A tricky little new tune with ups and downs that reminded me of the road up to Sam’s (Sam Lawrence, musician and pipemaker extraordinaire) which is pretty scary in places! I play it on whistle, sometimes an Eb one.
Here’s a wee peek at what you can expect at an Atlas Bridge gig…
Exciting acoustic 3-piece band Atlas Bridge
Expect engaging, high energy, lively tune sets interspersed with thought-provoking songs. With a multitude of different instruments between them and a fresh approach to more familiar material as well as vocal variety, there is plenty of interest here!
Here’s a wee peek at what you can expect at an Atlas Bridge gig…
Atlas Bridge came to life in the Sparrow Café in Bradford drawing from their shared love of good tunes, good songs and a willingness to keep the show on the road no matter what. Their name, with its roots from Greek mythology for the Atlantic Ocean or Atlantis Sea, echoes the bridge and deep-rooted musical connections between Irish and other Celtic folk traditions and the Americana/Appalachian music and song that is reflected in their repertoire.
Becky Taylor: Uilleann pipes, Northumbrian Smallpipes, Whistles and Mandolin.
Madeline Andrew: Vocals, 5-string Banjo, Guitar, Bodhran and Whistle.
Steve Lacey: Guitar and Vocals.
For further info contact us here:
Becky 07980600476
becky@beckytaylor.info
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”
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.
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.
Messing about with the duet concertina
Here’s something I came across whilst looking for something else (isn’t that always the way!). Messing around on the duet concertina with the odd whistle and pipe thrown in, recorded at Steve Smith’s (now of Kimbers Men fame) in 2016 just before the problems with my hand stopped me playing for a while…good news on that front – I will be back in the bellows soon! Watch this space
Duet Concertina
All music and arrangement by Becky Taylor, all rights reserved, © 2016
FairPlé
Please support #Fair Plé wherever you can – it’s so important to the traditional music world. In the many years I have been on the trad music scene I have lost count of the number of times when Fair Plé was more un-Fair Plé.
FairPlé aims to achieve gender balance in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music. They advocate for equal opportunity and balanced representation for all.
Their mission statement is:
FairPlé aims to achieve gender balance in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music. We advocate for equal opportunity and balanced representation for all. Continue reading
Over the years!
Unfortunately, as some of you know, I haven’t been able to play my beloved pipes recently due to a steadily worsening case of ‘the curse of the MacCrimmons’. Its not just Scottish pipers that are affected though, Uilleann pipers, pianists, flute players, fiddlers, and many others develop this ‘thing’ known as Dupuytren’s (honestly the names really don’t help!).
According to the British Dupuytrens Society, Dupuytren’s disease, also called Dupuytren’s contracture, is a “benign thickening of the connective tissue, or fascia, of the palm and fingers”. It usually starts with a tiny lump, in the palm of the hand and eventually string like cords develop beneath the skin. As the condition progresses the affected fingers are pulled towards the palm and cannot be straightened anymore,. This is NOT good (understatement). Especially if you are a musician of any type (piper or not!).
So, while I’ve not been piping I have been looking into it and here is the story (with thanks to the British Dupuytrens Society history section!) Continue reading