TROY DONOCKLEY: The Nightwish interview

As I have written on a number of occasions in these pages, my younger stepdaughter Olivia has never been particularly impressed with my taste in music, and considers everything that I write about to be hippie hogwash. That being said, she really likes Mimi Page's album and I keep on forgetting to tell her that 'im who plays the Celtic pipes in Nightwish is also one of ours. I know that Nightwish are one of her particular favourites, and so she has probably read this interview before, because I lifted it from their website...

1. How did you first get involved with Nightwish and were you a fan before you worked with them?

I first became aware of the band when my friend Pip Williams sent to me the album "Once". I had never heard of them, but then again, my connection to the world of metal was slight to say the least. I knew after hearing "Ghost Love Score" that this was no ordinary metal band. It had a really progressive and pure approach : But still heavy as hell!

Not long after, I was approached to play on "Dark Passion Play" and the rest as they say is history...

LINK: Troy Donockley review

http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=13009

Although UK-based multi-instrumentalist and Uilleann pipes virtuoso Troy Donockley has toured with Nightwish, Mostly Autumn and Status Quo, fans of those bands may not necessarily warm to the man's solo material. But open-minded listeners are encouraged to start with Messages, a compilation of material from Donockley's three solo albums: The Unseen Stream, The Pursuit of Illusion and The Madness of Crowds.

Half of the 10 songs here are instrumentals with plenty of New Age references. (Is "New Age" still even a relevant term?) The rest run the gamut from choral arrangements in "Fragment" to the lovely and cinematic female-sung "Now, Voyager," featuring an odd spoken-word middle section. The best track, "Orkahaugr," also is the longest one, and it comes from 2009's The Madness of Crowds. Featuring a more traditional song structure with a world-music flavor and extended electric guitar and Uilleann pipes solos, the song boasts a running time of 11 minutes, allowing it to go off in unexpected directions.

Messages could have used some liner notes, and it probably has a limited audience. But it's also the perfect introduction to the solo works of a man whom many listeners have no doubt heard before — whether they knew it or not.

Track Listing:
1) Sights
2) For Him Who Will Never Return
3) Now, Voyager
4) Fragment
5) Orkahaugr
6) Finlandia
7) Dunmail Rising
8) Pursuit of Illusion
9) Tunnels
10) The Procession

Check out Troy's Artist Page at Gonzo

LINK: Troy Donockley review

People who enjoy the music of bands like Iona and Mostly Autumn are logically also familiar with multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley. Together with these bands he has recorded quite a number of albums, but he has worked with artists as Barbara Dickson, The Bad Shepherds and Nightwish as well. Whilst Iona took a break Troy worked on his solo albums and to date he recorded The Unseen Stream (1998), The Pursuit Of Illusion (2003) and Madness Of Crowds (2009, see review). He also made a couple of albums with his former Iona band mate Dave Bainbridge. Recently Donockley compiled an album called Messages, A Collection Of Music 1998-2011 containing tracks from his three solo albums and two new and previously unreleased tracks.

Usually I'm not so fond of compilation albums, but for this album I'll make an exception. Why? Well, not because of the two new tracks For Him Who Will Never Return and Dunmail Rising, but after listening to this album I was again impressed by the outstanding compositions. Donockley is a master in blending progressive rock, Celtic music, movie scores and classical music. In the liner notes of the album you can't find much information. Only the tracks are mentioned, but not the musicians who perform them. However, after some searching on the internet it became clear that these titles are performed with some of the finest musicians Troy Donockley worked with over the years of whom many are rather familiar like Nick Beggs, Terl Bryant, Tim Harries, Joanne Hogg and Frank van Essen. With all these musicians he performed live on stage and in the recording studios when he was a member of Iona. However, Olivia Sparnenn and Heather Findlay, the current and the former lead singer of Mostly Autumn, participate as well. Furthermore you'll hear the York Cantores Choir and The Emperor String Quartet both responsible for the classical influences on the album. But also less known people like Nollaig Casey, Julie Darling, Andy Duncan, Peter Knight and Brad Lang can be heard. It's obvious that Barbara Dickson assisted him as well, because Troy has done a lot for her in the past.

