A Paisley singer is getting ready to perform live for the first time in 18 months to celebrate the launch of her new album.
Evelyn Laurie has spent the last 18 months working on My Scottish Heart with her collaborator, jazz pianist Euan Stevenson.
Now it’s been released and Evelyn is getting ready to go back on stage with a launch event this Saturday night at the Bungalow in Paisley, backed by a full band.
She said: “I recorded the vocals last October and we’ve been adding the musicians pieces in when we can.
“You get to the stage where you’re thinking what am I doing? Is anybody going to like this?
“The gig on Saturday will be the first time since February 2020 that I’ve performed.
“I am a bit nervous and excited. I’m looking forward to getting back out there on stage.
“Euan will be there on Saturday leading the band. The musicians are coming from all over Scotland so we’ll have time for a rehearsal on Saturday afternoon.”
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A Scottish Heart is Evelyn’s take on traditional Scottish songs from the 18th and 19th centuries and features two of Robert Tannahill’s songs as well as a poem set to music by the Tannahill contemporary, Ebenezer Picken.
Evelyn found the poem by Picken by going through a website of old Scottish poems and songs.
She said: “I’d got as far as W and the title was Woo Me Again which I loved, and I saw the name of the poet was Ebenezer Picken which was fantastic. Then I saw that he was from Paisley so it was perfect.
“It’s a poem which we’ve set to music.”
The Tannahill songs on the album are the Braes of Balquidder, which then became Wild Mountain Thyme, and Fly We To Some Desert Isle. Evelyn’s also recorded her take on Auld Lang Syne along with some brand new songs, including the title track My Scottish Heart.
She said: “The feedback I’ve had so far has been good. They are very old songs with my take on them. I want them to spark people’s imaginations.
“They might recognise it but not know where from.
“I aimed to surprise people.”
The album is Evelyn’s second after A Little Bit of Me came out in 2018. With a background in jazz, A Scottish Heart aims to please fans of the genre as well as traditional folk fans.
Evelyn said her next aim to organise an overseas tour with the album.
“I’d love to tour overseas,” she said. “I think the album would really appeal to people in America and Canada and the wider Scottish diaspora.”
For tickets to Saturday evening’s gig at the Bungalow in Paisley, go to https://www.wegottickets.com/event/520137
