Pipeline - Tom Hake and Dermot Hyde

Pipeline are an interesting duo. Comprised of Dermot Hyde and Tom Hake they are fast getting the attention of both music critics and thousands of new fans in many parts of the globe. Based in Germany they travel the world playing Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland, Galicia and Brittany. Between them they play a myriad of instruments with Dermot alone on Uileann Pipes, whistles, small pipes and vocals and Tom on bouzouki, guitar and harp. This range of instruments gives Pipeline it's very distinctive sound. The tunes and songs range from the typical emigration songs which have found their way into Canada , Australia and the USA as well as the real traditional tunes from Celtic homelands.

Both musicians come from a musical background. Dermot's family were musical and his mother hailed from Malin Head the most Northerly and windswept part of Ireland where even the sound of the sea seems to carry a tune. Dermot fell in love with the sound of the whistles and pipes and to this day writes tunes and songs for them. Some of his work has even been used by Michael Bogdonav of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

I have had this CD in and out of my CD player for a few weeks now, alternating between this and the Pierce Pettis CD I reviewed last week.

Tom and Dermot between them play most of the instruments on this CD and play them very well I might add. The album has a little bit of everything. There are original songs by Dermot, traditional tunes from Ireland, Scotland and even Galicia and some of the finest playing I have heard in many a year.

The opening song Thirteen Years manages showcase almost all their talents in one fell swoop. Written and sung by Dermot it tells the tale of a young man heading out into the world and his story of love and loss and all things in between. I like Dermot's voice; he has a lilt akin to a Scots Andy Irvine . The tunes too are bright and uplifting with fine interplay between the pipes and whistles as well as strong melodic rhythm coming from Tom's bouzouki.

Tom also plays the harp, one of my favorite instruments when played well. In this case Tom carries the task off beautifully with fine tunes like Maria Solina, an old Galician tune which certainly highlights the very strong musical links with the Galician Celts and our own Irish and Scottish cultures.

Every tune and song on this CD has something special in it. All arrangements are by Tom and Brendan and subtlety produced by Antonio Martinez. There are some inspired performances here too from guest musicians Paddy Kerr on Bodhran, Uxia Senlle on vocals and Toby Backhaus on percussion.

The album belongs though to the two lads and their love of great Celtic music. They have a nice touch and a great feel for the traditions. My favorite track right now is the closing set which starts with a lovely song, again from Galicia and moves into some up-tempo tunes and it all brings back some great memories of long nights in Vigo many years ago. Tom and Dermot are not your run of the mill traditional duo. They have something more to offer and I think people who see them live will come away with some new music in their hearts. For more info on the band check out

http://www.pipeline-music.com