I’d like to receive information on the best CD’s of whistle music, both traditional and actual,solo players and bands, where the whistle is the main or most prominent instrument. I’d also like to receive information on the best books cum CD anthologies or similar of whistle tunes. I’ve looked into the links available at Chiff and Fipple and others and find it all a bit confusing. If anyone has a list of the best traditional and current whistle recordings and of some good books with companion CD’s, as well as where to purchase them on the net, I would be glad to see it.
Thanks, P
Hi Parker, and also for Cees,
I can recommend “110 Ireland’s Best Tinwhistle Tunes” by Waltons, compiled by Claire McKenna, with companion double CD.
This covers Beginners, Improvers and Advanced tunes. The beginners tunes have “hole diagrams” to show fingering; for later tunes you are expected to have learnt the rudiments of reading sheet music. You can of course just listen to the CD and learn the tunes from that - particularly handy if you can set your CD player to repeat a track ad infinitum, to play along with. All tunes are in the keys of D or G.
All standard tune types (jig, reel, air, hornpipe, polka etc.) are represented, with accompanying chords and suggested breathing places notated.
I got my copy through Hobgoblin, though I’m sure many others will stock it. Order No. wm1313 for the book, wm1325 for the CD.
There are also books in the same series for Slow Airs, Polkas & Slides, Session Tunes, and Fiddle Tunes, but not all the tunes will be playable straight on the whistle (if they go below D). There may alo be some tunes in more than one book.
I have the Slow Airs book, and most are whistle friendly, though the CD features tunes played on Fiddle, Harp, Accordion, Flute or Whistle.
Whistle CD’s that are a MUST HAVE include
Tin WHistles by Paddy Maloney and Sean Potts
Feadog Stain 1 and 2 by Mary Bergin
SOngs of the Irish WHistle 1 and 2 and WHistle on the wind by Joanie Madden.
All the CHieftains albums feature whistle prominently
Another good album to get is “Tree” by Gaelic Storm. They were the third-class party band in “Titanic”. Equal parts IrTrad and rock & roll, they are very guitar-oriented and Latin percussion often takes the place of the bodhran. However, whistles and fiddles are heard throughout. This is one you will want to be sure to add to your collection.
Try Totally Traditional Tin Whistles, which can be ordered from Ossian USA
(http://www.ossianusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ossian&Product_Code=00053-CD)
or from Steve Power at Shanna Quay
(http://shannaquay.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=963379|968321&PRID=941148).
Thanks, Martin! And everyone else. That helps a lot. I was about to ask the same question, again. 
Happy whistling,
Kiirsi