Your Favorite Tin Whistler

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 May 19 - 10:08 AM

Vin Garbutt - Swanage Folk Festival - Whistle Tune begins another trip down the YouTube rabbit hole . . .

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 May 19 - 03:53 AM

Just listened to Vin's "Tonto McGuire". Pure genius :-)

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 19 - 02:27 AM

Finbar Furey : https://youtu.be/eT98A5w_YzE

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Gillie
Date: 30 May 19 - 07:16 PM

With out a doubt Vin Garbutt. The interrupted beat without losing the rhythm: genus!

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 30 May 19 - 06:31 PM

My favorites: Mary Bergin, Joanie Madden, Bob Pegritz.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 28 May 19 - 05:37 PM

Forgot his name, sorry - that slim chap who used to turn up regularly at the Cumberland Arms sessions...also played tennis, I think..?

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: banjoman
Date: 26 May 19 - 06:07 AM

My wife - Maggie- is one of the finest whistle and reorder players you could wish to hear. Could hold her own with most of those mentioned. Also a fine banjo and guitar player.
Pete

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 19 - 06:38 AM

For Scottish/Gaelic music, Julie Fowlis.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,Dtm
Date: 25 May 19 - 04:27 AM

Cathal for me. Love to hear him effortlessly change key several times on the one whistle.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,jim bainbridige
Date: 24 May 19 - 12:21 PM

best I ever heard was Billy Conroy, pitman from Ashington in Northumberland.
He made his own whistles- out of any old tube, eg he played one made from the handle of a Bex Bissel carpet shampooer- I still have one of his made from insulation pipe....

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: CupOfTea
Date: 24 May 19 - 11:25 AM

Cathal McConnell for sheer brilliance.
Joannie Madden of Cherish the Ladies, for outrageous fun.
Mary Ann Beach for local leading the pack

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 29 Apr 19 - 09:47 AM

There's a new kid on the block, although she's been around for a few years now, ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't come across her before, it's my pleasure to introduce you to the great Orlaith McAuliffe :

https://youtu.be/V8_gRxfcwbk

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: gillymor
Date: 29 Apr 19 - 09:36 AM

Hank Araki is awfully good on the Low D whistle.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Apr 19 - 07:48 AM

Mary Bergin for me every time. Vin was indeed brilliant (I heard him loads of times), though his technique wasn't, er, "traditional," according to some expert or other whose name I forget who explained it to me about 25 years ago. Did I care? Not a jot!

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,Billy Boyd
Date: 28 Apr 19 - 05:04 PM

Willis Patton was the equal of any tin whistle player....an incredible wee guy...he and Mary Bergin were featured on radio once playing together with Mary in Dublin and Willis in a studio in Belfast.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: MartinRyan
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 06:12 PM

Nice to see Tom McHale get a mention. When I first went to live in Athlone in 1972, I rapidly developed withdrawal symptoms as a result of the regular diet of jazz on which I had been living. Tom ran an excellent folk club in the town at the time and I eventually found a more than adequate substitute for Monk etc. in the regular procession of excellent musicians who passed through the club in those days. Tom was killed in a car crash a few years later - but the club survived, so to speak.

Regards

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Michael
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 05:57 PM

Joey Oliver of 422 et al is no slouch on the whistle either.
Mike

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,DannyC
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 03:59 PM

two more from me then...

John Skelton lives up a hollar here. He's a Kentucky favorite-son whistle-nominee, but he's also a great man for the whistle by any standard. I am glad to mention him.

Anyone off the New England coast on Block island might want to seek out Walter McDonough on a tiny little pub at the end of the harbor docks (it sways back and forth with the tide - no, it's not the drink - sorry, I can't recall its name).   Walter delivers a monumental version of the air - "Women of Ireland".   He also does the two whistle shtick.

