“Musical, fun and exhilarating! That was Saturday’s concert with Judy Barker on smallpipes and vocals and Sally Thomas on English concertina and dancing man!
A skilful and sensitive player of her beautifully toned Hamish Moore pipes, Judy also has a clear voice while Sally is an accomplished concertina player. Highlights for me of a consistently enjoyable programme were a thoughtful rendition of Donald Shaw’s
Calum’s Road – a tune which is often subjected to session mayhem – and a lovely Hampshire collected version of “If I were a Blackbird”.

The finale was also a standout with Sally displaying considerable expertise with a Limber Jack dancing to Judy’s lively playing – it brought the house down.”

Sheena Wellington

Friends of Wighton, Dundee, March 2026

“Scottish small pipes and English concertina together with a guest fiddle and beautiful singing made this a restful, poignant early evening show for traditional music fans. The programme consisted of pieces reminding us that folk songs were (and still are) about real life. A highlight was a song by Judy Barker addressed to her late husband Mike, sung in a rich, emotional voice. Another was ‘Ellan Vannin’ concerning an Isle of Man steamer which set off gallantly in a storm but sank in Liverpool Bay. The Scottish small pipes and English concertina were very pleasing to listen to in themselves; they weren’t just an accompaniment for singing. Special mention to Judy Barker’s persistence, three weeks after wrist surgery.”

Louise Rodgers

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Three Weeks Edinburgh, August 2025