I dare to say that the entire album consists of highlights only. However, I do have some favourites such as Now andVoyager with its fantastic climax. Or the haunting Finlandia on which you can enjoy Uilleann pipes, low whistles, tin whistles together with The Emperor String Quartet. Another one of my favourite pieces is The Procession, containing a combination of classical strings, keyboards, whistles, pipes and an E-bow which got me shivers down my spine. If you're not familiar with the music of Troy Donockley, but you want to listen to his best compositions I would definitely advise you to check out Messages, A Collection Of Music 1998-2011. It's highly recommended!

**** Henri Strik (edited by Peter Willemsen)

Check out Troy's Artist Page at Gonzo

LINK: Troy Donockley UK Review

http://s14.zetaboards.com/Zeitgeist/topic/6698972/1/

TROY DONOCKLEY
Messages
Lantern 2012

Nah, me neither, but then I don't really keep up to speed with Irish pipers, despite my auld Irish mammy. Not that she would have thanked you for that description. But turns oot that Troy Donockley is a legendary uilleann piper both solo and as a member of Iona. Me, I'd only heard of him, because he tooted his pipes on the last (splendid) album by goth metal monsters Nightwish, and that he's off on tour with them. So it makes perfect sense for him to bung oot a best of album off the back of that.

The music on offer wanders all over the place from Celtic to prog to classical to alternative arrangements of auld tunes. He's also got a very large address book, and this compilation draws in contributions from the likes of Nick Beggs, Barbara Dickson, Heather Findlay, Tim Harries, Olivia Sparnenn and hunnerds of others.

It's in the nature of compilations from previously unheard artists that the quality can vary quite dramatically, but when it's good, it's very good indeed. So, plenty of highlights including the previously unreleased 'For Him Who Will Never Return', a traditional song here radically re-arranged. Then there's an extract from "Finlandia " by Sibelius, which features the Glorious Emperor String Quartet and which is, appropriately, glorious. The other new tune is 'Dunmail Rising', which comes complete with some serious fiddle, oboe and a great vocal from Mostly Autumn singer Olivia Sparnenn.

So, to be fair, a mixed old bag, but a bag with more caramel than toffee.

Here, as the returning Gonzo Daily editor, I would like to note that I like both caramel and toffee..

LINK: Troy Donockley CD Review

http://www.musicstreetjournal.com/index_cdreviews_display.cfm?id=103503

Troy Donockley: Messages: A collection of music 1998-2001

Review by G. W. Hill

Well, with a compilation like this, one might not anticipate a lot of consistency and cohesiveness. Somehow, this collection manages to feel pretty organic in flow. Donockley is generally considered a Celtic prog artist, so a lot of this falls in that general direction. Still, it also has some definite symphonic textures. It’s quite an entertaining set.

Track by Track Review

Sights
This tune is very pretty and it has a lot of energy. It flows very well. There is a definite world elements and some symphonic texture.

For Him Who Will Never Return
Starting with Uillean Pipes, this is quite world oriented and pretty. As it grows out from there, the changes are gradual and that same basic element remains constant. This is a beautiful and quite organic piece of music.

Now Voyager
A female voice opens this and continues sans instrumentation for over thirty second. Then the instruments join in atmospheric, symphonic textures. Around the minute and a half mark those vocals drop away and the song gets a symphonic, progressive rock styled treatment as various spoken voices come over the top. It drops to more purely symphonic after a time, and then comes in with a more rock oriented motif. Still, that rock style isn’t like a rock and roll or crunchy sound, but rather like symphonic prog merged with Pink Floyd and Celtic music. It grows out into some powerful symphonic music.

