This is a very exciting album that everyone interested in Irish flute should own. It has the flute party pieces like 7-part gold ring & Col. Frazer, Conal's playing is also something mighty that should be heard. He fills the flute till you can hear it literally ring. With all the "scoiltrad"-ers on this list I was suprised this album hasn't already been posted. One of my top-ten flute albums, get it!
ps - I think Conal's contribution on Colm Murphy's "An Bodhran" CD, where he plays "Lord Gordon's / Kiss The Maid Behind The Barrell" is just about as good as traditional Irish flute playing will ever get.
It's high time he made another recording - anyone have any influence with Gael Linn ?
As someone over Australia-side, this album changed my whole concept of what flute playing COULD be... The rythmic power is incredible, and yet it avoids the "automatic-rotary-speaker" vibe of so many of the northern rythmic crew, and he plays with such unremitting intensity that it makes your ear's glow red with breathless excitment. or something.
Anyway, I won't hear a thing against it, and he MUST record again!!
Disappointing news, SirNose. At Hammy’s Flute meeting in Ballyvourney in April, I managed to speak briefly to Conal, and asked him about a 2nd follow-up recording. No plans at all at the moment, unfortunately.
Since I started flute playing (about 16months ago) the northern style always seemed to speak to me. Players like Harry Bradley and the old style players like Tom Morrison with that "heavy breath" sound is what I was playing on through the CD player. Having now heard Conal O Gráda, I can safely say that I will be listening to this one for a while. He has a similar style to that of Harry Bradley (I think it was actually referred to as The Belfast or Fermanagh style of flute playing). Definitely recommended if your a flute player.
Top of Coom
This is a very exciting album that everyone interested in Irish flute should own. It has the flute party pieces like 7-part gold ring & Col. Frazer, Conal's playing is also something mighty that should be heard. He fills the flute till you can hear it literally ring. With all the "scoiltrad"-ers on this list I was suprised this album hasn't already been posted. One of my top-ten flute albums, get it!
# Posted on December 14th 2002 by Brad Maloney
Top Of Coom
Top ten, Brad ? It's in my top 3 - just look at that list of tunes, it's like a flute player's bible !
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by Kenny
Top Of Coom
ps - I think Conal's contribution on Colm Murphy's "An Bodhran" CD, where he plays "Lord Gordon's / Kiss The Maid Behind The Barrell" is just about as good as traditional Irish flute playing will ever get.
It's high time he made another recording - anyone have any influence with Gael Linn ?
# Posted on December 18th 2002 by Kenny
GREAT album!!
# Posted on April 6th 2003 by gian marco
absolutely superb...
As someone over Australia-side, this album changed my whole concept of what flute playing COULD be... The rythmic power is incredible, and yet it avoids the "automatic-rotary-speaker" vibe of so many of the northern rythmic crew, and he plays with such unremitting intensity that it makes your ear's glow red with breathless excitment. or something.
Anyway, I won't hear a thing against it, and he MUST record again!!
# Posted on September 22nd 2006 by SirNose
Unfortunately....................
Disappointing news, SirNose. At Hammy’s Flute meeting in Ballyvourney in April, I managed to speak briefly to Conal, and asked him about a 2nd follow-up recording. No plans at all at the moment, unfortunately.
# Posted on September 22nd 2006 by Kenny
The Top of Coom
Since I started flute playing (about 16months ago) the northern style always seemed to speak to me. Players like Harry Bradley and the old style players like Tom Morrison with that "heavy breath" sound is what I was playing on through the CD player. Having now heard Conal O Gráda, I can safely say that I will be listening to this one for a while. He has a similar style to that of Harry Bradley (I think it was actually referred to as The Belfast or Fermanagh style of flute playing). Definitely recommended if your a flute player.
# Posted on September 1st 2007 by 52Paddy
No, not Harry Bradley actually.
# Posted on May 3rd 2008 by 52Paddy
HE'S BACK !!!
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/3063
# Posted on July 16th 2008 by Kenny