Afternoon all
I was just wondering if you could give me some recommendations, as a newcomer, to what tunes and artists I should listen to which display the flute to its best advantage. I’ve been listening to some Matt Molloy tracks and he splits my head with joy at his artistry and the sheer pleasure he gives you. I find myself beaming with an involuntary smile listening to him. After him, where should I go?
Check Harry Bradley–on Youtube. https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=harry+bradley+flute&type=E210US0G0#id=1&vid=52063fa5f8dd0bed3d21b11bcef0143c&action=click
For sure, get the three CD set “Wooden Flute Obsession”. Michael Eskin’s sampler CD gives you a wide variety of flute artists.
Listening to the tone and quality of sound is essential for targeting your personal development.
I agree that Matt Malloy’s playing is amazing. My preference is for somewhat less reediness, and fewer articulations.
My favorite right now is Catherine McEvoy. Her pulse and rhythm seem so relaxed until you try to play along. She has played extensively for dancers. Close second in a similar tone-quality might be Kevin Crawford.
And I’m very inspired by the tone, range and expression of Chris Norman. “The Man with a Wooden Flute” is just wonderful.
While I’ve known Michael Eskin for about 20+ years, and he deserves credit for a multitude of things, *** I’m** * actually the producer/compiler of the Wooden Flute Obsession CDs.
An occasional half-hearted marketing ploy (on behalf of the International Traditional Music Society):
You can support our non-profit 501c3 charity with purchases of the Wooden Flute Obsession CDs through:
https://www.worldtrad.org/
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Krell about the WOODEN FLUTE OBSESSION projects
"The International Traditional Music Society, Inc. is a U.S. tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit, educational, public benefit corporation, and most donations are tax-deductible. Its purpose is to preserve and promote traditional music culture. It also provides technical assistance and consulting services to musicians and other Internet projects.Essentially, these 3 volumes (6 CDs/7 hours/120 tracks & players) are meant as a documentary recording project that utilizes world-class Irish flute players to provide an instructive tool for students of the wooden flute, and to open them to the different possibilities for expression within (and sometimes beyond) the tradition.
The approach is to both demonstrate playing style and to provide a musically diverse, listenable and pleasurable recording. This allows the listener to sample a variety of repertoire, regional styles, and individual expressive techniques of tempo, tone, articulation, and phrasing. In many instances, key clicks and breaths are clearly discernible.
The CDs are often required listening for Irish flute students, and I believe have been referenced as a training tool for adjudicators for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
The tunes are performed on wooden keyed and keyless flutes - antiques and modern instruments.
Each player was selected by their musical peers and enthusiastic fans. Participating artists submit a single solo flute track, some with backing (but flute is out front as the primary instrument), as opposed to ensemble playing.While most manage to accomplish their own recordings and accompaniment for this project, studio time is provided as necessary to facilitate recording those without other resources to do so. Regardless, all resulting recordings are theirs to use as they might please, and they retain all rights. The artist and/or their record label donated all sound recordings for a non-exclusive use in this collection.
It’s entirely Player’s Choice as to what material to play, whether traditional or more recently composed tunes. The hope was that it would be more feasible in the context of this compilation to record tunes that might not otherwise fit into a commercial venture. "
Volumes 1 & 2 received the AWARD: LiveIreland 2005 - Best Instrumental Compendium Album of the Year
Originally Posted by flute/fiddle player and ethnomusicologist Fintan Valley in the liner notes for the CD ‘The Flute Players of Roscommon’
“A couple of years ago an American called Kevin Krell, amid clouds of contra-imperialist suspicion, thankfully did what no Irish music entrepreneur ever had the educative far-sightedness or cultural and artistic integrity to do. He assembled fifty or so Irish Traditional flute players in a CD album (and has since followed with another). This was begging to be done in Ireland (for all instruments) – particularly because there is a job-sustaining industry here in Irish music, and also for the future – if we are to make the option of studying (privately as much as formally) one’s own music available to appropriately-interested players and music scholars.”On-line Review: Pay The Reckoning March 2005. “…these are outstandingly good CDs, as listenable as they are ‘important’, as lively as they are ‘worthy’…These albums deserve a place in every Irish Traditional Music afficionado’s CD collection. However, if you’re a flute player, then these CDs need to be on constant rotation.”
“…an invaluable collection, showcasing players of great sensitivity and grace, lavishing their attention on superbly well-chosen sets…” - Aidan Crossey
Originally Posted by Phil Petrowski
I wanted to thank you for your effort in putting together the WFO CD. For me, however, in addition to the tremendous flute playing, the CD is equally enjoyable for the excellent bouzouki and guitar accompaniment represented. How nice of you to add that extra benefit for those of us who also enjoy the playing of John Doyle or Arty McGlynn as much as Matt Molloy or Grey Larsen. I would have gladly bought the CD just for the backing tracks !
Kevin Krell, Executive Director, International Traditional Music Society
A non-profit 501c3 charity/educational public benefit corporation
So sorry, Kevin. Brain fart!
You might try this webpage ~http://www.irishfluteguide.info/players/
A fine resource and a great starting point for the OP. Although in fairness, it could do with a good refresh to include a new generation of fluteplayers currently active and note that a few of the ones who are on the list have since died.
My favourite players are
Brid O’Gorman is a good player, not too fast.
Kevin Crawford June McCormack, Steph Gerimia - good players
Shannon Heaton nice player, has a lot of teaching and tune videos available on Ytube.
Claire Fennell, Barry Conaty a couple of the many good young players around.
I’ve been listening to Tommy Fitzharris and Donal McCague’s album, The Bank of Turf a lot lately. Such great flute playing and music making.