Fragment
This is quite a mellow piece. It’s really not rock at all, but rather a chorale piece. The vocals are the real key element here.

Orkkahaugr
Coming in acoustic based, this has a lot of energy and builds out with some classic Celtic elements. It carries in that basic format for a while, but then drops way down for a symphonic sort of movement, more like chamber music. There are bits of crunch that come over the top, lending progressive rock to the arrangement. It works out to melodic Celtic based prog as it continues.

Finlandia
Jean Sibelius is definitely my favorite classical composer, and I don’t think it’s possible to be a fan of Sibelius and not love “Finlandia.” This is Donockley’s arrangement of the middle section of the composition. As one might guess, this piece is quite classical in nature. It’s also powerful and pretty and has some Celtic texture to it.

Dunmail Rising
This bursts in and then modulates out to a symphonic sort of section. The track continues by alternating those two elements in an intriguing arrangement. Later it works out to a delicate and complex symphonic arrangement that’s very pretty. As it builds out from there more rock oriented elements are heard in the rhythm section as the classical sounds weave over the top. This gets very powerful.

Pursuit of Illusion
There are both male and female vocals on this cut. It’s definitely quite classical in nature. It’s also very compelling and pretty.

Tunnels
This is quite an intriguing cut. It works through a number of changes and alterations. At times it’s more like pure (albeit organic) progressive rock. At other points it’s more symphonic in nature. This is an epic with a lot of majesty and mystery, but just as much delicate beauty. There is plenty of Celtic sound here, but a lot of other elements in place, too. I really like this one a lot. In fact, it’s probably the best track here. It’s surely the one with the widest scope. It’s very magical.

The Procession
As the title suggests, this little instrumental is a pretty and quite symphonic number to lead things out in style.

LINK: Great Troy Donockley review

http://www.dmme.net/reviews/reissues/reissues21.html

TROY DONOCKLEY - Messages Gonzo 2011

Celtic pied piper calls his tunes and leads us to reason and realms of heavenly beauty. His discography credits abound, Troy Donockley's most merited stripes are for making Uilleann pipes a rock instrument. In Donockley's hands, its melodious drones run from English folk avatar Maddy Prior through Roy Harper and STATUS QUO to Finnish metallers NIGHTWISH, but in between the many sessions the master cut three highly rated solo albums the best moments of which are gathered here. Their span is fantastic in both scope and delivery. If a new, previously unreleased cut "For Him Who Will Never Return" sees his weapons, two sets of pipes actually, sing a heartbreaking traditional dirge largely on their own, "Finlandia", a string quartet-elevated Sibelius piece from 1998 debut "The Unseen Stream", shows Troy's deft skills as arranger. Yet the genuine depth is revealed in Joanne Hogg-led choral of "Fragment", as well as in another freshly sculpted swell, "Dunmail Rising", where the solemn vocalise paves the road for the electronically shimmering dance of pipes and fiddle. All of the strains combine in immaculate way for "Orkahaugr" off 2009's "The Madness of Crowds" in which Troy weaves a lace with his acoustic guitars and strikes it with whistles before the epic unfurls all its cinematic vistas and welcomes heavy guitar riffs into its ever-expanding fold. And while the trance-like folksy moment jitters in the light of "Tunnels", it's in the title track of 2003's "The Pursuit of Illusion" that Donockley's soft voice joins Hogg's crystalline flight to soar on a transparent orchestral cloud to celestial heights and bring the paradise closer to the crowds.

LINK: Interesting Troy Donockley Review

Here is a particularly insightful little review of Troy Donockley. I particularly like the way that the review claims to have folk music in his/her genes.

http://www.shakefire.com/reviews/cd/troy-donockley-messages

Being from West Virginia I was born into liking folk music, it’s in my genes. I’ve heard a wide range of folk music and there’s not many times that I don’t like it. Folk music has a way of getting to the heart of the listener, being able to find the nerve center of having fun, as well as making you slap your knee and give an occasional yee haw yell out. However, the music of Troy Donockley might not make me want to have sudden out bursts of yelling, his Celtic folk still gets to the core of emotional music.

