Michael Falsey and an especially lovely one of Willie Clancy playing the flute, through to images of Brid playing at very tender age, a nice shot by Liam Mcnulty of herself and Mary Bergin playing a duet at the Willie week somewhere during the mid-seventies and from there on right through to the present day (I can’t say much about those
)
Patsy Sexton, Mary and Brid O Donohue, late 1960s
To surmise, this is a classic whistle album that in my mind has a place right next to the Moloney/Potts album and the Feadiga Stan (and to be honest I much prefer this one). If you only buy one whistle CD this year, believe me this should be the one.
The CD is due to be launched during the Willie Clancy Summer School and will be available from the first of July. Brid’s website will go up shortly at www.bridodonohue.com CDs can be ordered through the website, Custy’s or OssianUSA (more to follow)
Brid is a dear friend and neighbour, I had some part in the making of the CD: I lent the Sindt D used, Suggested some of the tunes, did most of the cover photography. I listened to all the rushes as they were done and lent moral support and what advice I had when needed. And I managed to keep the secret, until now. I do however not get anything out of this except the pure joy Brid has finally done this.
What little darlings.
