Kathryn Tickell took up the smallpipes aged nine, inspired by her family - especially her father Mike, who was heavily involved in the local traditional music scene - and by the music of an older generation of traditional musicians such as Willie Taylor, Will Atkinson, Joe Hutton, Richard Moscrop and Tom Hunter. By thirteen, Kathryn had won all the traditional open smallpipes competitions, and was also making a name as an accomplished player of the fiddle. Her family is from the North Tyne Valley area of Northumberland.
Her first album, On Kielder Side, was released in 1984. In the same year she was named the official piper for the Lord Mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Kathryn turned professional in 1986. She has since toured Europe regularly and recorded with internationally-renowned performers like The Chieftains, Boys of the Lough, and Sting.
In 1990 she formed The Kathryn Tickell Band. As of 2005, the band currently consists of:
Peter Tickell - Fiddle
Julian Sutton - Melodeon
Ian Stephenson - Guitar, acoustic bass guitar
Kathryn Tickell - Northumbrian Pipes and Fiddle
Two ex-members of north-eastern traditional music luminaries the High Level Ranters have appeared on her albums - Tom Gilfellon on "On Kielder Side" and Alistair Anderson on "Borderlands" (1986). The latter album included to a tribute to Wark football team.
Several other pipers have appeared on her albums - Troy Donockley on "Debatable Lands", Patrick Molard on "The Gathering" and Martyn Bennett on "Borderlands". "Debatable Lands" includes "Our Kate", a composition by Kathryn Tickell dedicated to Catherine Cookson. Jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard wrote a piece with her in 2001. It was premiered at the opening of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
In 2002 Kathryn became director of "Folkestra North". It is a project to develop young talented musicians, aged between 14 and 19.
In 2013 Kathryn formed a quartet called the side with
Amy Thatcher, Newcastle based accordionist and clog dancer, also of The Shee and the Monster Ceilidh Band.
Classically trained Scottish harpist Ruth Wall, who performs as a soloist and in some of the most exciting ensembles and bands (Goldfrapp, Fitkin) as well as working extensively with composers, orchestras, electronic and visual artists.
Louisa Tuck, principal cellist at Northern Sinfonia.
Discography
1984 - On Kielder Side
1987 - Borderlands
1988 - Common Ground
1991 - The Kathryn Tickell Band
1993 - Signs
1997 - The Gathering
1998 - The Northumberland Collection
1999 - Debatable Lands
2000 - Ensemble Mystical
2001 - Music for a New Crossing
2002 - Back to the Hills
2004 - Air Dancing
2006 - The Sky Didn't Fall
2006 - Strange But True
2007 - Instrumental
2008 - What We Do
2009 - The Best of Kathryn Tickell
2012 - Northumbrian Voices
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(Intro)
Kathryn Tickell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na Gonthu Vinaledha andukane phone chedam actual ga naku roaming chala padipotundi ma mummy tho kuda akuv matladalekapotuna so ante tappa inkem ledhu poni roaming offer evina veinchukundam ante konchem...
month end kada ibbandi ga undi adi naku ela chepalo teliyatldu so.
konchem ardam chesukunte...
I feel better
inkem ldu ignore chyali avoid chyali asalu ala em kadhu only thing is that few problems hostel lo untuna kada ante ok ...
Bye
Kathryn Tickell's song "Intro" begins with simple and disconnected phrases, seemingly spoken by a mobile phone user. The singer begins with a greeting and then goes on to discuss their current predicament: they are experiencing a lot of roaming charges and are unable to speak to their mother. They mention that they may need to get a roaming offer because they are having trouble financially.
The singer then goes on to mention that they are experiencing some problems at their hostel and seem to be struggling with some issues. However, they conclude by saying that they need to "ignore chyali avoid chyali" which suggests that they want to push aside their problems and move forward, despite their struggles.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the disjointed and sometimes chaotic nature of modern communication, as well as the difficulties of balancing personal problems with the need to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello...
The singer begins the conversation with a greeting
Na Gonthu Vinaledha andukane phone chedam actual ga naku roaming chala padipotundi ma mummy tho kuda akuv matladalekapotuna so ante tappa inkem ledhu poni roaming offer evina veinchukundam ante konchem...
The singer tells the listener that they cannot hear properly due to poor network and proposes to recharge with a better roaming offer
month end kada ibbandi ga undi adi naku ela chepalo teliyatldu so.
The singer is facing financial difficulties towards the end of the month and is uncertain about how to address them
konchem ardam chesukunte...
The artist requests the listener to bear with them while they try to articulate themselves better
I feel better
The artist expresses that they feel relieved after sharing their problems
inkem ldu ignore chyali avoid chyali asalu ala em kadhu only thing is that few problems hostel lo untuna kada ante ok...
The singer asserts that they have no other option but to face the problems in their hostel and cannot afford to ignore or avoid them
Bye
The singer concludes the conversation with a farewell message
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Possilpark219
As a Scottish bagpiper, I say all bagpipes are wonderful. There's no competition going on, you know. Oops, almost forgot, Kathryn Tickell here is, as always, brilliant.
Simon Jones
yet but she is just fukking awesome :) even in scottish terms she is a darling of the sma pipes
Dawn Johnson
Isnt she just ! Alba gu brath
Dawn Johnson
@Simon Jones yep
chris mills
I’ve yet to hear someone play Scotland Abrave on Northumbrian pipes. I bet someone has done it you can’t play a lot of the Northumbrian tunes on Highland pipes.
I once told a scottish bagpiper that I wanted Northumbrian pipes as well as scottish ones. needless to say, it didn’t go down well.
Busted Fender
That’s exactly the kind of thing that a competitive bagpiper might say 😒
Paul Jack
The Northumbrian Pipes are a wonderful instrument. Especially in the hands of an accomplished player.
John Farr
I 'm not sure if she ever believed me-but I wrote to Kathryn years ago to tell her she saved my life. I was in hospital after a horrible operation, and I was awake at 3am and unable to reach the bell to get help. The pain was awesome, the tablets depressed me and I wanted it all to end. I decided to die as I could not go on with life. I accidentally touched the headphones above the bed and managed to put them on. Not sure what the programme was - but the music being played was Kathryn's pipes. I decided that music like this was worth living for. It kick started me back to life and drove the thoughts of death away. Thanks Kathryn.
Seth
this is such a heartwarming story, thanks for sharing!
John Farr
@Seth Thanks Seth. I think I put these comments many years ago, perhaps on some of her other videos- but have never before had a response. Much appreciated. I've seen her in concert 4 times- always a delight. I think some of my family are puzzled because I have her poster on my study wall. If they don't know her music they would not understand. Stay in and listen to Kathryn. Corona can have a plus side.