The songs on Messages are warm, mellow, and dramatic as well as being well composed and played.I’ve listened to the album Messages by Troy Donockley 3 times now and each time the music becomes grander and grander. These songs are epic, they have this sound that made the moment I was in feel as if it was going to be the most important moment of my life. When I wasn’t feeling I was going to make a choice of my lifetime, I felt like I was falling in love with my soul mate. This grandiose feeling is in every song that’s played on this album. It’s because of this feeling the songs give off that I liked listening to them.

When there are vocals used, they are as mellow as the instrumentals are as well as having the same impact. Both vocals and instrumentals are very strong giving the songs their power. This is not the Celtic folk that will make you want to jump up to dance, grab some large mug of ale, or start singing some sort of limerick, instead it will make you stop what you are doing so you are only in the moment of your life right then. Here is one of the few times that I actually enjoyed that the songs blended together creating one long song. More amazing is that even with this blending the songs are able to stand out on their own where I was still able to notice that the track has changed to the next song. Of course what stands out the most are the pipes. They are not overbearing where they try to be heard over the rest of the instruments, but they do stand out in the songs.

Being the first time I have heard Troy Donockley, I wasn’t familiar with the style of his music and when I saw that it was Celtic folk I had a more faster, upbeat tempo in mind. What I was listening to turned out to be songs that I will enjoy listening to when I want to feel right in my place in the world at the moment.

PROG LOG: Troy Donockley's 'Messages', has become CD of the Week

Troy Donockley's 'Messages', has become CD of the Week on ProgLog AFTERglow:

“beautiful synergy between celtic folk rock, rock and classical music played by a gifted musician'.

The review will remain for some weeks on their homepage and will be stored afterwards under the menu-label ‘WeekCD 2012’.

LINK: Troy Donockley review

http://www.prog-sphere.com/2012/04/25/troy-donockley-messages-2/

Troy Donockley – Messages

April 25, 2012 by Conor Fynes
Filed under Reviews

Leave a comment

Troy Donockley is a legend of Celtic music; particularly in regards to his work with the uilleann pipes. Before I had even heard the name, I was already familiar with his brilliant musicianship; he is the player behind the Celtic instruments in Finnish symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH. While perhaps best known for his tenure with the Irish prog-folkers IONA, Donockley has also had a warm solo career. Sadly, ‘Messages’ is the first thing I’ve heard of this artist, although I’ll make sure that it’s not the last. Although this best-of compilation only serves as a gateway into Troy’s music, it succeeds enough at attracting me to the man’s music that I will soon be hearing more of what he has done.

Although I may not give ‘Messages’ a high rating, it is only because the compilation feels too long for its own good, and that its status as a ‘best-of’ keeps it from having any significant start- to-finish coherence. The music itself is fresh to me, yet probably best rated on the albums from whence they came. A far cry from my initial experience with Donockley’s performance in Nightwish, his work here is mellow, calmed, and arboreal. The Celtic ambiance of Enya came to mind once or twice while hearing the music, which generally rests upon Donockley’s flute or pipe playing to row it along.

Troy Donockley’s music here is not necessarily prog, or even rock, for that matter. Instead, what we have is a warm collection of lush Celtic soundscapes, ancient melody, and the artistic talents of a man who easily deserves the recognition he has received. As a compilation though, ‘Messages’ fails to achieve the goal of a best-of; to get his music across quickly and concisely. Instead, this is a fairly drawn out ordeal, and due to the fairly uniform sound of the music, the music’s magic can be lost once someone becomes too accustomed to the Celtic energies. Ultimately however, this is perfect for anyone who has never heard Troy Donockley play before, and enjoy Celtic folk music.

