Ewan is best known for his work with accordion legend Sandy Brechin. They have been performing together as a duo for the past 3 years.
Brechin, Wilkinson and Martin
Ewan and Sandy are often joined by skye based fiddler Ronan Martin.
As well as originals, they play exquisitely through centuries-old songs, Richard Thompson songs and songs that still have working titles, all of which are liable to be hummed on the way home." Three Weeks magazine
Brechin, Wilkinson and Smith
In March 2006 Ewan and Sandy toured Australia with fiddler Alison Smith.
Influences
In no particular order; Dick Gaughan, Jez Low, Robert Burns, Richard Thompson, Roy Bailey, Bruce Springstein, Bob Fox, Archie Fisher, Warren Zevon, June Tabor, Neil Young, Henry Lawson, Martin Simpson, Neil Young, Hamish Henderson, Nick Cave, Nic Jones, Ryan Adams, Townes van Zant, Vin Garbutt, Solomon Burke, Stan Rogers, Gram Parsons, WB Yates, Martin Carthy, Gillian Welch, Stevie Wonder, Elvis, Billy Bragg, Bert Jansch, Michael Marra, Pete Seegar, Si Kahn.
Ewan Wilkinson is from Peebles in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Edinburgh.
He is both an emotive singer and an articulate guitarist. Although his songs and singing style are deeply rooted in the Scottish folk tradition
Ewan's music is a mixture of original, traditional and contemporary folk songs from around the British Isles and beyond.
The new young voice of the Borders
Edinburgh Fringe Guide 2005
Ewan has performed widely on the British Folk Club and Festival scene. He has also toured Australia twice and performed in the Middle East.
Sandy Brechin & Ewan Wilkinson at the Wee Folk Club
*****
Review by Jack Foster
What do you call a coach full of accordionists at the bottom of the ocean? A good start… This was the mindset with which I took on last week’s Wee Folk Club at the Royal Oak (Edinburgh), knowing very little about what Sandy Brechin & Ewan Wilkinson’s show would consist of – I braced myself for a couple of hours of Shandesque accordion. By the time we’d had a couple of tunes, I realised I had vastly underestimated Brechin & Wilkinson – not only was it good – but, of all the many Wee Folk Club’s that I have seen – this was the cream of the crop.
The tunes vs. songs debate is one which rages within the folk community, whether or not many folkies are willing to admit it or not. Whilst I am a fan of both, songs always seem to offer more substance (in my humble opinion) – What Brechin & Wilkinson offered up was a 50/50 mixture of tunes & songs, interspersed with what felt like a well oiled stand up comedy routine... The anecdotes and humour were what made the instrumental sets work for me, making them more accessible as well as giving me a few minutes in which to digest Brechin & Wilkinson’s yarns. I do not exaggerate when I say my face ached from laughing.
Ewan Wilkinson was the secret weapon of this show though, and his renditions of songs such as ‘Ay Waulin O’, ‘Broom O The CowdenKnowes’ and ‘Both Sides The Tweed’ were the highlights of the evening, beautiful, heartfelt and tight performances, woven seamlessly with Brechin’s lilting accordion creating a powerhouse of folk. The next chance you get to see this duo, take it.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
Cheers for the add Ewan. Came across your page, your recordings are brilliant and you've got a great Scottish voice. Looks like John Currie in one of your photos playing with you on the whistle? I know him through a friend and hear he is a keen musician, been out for a few pints with him in Edinburgh.
Good luck with the new album, get some tunes up! Keith
Hi Ewan Thanks for your friendship. Great stuff on you're page. We'll look out for you at Innerleithen if you're about on the Saturday as well. If not, hope you had a great gig tonight. Love Fiona
Hope you are having a good Christmas season. I wanted to let you know that i'm coming to Scotland on Dec. 27th. We play Pitlochry on the 27th, Glasgow on the 28th, and then come back to Inverness, Glenfarg, and Edinburgh in mid-January.
I hope to see you at one of the shows!
Until then.......Happy Trails,
AP
Hey Ewan! Thanks for the add; we'll have to share a stage when I make it scotland, eh? Now... I just need to find a patron of the arts, or a buyer for this extra kidney...
