The saddest read of all, is the Uilleann Pipe reed. Made of Spanish reed, the reedmaker spends a lifetime trying to perfect her or his ability to make the wee thing, only, if you actually get it right, to have the little bastard fail you in the middle of a concert, at the time most likely to look like you are a complete incompetant. Wether made with the finist tools - as is the case with Seth Galagher, or a box cutter and bear bottle, as Paddy Keenan does, there is no sadder read that the Uilleann Pipe reed. Larry Otway