Davy Spillane

Biography

Davy Spillane (born 1959 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish musician, songwriter and a player of uilleann pipes and low whistle.

Irish music

At the age of 12, Spillane started playing the uilleann pipes. His father encouraged him and inspired him with his love of all music genres. For the next three years he played at sessions and met many prominent Irish musicians. At the age of 16, he played in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe. In 1978, he began to write his own music. He starred as a gypsy in Joe Comerford's 1981 film Traveller.

Moving Hearts and solo albums

He is a founding member of Moving Hearts, along with Christy Moore and Donal Lunny in 1981. Although each member had a strong pedigree of Irish folk music, the band played mostly original compositions, sometimes with a political edge and a folk-rock sound. Their final album The Storm (1985) was purely instrumental and had several slower pieces written by Spillane. He then made the surprise move of joining up with American musician Béla Fleck, the Englishman Albert Lee, Jerry Douglas, and others to record a Davy Spillane debut album of his new compositions and bluegrass and original blues, Atlantic Bridge×Atlantic Bridge1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Davy’s Reels3:35A2Atlantic Bridge5:18A3Daire’s Dream3:32A4Tribute to Johnny Doran3:02A5O’Neill’s Statement5:30B1By the River of Gems7:38B2Sliverish2:54B3The Pigeon on the Gate2:34B4In My Life2:41B5Lansdowne Blues5:46. There was a promotional touring band which also recorded Out of the Air in 1988, essentially a live version of Atlantic Bridge. Spillane then gathered together a new set of musicians, including Rory Gallagher and Kevin Glackin to record Shadow Hunter, an album of various rock and folk styles. This was followed by Pipedreams in 1991.

Collaborations

Spillane played as special guest soloist in orchestral work in 1992 called "The Seville Suite", describing events in 1601 in Irish-Spanish history. Bill Whelan then worked for Spillane and Andy Irvine on the album, EastWind×EastWind1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Chetvorno Horo3:492The Bear's Rock3:333Dance of Suleiman5:324Illyrian Dawn3:285Pride of Macedonia3:196Antice5:447Two Steps to the Bar4:098Kadana5:429Hard on the Heels5:54. In 1993, Spillane collaborated with Canadian musicians such as Bryan Adams, and Daniel Weaver on his album Weeds plus Celine Dion's My Heart Will go On. In 1994, Spillane was a special guest soloist in Riverdance. Spillane also collaborated with Rory Gallagher on the tracks "The Road to Ballyalla", "Litton Lane" and "One For Phil" as well as with Enya on her 1988 Watermark tracks "Exile" and "Na Laetha Geal M'Óige".

Film music

In 1992, Spillane composed music for Peter Kosminsky's film Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights and, in 1995, reached a larger audience with the film Rob Roy. Other compositions and guesting includes Kate Bush's Sensual World (1989), Mike Oldfield's Voyager (1996), Bryan Adams' MTV Unplugged, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello. Other films include Eat the Peach and The Disappearance of Finbar. Paul Winter's album Journey with the Sun (2002). Spillane earned a Grammy Award and also nominated for second one.
Spillane served his apprenticeship with pipe-makers Dan Dowd and Johnny Burke and now makes all his own instruments. In 2000, he recorded his only album of traditional tunes with Kevin Glackin, entitled Forgotten Days×Forgotten Days2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The Pigeon on the Gate / Within a Mile of Dublin (reels)2:502Fermoy Lassies / Steam Packet (reels)2:423Lark in the Morning / Pipe in the Hob (jigs)3:194Farewell to Connaught / Cornie Is Coming / The Abbey Reel (reels)4:005Lucy Campbell / Trim the Velvet / Jenny's Wedding (reels)4:296Cúl Fada Reel / Ravelled Hank of Yarn (reels)2:507The Trip Over the Mountain3:458The Golden Eagle / The Rights of Man (hornpipes)2:389The Lord Gordon's Reel2:4610Cailleach an Airgead / Ceannabhán Bán (slip jigs)2:0511The Green Fields of America / The Geese in the Bog (jigs)3:0312Táim in Arrears / Hardiman the Fiddler (slip jigs)2:1513Port na bPucaí (air)3:42.

