Subject: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 09 Feb 07 - 03:00 AM A recent TV 'novelty' item mentioned that a British guy is recording an album with the London Symphony Orchestra. His items include "Flight of The Bumble Bee". How common/popular have whistlers (human) been? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Alec Date: 09 Feb 07 - 03:17 AM Well whistling Jack Smith had a chart hit in 1967 with "I was Kaiser bill's Batman" & Roger Whittaker was an accomplished whistler. You're thread made me think about unusual it is to here people whistling in everyday life these days,though it was a commonplace in the not so distant past. An example of the degree to which music is,for many,something you consume rather than produce? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Wilfried Schaum Date: 09 Feb 07 - 03:30 AM A famous German whistler was Ilse Werner, civil name Ilse Charlotte Still, born 11. Juli 1921 in Batavia (now Jakarta), obit 8. August 2005 in Luebeck. She began her career as an actor in German theatres, films and TV during the 3rd Reich; after the war she started anew as singer and artful whistler. My mother was very fond of her songs and whistling. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Wilfried Schaum Date: 09 Feb 07 - 03:33 AM 2nd thought: And what about the British PoWs whistling the Col. Bogey March at the River Kwai Bridge? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: bill\sables Date: 09 Feb 07 - 04:54 AM There was a bloke "Ronnie Renald" in the 50s with a few records the most notable being "In a Monestry Garden" He whistled the tune with an orchestra backing and then did an impersonation of the birds |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Zany Mouse Date: 09 Feb 07 - 04:57 AM I HATE whistling. Like the 'musical' saw it simply gives me earache. Rhiannon |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: freda underhill Date: 09 Feb 07 - 05:16 AM just pucker up and blow.. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Scrump Date: 09 Feb 07 - 05:26 AM I was only mentioning a few days ago to Mrs Scrump the fact that people don't seem to whistle these days. I occasionally find myself doing it at work, usually not at my desk, but while making a cup of tea or something. I usually stop because most of the people I work with are a lot younger and don't whistle themselves - I'm aware that they probably think it odd and it makes me seem like an old fart :-) The Walkman and iPod seem to have put a stop to it. I used to work with a guy who used to whistle in the office, and the rest of us found it annoying and wished he would stop. I can't recall whether or not we ever asked him to stop though. I probably would these days. The Whistling Gypsy is the only folk song I can think of where people often whistle as part of the song's performance. Can anyone think of others? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: bubblyrat Date: 09 Feb 07 - 09:07 AM There is an advertisement on TV at the present ( I heard it last night in fact) featuring a very good whistler---it sounded like somebody from the USA in the 1930s or 40s. I believe that whistling was popular in 'country' music of that era --?? Personally,I think ,in that context, it sounds GREAT !! |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: The Sandman Date: 09 Feb 07 - 01:50 PM comhaltas,have competitions for whistling as they do for lilting,. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Jean(eanjay) Date: 09 Feb 07 - 01:55 PM Whistling usually gets on my nerves but I've heard him and it was amazing. I actually tried to whistle a bit afterwards and couldn't do more than a few seconds and of course it didn't sound the same anyway. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Rapparee Date: 09 Feb 07 - 02:11 PM Whistling takes practice. Like so many other things, you must keep the muscles in shape. If you know how you never lose the ability (barring a health issue), but the more you whistle the easier it is and the longer you can. Hmmm...I guess it's kinda like sex. Whistling while having sex...nah, I don't wanna think about it. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Les from Hull Date: 09 Feb 07 - 03:15 PM Yes Bill that would be Ronnie Ronalde. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Nerd at work Date: 09 Feb 07 - 04:40 PM In reference to Scrump's question, in some versions of "The Devil and the Farmer's Wife" collected from oral tradition, one of the refrain lines is whistled... |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Bernard Date: 09 Feb 07 - 04:46 PM Whistling Rufus? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: terrier Date: 09 Feb 07 - 05:06 PM Thanks for the web link for Ronnie Ronalde, it brought back lots of memories of a very versatile performer. The last time I saw him was on TV in one of the 'Boys From The Black Stuff' plays. He had a cameo roll as a pub drunk just sitting there whistling, he (or at least his stunt double)was thrown out of the pub via a plate glass window.He finished up sitting on the pavement outside, big grin on his face, still whistling. As a youngster, I remember seeing a performer on a couple of occasions, who would hum a tune then whistle another tune, the highlight of his act was when he hummed and whistled both tunes simultaneously. I can't remember if it was Ronnie or not? Does anyone else remember this act? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Les from Hull Date: 09 Feb 07 - 05:16 PM Actually, this is similar to one of the 'Tuvan throat singing' techniques. There's a current thread here. I know it's not your bloke but it's a bit of a coincidence. Or is it? (cue dramatic chords) |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Bill D Date: 09 Feb 07 - 05:47 PM Whistle, Daughter, Whistle Whistle, Auld Wife |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Scrump Date: 09 Feb 07 - 06:04 PM Yes, I'd forgotten about The Devil & The Farmer's Wife and Whistle Daughter Whistle - thanks for the reminders (I didn't know Whistle Auld Wife though). Another one I remember is The Whistling Thief. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Dave Hunt Date: 09 Feb 07 - 08:49 PM Scrump wrote The Whistling Gypsy is the only folk song I can think of where people often whistle as part of the song's performance. Can anyone think of others? ------------------------------------- I was fortunate enough to hear 'If I were a Blackbird' sung a few years ago by the late Ken Stollery (a Traveller, who's mother Alien(sic)Stollery is on an LP of Gypsy songs). Ken did the song complete with the wonderful bird impression whistling which was made famous by Ronnie Ronalde Dave |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Dave Hunt Date: 09 Feb 07 - 08:55 PM AND - I also have several 78s (amongst my collection of several thousand - sorry, I collect things!)of Albert Whelan who worked the Halls (Music Halls and Variety circuit that is) as a singer and siffleur Dave |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,James Date: 09 Feb 07 - 10:20 PM I have tinnitus as a result of too many loud rock concerts in my carefree youth, and I find loud whistling not only annoying but downright painful. The world would be a better place if whistlers, in tune or otherwise, would refrain from engaging in that practice in public places! |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Shimrod Date: 10 Feb 07 - 06:16 AM I once knew a bloke who could play the guitar, wiggle his scalp and whistle all at the same time ... clever(ish), but a tiny bit limited, somehow. I don't think he ever made it to the 'big-time' (yes, there is a God!). |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: sapper82 Date: 10 Feb 07 - 06:48 AM As an inverterate whistler with a modicom of tallent, I am often stopped by people who are delighted with my offerings! Why has whistling fallen out of fashion? Perhaps the appalling musical quality of modern music has a lot to do with it! As a point of whistling on Folk Records, how about Chas McDevitt's Frieght Train? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: RangerSteve Date: 10 Feb 07 - 09:42 PM Professional whistlers were common during the turn of the last century and were recorded commercially. I have one 78 of a woman doing "Whistling Rufus" backed by Arthur Pryor's Band, a very popular concert band at the time. I forget her name, I'll look it up tomorrow. I also have a recently recorded CD of a Norwegian professional whistler doing everything from traditional tunes to a Rossini overture. It's upstairs, so I'll look up his name tomorrow. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Joybell Date: 10 Feb 07 - 09:54 PM We were just talking about whistling too. True-Love is quite good at it but prefers to sing. He was thinking about doing a whistling bit at an up-and-coming festival though. Maybe we'll round up a few more whistlers and have a whistle-around. Cheers, Joy |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: wysiwyg Date: 10 Feb 07 - 10:00 PM I know we had a thread on Mouth Music that would be worth looking up and linking into this one. ~Susan |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Nick Date: 10 Feb 07 - 11:09 PM I can think of seven short, but rather animated whistlers, they worked mostly in the mining industry, all bachelors. Only one song that made the charts though. Nick |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Rusty Dobro Date: 11 Feb 07 - 03:28 AM Nice one, guest Nick! My grandfather had a melodious and pleasant whistle which he applied to a selection of light classics. I like to think that it had been a source of delight and comfort to his colleagues in the trenches of Hill 60, but being realistic they probably threw clods of earth, grenades, etc at him. Whatever, the gene hasn't reached me. I have other ways of annoying audiences. