Wendy Carle Taylor has an incredible ability to reinterpret well-known works in her own distinctive style whilst keeping the songs themselves at the fore. The show is never about her, it is about the music and the words; an approach which is something of a rarity among modern female vocalists, and therefore very refreshing. A particular favourite of mine was her version of Neil Young’s ‘After The Gold Rush’, a song so complex that even Young himself has confessed to not knowing exactly what it means, which she sang with such depth and range of emotion that I was replaying it several times over in my mind later that evening. Although it has been covered many times since Young’s original – including a Grammy winning rendition featuring Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmy Lou Harris – Carle Taylor’s version has immediately become my favourite. Some singers, particularly new additions to the folk and jazz circuits (although the problem is of course also prevalent in pop) have a tendency to sing with an affected and almost artificial tone, so intent are they on carving a stylistic niche for themselves. I never once felt that Carle Taylor was singing in this way – she sings with her own voice and so her sound is very real and personal. I doubt there are many, if any, other artists who would be able to sing songs by Janice Joplin, Bobby Burns and Paul Simon all in one evening with such effortless grace.

Carle Taylor’s stage presence is as adaptable and versatile as her voice; one minute she can be having a cheeky and candid chat with her audience, the next she is an ethereal songstress of the highest degree. With every piece she transforms the space; it is possible to feel a tangible change of atmosphere in the room within a few lines of each new song. That she reaches out to her audience and invites them to join in for some songs is demonstrative of this – and it’s an invitation which never feels forced or insincere. By far the biggest strength of Carle Taylor’s audience relationship is, however, that wherever she goes in performance she takes us with her; be it taking us on a jolly romp through Paris with a French favourite or keeping our feet firmly on the ground with a sombre and poignant delivery of Eleanor McEvoy’s ‘Only a Woman’s Heart’. It takes a very special performer to unlock music’s potential to really transport the listener, and Carle Taylor does so with ease. She is simply sublime from start to finish."
Nick Barstow

Read the full Broadway Baby review here



Angels and Demons: Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012:
"I love the name Wendy. J. M. Barrie popularised it with Peter Pan, drawing it from Margaret Henley’s baby-talk: ‘friendy-wendy’. Wendy Carle Taylor is one such ‘friendy-wendy’. For an hour or so, nothing else matters but her enchanting voice and encompassing warmth. The set consists of songs chosen for their connection to the search for life’s meaning. The first song is utterly joyous despite it being about finding love in a bleak council block stairwell. Taylor smiles throughout. The tantalising intro into the next song starts on a harmonium. Then the guitar and clarsach join in, taking the audience to a far-off, mythical place. It is ‘She Moves Through The Fair’, but a version so vocally pure and so emotionally resonant that it strikes the very soul. I have never heard it sung with such other-worldly melancholy: it was ethereal and enchanting..."
Broadway Baby



Celebrate Crieff 2012:
"Wendy Carle Taylor gave an outstanding performance of some of the best known songs composed by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne of Gask, of which a moving and beautiful "The Land o' the Leal" was undoubtedly the highlight."
Strathearn Herald



Edinburgh Fringe Festival Burns2Brel2! sell-out show 2011:
"Wendy Carle Taylor interprets Scottish, Irish and French songs inspired by poets such as Robert Burns and Jacques Brel. Ranging from an anti-slavery song to an allegory for Nazi Germany, Wendy’s choices were not only melodically stunning but meaningful, too. An incredibly warm, smiling personality who encouraged the audience to join in, she also has a voice which is utterly spectacular."
Three Weeks



‘Wonderful voice, wonderful album’
‘The album features Kris Drever and Fraser Fifield - amongst many others – and there’s a fab version of Twa Corbies that almost blew the cones out of my speakers!’
'Scots singer Wendy Carle Taylor is originally from Aberdeenshire - she has a wonderful voice and her album, 'The Vanishing Day', is a cracker!!'
Mike Harding Show, BBC Radio 2



‘The album is lovely and the song choices are interesting. The playing is sensitive and delicate too!'
Barbara Dickson OBE



‘The Vanishing day album by Wendy Carle Taylor – we recommend it!'
Iain Anderson Show, BBC Radio Scotland



‘This CD is a masterpiece! Excellent production and arrangements, and what variety - and of course,
Wendy's lovely voice!’!'
Trish Santer, Convener Edinburgh and Lothians Traditional Music and Song Association



‘Her new CD is absolutely wonderful. Her voice is beautiful, absolutely fantastic - cool, clear and refreshing, like a mountain stream'
Jim Aird, Black Diamond Radio 107.8 FM



‘Wendy has a voice of great beauty and musicality. On her CD 'The Vanishing Day' she uses it tastefully, and to great effect, on songs in English, French and Scots.'
Brian Miller, Black Diamond 107.8 FM /singer, guitarist and mandolin player



‘The Complete Package’
‘A beautiful voice complimented by stunning instrumentation, presenting some of the best traditional and contemporary music around. Prepare to be moved as you listen.’
David Aird, Heart of the Matter, 107.8 FM Community Radio for Midlothian & South Edinburgh



At the Festival Fringe 2008, 2009 and 2010, Wendy’s shows received critical acclaim:
'Her singing is a true feast for the soul'
The List

'Smiling eyes, beautiful voice’
Edinburgh Guide



And 5 star public reviews:
'A lovely show. Wendy has a superb voice and tremendous presentation. Her singing of the Burn's song John Anderson was heart stopping.'
'This show is like balm for the senses as an eclectic mix of songs from Scotland combine with modern classics.'
'This show had everything, variety, talent, humour, charm. Wendy has a great voice, huge versatility and large repertoire.'



And she has had much acclaim from her peers:
'Wendy has The Conyach - the gift of singing from the heart and soul'
Sheila Stewart MBE

'A rare talent. Her vocal flexibility, emotional range and ability to communicate make her unique. Her enthusiasm, mischievous sense of humour and intelligence are infectious. She moves her audience to tears, laughter, shivers and delight.'
Frankie Armstrong, Singer