Forty Years of Irish Piping

by Seamus Ennis

Overview

The Uilleann pipes are one of the most temperamental instruments on the planet. Just about anything, from heat and humidity to the phase of the moon can determine whether you get the right reedy tone out of them or belch out a bunch of honks and squeaks. It's a rare musician who can master this petulant instrument. When you hear those plaintive airs on commercials and soundtracks, you can be sure that a heck of a lot of work went into getting those pure tones. You can also be sure that the piper was influenced, either directly or indirectly, by Seamus Ennis. Ennis, who lived from 1919 to 1982, was a near legendary figure in Irish music. He was a tireless tune collector and a skilled storyteller, with a deadpan delivery and a wealth of dialects at his disposal. This release contains 21 tracks that were recorded throughout his career. Unfortunately, the producers haven't provided dates or locations for the tracks. Despite the scratchy field recording quality of many of the tracks, and the occasional unintentional honk or squeak, Ennis' gift shines through. Aging tapes can't hide the spry rhythm and flawless ornamentation that inspired younger generations of pipers. Also included are a couple of stories told in Ennis' light, rhythmic speech and a whistle tune, "The Copperplate Reel," in which the tapping of a step dancers feet provides percussion to shouts of approval from bystanders. Forty Years of Irish Piping is a testament to Ennis' distinguished career and a fine document of his artistry. ~ Peggy Latkovich

Product Details

Release Date:	04/04/2000
Label:	Green Linnet
UPC:	0048248100021
Rank:	93128

Tracks

1. The Merry Blacksmith/The Rainy Day/The Silver Spear
2. First You Must Learn the Grip
3. The Bucks of Oranmore/The Sligo Maid Lament
4. The Bucks of Oranmore/The Sligo Maid Lament
5. The Praties Are Dug and the Frost Is All Over
6. The Fox Chase
7. If All the Young Maidens Were Blackbirds and Thrushes
8. The Copperplate Reel
9. The Silver Spear/The Dublin Reel/Miss Monahan
10. Salamanca/Gordon, Duke
11. Don Niperi Septo
12. Donegal Reel
13. Paudeen O'Rafferty/The Friar's Jig
14. Speed the Plough/The Merry Blacksmith/The Forge Music
15. The Lark's March
16. Sixpenny Money/When the Cock Crows It Is Day
17. Piper of the Embers/Down the Back Lane/Sixpenny Moneypaudeen ...
18. I'll Mend Your Pots and Kettles O
19. The Broken Pledge
20. Paddy Killoran's Reel
21. Gentle Philip Fahy

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Seamus Ennis   Primary Artist,Pipe,Vocals

Technical Credits

Pitt Kinsolving   Engineer,Engineer
Patrick Sky   Liner Notes,Producer,Engineer
Pat Carroll   Liner Notes
Joseph Szarek   Cover Design,Illustrations
Randy Weyant   Design
Lisa Null   Executive Producer,Editing