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When The Wind Blows Wild Album by Brian Hughes

“I am at a loss to describe it! This will be an album for the ages, no doubt. Your tune selections were perfect, as was your playing”

— Jim A.

When The Wind Blows Wild Album by Brian Hughes

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Key Features

A whistle album steeped in the music of many generations gone before, destined to inspire many generations still to come.

“I am at a loss to describe it! This will be an album for the ages, no doubt. Your tune selections were perfect, as was your playing”

— Jim A.

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Product Description

Description

When the Wind Blows Wild

"It's my favourite whistle album of all time." - Angela K.

OUT NOW!

Featuring 36 carefully curated tunes—jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, slides, slow Airs, and more—this collection firmly establishes Brian as the premier whistle player of our time.

"I am at a loss to describe it! This will be an album for the ages, no doubt. Your tune selections were perfect, as was your playing." - Jim A.

"Received my copy yesterday. Played it nonstop until midnight. Absolutely brilliant Brian!!!"
- Len S.

"I am playing it over and over again... Your music will give me many hours of joy in the times to come. Thanks for making this cd." - Yngvar S.

"Dynamite playing Brian Hughes! Great music altogether!" - Tommy M.

"Mindblowingly good! Incredible whistle playing and backing!" - Ketil L.

Released Nov 2024: Available to purchase now as a CD, as a Digital Download, or both.

Watch this Making of trailer

When the Wind Blows Wild

Product highlights

Part 1: Making The Album

This video gives a rare glimpse into the work and life of a legend in traditional Irish music, revealing how childhood memories and tradition come together as he creates an album I know I’m excited to hear.

"No musical gymnastics just really beautiful music. Loved the album" - Mossy G.

"CD arriived in the post today, super job, well done" - Eamonn Croke.

"I absolutely love Brian Hughes' new album.... Beautiful tunes, superbly played and arranged. Relaxed, musical, inspirational. I want to learn every tune! Well done Brian and all involved" - Angela K.

Part 2 - A New Take on Traditions

Recorded on the stunning Flaggy Shore at Garry Ó Briain’s renowned Creg na Vagabones studio in County Clare, this album showcases Brian’s mastery of the whistle and uilleann pipes, alongside the extraordinary talents of featured guest musicians.

"Reminds me of some classic whistle tracks from the 80’s and 90’s.. This is legend material!" - Ketil L.

"Brilliant and fabulous" - Angela D.

"Wow!! Love Brian's playing!! And the other musicians!" - Nancy L.

Part 3 - Featured Musicians

Brian is joined on this album by some of Ireland’s finest trad musicians. Together, they create a seamless fusion of instruments, blending the whistle with the rich tones of harp, concertina, fiddle, bodhrán, guitar, mandocello, piano, scottish small pipes, and double bass to produce a truly unique sound. See what some of them have to say on this video.

"The arrangements were subtle, colorful, provacative, evocative, and flawlessly executed... I just cannot express enough how elevated I felt when I finished that last track." - Jim A.

"The mighty playing of Brian Hughes along with a host of great musicians... It's a great listen!" - Ruadhrai O.

"Your album is awesome!" - Sharon S.

Part 4 - In The Studio

Part 4 of the documentary is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the energy and collaboration that make traditional Irish music so special. In this episode we're joined by some incredible musicians: One of the best concertina players around, an All-Ireland-winning bodhrán champion, and a very gifted guitarist. This is something special to watch.

"I just downloaded and played the album. Wow! What a terrific experience! Excellent choice of tunes, brilliant collaborations, skillful technical production work .. the accolades will pour in." - Jim A.

"Absolutely mighty" - Ian K.

Part 5: Looking Back

In this final part of the documentary, Brian reflects back on the "totally open canvas" he had when collaborating and building this album. You'll also hear some of the brilliance of the wonderful trad musicians accompanying Brian on many of these tracks, Paraic's thoughts on the album and process, and even some toe-tapping reels to round out the journey.

"Brian is a wonderfully musical performer with a tremendous ability to elicit the richest tones and very captivating and elegant phrasing from his tunes." - Thomas H.

"Brian is wonderful as you would expect in this album and highlights different registers of the Irish whistle by using the different keys. Well thought out repertoire and wonderful accompaniment. Congrats!!" - Paul L.

Tracklist

1. Reels: Trip to Birmingham, The Humours of Lissadell, The Sandymount Reel 03:19
2. Polkas: John Walshe's, The Gullane, The Murroe Polka 03:04
3. Slow Air: Bán Chnoic Éireann Ó 04:23
4. Hornpipes: Corney Drew, Tomorrow Morning 03:18
5. Slides: Charming Lovely Nancy, Forget Your Troubles, Is It The Priest You Want 03:03
6. Jigs: McIntyres Fancy, Brendan Coombe's 03:05
7. Slow Air: Aird Uí Chuain 03:14
8. Reels: Larry's Favourite, The Merry Days of Easter 03:14

9. Jigs: Mist Covered Mountain, Coleman's Cross, The Wishing Well 03:39
10. Strathspey: The Iron Man 03:53
11. Barndance/Polkas: Keel Row, The Kerry Bar Polka, Mick Duggan's Polka 03:34
12. Reels: The Rookery, The Castlebar Traveller, Mrs Ramsey's 03:24
13. Slow Air/Slides: Dermot O Dowd, Dan O Keefe's, Timmy Clifford's 03:38
14. Hornpipe/Reels: McGivney's, The Knotted Chord, Maud Miller's Reel 04:12
15. Jigs/SlipJig: Seamus Connolly's, The Chapel Bell, The Whinny Hills of Leitrim 03:20

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Please visit our Returns Policy page for product-specific warranties.

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Please visit our Returns Policy page for product-specific warranties.

A New Collection of Classic Irish Tunes

Brian Hughes, one of Ireland’s best loved tin whistle players, is joined by some of Ireland’s finest trad musicians who accompany him on guitar, bodhrán, fiddle, the concertina and harp. The result is this collection of timeless classics, reimagined for the 21st century.

15 original recordings
Classic tin whistle tunes
Jigs, reels, polkas and slow airs
Specially recorded in the West of Ireland

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