SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 18/9/01

Hi Everyone,

It's been a strange month. Most of you will have heard that I was hospitalised for a few days with jaundice. That was nasty. As a result I lost loads of gigs in Great Britain, Germany and America. A financial disaster but, hey, this folk singing lark is known for that.
Well, without dwelling too much on the bad, I'd like to thank everyone for their well wishes, and, possibly, thanks to them I can now report a clean bill of health.
SO, watch out, I'll be back in your quarter to irritate you again very soon. Please watch this space.
Most of the gigs have been merely postponed rather than cancelled which means my recuperation period is simply a very welcome rest which commenced with a bit of a scare and has turned into an unpaid holiday. I'm enjoying it now.
Thanks and apologies to all the folks who were messed up by my condition.

1. My agents, who despite their toils and commission loss, gave me loads of moral support.
2. The organisers, who engaged me but were let down at the last minute. I'm sure they found wonderful substitutes. Actually....that worries me more than a little.
3. Elaine for her sterling effort, as usual. She's kept everybody posted and wrote to you all when I just could not muster up the energy to type these communications. She too was a great boost to the healing process.
4. Dr. Fred Freeman for all his caring and supportive calls. His encouragement was immense. Thanks Fred

The folks I'd like to thank most are my family.
Fraser and Maureen, my brother and sister-in-law were invaluable. They spoon fed me and housed me through the illness. At the moment, I have no home in Great Britain and without them I'd have been lost.
Mum, despite her worry and impending 87th birthday has been an absolute tower of strength. Again, coping without her would have been very difficult.

Musical news is limited at this period due to the void in my calendar. There are plans in the offing but, they're just a little bit secret at the moment. Sssshhhh! (Finger vertically across the lips!)

Of course, at this time I should have been in America. Under the circumstances, it's maybe fortuitous, for me, that I could not go.
I would like to offer my sympathy to all who were directly affected by the NYC crisis. The indirect effect, I'm sure is felt by us all. Let's hope the best possible result will emerge from the nightmare.

Well, thanks again for reading my blurb and may I remind you to keep yourselves up to date by frequently visiting my website www.ianbruce.co.uk.

Ian
p.s. As a result of not gigging, sales of the new CD have probably been slow. Shame. I think it's my best so, come on you lovely people, please order it from the site. I like it a lot. (biased me)

 

 

  

OCTOBER 2001 NEWSLETTER 23/10/01

OK. Here we go again. Another letter. I hope you are well.
I'm feeling better all the time although still waiting for the body to do its last bit of recovery. Throwing out the virus. I hope it will.
However, I am back on the road and indeed will be taking it back to Scotland to settle down in Dumfries.
When I took ill, in August, I felt lucky that I was in my homeland. Near my family and amidst a medical system that I was familiar with. Everybody jumps down the throat of our National Health Service but I have to confess to never having been let down by it.

Lots of changes. Heidi Stagge has had to close her Songs and Tunes agency due to pressure from her other business which looks set to fly. I wish both she and Fritz, her husband, the best of luck. I also send my thanks for all they've done for me. They will always be two of my closest friends. I hope we won't drift too far apart on our separate roads.
My new German agents are Manfred and Ingrid Buchwald. We've known each other for years and get on very well. I am confident that our working relationship will be as strong as our friendship. Here's to the future.

I may have already said but George Wood, who dealt with my American affairs on an interim basis, did a sterling job and I thank him, too, for all his efforts. My transition from Mike Dinsmore to Karen Reid, my new agent, was seamless due to him.
Huge apologies due to him for the cancellation of the last US trip. Sorry George. You were great.

Before I go any further I would like to offer my sympathy to the family and friends of Derek Moffat, of the McCalmans. His death, on the 21st of October, has left a rather large gap in the folk scene. Many loved both he and his voice. He was certainly one of my main influences. Bye bye Derek. I'll miss
you.

Please note a cancellation. I was to play The Woodman, Kingswinford, on 30th November. I have had to postpone it until late next year. Sorry for any inconvenience and thank you to Ian, the organiser for his understanding.

The reason for the cancellation is a concert at the Inverclyde Festival. We will be playing a concert of Allan Ramsay songs. This is a precursor to the recording of that CD, which we're hoping, will be released next spring. Another folk-star studded Dr. Fred Freeman production.

As usual, you can see a list of upcoming gigs at the end of this email. I hope you can come along to one or two.
I'd like to give a special mention to 2nd December. (LUNCH TIME GIG) It's really not for the faint-walleted but good value is guaranteed......
I recently met the owners of The Plumed Horse Restaurant, Crossmichael, Nr. Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire. Within two years of opening it was awarded a Michelin star. A rare feat; it is one of only 7 Scottish restaurants to have one. It has recently been awarded "Best Newcomer Restaurant in Scotland" by The Good Food Guide 2002. Check out their website on www.plumed-horse.co.uk
I have talked them into trying out folk music to a select bunch, hopefully, on a regular basis.
Their first date will be, of course, ME playing the music. Yes, there's always a drawback. The audience will be no more than 20 and seats will cost £35 each. I promise that it will be well worth the money. Their food is exquisite and I'm not all that bad....am I? Thanks....!
There will be a choice of two menus.
If you would fancy that please email me, or Elaine, immediately as we already have a few reservations. Prepayment would be appreciated as last minute cancellations would knack the whole thing up.

