Davy Spillane

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 was a founder 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 musicians Béla Fleck, Albert Lee and others to record a "Davy Spillane" debut album of his new compositions and bluegrass and original blues, Atlantic Bridge. 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 music album EastWind. In 1993, Spillane collaborated with Canadian Artists such as Bryan Adams (MTV Unplugged), Daniel Weaver on his album Weeds as well and 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 was awarded a Grammy 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.

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)

Forgotten Days (2001)

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 (?)

Celtic Themes, Various Artists (?) - Uilleann Pipes

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

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

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

Expresso 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

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

An Inexperienced Man, 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

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)

Titanic (1997) – Uilleann Pipes & Low Whistle

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