Gavin Whelan

Brilliant whistle album

I met Gavin in Ireland a year and a half ago, and I must say he is a very talented whistle player and his recording is brilliant. I’d strongly encourage anyone to have a listen to the CD because its fresh and there are some lovely tunes played by Gav. 🙂

The last tune, of course, should be spelled: Patsy Toughey’s. Great tune…

Excellent album. I especially like number 11.

Here it is April 2005 and I’ve had this CD now for going on two years. Gavin himself gave it to my wife when he was playing a paid session gig in Dublin. I have listened to this CD probably 100 times and still find it a rewarding listen. (At least to this whistle lover) The backing musians are superb, Eion O’Neil (bouzouki), Zoe Conway (fiddle) and Finbarr Naughton (Mandolin) among others including Danu’s Donnacha Gough on Bodran on a couple of tracks. Take it from someone who has worn out some Planxty, Bothy Band, Mary Bergin and Lunsa recordings, this is a great disc. one of my all time favorites.

Gavin’s style isn’t not one I would consider over complicated but he brings a breath of fresh air to the tradition with his playing none the less. His tongued triplets are put to good use throughout his tunes on this album and not over done. I’ve heard Carmel Gunning use the same technique and I didn’t like it at all but Gavin’s use of ornamentation enhances his tune playing. His tunes are very well selected too. The accompanying artists are just as good. Finbarr’s mandolin playing makes for an interesting duet! I’d definitely listen to more of this.

Soon I’d like to get this album - The few tracks I’ve heard from it are just awesome. I especially love the air “A Hiudai Pheadair Eamainn”

On track 3, I’ve now linked the Paddy Fahey’s to the correct one and the Josephine Keegan’s is now linked to The Aughacashel (a great tune) which Gavin plays up a step from the original (well, a step and a half since he’s playing an Eb whistle)….the two tunes are reversed in order though, The Aughacashel precedes the Paddy Fahey’s, and I couldn’t see a way to edit that. Perhaps it has to be done by the original poster….

Sorted it, also made 2 corrections of “inaccurate” links, and connected the Tommy Peoples jig on Track #2..

awesome, thanks Kenny

well, I thought I fixed those links on track 3, but now they’re back the way they were. Did it possibly reset when you sorted it earlier? I’ll try again…

got it now…also changed The Fairy Queen on track 9 from the waltz to the hornpipe and The Cliffs of Moher on track 10 from the commonly played one in Ador to the less commonly played totally different tune by the same name in Edor. Lots of great tunes on this recording, and lovely zouk by Eoin O’Neill