I'm not sure what more news there is at present, so, I'll sign off and start dismantling my flatpack furniture in readiness for the flit home.

Thanks to Germany for keeping me cosy for the last couple of years.

See you all soon.

Ian B.

 

  

FROM EMAIL TO MAILING LIST MEMBERS 19/11/01

There is a chance to catch him with the Band doing songs and tunes from "Jigs, Jives and Jacobites" at the Edinburgh Folk Club on 28/11/01.

Or, if you want to hear the beautiful Allan Ramsay songs, there are the gigs on 30/11/01(Greenock Town Hall) and 5/12/01 (Edinburgh Library). For the Greenock gig, the Town Hall is being transformed into an 18th century tavern . Ian will be joined by Marc Duff, Wendy Weatherby and Chris Stout. The MC will be Dr Fred Freeman. I hope the song "Peggy" is on the play-list!

GIG AT BUEDNEREI ARTS CENTRE

If Ian ever tells you that he can't speak German, do not believe him!! At the end of October, I had the opportunity to attend the concert in the Buednerei Arts Centre in Lehsten in Germany (former East). The gig should have been a Burns gig with Vic Besch. Vic was unable to do the gig as he was ill. As some of you know, Vic's German is excellent. Ian was apprehensive.

The Concert organiser was informed and a Scottish man who had lived in Germany for 10 years was on hand to translate, if needed. He wasn't !

Ian had the audience joining in the choruses, especially the Elvis-type bits (uh huh huhhs) of "My Martin and my motorbike" and the "sick-noises" of "Hungover Morning" !!

They loved it. They laughed, sang, tapped/stamped their feet in time.

He talked in a mixture of German and English. Zum Beispeil, "Dieses Lied compares Schottland und England, und Schottland wins". My gender was changed at one point! My correction from the back of the room caused a few giggles.

You could have heard a pin drop when he sang "From a distance" and "Dark Lochnagar".

Great entertainment! Sheer magic! Just shows that music is a universal language!

The after-gig music session was good too. There was a young trio called "Single malt and Co" (Klaus, Connie and Frank).........very nice people and a treat to hear.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings ........

Best wishes or Mit besten Gruessen,

Elaine (Hawkins)

editor@ianbruce.co.uk

     
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 19/11/01
  

Hello everyone,
The Ian Bruce Band just got back from a mini-tour of Holland. It was great and the Dutch seemed to take to us. That's been confirmed in an email from our Dutch agent, Dave Tearney. We're going back next year. No complaints there.

I'm now living in Dumfries, Scotland. We've rented a cottage which is a load less binding than a bought place. Although, to be honest, the wandering minstrel thing is losing its appeal. I would like to be a bit more static. If everything continues to feel good here then we'll consider buying again.

Thanks to Elaine and my German friends for helping me so much with the flitting.
Gigs (listed on web-site) . Please come along.

It's funny what a bout of illness can do. I now realise just how precious time is. Spending so much of it on the road is no longer what I crave. I still love doing the gigs but staying away from home....yuch! Things may change a little soon.
I can't remember who said it, but, some famous blues guy said that he played the music for free but you have to pay him to travel. I understand that one.

Anyway, should this letter seem a little down then I have not written well. I am in good spirit and happier than I've ever been. Everything feels wonderful. I just shouldn't write these emails immediately before driving to London.

www.ianbruce.co.uk

Please have a look and contact my agents if you need info. Don't tell them I said to. They'll have me beheaded.

We're still looking for about 4 names for the special lunch in Crossmichael, Castle Douglas, 2nd Dec. Any more takers?
 
   

Musical Sunday Lunch at the Plumed Horse,
with Special Guest IAN BRUCE.

Plumed Horse Canapés

-oOo-

Crab & Saffron Risotto, Roasted Scallops, Caviar.
or
Duo of Foie Gras, Salad of Herbs, Two Sauces.

-oOo-

Roast Breast of Free-Range, Corn Fed Chicken,
Compote of Cabbage, Bacon & Black Chanterelles,
Carrots, Pomme Purée, Truffle Sauce.
or
Fillet of Salmon, Boudin of Salmon & Langoustines,
Tortellini of Caviar, Sauce Nantua.

-oOo-

Apricot Bread & Butter Pudding, Creme Anglaise,
Apricot & Cognac Ice Cream, Apricot Sorbet.
or
Milk Chocolate Tart, Coffee & Rum Ice Cream.

-oOo-

Coffee or Tea & Petit Four.  

  
I hope that takes your fancy. It £35 a seat and I promise the quality is tops. Michelin Star etc. etc.

Anyway. I'll have a shower and get going.
Many thanks,

Ian

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