The Amazing Mr. Johnny Doran

brianc · Post by **brianc** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 11:15 pm

Today I received a copy of "The Master Pipers, Volume I: Johnny Doran" from Na Piobairi Uilleann. (Thank you, 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' for the lovely Christmas gift)!

I've only played the first 4 tracks, and in fact listened to the first 3 of them twice in succession.

Johnny Doran is nothing short of amazing, whether it's his variations on "Rakish Paddy", to his flying tempo on 'Steampacket' (and to think I was once chastised for playing a reel right after a jig)!

I just simply cannot say enough about Johnny's piping.

If you buy just one CD in what remains of 2004 or all of 2005, buy this one, it's amazing.

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:49 am

brianc wrote:(and to think I was once chastised for playing a reel right after a jig)!

Who the hell chastised you for playing a reel right after a jig!! Are there any rules? We (my band) used to do a set which had 'The Wise Maid' (reel) followed by a jig (forget the name but it's the one that goes with 'Cunla' on Planxty's 'The Well Below the Valley') and it always received great applaud form the audience whenever we did it. Wonder why???

Cheers,

DavidG

Uilliam · Post by **Uilliam** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 3:48 am

ausdag wrote:
brianc wrote:(and to think I was once chastised for playing a reel right after a jig)!
Are there any rules?
DavidG

If ye are playing for dancers at a ceilidhe there certainly are

Thats why they are normally played and called in sets
Slán Go Foill
Uilliam

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:24 am

ausdag wrote:
brianc wrote:(and to think I was once chastised for playing a reel right after a jig)!
Who the hell chastised you for playing a reel right after a jig!! Are there any rules? We (my band) used to do a set which had 'The Wise Maid' (reel) followed by a jig (forget the name but it's the one that goes with 'Cunla' on Planxty's 'The Well Below the Valley') and it always received great applaud form the audience whenever we did it. Wonder why???

Cheers,

DavidG

The Frieze Britches....I believe. Great tune.

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:55 am

Joseph E. Smith wrote:
The Frieze Britches....I believe. Great tune.

That's the one!!

How could I forget that name, what with the controversy amongst the band over whether it was 'The Friar's Britches' or 'Frieze' - I always maintained 'Frieze', which is a type of material, no? And since when do Friars where britches?

Cheers,

DavidG

ausdag · Post by **ausdag** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:57 am

Uilliam wrote: If ye are playing for dancers at a ceilidhe there certainly are
Thats why they are normally played and called in sets

True...although ours was called 'The Wise Maid Set' but alas, still had a jig tacked on.

Cheers,

DavidG

Steampacket · Post by **Steampacket** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:09 am

"I just simply cannot say enough about Johnny's piping. If you buy just one CD in what remains of 2004 or all of 2005, buy this one, it's amazing." Brian C.

Agree with you there Brian, Johnny Doran's music is special, there really hasn't been a uilleann piper to compare with him since. His variations seem to be neverending, and we only have these nine recordings to go by. It must have been amazing to have seen and heard him play live back in the day. Johnny incorpates both legato and staccato/tight fingering in his piping and what inventiveness. One can wonder what his influences were. He used to call on Sean Reid and listen to Sean's grammophone, swing records I believe, prehaps Django, who knows. Think also of keeping a set of pipes in good playing condition when living for the most part in a caravan and playing often out in the open. Johnny was a good reed maker as was his brother Felix. Johnny's piping is a great source of inspiration I find

No E · Post by **No E** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:11 pm

Take a look at Robbie Hannan's article in the current issue of "An Piobaire" about the importance of listening to recordings of great pipers, Johnnie Doran being a case in point. My jaw hits the floor everytime I listen.

Robbie also brings up the irony of the number of pipers who show up at Willie Clancy Summer School without ever having listened to Willie Clancy!

Happy New Year,

No E

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:16 pm

Johnnie who? Robbie who? Willie who?

Sorry.... it's a sloooooooooooow day

Patrick.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:19 pm

ausdag wrote:...I always maintained 'Frieze', which is a type of material, no?

"Frieze" is a heavy, napped (= having a downy surface) woolen cloth mainly used for making coats. Standard pronunciation seems to be the same as "freeze", although one fellow I know insists on pronouncing it like "fries". Sorta like "friars", I suppose.

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:21 pm

Nanohedron wrote:although one fellow I know insists on pronouncing it like "fries". Sorta like "friars", I suppose.

"Fry's" - That's how Tommy Reck said it.... that'll do me

PD.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:38 pm

If it's good enough for Mester Reck, it's good enough for me!

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 3:32 pm

I'd like to see, maybe wear, britches made out of fries....but only if they come with plenty of ketchup.

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:42 pm

You'll be making you own ketchup Joeseph. From what I hear they weren't kind on the ould knees!

But they were one of those wonderful clothing items that would be handed down from generation to generation.

PD.

benwalker · Post by **benwalker** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:59 pm

Hope they had good protective UP's (underpants)
otherwise could lead to a nasty condition known as "Itchyknackers"

Chiff and Fipple Forums

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