One great way to get better is to listen to great players do what they do best. When you talk about bouzouki players, Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine nearly always seem to come up. My question is, who else is out there? And can you give an example of a song where they really show off their talents? I'll start.
Les Wilson of the Tannahill Weavers. Listen to "The Trooper and the Maid" on the cd "Tannahill Weavers IV" for an example.
Good to see Fintan get some well deserved recognition, no one deserves it more. Now, if we can delve into the music scene in Fermanagh a bit more, we can show what a talented bunch of individuals we have, Jim McGrath and Gaby McArdle, to name but two.
You should have a listen to some great bouzouki player from Asturias, Spain. They play great music, very high level and technique...Ruben Bada made some recordings of irish stuff, but the big name in Asturias is Elias Garcia, who you can listen in Llan de Cubel or Tuenda albums.
I would have to include De Danann's Alec Finn. You might want check out tunes like "The Broken pledge/Jenny's Welcome to Charlie". With his very distinct style he helped create that uniquely tight sound with Frankie Gavin's fiddle in front of and Ringo Mcdonagh's bodhran behind him. IMO, unmatched to date.
Oisin's "The Flogging Reel/The Glass of Beer " feature Tom McDonagh on bouzouki. Worth listening to.
Lastly, "The Maid behind the Bar" by Stockton's Wing has Kieran Hanrahan on bouzouki. While the banjo is certainly his first choice, the man is very easy on the ears in this one.
I'd just like to add
Jamie McMenemy(Kornog), Mick Broderick(Slide)
VOKEPASA is Ruben Bada playing with At First Light?
Elias, and Llan de Cubel started new style of playing in Asturias meny of young musician followed them.
'Lastly, "The Maid behind the Bar" by Stockton's Wing has Kieran Hanrahan on bouzouki. While the banjo is certainly his first choice, the man is very easy on the ears in this one.'
Stockton's Wing's Maid Behind the Bar has always struck me as one of the great crimes against music. Sorry.
I didn't mention Gerry Trimble because the instrument he is best known for playing is a cittern - a fine distinction, I know, but the question was about bouzouki players.
Ciaran Curran of Altan, although he tends to be way back in the mix.
Can I be the first to suggest Johnny Moynihan?
Not only did he introduce the instrument to the music, he is a master of it. His playing with Andy Irvine on Planxty's 'Cold Blow the Rainy Night' is as good as anything ever recorded before or since in my opinion.
Alec Finn is certainly one of my favourite bouzouki players too, and fiddler Mick Conneely, who plays like Finn is great too. I also like Niall O'Callanain and I remember the first bouzouki player I ever heard was Gerry McKee (on a madfortrad tutorial). At the time, I really like him but can't really remember that much and was very naive at the time, regardless of how good McKee might be.
Eamon Doorley of Danu is also class and I've heard Brendan O'Regan was good but haven't heard much from him.
I'll second the motion for Roger Landes - founder and director of Zoukfest in Santa Fe. Having backed the likes of Frankie Gavin, Tommy Peoples, Mary Bergin, and John Carty, he's not just "that bouzouki player from Scartaglen" any more
Joe Ferguson from Aussie Irish Trad band "Trouble in the Kitchen"....Very,very tasteful 'zouk playing from him..
They have two excellent CD's ...."Down the Broom"..an Ep..and "When the World was Wide"....a full length CD....one of my Very favourite bands....
What about Eamonn Doorley of Danú? His playing on Julie Fowliss' recordings is superb.
It's hard to better the original masters though: Irvine, Lunny and Finn. I find that there's a sameness of sound with many players today. It would be nice to hear more melody playing on bouzouki as well. Dónal Lunny had a tantalising taster on 'The Navvy on the Line' on the first Bothy album but there was never any solo playing after that.
Great Bouzouki Players
Great Bouzouki Players
One great way to get better is to listen to great players do what they do best. When you talk about bouzouki players, Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine nearly always seem to come up. My question is, who else is out there? And can you give an example of a song where they really show off their talents? I'll start.
Les Wilson of the Tannahill Weavers. Listen to "The Trooper and the Maid" on the cd "Tannahill Weavers IV" for an example.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Ginepro
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
In the states we have Pat Broder in Chicago.
Tannahill Weavers are a hard act to follow though. One of Herself's absolute favorites.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by zippydw
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I'm a big fan of Aaron Jones ,check out his ablum with Claire Mann called Secret Orders .
Plus he is a good bloke too.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Johnny Hoban.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Without a doubt Fintan McManus plus he's equally handy on the guitar and whistle.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by LongNote
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Good to see Fintan get some well deserved recognition, no one deserves it more. Now, if we can delve into the music scene in Fermanagh a bit more, we can show what a talented bunch of individuals we have, Jim McGrath and Gaby McArdle, to name but two.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by strayaway
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
You should have a listen to some great bouzouki player from Asturias, Spain. They play great music, very high level and technique...Ruben Bada made some recordings of irish stuff, but the big name in Asturias is Elias Garcia, who you can listen in Llan de Cubel or Tuenda albums.
It really worths a look.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by VOKEPASA
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I like Aaron too. And check out his record with Leo McCann, "If anyone can"
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I would have to include De Danann's Alec Finn. You might want check out tunes like "The Broken pledge/Jenny's Welcome to Charlie". With his very distinct style he helped create that uniquely tight sound with Frankie Gavin's fiddle in front of and Ringo Mcdonagh's bodhran behind him. IMO, unmatched to date.
