Album of the Week – Ewen Henderson ‘Lèirsinn – Perception’

Written by celtic music radio on October 5, 2024

Esteemed Scottish traditional and Gaelic singer and multi-instrumentalist Ewen Henderson is set to release his thought-provoking new album Lèirsinn – Perception this month (October 18).

It features pairs of compositions based on real locations, from two different perspectives: the imagined and the experienced.

Half of the album was recorded at his home studio with Ewen playing every instrument – piano, fiddle, viola and whistles – and singing all the vocals. The other six tracks for this second solo collection were recorded with a live band at Celtic Connections in January this year and feature acclaimed cellist Su-a Lee, musician and singer Megan Henderson, and multi-instrumentalists Hamish Napier, Innes Watson and Iain MacFarlane.

Ewen, who hails from Lochaber, said: “The making of this album has been a real journey in itself and I’m beyond excited to share it.

“The whole experience has been very unique. It was quite surreal having started in near isolation, to be finishing the album with a full band and audience when at times it felt like that might never be possible again.

“Whether or not you’ve been to the places I explored on the album, I hope it can take you there musically and feel like you’re on the journey with me.”

Though most commonly found performing with Mànran, the band he co-founded in 2010, Ewen has played all over the world with a host of top Scottish and global cross-genre artists including the Battlefield Band and World Music pioneers the Afro-Celt Sound System.

When not performing live, Ewen is in demand as a session musician, composer and musical director and hosts the BBC Radio programmes Piping Sounds and Crunluath. He released his debut solo album Steall in early 2020.

Ewen will be in conversation with Liz Clark – aka Auntie Liz – on our Album of the Week Show today at midday.