I discovered this piper recently and have been listening to his album with Nathan Gourley on repeat. Brilliant stuff! I just found out he has a new album coming out March 31st, the samples sound absolutely gorgeous. Just thought folks might like to know!
https://www.joeyabarta.com/music
Yes, Joey is a force of nature. I’ve known him for over 20 years even before he ever picked up a set of pipes. He started off in our Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club and now is famous world-wide. A wonderful player and man.
Joey is a brilliant piper. I love his playing and I think he’ll be considered up there with the masters one day (if he isn’t already). I, too, can’t wait for his new album. His last solo album Swimming Against The Falls was very good, as was his album with Nathan Gurley as you mentioned.
His piping really is great!
But I also love how dapper he always looks—I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture or a video of him playing where he isn’t wearing a tie. 🙂
@Michael Eskin I don’t understand how someone can be that good (at such a challenging instrument, especially) after less than 20 years of playing! Sigh…
Here’s a rare archival photo of Mr. Abarta sans tie. This may have kept him from being the centerfold from Well-dressed Uilleann Piper Monthly some years back.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5973931295978027&set=gm.2115743981949992&idorvanity=508308839360189
And a marvelous teacher - I went to the Upper Potomac piper’s weekend as pretty much a beginner and he thought of tunes I could learn without even hesitating to think of them.
Noted on Facebook from Mr. Abarta:
"Well, today is the day. My second solo record King of the Blind is being released. Thank you for all the support!
You can buy it digitally here: https://joeyabarta.bandcamp.com/album/king-of-the-blind
or Physical CDs and preorder LPs here:
https://www.joeyabarta.com/shop
"Thanks to Daniel Neeley for the lovlet article in The Irish Echo, if you’d like to read more about the record here is that link:
https://www.irishecho.com/…/piper-abarta-s-playing-is…"
[Caveat: I am not associated with Mr. Abarta in any way, just saw the note and remembered this discussion]