Grey Larsen and tone.

[jemtheflute]

Is he on any of the WFO CDs?

first WFO 2nd CD

I guess that shows how much of an impression he made on me, then...... though, to be fair, I've only listened to my WFO CDs - and yes, I have all 3 sets, being obsessed - about three times each. I don't remember most of the other contributors either. I think the series is a fantastic and useful reference document, but they aren't particularly listenable as albums.

Back on topic, it seems the OP doesn't like the classic ITM flute sound which is, so far as we can tell, a survivor/offshoot of the C19th English, Nicholsonian classical school of technique and sound ideal. Fair enough. I don't really know what Grey Larsen sounds like and I'm therefore not knocking him, but it would seem that if the OP doesn't like the established, mainstream sound ideal for ITM, he must prefer something more akin to the modern Franco-American classical school which dominates orchestral/Bohm flute playing, derived predominantly from the late C19th French school. It's an old controversy and aesthetic dichotomy, with fluctuations and swings in fashion and style-dominance over time. I've said before that I think Jimmy Galway (and his disciples) with his richer, more powerful tone represents a partial swing back towards the old English sound.

[Denny]

that was on topic....

if he sounded real weird wouldn't you remember him?

[monkey587]

Like all the other holidays, April 1st seems to happen sooner and sooner every year.

[treeshark]

I don't really ever listen to the flute playing, I think the beard quality is the most important factor, that's why trolls are great fluters.

[jemtheflute]

I don't really ever listen to the flute playing, I think the beard quality is the most important factor, that's why trolls are great fluters.

And there I was thinking it was the flattering acoustics under bridges and in mountain caverns.........

To those who suspect the OP is a stooge, is this thread a case of Grand Larseny?

[jiminos]

To those who suspect the OP is a stooge, is this thread a case of Grand Larseny?

... seems a bit of a Grey area to me.

be well,

jim

[Ceili_whistle_man]

jcboydilis wrote;

I don't know why all of you are attacking me

We aren't, well at least I am not, I can't vouch for the others here, it's a bit hard to read what tone is intended just by looking at words without hearing them spoken.
And this;

some of you have really hurt my feelings.

...and what about our feelings? You didn't honestly think that you could make such a ridiculously sweeping statement as you did and not have people comment on it?
If you think Grey Larsen is the dogs bollocks, then fair play to you, but please don't try to quantify his ability by dumping on other players expressiveness, tone and whatever else you think is lacking in everyones playing, bar Grey's.

Here is another way of approaching your post; substitute Grey Larsen with 'God', and let's say it's Islam's 'God' we are talking about.
How would this statement sound to your ears?;
I love my God. He's the only God who's truly expressive, I think. Unfortunately I think a lot of Gods don’t call out to me. My God doesn't make this mistake at all. He really calls to me. I used to like other Gods, but after hearing my God for the first time all those guys are kind of rushed and very pedestrian in their approach.
Before being introduced to my God’s voice I REALLY struggled with my praying. Now I close my eyes and look up at the ceiling. I have found that this gives a nice consistent, very pretty prayer, not ugly and harsh like many others Gods prayers. Just thought I'd share this: If you want a nice God, cover your ears and don’t listen to the other Gods.

[MTGuru]

The irony is, of course, that Grey Larsen himself would never subscribe to such a categorical, judgmental, narrow-minded take on other players.

[benhall.1]

It's ridiculous to say - so ridiculous it's got to be a pretense, surely? - that people's posts on this thread have "hurt [his] feelings". I mean, for heaven's sake!

Ceili_whistle_man puts it well in his last post. Putting my own slant on it, I think what the OP was saying amounts to "Grey Larsen is the only fluter in the Irish style worth listening to - if you're listening to anyone else you're stupid". That was the implication, at any rate. The interesting thing is, and I think I can safely say this even though I HAVEN'T listened to Grey Larsen, the OP obviously doesn't think that Grey Larsen is playing in the Irsih style at all. In fact, the OP doesn't even like the Irish style, which is why he likes Grey Larsen. That is precisely why I felt able to say that I now know that it wouldn't be worth my while listening to Grey Larsen. (Of course, I may be wrong, because it's entirely possible that the OP doesn;t know what he is talking about.) According to the OP's analysis, Mr Larsen clearly can't play Irish flute music.

[ImNotIrish]

It's really just a silly post at best....
Arbo

[Gordon]

I'm not sure why this poster is being taken seriously. Seriously. As for Jesus, I am friends with Jesus, who used to work as a porter in my building. Jesus Gonzales is a friend of mine, but not a flute player. Whistles well. Whistles better than most people, and really has cornered the market on this sound. In fact, after Jesus Gonzales, I can't even listen to "Whistlin'" Jack Smith's Winchester Cathedral anymore... Abrasive and pedestrian. Catchy tune, though.

[Jose' Scotte' Este']

A serious forum flogging. Can we let this guy come up for air, or shall we hold his head under the water a bit longer?

[Akiba]

The irony is, of course, that Grey Larsen himself would never subscribe to such a categorical, judgmental, narrow-minded take on other players.

True enough. A look at his "Essentials of Irish Flute and Whistle" transcriptions shows a very wide spectrum of players, indeed. Grey is well aware of the vast array of style choices available in ITM fluting. I think his choices are one based on his own sensibilities and perhaps a drive towards originality.

[plunk111]

The irony is, of course, that Grey Larsen himself would never subscribe to such a categorical, judgmental, narrow-minded take on other players.

This is absolutely true - and I can verify it! I actually told him that he is my favorite player (when he stayed at our house after a gig) and he seemed a bit surprised. He is actually quite humble and gracious... and an excellent teacher as well.

Pat

[paddler]

I think its a little unfortunate that the original post, which seems silly to me and is probably just someone playing a practical joke on us all, has resulted in a bit of a Grey Larsen bashing session. This is particularly unfortunate given that Grey has made some tremendous contributions including his books, musical compositions, recordings and concerts. I don't know him personally, but I have bought and listened to several of his CDs and have read his book and it seems to me that he is not only a very talented player and composer, but also highly aware and respectful of other players and their playing styles. His treatment of this topic in his book is a great contribution in and of itself. So I think we should probably lighten up a bit on the criticism of Grey, especially if we haven't heard his music or playing or read his writings.