Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
This is far from a detailed analysis, but the first thing that comes to my mind:
The biggest difference that jumps out at me is their phrasing. Matt generally plays long phrases and a lot of the time sounds like he's not breathing at all
From what I've heard of Séamus Tansey's playing, he seems to use much shorter 'bursts' of phrases, with far more noticeable pauses for breath.
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I am lucky to have been in sessions with Mr Tansey ,a few times . He is a great player no doubt .
However his acrobatic style and poetic demeanor I found makes him difficult to accompany . His requests that you accompany him on slow airs you dont know I found problematic as I insisted on only playing tunes I 'know'.
Mr Malloy who I have only once seen in a session , was more composed and disciplined in his playing . I thought him more subtle and I am sure easier to accompany although I have yet to have that pleasure.
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Mr T stole Pauls pint, but to his credit bought him one back when he realised his mistake
They dont call Paul ,Thug for nothing ....... actually he is a real gentleman he's just called Thug .
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Big difference: Matt Molloy has a taste for having good accompaniment musicians (Donal Lunny, Arty McGlynn to name two). Seamus Tansey seems to employ some of the worst examples of accompaniment in recent times (e.g. Organ on Easter Snow).
Also, Tansey does play a lot in the high octave but I think that's also just something that has cropped up in recent years and perhaps something which pipe smoking and age has caused.
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I can't understand why people are answering this question seriously. Am I not stating the obvious when I say that the best thing to do is to listen to both players to hear what the difference is? If you really have such a bad ear that you can't hear the difference even when you have youtube videos to compare, then what's the point in asking the question?
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I asked the question because I wanted to hear now people would answer it, if thats ok with you Dr.
No-one picked up (as yet ) on the Keenan/O'Fylnn comparison.
So I was hoping maybe someone would discuss possibly the old style (as in closed in piping) to the more flowing and open style which is the dominating style that is being explored today mostly.
I listen a lot to Matt Molloy but recently listening to Tansey I just can't work out what he's doing as some of his varations just appear bizarre (yet interesting) to me.
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
To me Kevin -
Matt Molloy's - power comes from his fingers.
Séamus Tansey's - power comes from his Breath.
??? jim,,,
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Brendy Mulholland joined us last month in Glenavy and he was trying to show us what Molloy did at times by use of fingers, including one finger Brendy swore no one else uses!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
@kess: a lot of seamus tansey's variations are very old, which he learned in his youth or from unique sources. once i heard him play the same set as the link above (shaskeen and copperplate), and he told the story of his unique version. unfortunately i can't remember who he learned the set from, but it is only unique because he did not alter it to fit the modern settings of the tune.
also, i would like to say that matt malloy intentionally copied the styling or pipers in phrasing, whereas seamus is a clear adherent to the sligo flute style of playing. matt molly is from Roscommon, right over the border of Sligo, so he has a lot of sligo style (rolls, flow, etc) but with that intentional echo of the pipes. this is similar to how noel hill sounds very different than all the concertina players who came before him (and i would say after him too), because he has spent his whole life copying the sounds of the pipes. falling asleep as a young child as willie clancy played the pipes in the next room will do that to anyone...
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
With Mr. Molloy, I usually hear a flow and continuity to the tune that is not what I hear from Mr. Tansey.
Tansey's phrasing is more clipped, like sound bytes strung together, by comparison.
(Legato vs, Staccatto?)
One measures out the whole tune, the other mesures out phrases of the tune.
Both are among my favorite technicians on the tubular machine, both with great chops and powerful playing.
But, like two different carpenters, each has built a very different-looking house.
The only question is, which one do you want to live in?
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Yaay!! I'm back after 2 months in the sin bin! I think Tansey does it for me more than Molloy. Matt M had better studios and way better accompaniests and is far more consistent than Tansey. Tansey is sometimes not sounding great but sometimes ,especially live , creates a huge excitement and sends shivers en masse through pubs. Tansey also has that crazy person thing making him one of the finest musicians in the tradition.
