The Nial Judge Legacy Loan Scheme.

On the 18th March 2021 the world lost my dear old friend and musical supporter of many years, Nial Judge. Amongst many other things, he left a small collection of musical instruments and as part of a group of his close friends and family I am delighted to announce the launch of the NIAL JUDGE LEGACY LOAN SCHEME in his memory.

We have a range of instruments to go out on loan to anyone in need or who would like to learn…It’s just the sort of thing he would have loved. More details on the scheme and instruments available on the scheme page https://beckytaylor.info/yorkshirepiper/the-nial-judge-legacy-loan-scheme/

Traditional Music Lessons

Due to the ongoing situation with Covid I will continue to deliver traditional music lessons online, but I am pleased to announce that face-to-face lessons will resume with caution from Monday 12th April in line with government guidelines.

I continue to offer personalised lessons in: Uilleann Pipes, Northumbrian Smallpipes, Whistle, Fiddle, Mandolin and other instruments. Absolute beginners welcome!

Teaching rates from £20 for 30 minutes, £30 for an hour with payment by BACS transfer or Paypal, cash or cheque.

“when life is good – play tunes, when life is not so good – play more tunes”

International Uilleann Piping Day 2020

It’s International Uilleann Piping Day 2020, an unusual one this year because of the global pandemic restrictions. As many events are happening online, I thought i’d share a video I did earlier this year for Na Píobairí Uilleann’s ‘piping from the parlour’ series.

https://www.facebook.com/napiobairiuilleann/videos/piping-from-the-parlour-becky-taylor/606484656733715/

Atlas Bridge live festival events cancelled or postponed.

I was super excited to be playing with Atlas Bridge at a couple of upcoming festivals, but unsurprisingly due to the current situation with Covid-19 all live events have been cancelled or postponed for the foreseeable future. More updates as I get them.

The award-wining Hebden Folk Roots Festival in May 2020. This year they have their most exciting line up yet! From celtic rock to trad tunes, and everything in between. I will be there with Atlas Bridge on Saturday the 9th at the fantastic Trades Club venue.

And I am delighted to announce that Atlas Bridge will be opening the afternoon on Sunday the 14th June, 1pm, at the inaugural Tradfarm Traditional Music Festival.

We are honoured to be playing alongside an absolutely world class line-up, in the stunning setting of bodafon farm park. A fabulous rustic venue serving excellent food from a full menu including wood-fired pizzas and the circular-saw barbecue, real ales, fine wines, interesting gins – all a stones-throw from the sea, over-looking Llandudno Bay and The Great Orme, with camping available on-site! Be sure to book your tickets early – quick link here

‘Tune Chaser’ EP Review from Bright Young Folk

Many thanks to Bright Young Folk for publishing this review of the ‘TuneChaser‘ EP. They are busy “Keeping a beady eye on the traditional folk music scene of the British Isles”. Check out their website for a host of reviews, interviews and other interesting stuff.

NEW! Tune Chaser EP Free Audio Sampler

Available to BUY NOW direct at our secure Online Shop

Digital downloads (single tracks and full EP) available at Bandcamp https://beckytaylor.bandcamp.com/album/tune-chaser

“a new EP absolutely drenched with brilliant music”
Mike Harding – The Mike Harding Folk Show #278

an evocative and uplifting listening experience
a kaleidoscopic mix of both traditional tunes from the British Isles and original compositions
Bright Young Folk Feb 2020

1. Bright Slide Set (4.23)
Johnny O’Learys (Trad. Arr Taylor)   
Bright Slide (Taylor)
Baile an tSamhraidh (Trad. Arr Taylor)

Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes and Fiddle
Steve Lacey – Guitar

2. Tunechasing (5:10)  
Tunechasing (Taylor) – Reel/Jig
Sliabh Russell (Trad. Arr Taylor)

Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes, Anglo and Duet Concertina, Low and High Whistle
Steve Lacey – Guitar
Steve Smith – ‘Tabor’ American Reed Organ

3. Roadfrog – Orkney mix (2:46)  
Roadfrog (Taylor Arr Shearer)
The Lass of Dundee (Trad. Arr Taylor/Shearer)

Becky Taylor – Northumbrian Smallpipes
Stewart Shearer – Banjo, Mandolin, Guitars, Piano, 

