VARIOUS: THE HUMOURS OF PIPING
On the model of anthologies like "The Piper's Rock" and the more recent "A New Dawn," this collection introduces four young and talented pipers: Claire Byrne, from Newry, Co. Down; Patrick Davey, now a member of the band Craobh Rua; Barry Kerr, from Lurgan, Co. Armagh, who was known to me as the excellent flute player who recorded the CD "The Three Sisters"; and Darragh Murphy, also from Newry. Although all four pipers play well, I was especially impressed Claire Byrne's performance, as well as by Barry Kerr's way with the tunes and indeed his own brand of the style associated with travelling pipers like Johnny Doran. One major difference with the other collections mentioned earlier is that the pipers here are accompanied by guitar players, for better or for worse--not that the accompaniments are badly performed, but they sound somewhat superfluous and intrusive.
Rating: ***1/2
Price: $17.99