Oisin's "The Flogging Reel/The Glass of Beer " feature Tom McDonagh on bouzouki. Worth listening to.
Lastly, "The Maid behind the Bar" by Stockton's Wing has Kieran Hanrahan on bouzouki. While the banjo is certainly his first choice, the man is very easy on the ears in this one.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by the dawn
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I'd just like to add
Jamie McMenemy(Kornog), Mick Broderick(Slide)
VOKEPASA is Ruben Bada playing with At First Light?
Elias, and Llan de Cubel started new style of playing in Asturias meny of young musician followed them.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by padre
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Nobody going to mention Eoin O'Neill ? Manus Lunny ? Eamonn Doorley ?
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
And was it Davy Graham from Belfast who played on Harry Bradley's 1st CD. Very tasteful player.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
seanie mcgrath
mick broderick
eoin o neill
eamonn doorley
manus lunny
and the young colm o brien from dublin
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by musical soul
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Eoin O'Neils backing has unfortunately ruined some otherwise really nice recordings for me.
In session I'm sure he's very different....
But...
I also love Irvine , ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP-UX6GGlGc )and rate him way, way above Lunny ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMBjaif1b3Q )
on the bouzouki
***
Either way, for me, Finn is better than both of em for tunes.
'a flowing, contrapuntal background' an all that....
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
'Lastly, "The Maid behind the Bar" by Stockton's Wing has Kieran Hanrahan on bouzouki. While the banjo is certainly his first choice, the man is very easy on the ears in this one.'
Stockton's Wing's Maid Behind the Bar has always struck me as one of the great crimes against music. Sorry.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by kilfarboy
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Astonished these two names haven't come up:
Roger Landes
Gerald Trimble
Hugely influential albums they've done are in the recordings section.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by octogreg
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I didn't mention Gerry Trimble because the instrument he is best known for playing is a cittern - a fine distinction, I know, but the question was about bouzouki players.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Ciaran Curran of Altan, although he tends to be way back in the mix.
Can I be the first to suggest Johnny Moynihan?
Not only did he introduce the instrument to the music, he is a master of it. His playing with Andy Irvine on Planxty's 'Cold Blow the Rainy Night' is as good as anything ever recorded before or since in my opinion.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
They don't all have to be Irish.
How about Benji Kirkpatrick ?
And no-one's mentioned me yet............I'll get my coat.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Paddy Kerr and Frank Tate are great players
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by poldebrun
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I had given up hope that anyone would mention Benjy K.
what a legend!
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by mehitabel23
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Alec Finn is certainly one of my favourite bouzouki players too, and fiddler Mick Conneely, who plays like Finn is great too. I also like Niall O'Callanain and I remember the first bouzouki player I ever heard was Gerry McKee (on a madfortrad tutorial). At the time, I really like him but can't really remember that much and was very naive at the time, regardless of how good McKee might be.
Eamon Doorley of Danu is also class and I've heard Brendan O'Regan was good but haven't heard much from him.
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Oh, and good examples -
Alec Finn: De Danann, Tommy Peoples, Mary Bergin
Mick Conneely: He plays bouzouki on one track on his album Selkie.
Niall O'Callanain: Selkie
Brendan O'Regan: Gerry O'Connor's "No Place Like Home"
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Pat Broaders
Zan McCleod
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by saltcast
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
I'll second the motion for Roger Landes - founder and director of Zoukfest in Santa Fe. Having backed the likes of Frankie Gavin, Tommy Peoples, Mary Bergin, and John Carty, he's not just "that bouzouki player from Scartaglen" any more
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
And let us not forget North Carolina's own Bob Vasile of the Pratie Heads. He switches between guitar and bouzouki and does a fine job with both
# Posted on January 24th 2008 by Ginepro
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Joe Ferguson from Aussie Irish Trad band "Trouble in the Kitchen"....Very,very tasteful 'zouk playing from him..
They have two excellent CD's ...."Down the Broom"..an Ep..and "When the World was Wide"....a full length CD....one of my Very favourite bands....
# Posted on January 25th 2008 by zoukboy
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Gary O'Briain
# Posted on January 25th 2008 by Kenny
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
"Stockton's Wing's Maid Behind the Bar has always struck me as one of the great crimes against music. Sorry."
Rubbish.
Sorry.
# Posted on January 25th 2008 by the dawn
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Jerry McNamara from Limerick. You can hear him on Bouzouki and Guitar in this recording:
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/2586
# Posted on January 25th 2008 by granama
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Sean Ó Loinnsigh (sp?) from Clare, along with Alec Finn is one of the few in Ireland who play the 3-course Greek bouzouki.
# Posted on January 25th 2008 by granama
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Yeah, Sean O'Loinsigh is a great player indeed.
# Posted on January 26th 2008 by PaddyCmusic
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
Terry Woods from pogues
# Posted on January 27th 2008 by stevequincy
Re: Great Bouzouki Players
What about Eamonn Doorley of Danú? His playing on Julie Fowliss' recordings is superb.
It's hard to better the original masters though: Irvine, Lunny and Finn. I find that there's a sameness of sound with many players today. It would be nice to hear more melody playing on bouzouki as well. Dónal Lunny had a tantalising taster on 'The Navvy on the Line' on the first Bothy album but there was never any solo playing after that.
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by amhrán