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Whistlers who entertain

26 Jun 09 - 03:46 PM (#2665446)
Subject: Whistlers who entertain
From: Paul Hazell

I was watching "America's Got Talent" (in the UK so may be an old version) this week when an elderly lady and her daughter came on whistling "Climb Every Mountain". They received little interest from the audience or the panel and Piers Morgan suggested that no whistler could entertain for an hour.

Now is that true? How many out there have ever seen or heard the British whistler Ronnie Ronalde? He was arguably the best whistler ever and whistled everything from classical pieces with an orchestra to cowboy songs, popular ballads, folk songs, etc. He could also do bird calls. He was a talented yodeller and a fine tenor singer. He toured the world and gave many performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York, London Palladium and other great theatres. I guess Piers Morgan never saw him!!

Another is Bobbejaan Schoepen (pronounced Bobby-yan Skoopen) from Belgium. He too whistled, yodelled and sang although his whistling was mainly with the lips and tongue whereas Ronnie used his fingers as well.

It strikes me that Piers' comment was a rather harsh over-exageration. There have been many fine whistlers through the years and I wondered who others' favourite whistlers were.

PAUL


27 Jun 09 - 03:28 AM (#2665750)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: GUEST,Chris

I suppose you could classify Roger Whittaker as a singer who whistles.
www.rogerwhittaker.com


27 Jun 09 - 08:30 AM (#2665857)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Jack Campin

I started a related thread not long ago:

The Indian Whistlers Association


27 Jun 09 - 08:48 AM (#2665862)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: WalkaboutsVerse

On TV a while back, this chap sounded good - http://www.davidmorris-whistler.com/about.html


27 Jun 09 - 08:52 AM (#2665863)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: kendall

Whistling in a ship is taboo.


27 Jun 09 - 10:28 AM (#2665894)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Neil D

Professor Longhair


27 Jun 09 - 11:44 AM (#2665933)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Dave Swan

Jason Serinus


27 Jun 09 - 12:38 PM (#2665960)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Geoff Wallis

I'm showing my age, but I do remember seeing Ronnie Ronalde on TV in the 1960s.

In Ireland Comhaltas still runs a whistling competition as part of its annual Fleadh Cheoil.

La Gomera in the Canary Islands has its Silbo Gomero - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silbo_Gomero_language


28 Jun 09 - 12:40 PM (#2666525)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Andy Jackson

An excuse to refresh an interesting thread, Dave Morris is worth a listen. Nothing whatsoever to do with Folk I suppose but hey.


29 Jun 09 - 06:26 AM (#2666951)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: John Minear

Anybody who has been to Vocal Week at Augusta Heritage in Elkins, West Virginia, has heard and been thoroughly charmed by the World Champion Whistler, Emily Eagen. It certainly wouldn't be hard to listen to her for an hour!


29 Jun 09 - 06:33 AM (#2666955)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: The Sandman

Percy Edwards,RIP.


29 Jun 09 - 07:09 AM (#2666971)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Flash Company

Music Hall artist, Albert Whelan, whose immaculately timed entrance on stage was to his whistled accompaniment of 'Der Freuligen Brudern'

FC


29 Jun 09 - 08:28 AM (#2667010)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: fat B****rd

A man called Don Robertson had a hit in the USA with "The Happy Whistler" in the mid 50s. There was a UK cover version but I can't remember who did it. The UK version was occasionally on Children's Favourites if I recall rightly.


29 Jun 09 - 12:54 PM (#2667213)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: WalkaboutsVerse

For what it's worth, I whistle sometimes between folk-song stanzas - http://myspace.com/walkaboutsverse.


29 Jun 09 - 01:31 PM (#2667257)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: The Sandman

WAV,is your whistling as good as your recorder playing,could you put up clips on your my space site,thankyou.


29 Jun 09 - 04:32 PM (#2667434)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: GUEST,buspassed

Seem to remember in the final ep. of 'Boys from the Blackstuff' the bloke in the pub doing a 'Ronnie Ronalde' and being ejected through the plate glass front window for his pains [or maybe panes!]

I'll get me whistle!


29 Jun 09 - 04:47 PM (#2667444)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: WalkaboutsVerse

There is one on board, Captain.
And, that makes one wonder, Busspassed, about how many have, without seeing him, assumed that Roger Whittaker, e.g., was playing a penny whistle..?


29 Jun 09 - 06:26 PM (#2667554)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Seamus Kennedy

Both Al Jolson and Bing Crosby were excellent whistlers.

Seamus


30 Jun 09 - 03:34 AM (#2667754)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Will Fly

I remember Ronnie Ronalde on the radio many years ago. The most beautiful whistling I've heard live recently was Leon Redbone, at his concert at the Forum in Waterford. Absolutely stunning.


30 Jun 09 - 12:58 PM (#2668107)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: Paul Hazell

keep it up - I agree on Albert Whelan and Bing Crosby. The UK cover of "Happy Whistler" was Ronnie Ronalde!!

Ronnie is alive and well and living in Australia and still occasionally performs.

Who has heard Bobbejaan Schoepen? He was a great singer, yodeller and whistler

PAUL


01 Jul 09 - 11:52 AM (#2668975)
Subject: RE: Whistlers who entertain
From: clueless don

There was a big band number that featured whistling, at least in the opening bars. I think it was called "Big Noise from Winnetka".

Don