Moving Hearts

Moving Hearts (1981)
Dark End of the Street (1982)
The Storm (1985)
Live Hearts (1986) (recorded 1983)
Live in Dublin (2008)

Solo albums

Atlantic Bridge (1987)
Out of the Air (1988)
Shadow Hunter (1990)
Pipedreams (1991)
A Place Among The Stones (1994)
The Sea of Dreams (1998)
Deep Blue Sea (2004)
Between Longing & Belonging (2016)

Collaborations

EastWind (1992) – with Andy Irvine
Calman The Dove (1998) – with Savourna Stevenson
Forgotten Days (2001) – with Kevin Glackin

Contributions

The Piper's Rock - A Compilation of Young Pipers, Various Artists (?) - Uilleann pipes
The Heritage Tapes: Songs and Stories from Old Tiger Bay, Various Artists (?)
Irish Festival, Various Artists (1980) - Uilleann pipes on The Old Bush/Rakish Paddy
My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record, Tim Hart (1981) - Uilleann pipes
The Drunken Sailor and other Kids Favorites, Tim Hart (1983) - Uilleann pipes
Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, Van Morrison (1983) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Getting to the Border, Alistair Russell (1984) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Now and Then, The Sands Family (1986) - Low Whistle on When the Music Starts to Play
Classic Irish Ballads, Diarmuid O'Leary & The Bards (1986) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Dancing with Strangers, Chris Rea (1987) - Uilleann pipes, Low Whistle & Guitar
Under the Influence, Mary Coughlan (1987) - Uilleann pipes
Goreuon, Best of (Featuring Donal Lunny/Davy Spillane), Jim O'Rourke, Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Watermark, Enya (1988) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
North and South, Gerry Rafferty (1988) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Dublin Millenium Song (Single), Various Artists (1988) - Uilleann pipes
We've Come A Long Way, Liam Clancy/Tommy Makem (1989) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
The Sensual World, Kate Bush (1989) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
All I Remember, Mick Hanly (1989) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Ogam, Ogam (1989) - Fearless composed by Davy Spillane
Winds of Change, Oisin - Geraldine MacGowan & Anne Conroy (1989) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Spike, Elvis Costello (1989) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Elio samaga hukapan kariyana turu, Elio E Le Storie Tese (1989) - Uilleann pipes
Brand New Dance, Emmylou Harris (1990) - Uilleann pipes
This Rhythm, T. T. Oksala (1990) - Uilleann pipes
Hopes and Bodies, The Senators (1990) - Uilleann pipes
The Sweet Keeper, Tanita Tikaram (1990) - Low Whistle on It All Came Back Today
Sojourner's Song, Buddy Greene (1990) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors, Fish (1990) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle on Vigil
Put 'Em Under Pressure (single), Republic of Ireland Football Squad (1990)
Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin (1991) - Uilleann pipes on Kate Bush, Rocket Man
Mighty Like a Rose, Elvis Costello (1991) - Uilleann pipes
Mission Street, Kieran Halpin (1991) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Rude Awakening, Andy Irvine (1991)
Smoke and Strong Whiskey, Christy Moore (1991) - Low Whistle
The Ways of the World, Mary Custy & Eoin O'Neill (1991) - Uilleann pipes
Lam Toro, Baaba Maal (1992) - Uilleann pipes
High on the Happy Side, Wet Wet Wet (1992) - Low Whistle on Put The Light On
Soul Inspiration, Simon Climie (1992) - Low Whistle
Rita Connolly, Rita Connolly (1992) - Low Whistle
Something Special In The Air (Single) for Impact 92, Derry City Council (1992) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Sentimental Killer, Mary Coughlan (1992) - Uilleann pipes
Endless Emotion, Johnny Logan (1992) - Uilleann pipes
Harmony, Londonbeat (1992) - Low Whistle on Harmony and The Sea of Tranquility
Bajo El Signo de Cain, Miguel Bose (1993) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Again, Alan Stivell (1993) - Uilleann pipes
Before & After, Tim Finn (1993) - Uilleann pipes on Many's The Time
Solid Ground, Dolores Keane (1993) - Uilleann pipes
Espresso Logic, Chris Rea (1993) - Uilleann pipes
Far from Home, Traffic (1994) - Uilleann pipes on Holy Ground
Traditional Music In Support Of Doolin Coast And Cliff Rescue Service, Various Artists (1994) - Uilleann pipes
33 Revolutions Per Minute, Marxman (1994) - Whistles
Daniel Weaver, Daniel Weaver (1994) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Cumplicidodes, Luis Represas (1994) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
The Sound of Stone - Artists for Mullaghmore, Various Artists (1994) - Low Whistle
Celtic Themes, Various Artists (1994) - Uilleann pipes
A River Of Sound: The Changing Course Of Irish Music, BBC/RTE programme (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Seville Suite, Bill Whelan (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Folk Music Ensemble, Dan Foyle (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Cry of a Dreamer, Sean Tyrell (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Little Bruises, Gary Kemp (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Misty Eyed Adventures, Moya Brennan (1995) - Low Whistle see above
Transatlantic Sessions - Series 1, Various Artists (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Arabesque, Mike Batt (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Riverdance: Music from the Show, Bill Whelan (1995) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Songs From A Secret Garden, Secret Garden (1996) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Volume 1: Sound Magic, Afro Celt Sound System (1996) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Voyager, Mike Oldfield (1996) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Hammer, Zoe (1996) -Uilleann pipes on The Lion Roars
