We often introduce videos through our blog, which we heartily recommend you follow, of course! but here we gather together selected videos in one place for easy reference.

The BODdrum DEMO

For a basic introduction to the BODdrum range, here is John Blackwell, founder and designer, showing and playing the different sizes and skins available, and demonstrating our range of beaters.

 

 

Catch the Pigeon Ceilidh Band

John Blackwell accompanies some of his colleagues from the Catch The Pigeon ceilidh band in a traditional hornpipe tune with a 14″ BODdrum fitted with a hydraulic head.

 

 

The Talking Bodhrán

Whilst working through the concept and design of our BODdrums, we showed professional percussionist Cormac Byrne some of the prototypes.  His enthusiasm was wonderful, and ultimately we created a custom version to his personal specifications, the Talking Bodhrán.  In this video, Cormac introduces the Talking Bodhrán during a master class at Craiceann Bodhrán Summer School, and talks about the design and use of the sound bar to create a world of music beyond the traditional bodhrán sound.

 

 

Cormac Byrne in Concert

To hear the Talking Bodhrán in performance is a real joy.  Cormac recently performed as part of an extraordinary fusion session bringing together Indian and western Jazz performers.

UTSAV is a brand new collaboration between Carnatic songstress Aruna Sairam and rising sarod artiste Soumik Datta. Together, they perform a suite of songs that connect north and south Indian classical music with Western Jazz. Both lead artists have considerable reputations in their own fields: Soumik Datta as a young sarod player and composer, accomplished in Hindustani classical music, but also experienced in fusion and film projects; and Aruna Sairam as a recognised doyen of South Indian song, always open to experimentation. Accompanying voice and sarod are a trio of instruments: piano played by Al Macsween, mridangam by Pirashanna Thevarajah and Irish bodhran drums by Cormac Byrne. Composed by Soumik Datta, this collection of festive songs weave together Carnatic, Jazz harmony, Hindustani ragas and Sanskrit chant.

During the performance at St. John’s Smith Square in London (which we were able to attend, just fantastic live!), Cormac used his Talking Bodhrán for several numbers, but in this particular video he is the sole percussion line, so you can hear clearly the extraordinary range of sound he is producing, and his use of the sound bar.

 

 

In this track, from the same concert, you can hear Cormac Byrne and the Talking Bodhrán in duet with Pirashanna Thevarajah on the Ghatam, an Indian instrument much like the Udu.

 

 

Evan Carson

Evan Carson is another fantastic bodhrán player who uses the Talking Bodhrán.  He has  collaborated with musicians from the UK, Iceland and Russia blending, folk, progressive and classical elements to create an album called Ocipinski, a musical exploration of the Polish Resistance movement in World War II.  Ocipinski is out now, and we love it.  This is the first track from the album – listen for the Talking Bodhrán.