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Interesting that these two great players are discussed today. Just yesterday I was at a whistle workshop with Seamus Egan ( sponsored by the Celtic Society of Southern Maryland ), and asked him who he considers his earliest influences. His reply was, "Matt Molloy, Seamus Tansy, and Josie McDermott." It was was great workshop and fantastic concert, too, BTW. They played like they were on fire!
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
As Daiv says, Keenan/O'Flynn is not an appropriate comparison. Flute styles are more regional rather than centered around particular genius players. Tansey is one of many great Sligo style flute players.
Molloy was more of a Keenan/O'Flynn style player who as far as I can tell has set his own style. People often call it "piping style" and you can hear echoes of Molloy in younger players like Mike McGoldrick.
I don't think you're correct that a "flowing, open" flute style is coming to the fore. There was a very wide variety of playing styles in the recent "list 5 flute players" thread.
Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Is it a bit like the difference between Paddy Keenan and Liam O’Flynn?
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Kess
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Direction of holding the flute.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Janek
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
It's more like the difference between a sparrowhawk and a capercaillie than the difference between a marsh tit and a willow tit.
llig maybe you can do better, lol
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Dr. Dow
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Dr.,
'fraid not (at least for a while)
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by domhnall.
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
This is far from a detailed analysis, but the first thing that comes to my mind:
The biggest difference that jumps out at me is their phrasing. Matt generally plays long phrases and a lot of the time sounds like he's not breathing at all
From what I've heard of Séamus Tansey's playing, he seems to use much shorter 'bursts' of phrases, with far more noticeable pauses for breath.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Pat Mustard
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I love listening to both of them... Tansey's versions of 'The Bag of Spuds' and 'Farewell to Erin' absolutely rock.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Pat Mustard
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
To me Kevin -
Matt Molloy's - power comes from his fingers.
Séamus Tansey's - power comes from his Breath.
??? jim,,,
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Doesn't Seamus Tansey jump octaves a lot in his playing?
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by kkrell
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
If you play in the school of Matt Molloy, you are allowed to wear flares.
If you play in the school of Seamus Tansey, this might not be permitted.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by nicholas
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Belt size, spectacles and beard length, but only to the untrained eye.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by mrkelahan
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I am lucky to have been in sessions with Mr Tansey ,a few times . He is a great player no doubt .
However his acrobatic style and poetic demeanor I found makes him difficult to accompany . His requests that you accompany him on slow airs you dont know I found problematic as I insisted on only playing tunes I 'know'.
Mr Malloy who I have only once seen in a session , was more composed and disciplined in his playing . I thought him more subtle and I am sure easier to accompany although I have yet to have that pleasure.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by bazouki dave
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Did Seamus Tansey steal your pint Dave? Or was it Paul who stole Tansey's pint?
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Bernie 29
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Tansey is bubbling brook over stones, Molloy a fast-flowing stream over sand.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Sugarfoot Jack
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Ego?
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by the wounded hussar
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARm9t2z8q3g
No that is more rolls than I can take.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by dinn2
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Mr T stole Pauls pint, but to his credit bought him one back when he realised his mistake
They dont call Paul ,Thug for nothing ....... actually he is a real gentleman he's just called Thug .
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by bazouki dave
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Big difference: Matt Molloy has a taste for having good accompaniment musicians (Donal Lunny, Arty McGlynn to name two). Seamus Tansey seems to employ some of the worst examples of accompaniment in recent times (e.g. Organ on Easter Snow).
Also, Tansey does play a lot in the high octave but I think that's also just something that has cropped up in recent years and perhaps something which pipe smoking and age has caused.
I still find this clip amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTo5Ae7Vz3c
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by 52Paddy
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Dinn2
Mr T does like a roll ( in every sence ) you can see from that clip
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by bazouki dave
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I can't understand why people are answering this question seriously. Am I not stating the obvious when I say that the best thing to do is to listen to both players to hear what the difference is? If you really have such a bad ear that you can't hear the difference even when you have youtube videos to compare, then what's the point in asking the question?
