 We'll have a tribute to the great Bernard Overton later in this issue.I. Our Long Nightmare OverOk, it's been more than a year-and-a-half since there's been an actual issue of 6Hole Theory, the Pulitzer-ignored online newsletter of Chiff & Fipple, the world's best resource regarding tinwhistles and related matters. Many of you have written to express your concerns about my long absence and that's been heartwarming. I wish I could tell you where I've been, but I'm limited by government lawyers (and government podiatrists, as it turns out) and by certain, shall we say, "visitors from another place" in what I can say about my adventures in the last year-and-a-half, but let me just indicate to you that the idea that these experiences are due to "sleep paralysis" or the "vivid imaginations" of people who have been abdu///////////////////[][][][][][][][////BRK//////////][][][][INTERCPTCODE/"spitvalve"/=////BRK////////COMMENCERESET-subroutine/"AUTH:COMMNDR.VIAGRA"//////////][][][][///BRK/reset/////////////// I. Our Long Nightmare OverOk, it's been more than a year-and-a-half since there's been an actual issue of 6Hole Theory, the Pulitzer-ignored online newsletter of Chiff & Fipple, the world's best resource regarding tinwhistles and related matters. Many of you have written to express your concerns about my long absence and that's been heartwarming. I wish I could tell you where I've been, but, let's just say I've been busy. Spring 2007, for example, all three of the Undisputed Daughters graduated from something or other (high school, college, and graduate school). And I just finished the second year of an enjoyable but new job. And, uh, so on. There's been some other stuff. I don't actually remember big sections of it, but I do remember large-headed beings with long electronic needl//////////////////[][][][][][][][////BRK//////////][][][][INTERCPTCODE/"spitvalve"/=////BRK////////COMMENCERESET-subroutine/"CIALIS"//////////][][][][///BRK/reset/////////////// I. Our Long Nightmare OverOk, it's been more than a year-and-a-half since there's been an actual issue of 6Hole Theory, the Pulitzer-ignored online newsletter of Chiff & Fipple, the world's best resource regarding tinwhistles and related matters. Many of you have written to express your concerns about my long absence and that's been heartwarming. I wish I could tell you where I've been, but, let's just say I've been busy. Spring 2007, for example, all three of the Undisputed Daughters graduated from something or other (high school, college, and graduate school). And I just finished the second year of an enjoyable but new job. Anyway, sorry for the long hiatus and I hope this finds you and your doing well. Moving on now. II Humphrey Whistle CommentHi Dale, I've just signed up to Chiff and Fipple, having been a long time voyeur of your excellent website. I'm a sculptor who got hooked on flutes about eight years ago, but have added whistles to my sins in the last couple of years. During my research into finding a 'good' whistle, I saw many reviews of whistle makers, Michael Burke, Sweetheart, etc. I think I read a mention of Humphrey whistles here and there, but only in comparison to the whistles being reviewed. Recently, I took a chance, and bought a Humphrey whistle, a session D, and I have to say, it's truly amazing. Flawless craftsmanship, and voice as clean as Edita Grubarova. Is it only me that's so impressed with his whistles? May I please request that someone review this whistle maker, and spread the word. Of course, if there was a review, and I missed it, I apologize. Thank you Dale for your wonderful and entertaining contribution to music. With much appreciation, Malcolm Does anybody worry that the word "voyeur" in this letter will get us banned from schools, churches, and convents? Anyway, I'd like to hear more comments on these whistles myself. CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS! III. PostcardOur friend Peter Laban writes: Indeed it is.  Detail:  Wait a minute...c. 1900....I think, that's, that's.....GRANDPA!! Nice one, Peter. Thanks. A podcast of my story "KFC and the Souls of the Faithful Departed" is now online in audio form on the 8pod podcast. It's read by Jenn Book Haselswerdt. You can check it out at http://www.susurruspress.com/8pod.htm and for those who want to keep up with my literary pursuits, such as they are: http://www.dalewisely.com/lit.html Dale IV. ORKON: THIS KILLER WAILS!Walt Sweet sent this over. It's an instrument that was around awhile called the Orkon. (I think that's the stuff they spray on my yard for crabgrass.) Anyway, it's pretty, uh, sweet, but not a Sweet product.  Read more about it on this interesting page.And how 'bout this smoking hot Orkon FluteBabe (TM)?  She's hotter, frankly, than the current crop of C&F Interns.  I mean, look at this crowd of slackers. (I wonder what they're growing in that greenhouse I provided them.) And then there's their "can you please pay us minimum wage" attitude. These kids act like they have trouble making ends meet. I think, frankly, it's a mental thing. We've become a nation of whiners! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  AND NOW A MESSAGE FROM JOHN MCCAIN "The so-called 'Undisputed King of Internet Tinwhistle Journalism' doesn't speak for me. I speak for me. And I don't think that interns who are paid $3.75 an hour and are forced to go on pizza runs for the 'Undisputed' are suffering from a 'mental thing.' ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. BERNARD OVERTONBernard Overton 1930 - 2008  From Phil Brown: Bernard Overton was born in Northamptonshire in 1930 and developed his engineering skills during his early training in aeronautical engineering and in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Later his employment in the then hotbed of the English motor manufacturing industry (including Massey Ferguson & Jaguar) further honed his skills as a design engineer. During the late 60’s and early 70’s many skilled engineers in the UK lost their jobs through the demise of manufacturing industry. Drawing strength from this setback, Bernard employed the precious skills he had gained to produce what was to be a revered and classic instrument. The word ‘legendary’ is used too often these days without due regard to its actual meaning. Bernard was unquestionably a legend and the legacy of his classic instrument, which included the pioneering block (mouthpiece) design, made the ‘Overton’ the ultimate whistle with a truly unique sound and unassailable playing features. Bernard designed his trademark instrument almost by chance during the heady days of the folk revival. Eddie & Finbar Furey were one of the biggest draws in the U.K. folk scene, and a highlight of their remarkable act was Finbar’s composition 'The Lonesome Boatman', originally played by Finbar on an Indian Bamboo Ab flute. Eventually after years of wear and tear, Finbar became worried at the rapid demise of this ethic alto instrument, which was roughly forty-one centimetres in length. The only substance to the flute at the end of its busy days was the tape and chewing gum that held it together. Legend has it that its final demise occurred one night when someone sat on it at a party. Request and necessity gave Bernard the opportunity to make a prototype whistle in 'G'. Finbar was so impressed by this that he asked Bernard to make him another in 'D'. At around sixty centimetres in length this was much bigger than anyone might anticipate a whistle to be. Birth had been given to the Overton dynasty and more specifically the low whistle as we know it today. Such was Finbar's popularity that when he featured the low whistle he was always asked where he had obtained this unusual instrument and orders began to flow in for Bernard's special design. Within a short space of time he was working full time to cope with the demand for his whistles. From two initial designs the Overton broadened in its range across the decades to the manufacture of over twenty different types. These included Sopranos, Mezzo Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Baritones and Bass Baritones. Probably the most popular model was the Tenor 'D' (Low D). Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and as the years have passed some have tried to copy the Overton, causing Bernard anxiety in the process. The brand nevertheless continued to develop and the Overton sustained desirability. Little was Bernard to know what he was starting all those years ago. During his early years of design and construction, he witnessed an initial surge of interest in the instrument thanks to Finbar Furey. Momentum continued steadily through the decades, culminating in an explosion of ‘whistlemania’ towards the late 1990’s, when the instrument passed from the folk scene into wider popular culture, with the tremendous success of both Riverdance and music from hit movies such as Ned Devine which featured the haunting sounds of the low whistle so prominently. The Overton became almost fundamental to the sound of musical phenomena of this type. There are many Overton aficionados, who will now be mourning Bernard’s passing. Inevitably a short list cannot be exhaustive, but certainly Cormac Breatnach, Troy Donockley, Brian Finnegan, Finbar Furey, James McNally, Davy Spillane and John McSherry should be mentioned. Alongside these virtuosos, Bernard leaves behind many legions of whistle devotees across Britain, Ireland and far beyond. Their playing is the truest testament to a legacy which will endure for a great many years to come. There is an honesty and sincerity that runs through the full length of an Overton whistle – as wholesome as that of the great man himself. His personal skills were most endearing: he was loyal, dependable, and honest, with an attractively dry sense of humour. Despite his achievements and his legacy, Bernard remained, to those who had the good fortune to know him, a most modest, unaffected and practical man, and a true and sincere friend. It is gratifying to know that the Overton brand will continue to live on in the playing of whistle devotees everywhere, and will prosper and develop in the capable and talented hands of Colin Goldie, Bernard’s design partner and colleague. Our thoughts are with Margaret, Bernard’s wife and David & Dawn, Bernard’s son and daughter. Phil Brown. Big Whistle Music (www.bigwhistle.co.uk) VI. MRS. UNDISPUTED AND IMrs. Undisputed and The Undisputed, married 29 years July 14, 2008. This means you guys have only one year to plan the big 30th Anniversary Gala!
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6Hole Theory July 2008
Subpages (1):
rafflehold
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