Belfast Style?

Ben Shaffer · Post by **Ben Shaffer** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 6:08 am

I really enjoyed the Sam Murray Documentary.
Were most of those Flute Players in fact from Belfast?
Now to how they were playing..... it seemed to me several of the players had a very strong attack, notes well articulated.
Also not a lot of ornamentation as I've heard with some other Irish Flute Players.
Could anyone elaborate on these Players on the documentary?
BenS

Terry McGee · Post by **Terry McGee** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 6:18 am

Haven't seen the documentary, but I sat in on a session in Belfast in 2002 after meeting Sam in his local pub. Next morning, I visited Sam in his workshop. He asked how had I enjoyed the session. I responded not much. Very fast, very straight, unrelenting. "Ah", he said. "Belfast PowerDiddle."

Terry

rh · Post by rh » Sat Jun 07, 2008 6:43 am

G1 · Post by G1 » Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:15 am

I also enjoyed it thoroughly. I found the powerful attack and style of most of these players exciting and energizing. Very inspirational.

While I listen to a wide variety of musics, I do tend to like styles that feel just a bit raw and emotional, as opposed to overly smoothed and prettied up; which, unfortunately is all too often how I arrange my own music. Go figure.

BrendanB · Post by **BrendanB** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:18 am

Mr. Fandango wrote:I really enjoyed the Sam Murray Documentary.
Were most of those Flute Players in fact from Belfast?
Now to how they were playing..... it seemed to me several of the players had a very strong attack, notes well articulated.
Also not a lot of ornamentation as I've heard with some other Irish Flute Players.
Could anyone elaborate on these Players on the documentary?
BenS

I can't remember everyone who was in the documentary, but most of them were from the Belfast area - at least originally. A couple of these folks post here and I am sure I am getting some of this wrong, but here's a general take.

Gary Hastings now lives in Mayo, but is originally from Belfast. Michael Clarkson and Harry Bradley are both from Belfast, but live elsewhere now. Cathal McConnell is from Fermanagh, which is also in the North. He also had a big influence on a lot of players from Belfast. Desi Adams and Marcus O'Murchu are from the Belfast area. Tina McSherry is also from Belfast and the list goes on.

All in all, I think most of the players embody what a lot of people refer to as a "Northern" style of playing. While I think there is a lot of variation between the different players, the general take is that the rhythm is pretty straight ahead and powerfully articulated with the breath. That said, as soon as you go there, there are more exceptions to the rule than not.

B

Aanvil · Post by **Aanvil** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:31 am

Michael Clarkson web tome of huffypuffyness.

I'm very interested in this style of playing and its a great resource to me.

http://irishflute.podbean.com/

LorenzoFlute · Post by **LorenzoFlute** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:24 pm

http://irishflute.podbean.com/

ok now this is a REALLY good link. Thanks for sharing!

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 4:20 pm

Aanvil wrote:Michael Clarkson web tome of huffypuffyness.

I'm very interested in this style of playing and its a great resource to me.

http://irishflute.podbean.com/

Good link.

Dude, if you're into huffypuffyness and don't have all of Harry's CD's yet, then get 'em, you won't regret it.

Now, if only we could Larry Nugent back into the the studio, I'd be a happy man.

Loren

Christine Dowling · Post by **Christine Dowling** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:22 pm

Michael is well ensconced in the Belfast milleu, since he lives here with his lovely wife and new baby! No better man!

kkrell · Post by **kkrell** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:25 pm

Christine Dowling wrote:Michael is well ensconced in the Belfast milleu, since he lives here with his lovely wife and new baby! No better man!

Yes, but Christine, where is Maria Rafferty?

Kevin Krell

Christine Dowling · Post by **Christine Dowling** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:00 am

She's around, Kevin, and playing great!

kkrell · Post by **kkrell** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:40 am

Christine Dowling wrote:She's around, Kevin, and playing great!

Of course I would still like her to record a track for a Wooden Flute Obsession volume. If you see her, please ask her to get in touch. I can't reach her the old way, and she doesn't come in here to pick up her PMs anymore.

Also, she was supposedly working on a CD with Brendan O'Hare, possibly with some singing - would like to see that happen.

Kevin Krell

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:13 am

Some background on the "Belfast style" of flute playing from Hammy Hamilton:

http://www.firescribble.net/flute/hamilton.html

and Desi Wilkinson:

http://www.firescribble.net/flute/wilkinson.html

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:50 am

bradhurley wrote:Some background on the "Belfast style" of flute playing from Hammy Hamilton:

http://www.firescribble.net/flute/hamilton.html

and Desi Wilkinson:

http://www.firescribble.net/flute/wilkinson.html

Always great stuff to revisit and, as always, thanks so much for it Brad!

Loren

ChrisLaughlin · Post by **ChrisLaughlin** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:30 am

Loren wrote: Now, if only we could Larry Nugent back into the the studio, I'd be a happy man.

Loren

Yes, dammit!

I just re-bought all three of Larry's albums over the internet a few weeks ago in fear that my copies may somehow, someday become damaged and the I won't be able to share Larry's music with my kids and grandkids and great-grandkids. The scary part is that it's really hard to buy Larry's CDs any more. At least one of them is out print (maybe more), so I had to buy them through shadowy, black-market channels.

Larry, if you're reading this, your music is amazing. Please, please make another album.

Peace,
Chris

UPDATE - It appears that all three are out of print. I can't find them for sale anywhere.

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