Music
22 Mar 05

O'Sullivan Meets O'Farrell vol 1

O’Sullivan is a beautifully clean, precise player, and his use of the regulators for accompanying chords is impeccable, as is his rhythmic sense – particularly on the several Scottish tunes here, which for once have an authentically Highland sound even when played on uilleann pipes.

The first-ever tutor for the uilleann pipes was published in 1804 by one Mr. O’Farrell (his Christian name is unknown), who also published a number of ‘Pocket Collections’ of music for the pipes, totalling over 400 tunes. A choice selection of these has now been resurrected by New York-born piper Jerry O’Sullivan, and packaged with an informative 28-page booklet. O’Sullivan is a beautifully clean, precise player, and his use of the regulators for accompanying chords is impeccable, as is his rhythmic sense – particularly on the several Scottish tunes here, which for once have an authentically Highland sound even when played on uilleann pipes. Apart from one track on which O’Sullivan overdubs a nifty little duet with himself, this is a completely solo CD, and that’s just fine: it’s a joy from start to finish.