Leigh Stothard – Drums
Hugh Bradley – Fretless Bass

4. The Hairy Slip Jigs  (4:18)
Comb your hair and curl it (Trad. Arr Taylor)
Comb your hair and curl it again (Taylor)
The long and the short of it (Taylor)

Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes, Anglo and Duet Concertina, Low and High Whistle
Steve Lacey – Guitar
Hugh Bradley – Fretless Bass

5. Heed the Call (Taylor) (3:57)
Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes in B 

Recording, mixing and co-production by Steve Smith @ Smithsound Sowerby
Stewart Shearer – co-production and part recording on Roadfrog
Mastered by Sam Proctor Music Production
Cover photo by Keelan T Scott

New Year, New EP!

At long last, after several attempts at recording a follow-up to ‘Ireland Bridge‘ over the last few years (which have mostly ended in disaster – story to follow!), I am delighted to say that the new 5 track EP ‘Tune Chaser‘ will be out on the 1st February 2020!

“a new EP absolutely drenched with brilliant music”
Mike Harding – The Mike Harding Folk Show #278

an evocative and uplifting listening experience
a kaleidoscopic mix of both traditional tunes from the British Isles and original compositions
Bright Young Folk Feb 2020

A mix of five varied traditional and original tracks featuring Uilleann Pipes (Flat set in B and concert set in D), Anglo & Duet Concertinas, Northumbrian Smallpipes, Fiddle and Whistles accompanied by Steve Lacey (Guitar), Hugh Bradley (Fretless Bass), Stewart Shearer (Banjo, Mandolin, Electric Guitars & Piano), Leigh Stothard (Drums). Recorded, mixed and co-produced byl Steve Smith of Kimbers Men fame up at Smithsound Sowerby, who also contributed some American Reed Organ to the mix, and mastered by Sam Proctor Music Production. Cover Photography by Keelan T Scott.

AVAILABLE FROM BANDCAMP and CD direct from our online shop (Paypal) here

Tune Chaser EP

1. Bright Slide Set (4.23)
Johnny O’Learys (Trad. Arr Taylor)   
Bright Slide (Taylor)
Baile an tSamhraidh (Trad. Arr Taylor)

Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes and Fiddle
Steve Lacey – Guitar

2. Tunechasing (5:10)  
Tunechasing (Taylor) – Reel/Jig
Sliabh Russell (Trad. Arr Taylor)

Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes, Anglo and Duet Concertina, Low and High Whistle
Steve Lacey – Guitar
Steve Smith – ‘Tabor’ American Reed Organ

3. Roadfrog – Orkney mix (2:46)  
Roadfrog (Taylor Arr Shearer)
The Lass of Dundee (Trad. Arr Taylor/Shearer)

Becky Taylor – Northumbrian Smallpipes
Stewart Shearer – Banjo, Mandolin, Guitars, Piano, 

Leigh Stothard – Drums
Hugh Bradley – Fretless Bass

4. The Hairy Slip Jigs  (4:18)
Comb your hair and curl it (Trad. Arr Taylor)
Comb your hair and curl it again (Taylor)
The long and the short of it (Taylor)

Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes, Anglo and Duet Concertina, Low and High Whistle
Steve Lacey – Guitar
Hugh Bradley – Fretless Bass

5. Heed the Call (Taylor) (3:57)
Becky Taylor – Uilleann Pipes in B 

Recording, mixing and co-production by Steve Smith @ Smithsound Sowerby
Stewart Shearer – co-production and part recording on Roadfrog
Mastered by Sam Proctor Music Production
Cover photo by Keelan T Scott

A few action shots of Steve, Steve (it gets confusing!) and Hugh while they put down their tracks…
Our executive producer Callydog is also snapped in her favourite pose, catching a few zzz’s after a busy day Tune Chasing!

TownFolk in Hebden Bridge!

Delighted to be playing out again in Hebden Bridge this coming Sunday 8th December, where I shall be playing a few tunes with ace DADGAD guitarist, singer and fellow Atlas Bridge bandmate Steve Lacey at the White Swan.. We shall have an array of pipes, whistles and songs to entertain you with. Kicks off at 8.30 with floor spots, so get down early if you would like to play or sing! More info at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/folkrootsattheswan/

To give you an idea, here’s a little clip of us playing an old favourite up at Wadsworth earlier this year.