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Siobhan Wilson

Venue: The Rowantree
Town: Edinburgh
Date: 27/6/14
Website: https://www.facebook.com/siobhanwilsonmusic

Siobhan Wilson is an Elgin-born, Glasgow-based singer-songwriter who has been making waves on the Scottish music scene for the past couple of years. With influences as diverse as Nina Simone, John Martyn and Jacques Brel, she has developed an eclectic style which is uniquely her own. Siobhan Wilson sings delicately but with a real passion. There are occasional jazz inflections and an underlying huskiness in her vocals, which serve her well when she covers French torch songs. Siobhan's debut EP, 2012's "Glorified Demons", served notice of her burgeoning talent and her first album is set for release in the near future.

I was aware that Siobhan Wilson was due to play a fairly short set in Edinburgh on 27th June but the intimate, cavern-like ambience of The Rowantree promised the perfect opportunity to witness her talent at close quarters. The cosy venue was filled to capacity as Siobhan took to the stage to loud acclaim. She has a quietly confident and engaging manner and this, together with her captivating stage presence, held the audience enthralled from start to finish. Siobhan's beautiful opening song, "Believe In Everything", set the tone, with a soaring and heartfelt vocal underpinned by fluid picking on her Gretsch electric guitar.

She was then joined by regular collaborator, Tommy Reilly, who provided sympathetic accompaniment on guitar, piano and percussion. The set was mostly about promoting the songs from Siobhan's new album and they all sounded great. The elegant "White Gown" featured a cameo from her charming French friend, Etienne, on highly complex tambourine taps! Siobhan took to the piano for "Cowboy", a sweeping and atmospheric song with dramatic changes of tempo.

Siobhan Wilson closed the set with what is currently her signature song, "All Dressed Up" (several versions of which can be found on Youtube). This song of regret and defiance provided a truly majestic finish, with playfully coquettish vocals and stylish acoustic guitar strumming from Siobhan and tasty country-style electric guitar licks from Tommy. This short but memorable set naturally left the audience wanting more and so I hope that a series of full-length headline shows to promote the new album will follow before too long.

Siobhan Wilson is a charming young Scots lass with a big talent and the potential to become a leading light on the indie-folk scene in Scotland and beyond. Have a listen soon and join her on this exciting musical journey.

David Ferguson