Cheers,

Danny

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 27 Jun 05 - 06:40 AM

Willis Patton – now there's a whistle player I'd love to have heard more of. My first ever trip to Ireland was in 1976 to the Fleadh in Buncrana. I went in to listen to the Senior whistle competition, and I think he may have come 3rd. Serious competition that year – I can remember Carmel Gunning, Fr. Charlie Coen from Chicago who was the winner, and I think the late Donncha O'Brien. Sorry to hear he's in poor health, and hope he can make a recovery.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,maeve
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 07:05 AM

Several of my favorites were mentioned here already... and I'd add Sarah Bowhan to the list for whistle as well as Irish flute.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 26 Jun 05 - 06:30 AM

Willis Patten, from Cullybackey. Not the best by any reckoning, but an all-Ireland winner, with a style all his own (much more articulation than the norm for Irish traditional). But then he was also a champion fife and Lambeg player - as you'd expect with a name like that! Doesn't play much now. His health isn't the best.

Otherwise I'd have to agree with ard mhacha and say Mary Bergin, asuming she plays as well live as she does in the studio.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: poetlady
Date: 25 Jun 05 - 03:56 AM

I say Mary Bergin, too.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 24 Jun 05 - 09:45 PM

Festy O'Conlan was without equal..........ON THE SLOW AIRS.
                Sadly no longer with us.    Mike.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 24 Jun 05 - 05:27 PM

Me forgetting to add her to my list, that's what.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Den
Date: 24 Jun 05 - 08:44 AM

I'm surprised no one mentioned Joanie Madden World Champion whistle player or did I miss something. Anyway I'd vote for her or Laim o'Flynn or Davey Spillane on low whistle or Paddy Maloney.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: freda underhill
Date: 24 Jun 05 - 05:23 AM

John Dengate, a great song writer, a wonderful singer and raconteur, and a great tin whistle player, from Sydney.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: mooman
Date: 24 Jun 05 - 04:40 AM

Geraldine Cotter (of the well-known Cotter musical family) from Ennis, Co. Clare (an all-Ireland whistle champion and noted teacher).

And Packie Byrne, an excellent fellow with whom I've had several great evenings in Ardara.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,Fullerton
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 07:58 PM

by 3 lengths of shower hosing............

........ Mr. Byrne.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 06:52 PM

I'll go with Packie too.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: VIN
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 06:08 PM

Yep, Garbutt and Packie are amongst the best. First, and sadly only, time i've seen Packie was in, i think, the late sixties/early seventies as a guest of the Spinners at the Free Trade Hall (or did i dream it). Anyroadup he was fantasic (to quote the Dr) and inspired me to go out and purchase my first generation whistle.

There are many others but i seem to recall Terry Walsh was pretty good aswell, if i'm not mistaken?.

Also there is a young lady, who's name i don't recall, who used to play in a session at the Wishing Well in Heywood and she was really good too on t'whistle.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 12:42 PM

GUEST Kenny has a very good point in the 'Favourite' rather than 'Best' ! I think I would have a good chance as 'Best' if we were talking about Blues and Jazz Whistle , as I dont know anyone else daft enough to do it , but for Irish or Scottish , I know I come a long way down the list .

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 12:21 PM

I'm glad the question was "Who's your favourite whistle-player ?" and not "who's the best ?", which is a ridiculous question. Based on playing Irish and Scottish music on whistle for over 30 years, here's my answers.
The best example of whistle playing I ever heard was by Finbar Furey, playing a solo at the Thurso Folk Festival in 1977. He played the slow air "Lament For Oliver Goldsmith", [by accordionist Seamus Shannon ], and followed it with "The High Reel". As near to perfection as it's possible to get.
The best recording of whistle-playing, in my opinion, is still Mary Bergin's first recording, "Feadog Stain". I would say that 3 other Irish recordings come very close, and all 3 I believe would have been influenced greatly by Mary's playing. They are the solo CDs by Brian Hughes, Vinnie Kilduff,and Gavin Whelan. Other notables with individual styles might include Desi Wilkinson, Sean Ryan, Brian Finnegan, Carmel Gunning and Cormac Breathnach, and all 3 of the Smyths – Sean [ of "Lunasa" ], and his sisters Breda and Cora.
Brid O'Donoghue, from Co. Clare is about to release her first CD in the next week or so, and I believe it will be up to the standard of any of the recordings mentioned above. Look out for it.
Sadly, as far as I know at the present time, there has only ever been one recording of Scottish solo whistle playing, and that was by Alex Green a few years ago. One recent recording which has some excellent whistle playing of both Scottish and Irish tunes, is by Julie Fowlis, who is also an extremely fine singer of Gaelic songs.
If you absolutely insist on only one favourite, I'd have to choose Mary Bergin.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 10:50 AM