Ao Vivo No CCB, Luis Represas (1996) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Common Ground, Various Artists (1996) - Low Whistle on Whistling Low/Errigal, Mary of the South Seas & On Raglan Road
White Stones, Secret Garden (1997) - Uilleann pipes
Kilim, Nikola Parov (1997) - Uilleann pipes
What Did He Say?, Victor Wooten (1997) - Uilleann pipes
Illumination, Richard Souther, Hildegard von Bingen (1997) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Gospel Oak, Sinead O'Connor (1997) - Low & High Whistle
Amara, Island Currents, Joe Boske (1997) - Low Whistle on The Delphi Air
Laberinto Volume 2, Miguel Bose (1997) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Ar Galon Digorr (single), Annie Ebrel (1997) on Fest Vraz Musique Bretonnes - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Unplugged, Bryan Adams (1997) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Sun and the Moon and the Stars, Spirit of Eden (1998) - Uilleann pipes
The Peace Within, BMC Band (1998) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Wandering Home, David Lynch (1998) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Piece of Cake, Lubos Malina (1999) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Celtic Solstice, Paul Winter (1999) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
New Freedom Bell, Druka Trava (1999) - Low Whistle
The Orchard, Sean Tyrell (1999) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle (Album recorded at Burrenstone Studios)
Streams, Various Artists (1999) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Live at Slane Castle (DVD), Bryan Adams (2000) - Low Whistle
Journey with the Sun, Paul Winter (2000) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Irvi, Denez Prigent (2000) - Uilleann pipes
Behind the Mist: Music from Conamaras' Bog and Sea Weeks (2000) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Dreamcatcher, Secret Garden (2001) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Adiemus Vol 4, Karl Jenkins (2001) - Uilleann pipes on The Eternal Knot
Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone, Cherish the Ladies (2001) - Uilleann pipes
The Best Of Mary Black 1991-2001, Mary Black (2001) - Uilleann pipes
Unearthed, Posthumus (2001) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
12 Vox - The Way To be Ourselves, Taro Iwashiro (2001) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Ceol Tacsi, Various Artists (2003) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle on Muladach Is Mi Air M'aineol with Karen Matheson
Spiorad, The Lismorahaun Singers (2003) - Uilleann pipes
The River Returning, Johnny Duhan (2003) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Sexual Healing (single B-side), Kate Bush (2005) - Uilleann pipes
Grief Never Grows Old - (single), One World Project (2005) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Silver Solstice, Paul Winter Consort & Friends (2005) - Uilleann pipes
Human Child/Mannabarn - Eivor (2007) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
To The Moon, Capercaillie (2008) Tracks from Rob Roy - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Art of Chill 5, Bent (2008) - Uilleann pipes on Pipegroove
Distant Shore, Orla Fallon (2009) - Low Whistle
This Is What I Live For, Richard Anthony Jay (2009) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle on Gone But Not Forgotten
A Different Hat, Paul Carrack (2010) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Dream of You, Sharon Corr (2010) - Low Whistle on Cooley's Reel
Director's Cut, Kate Bush (2011) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle on Flower of the Mountain
Lament, Various Artists (2012) - Low Whistle on Lament For the Dead of the North
The Peacemakers, Karl Jenkins (2012) - Uilleann pipes
Transparent Music 2, B. J. Cole (2012) - Low Whistle
Papitwo, Miguel Bose (2012) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Goodbye (single), Mary Jane Riemann (2013) - Uilleann pipes
Man on the Rocks, Mike Oldfield (2014) - Low Whistle on Moonshine
Whisky Lullabies/Suantraí Meisciúil - (single), Janet Devlin (2015) - Low Whistle on Suantraí Meisciúil
Drowning (single), Simone Kaye (date unknown) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Creation, Johnny Duhan (2016) - Low Whistle on The Three Temptations.
Source, Afro Celt Sound System (2016) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
The Ashgrove Sessions, Ashgrove (2016) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Confessional, Janet Devlin (2020) - Low Whistle
A Long Time Coming, Bocle Brothers (2024) - Uilleann pipes

Soundtracks

Lamb (1985)
Eat the Peach (1986)
Reefer and the Model (1988)
The Ballad of the Sad Café (1991) – Low Whistle
Wuthering Heights (1992)
Rob Roy (1995) – Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Michael Collins (1996) – Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
The Disappearance of Finbar (1996)
Xenogears (with Yasunori Mitsuda) (1998) – Low Whistle
Creid (with Yasunori Mitsuda) (1998) – Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) – Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Excalibur, La légende des Celtes, Various Artists (1999)
Aoi ~ Tokugawa Sandai, Taro Iwashiro (2000) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Xenosaga (2002) – Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Gangs of New York (2002) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle
Graal, Catherine Lara (2005) - Uilleann pipes & Low Whistle