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Money raised will go to the Yorkshire Regiment, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Heroes Children's Fund.Buy and donate here for 79p. Yorkshire’s national anthem was given a 21st Century…
Money raised will go to the Yorkshire Regiment, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Heroes Children’s Fund.Buy and donate here for 79p.
The new version of On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At, will be launched on Yorkshire Day, 01 August 2013. The charity single and video was commissioned by Welcome to Yorkshire and features a rap by Yorkshire-born actor Brian Blessed and an appearance by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. All artists gifted their time for free and proceeds of single sales will go to the Heroes Children Fund, the Yorkshire Regiment and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Sheffield-based Eliot Kennedy, a Producer for Artist Development on The X-Factor and producer of the recent smash ‘Sing’ for the Queen’s Jubilee, has been tasked with re-working the song. The Grammy award-winning producer has also written and recorded songs for The Spice Girls, Gary Barlow and Take That, Bryan Adams and comedian Peter Kay.
News of the song was announced last year on March 28 2012 at Welcome to Yorkshire’s Y 12 conference, the UK’s largest tourism event.
Cause UK’s idea was to breathe new life into the precious piece of cultural heritage and to introduce “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At” to a younger, global audience.
Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Gary Verity said: “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At” has long been considered Yorkshire’s national anthem and we just couldn’t resist giving it a modern twist.
“Like everything we do, the song is a chance to shout about what’s great about Yorkshire but it’s not just about Yorkshire traditions or nodding our caps to our cultural heritage, it’s also a chance to show off Yorkshire’s vibrant creative scene with a re-working of the song with ‘added swagger’.”
Mr Kennedy said: “When people interview me, they always ask me about Gary Barlow. We’ve been close friends for more than 20 years – ever since we wrote ‘Everything Changes’ together. Now, finally, I’ve done a project that puts my work with Gary in the shade – now I’ve got Brian Blessed to rap to “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At.”
Legendary Flash Gordon star Mr Blessed has already recorded a rap that promises to boom with Yorkshire pride. Blessed, who currently features as the Pirate King character in The Pirates! An Adventure with Scientists, said: “When I was offered the opportunity to record On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At with a twist, I thought, that’s me!
“The version of the song is a larger than life take on a traditional classic and I am singing for Yorkshire, loud and proud. My vocal chords are renowned across the nation and I hope Yorkshire and the rest of the world will sit up and take notice of this valuable piece of Yorkshire heritage. When you have pride in your roots, there’s nothing more fun and joyous than singing about it. Enjoy! And don’t forget your hats!”
Welcome to Yorkshire worked with Harrogate-based fundraising, marketing and PR agency Cause UK and profits of the song will be donated to Veterans’ charities.
It follows a wave of publicity generated by Cause UK across the UK at the end of 2011 when it became apparent that the younger generations increasingly no longer know the song.
Clair Challenor Chadwick, of Cause UK said: “The story originated with school teacher and Otley Brass Band musical director Gordon Eddison who reported that less than 10 per cent of school children knew the song and so a crusade was launched. “
Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which famously featured in the movie “Brassed Off” has also recorded a section.
Mr Kennedy added: “There’s something robustly cheerful, hearty and wilful about the song that really captures the Yorkshire spirit. My hope is I’ve added a swagger to the song, but still paid homage to the traditional version. It’s a loving take on the song and one I hope brings it alive to new generations of Yorkshire kids and the spirit of fun it inspires.”
A social media campaign has been launched and Welcome to Yorkshire is urging all fans of Yorkshire to go online and show their support on Twitter @yorkshirevoices and via the fan page:http://www.facebook.com/Yorkshirevoices
Check out Eliot Kennedy talking about making this project. Thanks to Graham Walker at The Sheffield Star for making this film.
ITV News profiling Cause UK’s and Welcome to Yorkshire’s music video production.