Up in the heartland of Northumberland where the bonny River North Tyne flows through rolling pastures, woods and rising fells, a sweet sound can be heard. that is the instrument local to Northumberland - the Northumbrian Smallpipes with their many keyed chanters issuing sweet bubbly sounds reminiscent of the waters that run off the North Northumberland hills.
When Ray made this CD he lived and worked in the upper North Tyne valley and is renowned as one of the finest makers of the Northumbrian Pipes, the Lowland Pipes and the Scottish Smallpipes. On his CD Ray plays the Northumbrian Smallpipes, Lowland Pipes and the Irish Uilleann Pipes.
The skills involved in the making of these pipes - the fine turning of exotic woods, metalwork, reeds and leather, often leaves little chance for Pipemakers to become good players themselves. Yet, the best Pipemakers are often extremely good pipers who through their skills as players know the nuances and more exacting facets of the pipes and it is this which flows into the construction of a beautiful instrument.
Ray Sloan is not only a great Pipe-Maker who's work is in demand by Pipers throughout the World but, as we can now hear on this recording, he is a splendid Piper also. Here is a craftsman-Piper with music that is enjoyable to listen to, offering us a variety of tunes including local Northumbrian as well as Scottish and Irish tunes in addition to a number of his own compositions, which stand up well to the test of time and the scrutiny of other players in search of a good tune.
Ray is the complete piper and pipe-maker and here he offers us a very satisfying album full of sweet playing, which I am sure will be of interest to all lovers of the Northumbrian Smallpipes and other bellows bagpipes.
Joe Crane
Newcastle Upon Tyne
March 2003