Tracklist:

01. Sights
02. For Him Who Will Never Return
03. Now, Voyager
04. Fragment
05. Orkahaugr
06. Finlandia
07. Dunmail Rising
08. Pursuit of Illusion
09. Tunnels
10. The Procession

Line-up:

* Troy Donockley – all instruments

Links:

http://www.troydonockley.co.uk/

LINK: Troy Donockley Review

Troy Donockley is perhaps best known as a long-time member of Iona, a band which he left in 2009. He has also guested on albums by Nightwish, Clannad, Midge Ure and Status Quo, among others. His latest work, Messages, is a compilation of his three solo studio albums, with a couple of new pieces, where we see him tackle a traditional song on For Him who will Never Return and he also composed a new piece (Dunmail Rising) especially for this occasion. The only composition not written by him is a cover of Sibelius' Finlandia.

Read on...

LINK: A French Review of Troy Donockley

http://www.amarokprog.net/critiques_41961_201268.html

Troy Donockley Celtic crosses without stopping, shrugging off the walls with a contagious happiness. Key member of the Irish training IONA, he left in 2009, he moves on very different projects as a tour with Nightwish or the soundtrack to the Robin Hood Ridley Scott signed. At ease in very different styles, Troy Donockley also delivered three superb solo albums: The Unseem Stream (1998), The Pursuit of Illusion (2003) and The Madness of Crowds (2009) at a level sufficient altitude exceptional. A trilogy that all the great design and music that deserved a little focus.

This is done with the messages, compiling a little belted, which could have broader aim but manages to cover the work with choices. This musical setting appeals to emotion, inspiration, sincerity and virtuosity never faulted (the cover of "Finlandia" by Sibelius). The disc is devoid of clichés, without tension, a sultry sensuality. This fragmentation of discrete boundaries imposed by genres covered (rock, Celtic, classical) is around musical graceful silhouettes, sometimes lined with clouds ("Orkahaugr"), but never fully eliminated in light of the whole. A unique program ("Dunmail Rising") and cases of passion punctuate this entry into the world of Troy Doncokley. Run there quickly! Cyril Delanlssays

LINK: Swedish review of Troy Donockley

http://rothnroll.blogspot.com/2012/04/troy-donockley-messages.html

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012

Troy Donockley - Messages

Troy Donockley - Messages, A collection of music 1998-2011 (Gonzo Multimedia)
Produced by Troy Donockley
PROGRESSIVE FOLK
Tracks : 1.Sights 2.For him who will never return 3.Now, voyager 4.Fragment 5.Orkahaugr 6.Finlandia 7.Dunmail rising 8.Pursuit of illusion 9.Tunnels 10.The procession
http://www.troydonockley.co.uk/
2,5 out of 5

Troy Donockley is both a multi musician and a composer, he´s a leading virtuoso of the Uillean pipes and his music can be heard in movies such as Robin Hood and Ironclad. Troy has recorded and toured with various artists such as Nightwish, Status Quo, Midge Ure and Del Amitri. He has released 3 albums, The unseen stream (1998), The pursuit of illusion (2003) and The madness of crowds (2009). And also the compilation "Messages, a collection of music 1998-2011 that contains songs from his previous work along with 2 new unreleased songs, "For him who will never return" and Jean Sibelius "Finlandia". Troy´s compositions bring thoughts to Vangelis as well as Clannad and Mike Oldfield, it´s just like what he says about the new album, -Listen to Messages in a darkened room with headphones, just like you did when you were a kid. Well, I think a whole album of this laid back celtic style can be a bit too much but I do enjoy a few songs like "Sights" that feels a bit ABBA-esque and the lengthy "Now, voyager". A decent collection anyhow.

