IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER 20/6/04

Hi,

Very short one this time. Not much to tell.

Busy getting ready for the new CD recording. Only a couple of gigs and the rest of the work has been in the recording studio or in schools.

Dr. Fred Freeman and I have been doing Allan Ramsay workshops in Gordon and Leadhills Primary schools. We've technoed up a couple of Allan Ramsay songs and written a tribute to him along with the kids. We've recorded the whole thing and it's been a bit of a blast. These few kids will remember the name Allan Ramsay there's no doubting it. Now all we have to do is start working on the adults.

Have a great summer.

I'll speak to you next month.

Ian

Email ianbruce3@aol.com

website www.ianbruce.org

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Editor’s Note

Did you get to see the Gadget Show with oor Ian in? The gadget show's website said:- "Ultimate Hi-Fi Challenge Can Jason tell the difference between an £1600 entry-level hi-fi system, a £100,000 grand hi-fi system and a live performance? Suzi garners the country's top hi-fi experts and one of Scotland favourite folk singers, Ian Bruce, to present the challenge. Meanwhile, Jason visits the state of the art factory of hi-fi manufacturers Linn to find out what goes into high fidelity sound reproduction and what you can do to optimise your system whatever it cost. "

The presenter Jason Bradbury was blindfolded then placed in front of three different sources of Ian's version of Westlin' Winds. First a CD through their "entry" system, then Live, then through their £100,000 system. It was shown on 14/6 and then repeated on 16/6 and 18/6.

On his own website http://www.jasonbradbury.com/jason_bradbury/

2004/05/100000_for_a_hi.html , Jason said :-"Back in the hot seat, blindfolded, I listened intently to the enchanting tones of the Gaelic singer before me. (In truth I had imagined a slight man in a bright red tartan kilt – he turned out to be a six foot butch leather biker – I’m not kidding). "

Jason B was so impressed with Ian's voice that he wants him to sing at his wedding! (No - we can't gatecrash it ! )

If you didn't see the show and you would like to see it, let me know - several copies were done for me by family and friends (I can't get Channel 5)........

The programme has brought Ian to the attention of "non-folkies" - they have left messages on Jason's website and in Ian's guestbook. Welcome to the Newsletter ! Ian's website is a good sort of information - www.ianbruce.org . I still have to reply to some of the questions asked - I will do that shortly.

UPDATE ON CDs

Naked Truth 2 is being pressed/copied - should be available VERY shortly.

Ian was recording with the Band on the weekend - they have managed to get 9 tracks done. Haven't been told which ones - but I've heard some of the demos of the songs and the new CD will be a treat . Some great new songs...........

In August, Ian is appearing in Neidpath Castle as part of the Peebles Festival. The tickets are available from the Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre Box Office on 01721 725777. Their web-site http://www.tweedtheatre.org.uk

Anyway, Happy Listening and all the best for Independence Day,

Elaine Hawkins

editor@ianbruce.co.uk

IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER  15/7/04

Me again,

Well, it's been a little hectic of late. All these workshops for schools and youth groups.

I've been really busy in the studio too. Recording the latest CD with Stewart Hardy - fiddle, Angus Lyon - Accordion and Keyboards, Marc Duff - Whistle, recorder, bouzouki and Bodhran, Shaun Blandford - Bass and last but not least Gordon Gallacher on Drums.
It's shaping up well but still a lot to do to it. I hope we'll be finished by the end of the month.

I've taken the time to update the website. Thanks to www.paypal.com I've been able to add an online purchasing facility. Just in time for the release of The Naked Truth Vol 2. I'm writing this on 15th July and I'm told the CDs will be with me tomorrow.

Quite a number have already ordered online. (Thank you.)

If you don't know about Paypal then it's time you did. It's an AOL endorsed, secure site which allows easy money transactions online. You just open an account and you're set up for all kinds of online buying, selling or trading.

As far as my site is concerned www.ianbruce.org you only have to go on to the ALBUMS 
Section and click on "Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!" and you'll be taken to the checkout where you'll be asked to setup an account.

Honestly it's very safe. So don't worry about it.

It could be very useful for the future.

If you want to order now then click here  http://www.ianbruce.org/naked2.htm to go to the relevant page.

Anyway, not too much more to report at this quiet time.

I hope to see you soon.

Ian Bruce
email ianbruce3@aol.com

website www.ianbruce.org

Editor’s Note

I was curious about whether "drummer"   on the new Band recording meant Djembe or a full drum kit - it is the latter. Can't wait to hear it - should be a very full sound!!

Check out the Guestbook.

Ian (and I) had already replied personally to most of the "posts", but he has now put replies on to the Guestbook.

There were several broken links to mp3s on the website. Ian has been fixing them.

I was really pleased to see that the ones on the IAN BRUCE PRESS RELEASE page  (www.ianbruce.org/solopress.htm) had been reinstated.  They are FULL and LIVE versions of the songs.
LIVE AT THE HAM MARQUEE, SIDMOUTH
Blodwen's Dream 

From a Distance 

LIVE IN SONTHOVEN (With Ian Lowthian)
Lonely Old Lady 
Trumpet Sounds 

Best Wishes and happy listening,

 Elaine

editor@ianbruce.co.uk

IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER  AUGUST 31/7/04

Hi,

I can hardly believe it's been a month since I last wrote....well, well, well!

Once again, it's a quick scribble in between all the bits and bobs that are going on.

I'm still working on the new CD, which I'm very pleased with. Thinking about my new position as one of three Dumfries and Galloway tutors for the "Burns and Rivers Project". It's all to be in the spirit of Robert Burns, if not always in the same style. I think the job is basically to encourage folks to look around and be inspired by what they see, read or hear and put their findings into song. Adapting existing works applies too. Burns and the likes did that kind of thing a great deal.

I've just finished moving the studio around. There was too much computer whirring going on and it's been a mammoth task to get the equipment arranged so that the computer and power supply can be in the ante room. I'm still disorientated (or disoriented if you're American).

I've only received positive comments re " The Naked Truth Volume 2 ". I'm glad so thanks a lot. It can be bought from the site via paypal  http://www.ianbruce.org/naked%202.htm

Oh! Well. That's the hard sell done again for another month.

Tony and I are working in the restaurant tonight and then making the sojourn south to Sidmouth for a couple of days. I'm looking forward to showing him around. I love it. Unfortunately, I'm not performing there this year but, I'm hoping the festival continues (There is some doubt as I believe Mrs. Casey's music is pulling out. Maybe someone could confirm this?!!) and that I do have further bookings there.

I'd better go and get ready.

See you around.

Best wishes.

Ian Bruce

direct email ianbruce3@aol.com

website: www.ianbruce.org

Editor's note 

I have been reading the messages on the website guestbook (very witty) and I was surprised that, as yet, no-one has made any comments about the new CD. I will have to rectify that !! "Naked Truth 2" is the best CD that Ian has done so far. It is a great selection of songs, mainly his own compositions (or collaborations) and three cracking songs from other songwriters. They are all performed wonderfully.

His voice is superb and he has put the same amount of feeling into each song as he would if he had an audience in front of him.  

Just as in a live performance his renditions of the songs move you to laugh or cry, bring back our own memories or even see things from a different angle . There is a plus though - he doesn't break any strings!!

On "North West Passage" - Ian harmonises with himself four times and though he might not  be able to reproduce it on stage (!) the effect is spine-tingling. It shows the range that his voice has.

ALL the tracks are great . I'm sure that you'll love it.