Song:The Winter's End
Album:The Celtic Heartbeat Collection
Liam O'Flynn was the foremost contemporary proponent of the uilleann pipe which is sort of an Irish variation of the bagpipe. He is best known as a member of the group Planxty but he also was a session musician and he recorded a few solo albums. He was born Apr. 15, 1945 in Kill, County Kildare, Ireland. His father was a teacher and fiddle player. His mother came from a musical family and played piano. O'Flynn was encouraged by a local musician to play the uilleann pipe and he trained with third generation piper Leo Rowsome. He was also influenced by pipers Willie Clancy and Seamus Ennis. After winning some music competitions, O'Flynn was a founding member of the popular group Planxty in 1972. When they split up in 1983, O'Flynn became a session musician recording with among others Kate Bush, Enya and Emmylou Harris. You may have heard him on Mark Knopfler's soundtrack for the film Cal. He also appeared on the soundtrack of A River Runs Through It. O'Flynn recorded a couple of solo albums in the 80s but he recorded more frequently in the 90s with producer Shaun Davey. Davey is best known for the score for the 1998 film Waking Ned Devine and the BBC TV series Ballykissangel. The Winter's End is from the 1993 album Out To An Other Side. That album is out of print. But The Winter's End appears on this Decca various artists CD that is a good introduction to Celtic music. O'Flynn's final album was in 1999. But he continued to play sessions, participate in Planxty reunions and tour and record with fellow Planxty member Andy Irvine. He died on Mar. 14, 2018 at age 72. Here's Liam O'Flynn performing The Winter's End with Shaun Davey on piano 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment