I’ve always played a high D whistle made by Fred Rose having been lucky enough to play one of his very first batch from way back in the 90s. After 30 years of hard playing I was delighted to get my hands on one of his more recent creations, it’s a ‘proper pipers whistle’ and here’s a clip of it in action.
Find out more about Fred Rose whistles at https://www.fredrose.co.uk/
Due to the ongoing situation with Covid I will continue to deliver traditional music lessons online. 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 £18 for 30 minutes, £28 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”
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.
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
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.
“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
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
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!
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.
I had a fabulous day on Saturday 2nd November – IUPD2019 (International Uilleann Piping Day), leading a workshop/pipers therapy session with Des Hurley, put on by the Leeds Irish Arts Foundation.
Our venue was the superb ChapelFM in Seacroft – what an amazing space, and complete with a fully functioning and restored pipe organ! We couldn’t have asked for a better venue.
Many thanks to everyone who came along and contributed tunes, tips and techniques and stories about their piping, and great to see the Doonan pipers (Michael Doonan and Seanna Cait Doonan) out in force. It was followed by a traditional music session in the nearby Cricketers Arms which seemed to please the regulars there who didn’t bat an eyelid when we descended upon their Saturday afternoon.
Many thanks for the picture courtesy of Seanna Cait Doonan’s mum!
Informal workshop and recital with Becky
1pm -2.45pm. Chapel FM, Seacroft, York Road, LS14 6JB
Followed by an Irish Traditional Music Session (all instruments including pipes welcome!) 3pm -4.30pm session The Cricketers Arms, Seacroft Green, Leeds LS14 6JW