Is Seamus Egan the best flutist of all time?

mvhplank · Post by **mvhplank** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:27 pm

This reminds me of an earnest discussion I had with a fiddle-playing friend--he prefers Matt Malloy and I was promoting Seamus. We agreed it was a matter of taste, and made the analogy that Matt was smooth and suave, like Fred Astaire, and Seamus was wild and energetic, like Gene Kelly. All far beyond the rest of the field, and no knock on anyone.

Come to think of it, I've always had a "thing" about Gene's backside. What, um, musculature!

M

AiglosCelt · Post by **AiglosCelt** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:33 pm

*blink* :?

but seriously, I think that's a quite good comparison

Sillydill · Post by **Sillydill** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:28 pm

I am the Best!!!

Because I please my own soul, when playing the Irish Flute!

Playing music myself brings me far greater pleasure than listening to any of the "Masters".

I'm sure no one else will argue in my behalf!

:roll: I have a dream "one day my wife will actually ask me to play my flute!"

ChrisLaughlin · Post by **ChrisLaughlin** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:03 am

David Migoya wrote:you mean Shameless Ego?

David,

That's a pretty harsh thing to say about someone. I also think it's the kind of statement that starts gossip and rumours that don't actually seem to be based on anything, or at least nobody can say what it's really based on. If you are going to label Seamus Egan as "Shameless Ego" maybe you would consider providing some justification for that statement? Otherwise it is just name-calling.

Chris

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:32 am

I was just listening to Seamus Tansey this morning. Talk about being blown away. How do he do what he do????

Wormdiet · Post by **Wormdiet** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:07 am

I recently got Kevin Crawford's In Good Company. I am blown away by the playing and the arrangements. It is very relaxed, almost stately in places, but very good.

Leonard · Post by **Leonard** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:49 am

It's all a matter of taste but according do me, no doubt,

the best is, and will always be, Matt Molloy.

That's the one who seems to be the most in control, the most versatile, the most powerfull and sensitive at the same time...well the best.

My taste...

Leo

rh · Post by rh » Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:00 am

Veillon.

monkey587 · Post by **monkey587** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:00 am

rh wrote:Veillon.

Agreed.

Actually, I wouldn't say he's the best ever. He's just my favorite.

Father Emmet · Post by **Father Emmet** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:12 am

Throw in Larry Nugent and I'll gladly judge the competition. Sounds like a great event. "Flutestock"?

AaronMalcomb · Post by **AaronMalcomb** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:23 am

I agree with the argument that due to the diversity of the instrument and the tradition it's really a moot point to try and name a "best ever". I myself can't even pick my own favorite because I appreciate different things from different players.

As for Seamus Egan... even though I've listened to one of his solo CDs and a Solas concert on the Beeb I can't really say I've heard enough of his flute playing to really valuate.

Cheers,
Aaron

spittle · Post by **spittle** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:19 pm

I think it'd be hard to argue the multi-instrumentalist angle with Seamus - he is extremely gifted! I can't think of a single other Trad muscian with so many talents (and all of them professional-caliber!).

Matt Molloy could certainly be considered the most influencial, modern flute player - he certainly is one of my biggest inspirations, however you start throwing around names like Gary Shannon, J-M Veillon, etc, etc, etc....and the definition of 'best' gets more and more subjective. And that's not mentioning the 'Old Guard' who inspired the modern greats.

Enjoy them all, I will!

Cheers,
- Ryan

MurphyStout · Post by **MurphyStout** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:52 pm

ChrisLaughlin wrote:
David Migoya wrote:you mean Shameless Ego?

David,

That's a pretty harsh thing to say about someone. I also think it's the kind of statement that starts gossip and rumours that don't actually seem to be based on anything, or at least nobody can say what it's really based on. If you are going to label Seamus Egan as "Shameless Ego" maybe you would consider providing some justification for that statement? Otherwise it is just name-calling.

Chris

Well Chris, he may be refering to the lawsuit between Solas Seamus Egan and the Seattle Banjo player Seamus Egan. The Solas Egan sued the Seattle Egan because they both have the same name and the Solas Egan didn't want somebody else's album out there with his name on it. So he sued the Seattle Egan and I believe he won. This is third hand info though so don't take my word for it. The Seattle Egan is a very good banjo player BTW.

monkey587 · Post by **monkey587** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:05 pm

MurphyStout wrote: The Seattle Egan is a very good banjo player BTW.

Agreed. His CD "In your ear" is a monster.

Bloomfield · Post by **Bloomfield** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:45 pm

ChrisLaughlin wrote:
David Migoya wrote:you mean Shameless Ego?

David,

That's a pretty harsh thing to say about someone. ....

Doesn't strike me as a particularly harsh thing to say about a famous recording artist, nor as an objectionable comment to make. People can take it or leave it, what they hear from Dave Migoya about so-and-so.