The Sandy Brechin Band
The Sandy Brechin Band is a four-piece outfit with an unforgettable stage performance. From the electrifying high speed reels to the occasional traditional Gaelic airs, the sound created is fresh, innovative and vibrant, at times soul-touching and tender, but always with an underlying power and confidence. Sandy is just as well known for his on-stage humour, which has been known to have audiences in tears, one way or another. His fellow band members present an impressive CV: Jim Walker on drums, Gregor Borland on bass guitar, and Colin MacFarlane on electric guitar and lapsteel.
The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience have established a reputation as one of top ceilidh bands in the world: playing for high energy dances across the globe. ‘Shandrix’ is usually a five piece consisting of box, fiddle, drums, bass and guitar but can sometimes swell to a mighty eight piece, as was the case at this years Edinburgh Festival sell-out gig in the Acoustic Music Centre.
Burach Formed in 1994 Bùrach have long been one of the most popular Scottish rock groups and have created their own style of ‘Heavy Folk’. The band’s first album, ‘The Weird Set’, was released after winning the 1995 Scottish Folk Band competition. Since then Burach have released three further albums, ‘Born Tired’ (1997) and ‘Deeper’ (2000), and "Unstoppable" (2006). The current line-up is led as always by Sandy Brechin on accordion and vocals, with David Taylor on vocals and guitar; Chris Agnew on vocals and bass; the renowned Gavin Marwick on fiddle and Ross MacPherson on drums.
Sandy founded his own record label "Brechin All Records" in 1996, specialising in traditional folk music. As well as promoting all the label's artists, the company support various new recording projects, including the 5 CD series "The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill" in collaboration with Dr. Fred Freeman.
Sandy Brechin grew up in Kirkliston, West Lothian and has been playing the accordion for over twenty years. In fact, he has been playing the same accordion (albeit with a few minor repairs) for the last twenty years! He was taught by the late Chrissie Leatham, in Edinburgh, and also by her son, Owen Murray, who is now Professor of Accordion at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has developed his own unique approach to the art of accordion playing and his innovative style is instantly recognisable.
"This man is going to make a big impact on the traditional and not-so-traditional music scenes with his funky accordion, catchy compositions and refreshing personality. Spirited powerful playing of equally spirited and powerful tunes" The Scots Magazine
Over the years, Sandy has played in many bands, but is probably best known for his work with the Scottish bands, Bùrach and Seelyhoo, with whom he has toured extensively in Europe, Canada, the USA, and the Far East. A frequent guest on radio and television, Sandy is also in much demand as a session musician, having recorded on several CDs outwith his own groups' recordings. Also known as a talented writer, some of his compositions have been published and others recorded by bands like "The Iron Horse". On the rare occasions when he is not touring with the bands, he still plays for ceilidh dances with his own hugely popular electric ceilidh band, "The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience", and hosts a regular Sunday night session in the Hebrides Bar in Edinburgh.
Sandy is also well known as a teacher of accordion. He has taught at many workshops and Fèisean, such as Fèis Rois, Edinburgh's Youth Gaitherin, “Folkworks” music workshop in Durham, and regularly teaches at Celtic Connections Festival, RSAMD and the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School.
Hi Sandy - really good to see you again last night. The concert was brilliant. Tell Brian to watch Seasick Steve for tips on how to play the stomp box ha ha! Good luck for the rest of the tour Cheers
thanks for adding me as a friend. Out of his box and Out of his tree are two of my favourite and most played CDs. Is it not possible to add your music to my profile and then I will give Led Zeppelin a break? I am also keen to get more of your music which CD do you suggest?
Hi Sandy, thank you so much for sending me "The Accidental Death Of An Accordeonist". It's different from your previous works but it's good and in fact I'm playing it in my radio show of folk & roots music here. And then let me please say that I was very happy to listen to your own version of that great tune called "Kate Martin's Waltz"! All the best from Italy! Massimo Ferro
Hi Sandy, on Ronan's direct intructions I now commence to leave you a silly and completely random comment ... now, let's have a wee thinky ...no .... no, too sensible ... nooo, not quite random enough ... ah, that's perfect! wait ... no, it's gone ... sorry.
In case you've forgotten, you were leaving it all to me in your will on account of how lovely and shiny the setting sun in Poolewe made my head. Maybe not those exact words, but I knew what you meant ;-)
Have a top Christmas and a ... one of those other things ... y'know a happy thing that you know you had cos you just totally can't remember it.
C'est lors d'une ballade "myspacienne" que je suis tombée sur votre profil.. J'ai eu un coup de coeur car l'accordeon m'inspire fascination et j'aime beaucoup votre univers... merci
Sandy, we're well overdue a tune together wi the boys - I must venture south in 2008 and sort it out - otherwise you'll have to come up and sample the Banff Springs ....... and I don't know if they are ready for you yet!
