Dermot Hyde & Tom Hake – Pipeline (REL/R2, 2003)
It may sound redundant to call a CD “musical,” but I’ll try to explain. I’m a big fan of uilleann pipes, and have listened to a lot of different performers. There are pipers I’ve listened to that have great technique but end up with a recording lacking life. Dermot Hyde shows not only great command of the pipes, but a musicality in the playing that makes this CD a pleasure for all instead of just uilleann aficionados.In addition to the solid piping, Mr. Hyde shows great skill on whistles. I was doubly impressed with his abilities upon checking out the liner notes and realizing he wrote the majority of the tunes. That includes three songs he also handles vocals on.
It would be a mistake to go any further without mentioning the other side of this musical coin, Tom Hake. He plays solid accompaniment throughout the release. In fact the first thing you will hear on this CD is his driving bouzouki which pulls you right in. He also plays guitar, bass and harp. Together these two musicians create the majority of what you hear on Pipeline, and they work great together.
This is one of those rare CDs that I enjoy beginning to end, so it’s hard to pick out particular favorite tracks. The opening song “Thirteen Years” really
grabbed me right off with the bouzouki intro and Dermot’s whistle playing. It finishes with a melody that he lilts, which is a technique not often used
lately. Maria Solina is a Galician tune, which appeared on a Carlos Núñez CD as a song. It’s given new personality in this interpretation using whistle, harp and pipes. “Cities Far Away” is a song about Highland Clearances. Powerful, and supported by an opening whistle march and closing smallpipes tune.
Throughout the CD there are good original tunes by Dermot and his brother, Brendan. Then comes the finale, which returns to Galicia for a great set featuring Uxia Senlle on vocals. It wraps up with a tune some may recognize from The Chieftains’ CD Santiago, from the track “Dueling Chanters.” As elsewhere on Pipeline, Dermot’s playing gives the tune a new life.
I think this is one of the most solid releases featuring uilleann pipes to come
out in the last couple of years. My favorite since Mike McGoldrick and John
McSherry’s “At First Light” and “Callan Bridge” from the Vallely Brothers.
These releases form a trio that show just how good uilleann pipes can be, especially to those curious people that may not have much exposure to the instrument already.
Highly recommended. Buy Pipeline
CD review by Jeff Rich – King of Prussia, PA United States
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