Hello again,
I'm back in Germany. It's raining. Oh well, I guess it's on with the motorbike waterproofs or stay in and write my monthly communication. (The car is in Scotland, at the moment)
Not too fond of rain so, 'Hi!'
Last month I was going on about my wonderful American trip. Well, sadly, it's over now. I enjoyed every minute. There was, of course, the odd hiccup, but, hey, nothing's ever perfect.

My San Francisco visit was fabulous. If you've ever been to the west coast, you'll know what I mean. It was strange to gaze from Pier 39 to the Golden Gate Bridge and slurp a big American ice cream whilst the once sinister Alcatraz stared back at me. It's the first week's holiday I've had in many years. Went to the theatre and that kind of thing. Saw a show called 'Dirty Blonde' about Mae West. Totally different experience for me. The story line had me a little confused at times (easily done) but a few simple explanations after the show removed the 'DUH' factor. Very enjoyable.

So, I have a gig tonight in Syke, near Bremen. As usual, for this venue, it's a sell out. Nice feeling.

The Live CD should be out officially next month. I can't wait. Although the Ruglen Records version has been available since March, it's had no publicity as I knew Linn was to re release it. Perhaps now, it'll get some air time and reviews. I hope they're good!!
It is titled 'Jigs, Jives and Jacobites' by the Ian Bruce Band. I have not seen the cover, but, I'm reliably informed that it looks good.

I have a couple of gigs in Germany, then, Denmark's Skagen Festival, where I'll happily wallow in the Tom Paxtons and Runrigs before returning to Scotland to make some recordings etc.

Oor Ian is busy gigging around the country, so although this is no substitute for the "real thing" (July Newsletter), I am letting you know about some of the things that have got to my ears during the last month.

THE NEW CD

The new CD on the Linn record label "Jigs, Jives and Jacobites" was released on 30/7/01 under the name The Ian Bruce Band. There was a press launch in Auchterarder at the Festival on 28/7/01. It's being very well-received.

SKAGEN FESTIVAL (29th June to 1st July)

It was Ian's first appearance there. (Skagen is at the very top of Denmark.) The Danes took Ian M. Bruce to their hearts.

Ian invited 45 members of the Rolling Home Shanty Choir (from Sneek in Holland) on stage with him . They include "Too far from she" in their repertoire. They invited him onto a "gin palace" (luxurious motor-boat) ...... not to motor off to sunny climes......but to sing to the people in the Harbour......the boat was tied up!

The Ceilidh saw most of the artists on stage at the same time, singing or accompanying each other's songs. Ian got to sing /play with some of HIS favourites !

SONGS OF ALLAN RAMSAY

Ian is working on this project with Dr Fred Freeman. According to my literature guide Allan Ramsay lived from 1686 -1758, was born in Leadhills, Lanarkshire and went to live in Edinburgh. As well as publishing collected Scots poems, ballads and songs, he also published his own poetry and a pastoral drama

called "The Gentle Shepherd" . The melodies of the songs are lovely. There is one song in particular called "Peggy" (it is in the Oxford Book of English Verse ) which is just gorgeous, the words are innocently romantic....... The combination of the Bruce's voice, Dr Fred's input and production,

and those beautiful songs.........what a winner!

AUGUST

August sees Ian at Sidmouth and Malborough Festivals again. The last time Ian was at Sidmouth a seagull mewed (yes, that is the right word!) as Ian was singing "From a Distance" and the words

had to be swiftly changed to "and the seagull takes to flight........".

I hope that is his future encounters with seagulls miss the bike, it could get a bit messy!

At Malborough last year, children could have their faces painted. Ian had the back of his head painted with another face.......it melted on stage later that evening! What will he do to top that??

The forecast has given good weather for his ride down to the West Country!

For new readers the bike is a bright blue Honda Blackbird XXY. There are photos of it on the web-site.

PHOTOS PAGE

I have revamped the Photos and Communications page. It can be accessed by using the icon "my personal page". I am still after your photos for the web-site!

The bike photographs very well!

Doubtless, if there was something else Ian wanted to say, he will tell you next month!

Very best wishes,

Dear all,
Thank you for all the emails regarding Ian's health following the cancellation of his appearance at the Malborough Festival and a few gigs in Scotland.
Ian had to spend a few days in hospital for tests and will be back on the road soon. The poor lad was exhausted... I don't know how he does it (at his age!)

Anyway, Ian has been busy recording other people in the Studio and has managed to cram a lot into a shortened working August.

The new CD "Jigs, Jives and Jacobites" is being received well.

Ian has collaborated with Dr Fred Freeman again, this time on the Alan Ramsay songs. They did some concerts as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The audience feedback was encouraging . Not surprising really as the melodies are very good, Dr Fred is very informative and Ian's voice is superb.

The CD should be a winner.

Sidmouth International Festival gave Ian the chance to put the bike through it's paces. He had a great ride down. He had the audiences in the palm of his hand, sometimes holding them spellbound and sometimes having them in stitches.
During one of his appearances in the Ham Marquee, he lost our (the audience's) attention . We could see four webbed feet through the Marquee roof! We were waiting for the gulls to join in the song.......just like during "From a Distance" at Sidmouth in 1998. He looked up as well, burst into giggles and abandoned the song.

One of the dafter moments at Sidmouth was "Wimmin's Night" in the Anchor Inn. To be eligible to sing, you had to be a woman or dressed as a woman. Ian sang ! Nuff said, see the web-site for the evidence ! Incidentally, first prize (nail varnish, I believe) was won by Chris Gorniak, you can judge for yourself , see www.ianbruce.co.uk and then click on the icon "my personal page" and then "sidmouth photos".

Ian had been greatly looking forward to coming down South again for Malborough, but fate intervened with the spell in Hospital.
No sympathy from me.....too many late nights,
junk food and beer! He has got the stamina of an ox, so it won't be long before he is at a gig near you !

Best wishes,

Dear All,

Thanks to every one who has sent "get well soon" messages for Ian. Following advice from his doctors, his gigs in September have had to be cancelled. They are Tyne and Wear, Baggeridge and the entire USA Tour.

I know that this will disappoint a lot of people, but I'm sure that you will appreciate that a period of recuperation will aid his recovery.

Ian is on the mend, and hopes to resume gigging in early October.

Best wishes,

Elaine Hawkins ( editor@ianbruce.co.uk )