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Bernieandred Date: 11 Feb 07 - 12:36 PM I'm surprised nobody has mention the Kipper Family & their great "Whistling Monologue". As they tell it...." Pubs in the old days were so noisy that you couldn't hear the words to the recitation & so the whistling version came about!!" It's on one of their LP's, not sure which one. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Terry McDonald Date: 11 Feb 07 - 12:45 PM My former musical partner, Don Morgan, used to be able to whistle Johnny Dodds' clarinet solo from 'High Society' and the George Lewis classic 'Burgundy Street Blues.' |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton Date: 11 Feb 07 - 12:57 PM I'll mention two whistlers who are maybe not known. 1. Sam Hinton, the folklorist/singer and general Renaissance man from La Jolla California could to what I've never heard anyone else do. He could whistle in two-part harmony! It was incredible. He could whistle thirds in a song and his whistling is featured on the number "I had a bird and the bird pleased me"...........along with great animal sounds...move over Mel Blanc. As if that weren't enough, Sam could also do two parts of a well-known Bach choconne with voice and his whistle. Sam is now in his eighties and is one of the best of the nationally less-known folk singers of our generation. He is from Texas and he was featured years ago on the Major Bowes program as a one-man band. He plays excellent diatonic "straight" harmonica and has a recording of it which is already a classic. His main gig was that of oceanographer, biologist and education consultant for the university system in California. Also, Bing Crosby was a prodigious whistler as evidenced by his classic recording of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas". Frank Hamilton |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,This space intentionally left blank this tim Date: 11 Feb 07 - 07:10 PM I see how people who give good information and fail to put their name in the blank are treated. I gave some worthwhile information about whistlers Sybil Sanderson Fagan and Guido Gialdini in a post just ahead of Frank's with a link to sound files. After posting, I noticed that I did not sign my name. I didn't see the point in bothering to post again since I wasn't attacking anyone even in the slightest, just helping out. Thank You. I believe I am done. Go ahead and trash this post as well if it makes you think it is important to do so. I just now removed my name from the blank so it will make it easier for you. Dale Rose, member either officially or unofficially since 1997. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Effsee Date: 11 Feb 07 - 09:37 PM Erm, what the hell are you on about? |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,meself Date: 11 Feb 07 - 10:39 PM Dale: Did you post and have your post not show up on the list? If so, that's happened to me a number of times lately. I assume it's some kind of technical list. And in other news ... My mother was just telling me that my (85-year-old) father was whistling in the church choir this morning - and, yes, he was supposed to be; he had a genuine whistling part. He happens to be quite a good whistler - unlike me ... |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Jeremiah McCaw Date: 12 Feb 07 - 03:54 AM I know a few people who whistle wonderfully. None of them seem to realize it could easily be a part of their performance. One of them, Donald McGeoch, is an excellent performer (and songwriter), but seldom uses the whislting in performance. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: Scrump Date: 12 Feb 07 - 04:23 AM Thw Whistling Monolgue is on "Since Time Immoral". Thanks for the reminder GUEST,Bernieandred. I thought of another one - Stalybridge Wakes, which has a whistling bit in it. |
Subject: RE: Whistling (Human) as a performance inst From: GUEST,Paul Hazell Date: 12 Jun 11 - 04:41 PM Ronnie Ronalde was - and still is - an amazingly versatile whistler. He used his fingers, tongue and teeth, unlike Roger Whittaker who used just lips, tongue and teeth. Ronnie is in his late 80s now, living in Australia and at the age of 86 released a new CD of how he sounds today. he is singing, yodelling and whistling. The American country singer Carson Robison was also an accomplished whistler. In mainland Europe there was a wonderfully versatile singer, yodeller and whistler called Bobbejaan Schoepen. This was pronounved Bobby Yarn Skoopen - he had some records released in USA and canada as Bobby John. You can find video and music of him on Youtube. He had a great voice. He was elected to the Whistlers' Hall Of Fame in the USA a couple of years ago but sadly passed away last year. |
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