IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER 23/12/02

Note from Editor(elaine hawkins - editor@ianbruce.co.uk)

The Newsletters from Dec 2001 to November 2002 are now on the web-site - complete with photos. They are accessed by going to www.ianbruce.co.uk >>my personal page>> communications. So if you are a new reader, the older ones are there !

I was astonished to read that there was " no interest" in Ian or the Band in Denmark. I was at the Skagen Festival in July 2001 and he went down "a storm". I have also swapped emails with people from two folk clubs in Denmark where he/the Band are highly regarded (we agreed that the photo of the Band was not the most flattering - but that is another story........)

This year the Ian Bruce Band have made 5 or 6 appearances in the UK, but all have been in Scotland. I went to see them at their Melrose gig on 14/12/02 and it was great. The combination works brilliantly - great voice, superb musicians, good songs and tunes and the humourous banter between them. It would be good to see them in ENGLAND - perhaps they could come South for a Tour in September if "The Bruce" remains USA agentless and a USA Tour doesn't materialise?

Ian mentions his studio. During the year he has worked with Janet Weatherston and members of the Potters Folk Club, Peggswood near Morpeth. I heard Janet recording some of the tracks and the final product is just like Janet's live set, sometimes with harmonies and the occasional accompaniment.

I 've had a sneak preview ( or should that be sneak listen?) to the Ian and Vic Besch's CD. Ian said that there will be a few surprises - he wasn't kidding! My lip is buttoned, but you're gonna love it. Ian never ceases to amaze me - he has hidden depths and is a clever clogs on the quiet. I guess people in Germany already know, Vic is a multi-instrumentalist and he sings!

The CD of Allan Ramsey songs wasn't awarded any funding from the Scottish Arts Association. That is such a shame. The songs are wonderful and Ian's versions of them are innovative and refreshing.

I have coined a new nickname for Ian --- Scar-y Bruce (after Scary Spice from the Spice Girls). The scar left after the removal of the lump on is head is a cross.......it should have been a St Andrew's cross !

Anyway, as soon as I have sent these out, I have to do battle in the shops and find the CD that I bought for my niece and have misplaced!

I hope you all have a great Christmas and a wonderful 2003,

Cheers,

THE LETTER - 23/12/02

Hi everyone,

Are you all ready for the festivities? Of course you are. I've sent out my cards, late, as ever, and now look forward to a peaceful festive period.

You'll already know it's been an eventful year for me. A burst of work in the first few months and then a very slow summer.
In some ways, that was fortunate. I was at home to be with my mother when she became critically ill and sadly died three days later. It was always a fear, of hers and mine, that I would be away when the awful day arrived.
I thought the grieving was over but must confess that Christmas is difficult without her. I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about.

And now to the happier news. Tony and I had our Civil Union in America. Firstly in New Jersey, and then, more officially, again in Vermont, where it's legal. We have a proper marriage certificate. It looks like, maybe soon, it will be recognised in Britain too. I know you'll have your own thoughts on that subject and if you objected at all, then your tongue-biting was appreciated. We have had so much heart warming support. Many thanks to you all.

So, the last few months were, thankfully hectic again. Both gigs and the recording studio keeping me busy. For those who care, the studio has been totally upgraded and, it is definitely somewhere that folks enjoy recording. Please keep me in mind if you are thinking about laying down your music.

The CD of Vic Besch and myself has been held up. We still hope that it will be out by mid January. We'll see.
I already have a few festival bookings next year. I love doing them. You'll see details below.

One or two bits of news that disappointed me were the cancellation of the Danish tour and the decision of my US agent to bow out due to other commitments. Apparently, there was no interest, according to the Danish agent. That's hurtful. I find it a bit strange, to be honest. I always thought my work was well received there. I hope there will be interest in the future. It's a great country to perform in. Also, I hope someone, in America, will take up the reins. We'll see.

My touring days may be numbered anyway. Weeks away from home no longer appeals. Short bursts are fine and I certainly would love to localise a little. I've been involved with some of the local 'sessions' that Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association have set up. That kind of thing is very handy for me. Long may it continue.

Well now, I'll close off with the news that I'm a weight-watcher now and have lost about 11 pounds, officially, in the last three weeks. The sherry and beer points of the last couple of days may have countered some of that. We'll see. I've been able to get back into some of those leather trousers I like to wear. Just the overhanging bit of gut to deal with now. It's considerably less than it was. I'll try to keep it up. Sigh!

Special thanks to my various agents and Elaine. They've all worked so hard to keep me up and running.
Have a great 2003. See you there.

IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER 17/1/03

 
The Letter (received lunchtime on 15/1/03)

Hello,
It's January 2003 and I hope things are going fine for you.

I'm rushing around to get things together for the trip to Germany. I'm working from a 'todo' list and am not very far down it so....I won't detain you long, as usual.

Vic Besch has gone back to Germany now that we've completed the CD. Unfortunately, the masters only went away on Monday so we won't have them for the start of the German tour.
Drat! We'll see if we can muster up some advance orders. "That would be nice." he says, pleadingly.
It's real mixture of stuff.

IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER – 24/2/03

Hello all,

February and all is well, almost.
Vic Besch and I had a great tour in Germany in January. It seemed that all the folks that booked us were well satisfied...and us with them. A good feeling about the whole thing. Next year's tour is already shaping up. Thank you Ingrid and Manfred.
The new CD arrived about halfway through the tour, which gave us a chance to get a few sold. Unfortunately, there was a mistake with the cover and we will need to send new ones to those who want/need replacements. After we got home we listened to the CD and there's a wee glitch in the first track. The whole thing is being re-pressed (not repressed) and we'll let you know when it's all resolved. Sorry to all those who are impatient to hear it!!!!

Gig wise, I've been very quiet this month due to the cancelled Danish tour, or the one that never really was. Huh! However, I've been busy in the studio. Janet Weatherston's CD is mixed and, a wee birdie tells me that it may be released by The Living Tradition, through their Tradition Bearers series. It's not confirmed but we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Lesley Hale and Charlie Milne have been recording too. I start mixing their CD today and, quite frankly, I can't wait to get on with it. All original material which successfully transcends the traditional folk/country boundary. (Did we ever know there was one?) Some of these songs are going to be sung throughout the folk scene and beyond. I, for one, may nick a couple of these songs. You will like it. Whip! Whip!

We have Sandy Brechin - Accordion Player extraordinaire, joining us for the German tour next month . I'm looking forward to it. Rehearsals started yesterday.

This year's shaping up. Quite a few festivals and club gigs. Dr. Fred Freeman and I are hoping to step up the Burns presentations. With the help of my brother Fraser, we hope to promote the whole thing and get it up and running. Again, I may be speaking too soon but I really hope it's going to happen. Dr. Fred has now completed his mammoth task of putting all Burns' songs onto CD. Quite a collection and advertisement for our proposed collaboration.