Its nice to get a couple of nominations from tasteful catters ! For me Packie Byrne was definately the man !! Until he had his hand trodden on ! Put a whistle in his mouth (OR two) And all these lovely tunes just seemed to fall out ! Mr Garbutt is a bit good too , but I dont know wether he's got into Ragtime whistle yet ! Mary Bergin has a nice tone and control too ! When I do workshops i meet a lot of really good whistlers , too many to list !

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,Betsy
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 04:12 AM

Garbutt brings a bit of fun with it ,most take themselves too seriously .
I've seen him play two at a time - one up each nostril - I jest you not !!!!

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 03:17 AM

Hey michaelr - Mcnally isn't an 'old'guy yet!

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Gurney
Date: 23 Jun 05 - 03:09 AM

Kendall, Garbutt often plays two, too. Too much. I've heard Galway play, and he is VERY impressive, and so is Fin Furey, But Garbutt is my favourite, because he is one of my favourite performers.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: michaelr
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 10:49 PM

Those are all "old" guys!

On the forefront of the "young" players, few can rival Michael McGoldrick. He's a triple threat: a master of the flute and uillean pipes, too.

John McCusker is no slouch, either.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: jimmyt
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 08:34 PM

Mary Bergan was my alltime favorite til I Heard Terry Leadfingers Silver! He is my favorite. also a good guy who let me play his whistles in a pub! That is a good mate! jimmyt

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 08:16 PM

I've never heard Vin play tin whistle, but I have heard Cathel McConnell play TWO tin whistles at once.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 06:57 PM

Yeah, favourite, as who's to say what's best. Still, lot's of good names to look into, one of the reasons for starting the thread.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 06:36 PM

G'day,

As a package of real entertainment, along with fine whistling, I've never heard anyone to match Vin Garbutt. There are probably whistle players to excel him in all specific aspects of playing ... but Allen (La Scaramouche) asked for favorite - and Vin's undoubtedly my favourite!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Tig
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 05:29 PM

At one time I would have said Vin without a doubt. Now it's BOTH Vin and Phil Brown - I can't really choose.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 04:53 PM

Hmmmm - difficult. I would say, for me, it is a toss up between Vin, Paddy Maloney and our very own Mick Pearce (MCP).

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: akenaton
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 04:48 PM

Once heard James Galway......"The Golden flute", play tin whistle on tv ....He was amazing ...Ake

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: akenaton
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 04:23 PM

Once heard James Galway......"The Golden flute", play tin whistle on tv ....He was amazing ...Ake

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: GUEST,DannyC
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:49 PM

Frank Claudy

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Leraud
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:35 PM

Cathal McConnall

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:28 PM

Vin and Packie.
And they're both lovely fellas too!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 03:11 PM

Feadog... wait... whistler, not whistle! Chris. No need for a last name because nobody would know him. But, with him on whistle and me on Bodhran, in any kitchen, after midnight and after a few (too many), well, you know the feeling. Good old Chris. I miss him ever so much.

Favourite? Nah. I like 'em all.

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Tin Whistler
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 02:57 PM

I can't comment on those whom I have never heard.