Davy Spillane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Davy Spillane
Davy Spillane at Festival Yaouank in 2016
Background information
Born	1959 (age 65–66) Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Celtic Folk Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Uilleann pipes, low whistle
Years active	1970 – present
Labels	Burrenstone music
Associated acts	Moving Hearts, Andy Irvine

Davy Spillane, born in Dublin, Ireland in 1959, is a famous Irish musician and composer. He is especially known for playing the uilleann pipes and the low whistle, which are traditional Irish instruments. Davy has shared his amazing music with the world through his own albums, by playing with many other artists, and by creating music for movies.

Biography

Early Musical Journey

Davy started playing the uilleann pipes when he was just 12 years old. His dad loved all kinds of music and encouraged him a lot. For the next three years, Davy spent his time playing music with many talented Irish musicians. By the time he was 16, he was already performing in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe. In 1978, he began writing his own songs. He even appeared as a gypsy in a movie called Traveller in 1981.

Moving Hearts and Solo Work

In 1981, Davy helped start a band called Moving Hearts with Christy Moore and Donal Lunny. Even though the band members were experts in Irish folk music, Moving Hearts mostly played their own songs. Their music often had a political message and a cool folk-rock sound. Their last album, The Storm (1985), was all instrumental, meaning it had no singing, and included several slower songs written by Davy.

After Moving Hearts, Davy surprised everyone by teaming up with American musician Béla Fleck and English guitarist Albert Lee. Together, they recorded Davy's first solo album, Atlantic Bridge. This album featured his new songs, along with bluegrass and blues music. They even toured and recorded a live album called Out of the Air in 1988. Davy then formed a new group of musicians, including Rory Gallagher, to record Shadow Hunter, which mixed rock and folk styles. This was followed by his album Pipedreams in 1991.

Exciting Collaborations

Davy Spillane has worked with many famous artists and projects. In 1992, he was a special guest musician in an orchestral show called "The Seville Suite." Later, he worked with Bill Whelan and Andy Irvine on the album EastWind.

In 1993, Davy collaborated with Canadian musicians like Bryan Adams and even played on Celine Dion's famous song "My Heart Will Go On." In 1994, he was a special guest in the popular dance show Riverdance. Davy also played with legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher on several songs and with Enya on her 1988 album Watermark.

Music for Movies

Davy has composed music for several films. In 1992, he wrote music for Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. In 1995, even more people heard his music when he worked on the film Rob Roy. He also contributed to films like Eat the Peach and The Disappearance of Finbar. Davy has played on albums for other well-known musicians such as Mike Oldfield, Bryan Adams, Van Morrison, and Elvis Costello.

Davy Spillane has won a Grammy Award and was nominated for another one, showing how much his music is appreciated. He learned how to make his own instruments from expert pipe-makers and now builds all his own uilleann pipes. In 2000, he recorded an album of traditional tunes called Forgotten Days with Kevin Glackin.

Discography

Moving Hearts Albums

• Moving Hearts (1981)
• Dark End of the Street (1982)
• The Storm (1985)
• Live Hearts (1986)
• 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)

Collaboration Albums

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

Selected Film Soundtracks

Davy Spillane has contributed to the music of many films, often playing his uilleann pipes and low whistle. Some of these include:

• Lamb (1985)
• Eat the Peach (1986)
• Wuthering Heights (1992)
• Rob Roy (1995)
• Michael Collins (1996)
• Xenogears (1998)
• Gangs of New York (2002)