Customer Reviews

Irish Low Whistle

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With a generic title like the one this CD has, you might be expecting tracks that fall rather flat musically. Often releases focusing on a specific instrument can be rather sparse in production and come across as not much more than a technical record of what a player can do with it rather than be interesting to just listen to. Fortunately this is not the case with Joe McKenna's new release.

Best known as an uilleann piper, Joe focuses on the low whistle here. But the sound is rounded out by a couple other musicians, including wife Antionette on harp, sister-in-law Mary Bergin on whistles, and John Doyle (formerly of Solas) on guitar. There's also some bass and percussion. So there's more going on here than just the principle instrument of the title.

Joe's background as a piper is in evidence here, starting with a rendition of the popular reel Colonel Fraser, along with a couple other tunes picked up from fellow pipers. In fact he straps on his pipes for one rollicking set.

Other known session tunes turn up, including a nice version of the Mooncoin Jig. You'll also find three original compositions (Two by Joe, one by Antoinette). One of his, Echo's Calling, has quite a bit of power. I imagine it won't be long before other musicians are taking a stab at it.

So don't be put off by the generic title of this CD. It is a very listenable collection of tunes that can be appreciated by anyone with a fondness for Celtic music.

I wanted to give this review four stars. I'm a huge fan of Celtic music, and this is good but not among the really excellent. It seems a little uneven.
Track 3 prevents only four stars. "Echo's Calling" is one of the most drop-dead stunning songs I've ever heard. I picked this up in a Virgin Mega Store browsing/listening station, and enjoyed the first two tracks, yes, but then the third track damn near moved me to tears. It's really that good. The CD is worth seventeen dollars for that song alone (which, yes, is a little repetitive, but is close to perfect).
I'm curious about what else Joe McKenna has done, now. Perhaps his next album will be all original compositions; it seems he shines most on those.

Joe McKenna, piper and whistle player for the group De Danann, does a solo turn with a great group of backup players, including his wife, harpist Antoinette McKenna. If you don't like the sound of shrill, squeaky whistles, then this album--featuring the low whistle, a deeper-toned instrument--is for you. This is a wonderful collection of traditional tunes, arranged in lively and creative ways by McKenna and the other musicians. The spirited, soulful arrangements are traditional enough to strike a wistful chord, but modern enough to capture the imagination. And through it all, the soft, breathy, nuanced beauty of the low whistle shines through--winding sinuously above the accompaniments like the brush of gentle fingers on velvet. Playing along with the McKennas are: Mary Bergin on whistles, John Doyle on guitar, Donnchadh Gough on bodhran, John Kenny on djembe, Paul Maher on drums, Trevor Hutchinson on bass and electric bass, and Paul Ash-Brown on Spanish guitar. For other good CDs featuring the versatility of the Irish whistle, try also "Song of the Irish Whistle" I and II by Joanie Madden and "Everybreath" by the ever-creative James McNally.

If I am ever abducted by space aliens and told that I am going to leave Earth for ever, I will insist that I be allowed to take this CD with me.