LINK: Troy Donockley review

http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=37583

Review by Conor Fynes
PROG REVIEWER

'Messages' - Troy Donockley (6/10)

Troy Donockley is a legend of Celtic music; particularly in regards to his work with the uilleann pipes. Before I had even heard the name, I was already familiar with his brilliant musicianship; he is the player behind the Celtic instruments in Finnish symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH. While perhaps best known for his tenure with the Irish prog-folkers IONA, Donockley has also had a warm solo career. Sadly, 'Messages' is the first thing I've heard of this artist, although I'll make sure that it's not the last. Although this best-of compilation only serves as a gateway into Troy's music, it succeeds enough at attracting me to the man's music that I will soon be hearing more of what he has done.

Read on...

TROY DONOCKLEY: Sights

TROY DONOCKLEY: Dutch Review

http://www.progwereld.org/cms/recensies/album/troy-donockley-messages/

<>Yesterday we received this rather touching Dutch review of Troy's new compilation album 'Messages'. It was in Dutch, but thanks to those jolly nice fellows at BabelFish we have an approximation of what was said, and it seems to be all good. We are posting it, as it is, in order to give a brief glimpse into the loyal European fandom that Troy has generated over the years...

Flutist and Uillean Pipes-performer Troy Donockley is the prog audience best known for its previous employer Iona, but the best man has also played in Mostly Autumn, Magenta, Clannad, The Enid, Midge Ure and recently even in Nightwish. In addition, he uses his spare time for the delivery of truly great solo albums. Of these, three from now - all masterpieces - and "Messages" is one of a collector with two new tracks.

For those familiar with Donockley's solo career, "Messages" a bit redundant. Not for nothing but the subtitle reads "a collection of music 1998 - 2011" and as "crash course" should "Messages" is certainly his goal. In addition, the record two new tracks, which mainly Dunmail Rising an impressive number. Although we Progwereld averse to commerce is a good time to point out that "Messages" dirt cheap on Donockley's site is offered for a price at which it sends.

Anyway, the choice Donockley for this introduction is made, is exemplary. Especially "The Madness Of Crowds" comes with two long tracks as well. Thus, the succession by Barbara Dickson and Joanna Hogg sung Now, Voyager is a temporary peak. Very beautiful is the poem of Walt Whitman that line by line, twenty people will be nominated. Donockley not only the right choices, the sequence is exemplary. For people who are unfamiliar with Donockley's work (and there are enough), will be "Messages" should feel like a new CD, as well arranges the material successively.

Donockley Troy is best known for playing the Uillean Pipes, Irish bagpipes. Very official may call you that no bagpipes, because that name is destined for the Scottish bagpipes, you played with the mouth. Donockley will therefore not easily get short of breath because the Uillean Pipes play with your hands, where air is being pumped up with your elbows. Now this is a very nice Irish bagpipe, but often predominant instrument. Therefore it is more interesting to observe that Donockley in his career, the instrument gives a prominent place, but it also knows well dosed.

In the piece Sibelius Finlandia , but also in the new From Him Who Will Never Return , he gives his main instrument, the Uillean Pipes, all space. On the other side of the spectrum there are songs like the eleven minute Orkahaugr , where the instrument but sporadically. It is this variety and this dose causes Donockley not only important as a specialist in music, but also as a composer.

The collector is more than 70 minutes at the end many beautiful things. So sings Donockley with Joanna Hogg's stunning Pursuit Or Illusion , of the eponymous album from 2003. You must be of stone if you have no lump in your throat. For nearly ten minutes after Tunnels before you choose to get the debut of "The Unseen Stream" from 1998, of which especially the end piece is impressive.

"Messages" as an introduction makes especially clear how much the music of Troy Donockley is undervalued and ignored. This is your chance to catch up. For the rest we naturally yearn for a real new studio CD. Let's hope that "Messages" as the prelude for it.

