Well, I swore that it would never happen to me but it has. I’ve gone and got computerised. Maybe now I’ll hear less griping about my handwriting. I suppose, if you don’t need proof that your favourite superstar is actually sitting down and writing to you personally, then that suits me fine.

First of all, may I welcome the new recipients of this twice yearly epistle. You probably thought I had forgotten you, but my ‘old timers’ would tell you that it’s a fairly irregular mail out. I like to wait until there is something to tell............"Well?"...........I hear you say. "What’s the big news?"

IT’S NEW ALBUM TIME AGAIN!

Most of you probably knew that it was on the way, but I can now supply details. It’s being released on "WILD GOOSE RECORDS", which is a small company, based in Wherwell, near Andover.
The studio’s setting is idyllic. It’s in the gardens of a fabulous big thatched cottage, overlooking the River Test. There just can’t be a more conducive scenario to relaxed recording. Somehow, everything fitted together like a jigsaw.
I was working in these wonderful surroundings, in great weather and in great company. It’s hardly surprising that the album has worked out so well. (At least everyone involved in its recording thinks so.) The atmosphere has, I feel, been captured in the music. It’s light and airy, catchy, rhythmic and melodic without being dragged down by bass and drums. They’ve been left out this time.
The simplicity of the acoustic "THE NAKED TRUTH" has rubbed off. Another influence on the recording has been my involvement with the Robert Burns project. The traditional instrumentation has really bonded to the original songs even more convincingly than I had hoped. (Accordion, fiddle, oboe, percussion and me.) Of course, the only person who can really judge the album objectively is you. I hope you will enjoy it. I’ve named it "ALFRESCO" .......... as fresh as the clean open air. (If you would like me to send you a copy, please complete the enclosed form.)
One of the things I’m a little tickled about is that the musicians, on the album, want to take the music ‘on the road’. We’ll go under the name ‘THE IAN BRUCE BREEZEBAND’.
I’d be keen to try out this new format with the festivals. I’m sure the music would suit.
Also. Only tonight I had a meeting with Gordeanna McCulloch, a well respected traditional Scottish singer. (She used to live on Berwick Drive - my street) We’re hoping to do some of the Scottish festivals as a duo in ‘97. Despite being a songwriter, I’ve always loved traditional music; especially when Gordeanna sings it. So, it will be a privilege and joy to sing with her................Anybody out there want us????

I’ve just about sold out of the first thousand copies of "THE NAKED TRUTH". That maybe doesn’t sound much but when it has no distribution and sold solely at my folkclub gigs, it’s not too bad. It’s approximately 8 or 9 albums per gig (including the older albums). So, thank you all for your support. You may know that a lot of my touring is done on the motorbike. I’m enjoying it thoroughly. I’m hooked on the bike. So much so that I’ve bought a new one. For those who want to know, it’s a Yamaha Thunderace 1000cc. In a way it was a bit irresponsible because it’s not as comfortable as the previous Diversion 900 on a long journey.
The new one, however, is much more exciting and I love it, love it, love it.

Things like that are paid for by the German tours etc. I’m really delighted by the way it’s going over there. It’s getting better and better (he says touching wood). I’m sitting typing this on Wednesday, July 17th and I go back, on Monday, to do another tour. Also, I’m doing a very busy and qualitative batch of gigs there in Oct/Nov finishing off with a promising tour of Holland.....
Here’s the question. Why do I have to go abroad to survive? I love working in the U.K. but, quite frankly it doesn’t do much to support me. It’s very frustrating to be kept down at heel when there are people, like you, around giving me encouragement. I know I’m not alone here. It seems that the Europeans, the Americans, etc. realise that the musician is away from home for long periods of time. They’re willing to pay accordingly. Can you imagine the rewards given to an executive spending so much time away from home.
Sure it’s a great job and I feel privileged to make my living in this way, but the barriers, at times are a bit hard to endure. You can work your butt off to find doors slammed in your face. Can any body tell me, "What am I doing wrong?" You can see by my itinerary that there’s not a lot of British stuff included. I’m sorry to moan so in what should be a NEWSLETTER, but I tend to get a little personal with the people who’ll listen. Please feel free to give me your views. I want to do more festivals and quality clubs but I’m still getting the snubs. WHAT IS THE ANSWER??
Anyway, enough of my grumping. I’m really enjoying my way of life but, if you can talk your local club into fitting me in, that would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading the blurb.
IAN.