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Dr. Dow
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I asked the question because I wanted to hear now people would answer it, if thats ok with you Dr.
No-one picked up (as yet ) on the Keenan/O'Fylnn comparison.
So I was hoping maybe someone would discuss possibly the old style (as in closed in piping) to the more flowing and open style which is the dominating style that is being explored today mostly.
I listen a lot to Matt Molloy but recently listening to Tansey I just can't work out what he's doing as some of his varations just appear bizarre (yet interesting) to me.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by Kess
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
They just don't play in the same league... Seriously!
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by brotherstorm
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
I like Sugarfoot Jack's take on it.
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by fidkid
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
To me Kevin -
Matt Molloy's - power comes from his fingers.
Séamus Tansey's - power comes from his Breath.
??? jim,,,
# Posted on January 28th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Brendy Mulholland joined us last month in Glenavy and he was trying to show us what Molloy did at times by use of fingers, including one finger Brendy swore no one else uses!!!!!!!!!!!
So I will bow to your knowledge Jim.
# Posted on January 29th 2011 by bodhran bliss
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
@kess: a lot of seamus tansey's variations are very old, which he learned in his youth or from unique sources. once i heard him play the same set as the link above (shaskeen and copperplate), and he told the story of his unique version. unfortunately i can't remember who he learned the set from, but it is only unique because he did not alter it to fit the modern settings of the tune.
also, i would like to say that matt malloy intentionally copied the styling or pipers in phrasing, whereas seamus is a clear adherent to the sligo flute style of playing. matt molly is from Roscommon, right over the border of Sligo, so he has a lot of sligo style (rolls, flow, etc) but with that intentional echo of the pipes. this is similar to how noel hill sounds very different than all the concertina players who came before him (and i would say after him too), because he has spent his whole life copying the sounds of the pipes. falling asleep as a young child as willie clancy played the pipes in the next room will do that to anyone...
# Posted on January 29th 2011 by daiv
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
With Mr. Molloy, I usually hear a flow and continuity to the tune that is not what I hear from Mr. Tansey.
Tansey's phrasing is more clipped, like sound bytes strung together, by comparison.
(Legato vs, Staccatto?)
One measures out the whole tune, the other mesures out phrases of the tune.
Both are among my favorite technicians on the tubular machine, both with great chops and powerful playing.
But, like two different carpenters, each has built a very different-looking house.
The only question is, which one do you want to live in?
My two cents.
# Posted on January 29th 2011 by Piece
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Yaay!! I'm back after 2 months in the sin bin! I think Tansey does it for me more than Molloy. Matt M had better studios and way better accompaniests and is far more consistent than Tansey. Tansey is sometimes not sounding great but sometimes ,especially live , creates a huge excitement and sends shivers en masse through pubs. Tansey also has that crazy person thing making him one of the finest musicians in the tradition.
# Posted on January 29th 2011 by big_tab
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
They're both fantastic musicians
# Posted on January 29th 2011 by fiddle123
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
Interesting that these two great players are discussed today. Just yesterday I was at a whistle workshop with Seamus Egan ( sponsored by the Celtic Society of Southern Maryland ), and asked him who he considers his earliest influences. His reply was, "Matt Molloy, Seamus Tansy, and Josie McDermott." It was was great workshop and fantastic concert, too, BTW. They played like they were on fire!
# Posted on January 30th 2011 by shaskeen
Re: Whats the difference between Matt Molloys playing and Seamus Tanseys?
As Daiv says, Keenan/O'Flynn is not an appropriate comparison. Flute styles are more regional rather than centered around particular genius players. Tansey is one of many great Sligo style flute players.
Molloy was more of a Keenan/O'Flynn style player who as far as I can tell has set his own style. People often call it "piping style" and you can hear echoes of Molloy in younger players like Mike McGoldrick.
I don't think you're correct that a "flowing, open" flute style is coming to the fore. There was a very wide variety of playing styles in the recent "list 5 flute players" thread.
# Posted on January 31st 2011 by ElaineT