Aanvil (Peri) has been coming to our Long Beach (LA area) Sunday session ever since we first met here on the Chiffboard 5+ years ago, and he was just starting down the ITM path. Most nights he concentrates on flute. But for whatever reason, yesterday both of us ended up playing more whistle than anything: Aanvil with his old Oak with the taped-on head, and me with my 1978 vintage Gen blue-top.
The result was some of the loveliest whistle playing I've heard in a long time.
Aanvil has developed a relaxed, flowing style with just the right ornament, lift, drive and chirp. The blend of 2 whistles was as if we had rehearsed it, and nicely in tune. We even managed some Potts/Moloney weaving in and out of the tunes with harmonies and variations. All supported by our fine regular session crew.
I'm notoriously stingy with my praise of whistlers, which is neither here nor there. And I usually don't call out individuals one way or the other. But this case just feels like it deserves a special mention. Well done, my friend. It's a privilege playing with you.
