I’m a newbie whistle player and..
Any suggestions on who to listen to? I have a couple of Solas and Davey Spillane CD’s, as well as a pretty good Van Morrison (with the Chieftains) and, (of course) Riverdance:), But I’m looking for more examples of “good” whistle music, both traditional and modern.
You’re more than half-way to some great suggestions. Click on the Main Website link at the top of the forum page to go to Chiff & Fipple (or click this link: http://www.chiffandfipple.com/shop/) where you can get reviews of various CDs from stellar artists. Subscribe to the newsletter (and go through past issues) - there’s usually a review or at least a mention of an exciting CD. And follow some of the other threads on the board (like Who Plays What Whistle) to jot down performers’ names.
Lastly, pay off your credit card so there’s room for this stuff! 
cheers
FE
Thanks much for the advice, I will look into the newsletter, and the shop.
BGull
As well as those mentioned, there are excellent new CD’s (almost) exclusively played on the Low whistle by: Joe McKenna, from County Wicklow (‘The Irish Low Whistle’), the ‘Kerry’ Maker Phil Hardy
(‘Low Whistle’) and Phil Brown, from Lancashire (two CD’s mostly played on Overton’s). I have the McKenna available on the website but not the others yet. They are all top class listening though!
Steve
The only Low Whistle CD I own at this moment is Phil Hardy’s - it’s not traditional, I would rather say “world music”. Great stuff! It’s my favourite CD at the moment.
I found Joe McKenna on Amazon, and listened to the sample cuts - wow!
No luck on the Hardy or Brown though, I’ll keep an eye out for them. Thanks for the info!
BGull
I think these are some great recordings for a newby to listen to early. ‘Fedoga Stain’ and ‘Two for Two’ are the most essential in my book.
Mary Bergin - Very Traditional
*Fedoga Stain (Buy it now, don’t ask why, you’ll know when you hear it)
*Fedoga Stain 2
Lawrence Nugent - Less traditional, Very HOT
*Two for Two (Buy it now, don’t ask why, you’ll know when you hear it)
*The Windy Gap
*Traditional Irish Music (or something like that)
Brian Hughs - Traditional Whistle/various accompanyment styles
*Whistle Stop
Joanie Madden - Traditional w/ some modern influence
*Whistle on the Wind
*Songs of the Irish Whistle
*Songs of the Irish Whistle 2
Flook
*Flatfish
The albums by Phil Brown, mentioned by Steve, are available from Phil himself, or from Townsend Records in the UK. There is a link to Townsend Records on Phil’s web site (which is due to be completely updated soon and will include an online purchasing facility). You will find Phil’s site here: http://www.bigwhistle.co.uk/
If you are having problems, you you could write to Phil for advice on how to get copies.
Phil’s whistle playing is very much his own style. He combines whistle with brass band playing (Phil is an excellent brass player too), and other instruments. Not for those looking for a traditional sound perhaps, but well worth a listen.
Mick
[ This Message was edited by: Mick Woodruff on 2001-07-05 12:07 ]
My current favorite album is Greenwood Side by LothLorien. It is available through MP3.COM Their CD has both formats CD and MP3 files on it. I copied all the MP3 version on my PC and can play them any time there. The CD plays fine in a regular CD player.
In addition to the above folks.
Two other favorites are Altan’s Best of album (2 cd set with Altan live as second CD) and Deante, Whisper album.
But definitely check out Lothlorien on MP3. My favorit song - “The Black Cat” is a 6 minute killer low whistle tune.
Don’t forget Sean Potts/Paddy Maloney “Tin WHistles”
Gentle Breeze, a Green Linnett compilation of whistle and flute tunes.
Thanks again to eveyone for the great listening suggestions. I’m going to bookmark this thread and listen to as many as I can. So much to listen to, so little time:)
Minstrel’s Fancy, by Seán Ryan.
This is a traditional music CD, and one which all Susato detractors should listen to 
Mick
[ This Message was edited by: Mick Woodruff on 2001-07-05 19:54 ]
Green Linnet published a CD that celebrates the last 25 years of Irish music. Killer stuff there!