REVIEWS

'The brilliant box-player from Seelyhoo & Burach, Sandy's playing is dynamite - a very modern approach, but very musical too! The album includes many of Sandy's own stunning compositions.'
Scots Magazine

"Sandy Brechin is rapidly becoming one of Scotland's major league accordionists in his own right. Colin MacFarlane (guitar, mandolin, lapsteel) and Seelyhoo persons Walker and Jones fill in the sound, and together make for a fascinating and entertaining album. Highly recommended."
Bob Walton, Folk Roots

'My initial reaction? Phil Cunningham on stimulants. Maybe that should be "more stimulants" ...
Judging from the sleeve notes, Sandy Brechin leads an interesting life of digestive overload, vertigo, wild women, and the occasional wee drinkie. This is probably what turned him into the beast on the front cover, but two of the side-effects seem to be a brain exploding with great tunes and an uncanny control of his fingers.
The music is certainly intoxicating, but although Sandy Brechin may be guilty of playing the accordion "while under the influence" he certainly can't be accused of doing it "without due care and attention". Every note is spot on, and there is a degree of control (a word which keeps coming up) in the music which is all too rare in folk accordion players: no racing away with a tune, and nothing so fast that the music gets blurred. Sandy's fingers may be a blur at times, but the notes are always crisp and clear.
I like this album a lot, all fifty-odd minutes of it. If you want a quick dip, try "The Bassplayer's Set", "The Jazz Waltz", "A Strathspey and Two Reels", and "The Drinks Set".
Alex Monaghan, The Living Tradition