Markwin Meeuws

Buy this CD directly from Discorder

---

The name of Troy Donockley will be familiar to fans of progressive rock and Celtic music. Troy has been a fixture on both scenes for many years not least in his capacity as a session musician where he has worked within many artists such as Mostly Autumn and Barbara Dickson but also as a member of the long standing Celtic progressive rock band Iona. Whilst Iona took a break Troy worked on solo albums and also albums with fellow Iona band mate Dave Bainbridge. More recently Troy has been performing with The Bad Shepherds alongside Ade Edmondson and is about to work again with Finnish Rock band Nightwish Troy has recorded three solo albums The Unseen Stream, The Pursuit of Illusion and the more recent Madness of Crowds all three were critically well received on their release. With a more recent higher profile Troy has compiled an album entitled Messages featuring tracks from his three solo albums and two new and previously unreleased tracks (For Him Who Will Never Return and Dunmail Rising). The album features performances from some of the best musicians Troy has worked with over the years many of which will be familiar to a great many people including Nick Beggs, Rosie Biss, Terl Bryant, Nollaig Casey, Julie Darling, Barbara Dickson, Neil Drinkwater, Andy Duncan, The Emperor String Quartet, Heather Findlay, Tim Harries, Joanne Hogg, Nick Holland, Peter Knight, Brad Lang, Chris Redgate, Duncan Rayson, Olivia Sparnenn, Frank Van Essen, York Cantores Choir.

Tracks: 1. Sights , 2. For Him Who Will Never Return , 3. Now, Voyager , 4. Fragment , 5. Orkahaugr , 6. Finlandia , 7. Dunmail Rising , 8. Pursuit of Illusion , 9. Tunnels , 10. The Procession.

Buy record here..

TROY DONOCKLEY REVIEW

http://www.progwereld.org/cms/recensies/album/troy-donockley-messages/

 

Flutist and Uillean Pipes-performer Troy Donockley is the prog audience best known for its previous employer Iona, but the best man has also played in Mostly Autumn, Magenta, Clannad, The Enid, Midge Ure and recently even in Nightwish. In addition, he uses his spare time for the delivery of truly great solo albums. Of these, three from now - all masterpieces - and "Messages" is one of a collector with two new tracks.

For those familiar with Donockley's solo career, "Messages" a bit redundant.

Not for nothing but the subtitle reads "a collection of music 1998 - 2011" and as "crash course" should "Messages" is certainly his goal. In addition, the record two new tracks, which mainly Dunmail Rising an impressive number. Although we Progwereld averse to commerce is a good time to point out that "Messages" dirt cheap on Donockley's site is offered for a price at which it sends.

Anyway, the choice Donockley for this introduction is made, is exemplary. Especially "The Madness Of Crowds" comes with two long tracks as well. Thus, the succession by Barbara Dickson and Joanna Hogg sung Now, Voyager is a temporary peak. Very beautiful is the poem of Walt Whitman that line by line, twenty people will be nominated. Donockley not only the right choices, the sequence is exemplary. For people who are unfamiliar with Donockley's work (and there are enough), will be "Messages" should feel like a new CD, as well arranges the material successively.

Donockley Troy is best known for playing the Uillean Pipes, Irish bagpipes. Very official may call you that no bagpipes, because that name is destined for the Scottish bagpipes, you played with the mouth. Donockley will therefore not easily get short of breath because the Uillean Pipes play with your hands, where air is being pumped up with your elbows. Now this is a very nice Irish bagpipe, but often predominant instrument. Therefore it is more interesting to observe that Donockley in his career, the instrument gives a prominent place, but it also knows well dosed.

In the piece Sibelius Finlandia , but also in the new From Him Who Will Never Return , he gives his main instrument, the Uillean Pipes, all space. On the other side of the spectrum there are songs like the eleven minute Orkahaugr , where the instrument but sporadically. It is this variety and this dose causes Donockley not only important as a specialist in music, but also as a composer.

The collector is more than 70 minutes at the end many beautiful things. So sings Donockley with Joanna Hogg's stunning Pursuit Of Illusion , of the eponymous album from 2003. You must be of stone if you have no lump in your throat. For nearly ten minutes after Tunnels before you choose to get the debut of "The Unseen Stream" from 1998, of which especially the end piece is impressive.

