text: Rob Jastrzebski photography: Marnix Heijnemans saturday, 15 & 16 april 2000

Interview Liam O'Flynn: "Being a piper is much more than playing tunes"
One of the most difficult and complicated instruments to play is definitely the uilleann pipes. And one of the best uilleann pipe-players ever is definitely Liam O'Flynn. The instrumentalist from County Kildare introduced the uilleann pipes to greater audiences and to previously unexplored places like soundtracks and big theatres. Liam has played together with a lot of famous artists and released or took part in the recording of an incredible number of some 70 albums. At his introduction to the Celtic Shop Folkfestival, April 2000 in Holland, he was described as 'the absolute top' of instrumental traditional Irish music. A 'must-listen-to' for lovers of uilleann pipe-music.

	Liam's love for the uilleann pipes was born at a very early age already. The first instrument he played in his youth was the tin whistle, followed by attempts to play violin. But then, at the age of eleven, he was caught by the sound of the uilleann pipes and began studying the stubborn and complex instrument. He became completely dedicated to the pipes and evolved remarkably fast to a masterpiper, which brought him on stage finally in the concert-halls of the world with 'big names' like The Everly Brothers, Van Morrison and Kate Bush. With Christy Moore, Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine, he founded the legendary band Planxty in the early seventies. In recent years, he has been touring with his formation The Pipers Call band, which was also the formation on stage during the Celtic Shop-festival in Bergen op Zoom. Liam was accompanied by Tommy Hayes (percussion), Arty McGlynn on guitar and Rod McVey on keyboard. During his concert Liam proves that, although the pipes are his big love, he is still a very skilled whistle-player too.
Arty McGlynn and Tommy Hayes

More than just a bag of note

Liam O'Flynn explains that the only way of learning to understand and to play the uilleann pipes is to be completely dedicated to it: "Playing the instrument is more than just playing tunes and the instrument is more than just a bag of notes. It demands a lot of exercise and especially co-ordination. As a matter of fact you play the pipes with all your body. The co-ordination between pumping up the bag and playing the keys is very important."

During his career Liam has constantly been experimenting in order to create new musical combinations. The uilleann pipes are not only suitable for playing traditional Irish instrumental songs, but also for more modern styles. "I like to mix styles and to combine rhythms. With Planxty we were constantly looking for new combinations of instruments too. The uilleann pipes can be used in any arrangement you can think about. I still see it as an important challenge to create a new sound by combining it with various musical influences. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. A good example is one of my earlier albums: Brendan Voyage Traditional Irish music mixed with modern rhythms."

Impressive discography
Liam O'Flynn has not only performed with a lot of big names on stage, but also performed before special audiences. For example, when he was recording his most recent release 'The Pipers Call' he was called by the president of Ireland who asked him to compose a piece of music on behalf of her inauguration. And he also contributed with his instrument in other special areas, like in movies (The Field, A river runs through it, Kidnapped, Roses from Dublin) and in the orchestral areas as well. "I think the uilleann pipes have now become a widespread and familiar instrument in Irish music. In the beginning the instrument wasn't very well known by many people." There is no doubt that Liam has had an enormous contribution in the evolution of uilleann pipe-music, proves by his very impressive discography. With Planxty he produced five albums, but dozens followed. Some 60 or 70 in various combinations with other artists and most recently with The Pipers Call band. His most recent albums are Out to an other side, The given note and The Pipers Call. About this enormous number of recordings Liam says: "It surprised me too, when I counted the number of recordings during a period of 30 years. It's quite an achievement, but I still have no problem with my inspiration and I keep on searching for new challenges. I just can't imagine to live without making music!"
	Liam O'Flynn
text: Rob Jastrzebski photography: Marnix Heijnemans

message from Liam O'Flynn to the CelticCafe		read the next interview with Niamh Parsons