top: Burke Brass Pro narrow bore D; bottom:
Burke AlPro D
[The Gravel Walk]
(reel, MP3) played on the Burke AlPro D (session bore).
[The Mason's Apron]
(reel, extended version, MP3) also played on the AlPro D.
[The Roving Pitchfork]
(jig, MP3) played on the Burke Wide Bore Brass that I bought via Ebay, made in
February 2000.
A duet played on the Burke Brass Pro narrow bore D:
[Down by the Sally Gardens]
If I had to pick one whistle of all I own for being simply the best in every
way, it would have to be one of these Burkes; they are that good.
The tone is pure and sweet and liquid--the tone of this whistle does for music
what melted butter does for popcorn. It never gets shrill until you get well
into the 3rd octave, where it goes quite easily.
Intonation is precise. Voicing is precise...by which in this case, I mean no
note sticks out from its neighbors. This whistle keeps the same timbre all the
way up and down its range.
There was a bit of a learning curve on this whistle. In particular it took a
while to "make friends" with the lowest notes, which I first thought
were weak and somewhat sharp.
The low notes, I am happy to report, are quite good, and resonant. Also for such
a pure, sweetly toned whistle, it will take very aggressive play.
It is easy to be expressive with this whistle. It's a lovely thing--also
visually striking, with outstanding workmanship and real artistry in its
construction.
New content is coming.