"Messages" as an introduction makes especially clear how much the music of Troy Donockley is undervalued and ignored. This is your chance to catch up. For the rest we naturally yearn for a real new studio CD. Let's hope that "Messages" as the prelude for it.

Markwin Meeuws

TROY DONOCKLEY: His album is magnificent

Corinna and I listened to Troy Donockley's album Messages last night, and golly its good. I have always liked the sounds of various Celtic pipes, and I once spent a week investigating a bigfoot-type apparition with Katherine Tickell's ex-bass player (but that, once again, is another story entirely).

Troy's album is a revelation. It is completely unlike any other pipe album I have ever heard because it is not, basically, a collection of traditional tunes rehashed. It is something else entirely. When most artists say something like:

“I have a massive range of influences — from PINK FLOYD to Mahler, Johnny Cash to VANGELIS, PLANXTY to YES, and Vaughn Williams to Neil Young,”

Then I for one usually suspect a degree of hyperbole. But then again I am a cynical old sod. But Troy, if anything is understating the case. He is a superb composer and particularly arranger, whose work spans quite a range of influences and styles. I give you fair and due warning that he is someone that I shall be returning to again and again in these pages. But in the meantime check this out:

TROY DONOCKLEY: Nightwish's Uilleann Pipes Virtuoso Troy Donockley Releases New Compilation CD 'Messages'

3/19/2012 - London, UK - Troy Donockley has built up a formidable reputation as both a composer/arranger and as a multi-instrumental musician/performer. He is a leading virtuoso of the Uilleann Pipes (and the Low Whistle) and has performed and is known all over the world. His music, which has been described as “A peculiar brand of epic classical-folk-progressive fusion”, can be heard in TV, media and movies (such as 'Robin Hood' and 'Ironclad') and through various commissions. Troy co-founded the BBC Award Nominated band The Bad Shepherds and as a producer/musician has recorded and toured with various artists such as Nightwish, Maddy Prior, Barbara Dickson, Maire Brennan (Clannad), Midge Ure, Iona, Roy Harper, Lesley Garrett, Status Quo, Del Amitri, Alan Stivell, Mostly Autumn and many, many more.

Troy's first album 'The Unseen Stream' released in 1998 was critically acclaimed globally for its unique fusion of traditional/classical forms. His second album 'The Pursuit of Illusion' (2003) continued to push the boundaries with a highly individual blend of the English classical and Irish folk traditions. And then, onto the latest album 'The Madness of Crowds'...featuring a large cast of brilliant musicians it goes even further than before in the quest to make the most emotional and uncommercially driven music possible. If any modern music can shake off the ravages of fashion and hark back to a time when music was created and listened to as Art rather than as commodity and accessory, then by definition this does precisely that...the essence of that 'lost world'. “I have a massive range of influences,” says Troy. “From Pink Floyd to Mahler, Johnny Cash to Vangelis, Planxty to YES, and Vaughn Williams to Neil Young”.

And now, particularly for the uninitiated, a compilation of Troy's work 'Messages – A Collection of Music From 1997-2011' is available from Gonzo MultiMedia, UK. “I have been asked many times to put together a good overview of my work and so here we are,” says Troy about 'Messages'. “All the tracks are from my previous three solo albums, but there are two new and unreleased pieces, both of which I am very proud.”

In other news, Troy just begun a year-long world tour with Nightwish, although has some 'Grand ideas' in the pipeline for his next solo project. Lastly, Troy has this to impart to his listeners: “I really hope you enjoy the two new pieces on 'Messages'. Do try and listen in a darkened room, with headphones – just like you did when you were a kid.”

For more information visit http://www.troydonockley.co.uk/

To purchase Troy Donockley – 'Messages' CD
http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15429/Troy_Donockley-Messsages.html

PS: For you Nightwish fans like my wife and younger step-daughter, here is the man himself playing alongside them: