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of Ian
Bruce at 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Like many other young urbanites, I have a natural suspicion of folk music. More than anything else: the idea of bearded men playing obscure Celtic instruments brings to mind scenes from 'The Wicker Man'. I've generally given the whole genre a wide berth, yet Ian Bruce's show could almost tempt me to change my policy. The informality of the gig made me feel thoroughly comfortable, despite being a generation or two younger than anyone else in the audience, and I left with my curiosity kindled. His hour-long set was thoroughly engaging, blending traditional music with modern Scottish compositions, and the tunes are still stuck in my head. Moreover, to my relief, there wasn't a human sacrifice in sight. Chris Watt of Ian Bruce and Ian Walker ot 2004 Crocketford Festival |
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| Ian Bruce and Ian Walker balance each other better than itchy and scratchy. Not a wasted moment. | |
| Hector Christie | |
| of Ian Bruce at Llantrisant Folk Club, South Wales | |
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REVIEW - IAN BRUCE:
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| TOO FAR FROM SHE CD | |
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Although Too Far From She is a 'solo'
album, it is most noteworthy for the heavyweight arrangements and classy production
supplied by the band of session men. Actually, I found the whole album a bit of a puzzler. Ian has a splendidly flexible voice; one minute he's Neil Young, the next Harvey Andrews. McGuinness Flint make an 'appearance' and several tracks, with some spiffing keyboards and drums, sound like they've been lifted lock, stock, piano and vocal from an Elton John album. All of which makes it sound awfully derivative and appears faintly damning; which is perplexing 'cos I enjoyed the album immensely and it's hardly been off the turntable. There are some excellent songs Gone For The Day, Child On The Green and the title track is such a cracker, it even provoked me to blowing the cobwebs off the guitar and attempting to sing it - a rare 'compliment'. Bob Walton - Folk Roots, April '89 |
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| BLODWEN'S DREAM | |
| All in all a cracking album. Chris Lock - Folk Northwest | |
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Bruce has a clear
sweet voice and is a songwriter of great variety. Steve Winick (New York) |
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Underlying the
whole album, no matter how contemporary the delivery, how angry the sentiments, or how
intriguing the arrangements, is traditional music. A wise choice for Fellside’s first venture into C.D.s. Awesome. Lawrence Hoy - Buzz |
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A fine album. This
guy has a big future Rock ‘n’ Reel |
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His arrangement of Graeme Miles’ ‘My Eldorado’ is
an absolute classic. I’ll lay odds that ‘Ghost of The Chair’ will shortly be a singaround classic. Thoroughly enjoyable. Bob Walton - Folk Roots |
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An Album
you’ll be glad you got to know. Howie Johnstone - Broadbeat |
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| OUT OF OFFICE | |
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Most of his
twelve tracks were written or co-written by Ian, skillfully blending crafted observations,
sung well, arranged crisply with strong contributions from supporting musicians. Pete Willow - fh magazine. |
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We like
this album, it's good easy listening. Ian Bruce sings very well and the backing is of
consistently high standard. We particularly liked the songs written in collaboration with
Ian Walker. The production is of a high standard. "Out Of Office" is much more
of a country album than a folk collection. Ian has spent some time in America and it
shows. Ron & Jenny Day - Stirrings |
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The songs are well - crafted
and smoothly performed. Ian certainly has a superb voice.
Shire Folk |
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Ian's latest and very
welcome release is varied,melodic and polished. All in all, no less than we expect from
this experienced singer / songwriter. The songs range from a tribute to Country &
Western fans through humour & ballads to a warning to all those smokers who swear they
can give up anytime. The duet,"The Touch and The Go", with Marysia Lessnau has to be one of my favourites. As an ex-pat American, the witty tribute to some of the benefits (?) of the United States certainly struck a chord. I think the only thing he missed was the skunk. The arrangements are well balanced and in no way detracting from the songs, as can so often be the case with soloists. Altogether I would recommend this to all Ian Bruce fans and to everyone who likes clear, easy to follow melodies and words from thought provoking to witty. Anne-Marie Bower - Scottish Folk Gazette |
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"The Touch And The
Go", a life history of a couple coping with life's ups and downs, is destined to
become a classic. Bruce also continues to enhance his reputation as an interpretor of
other people's songs with a bitter version of Utah Pillips' "All Used Up". The slightly MOR arrangements are largely sympathetic, apart from a couple of OTT exceptions, but with Ian Bruce's splendid voice, perhaps unnecessary. Bob Walton - Folk Roots |
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Ian Bruce can cast
around for any musical style that takes his fancy and use it to his advantage. He has done
this, very successfully on "Out Of Office". PH - Folk On Tap |
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| FREE AGENT CD | |
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WHERE HAS THIS MAN BEEN??? WHY
HAVEN'T I HEARD OF HIM BEFORE? WHAT A GREAT VOICE! AS BOTH A TRADITIONAL AND 'POP' SINGER
HE'S ONE OF THE BEST NEW TALENTS I'VE HEARD IN A LONG WHILE. - DAVE WEIDE -KUNV RADIO, LAS VEGAS |
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IAN BRUCE IS A SCOTTISH SINGER/SONGWRITER, AND ONE WHOSE INITIAL IMPACT COMES
FROM HIS WIDE RANGING AND SPLENDID VOICE; I'VE SEEN IT REDUCE A RABBLE TO SILENCE WITHIN
HALF A VERSE. WHAT SETS THEM (THE SONGS) APART TEND TO BE THEIR MEMORABLE TUNES. GOOD
LISTENING. - BOB WALTON - FOLK ROOTS - JAN/FEB 95 |
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| THE NAKED TRUTH Vol 1 | |
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This is a superb CD that, folkies (traddy or otherwise) or non-folkies can enjoy. Don't let the cover picture put you off.....Mary Shepherd - Folk On. |
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| Ian has a superb voice and a real "presence" and his talents as a songwriter go from strength to strength. "Too Far From She" has become a folk club classic and "Blue Denim Days" is the anthem of the generation......Shire Folk | |
| The accapella 'From a Distance' shows a new side to this standard which is usually at the mercy of overzealous arrangers...."The Naked Truth is just that; his songs, voice and guitar. It is his finest effort to date.......John O'Regan - Rock 'n' Reel. | |
| Twenty excellent songs. Apparently they've been recorded before but never with simply voice and guitar. That is all they need. It's invidious to pick out songs, they all have quality. Put this man on national television, NOW!.....Bob Harragan - Taplas | |
| Should have done it years ago.......Bob Walton - Folk Roots | |
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I am not a keen fan of singer/songwriters as a rule -
there are exceptions. Andy Irvine, Stan Rogers, Brian McNeill and of
course Ewan MacColl spring to mind - but I really enjoyed this CD by Ian
Bruce. My enjoyment may have been helped as I'm writing this on the banks
of the Loire with a glass of wine to hand. The CD arrived the day I left
for France so I packed the CD player and brought the CD along. I'm glad I
did.
What a great idea of Ian McCalman's to take out all the clutter that over dubs and production can bring and to record Ian virtually "live" singing and accompanied only by his guitar. Ian has a fine voice and his guitar reflects the mood of each of his songs. Unlike many singer/songwriters who are inclined to be self-indulgent all Ian's songs are saying, "I know someone who's experienced that" or "hey, I've been there too" and had me listening to each and every line. From an excellent CD the following for me were some of the highlights: Haven't you been away from a loved one? - "Too Far From She"; had visions of being a bachelor all your days - "Free Agent"; being poor but happy - "The Touch and The Go"; know someone who is anxious and depressed - "Black Fog"; being laid off from work but finding a happy life - "Blue Denim Days". These are just a few of the topics, which Ian covers with great insight. The one exception to this excellent record was Julie Gold's song "From A Distance" which is probably best known from the singing of Nanci Griffith. It is the only unaccompanied track and I found it somewhat disjointed but this one blemish in twenty excellent tracks and is trifling. Yes there are twenty tracks with seventy-five minutes playing time. Some of the tracks you may have heard before on Ian's previous CDs but this "live" collection of Ian's songs with only his guitar accompaniment and no "safety net" is not only superb value but also more importantly an excellent CD. Go out and enjoy it.
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Apparently Mike Kamp has given this album
a good review. Alas, it is in German. To be fair - it is a German magazine! If you want to check it out, it's in November / Dezember '96 "folk - michel". |
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Kundenrezensionen
Hauptsächlich selbsgeschriebene Lieder. Stimmungsvolle und kräftige Lieder. Bringt das schottische Gefuehl vorallem durch seine beeindruckende Stimme klasse rueber. |
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There's another German
review in FOLKSBLATT 4/96. I do hope it's a good one! |
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| A KIND AND GENTLE NATURE CD | |
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I thought the quintessential Ian Bruce album
would be the "unplugged" recording he did with Ian McCalman, (The Naked Truth vol 1.) then I heard this. What fine musicians; the band sound like they have been together forever. Their playing gives a perfect setting for Ian's voice and songs. And what a fine collection of songs. Ian's writing has found new dimension here. He has developed into a very fine storyteller indeed. That is not to say that his autobiographical songs are missing. The CD is topped and tailed by two of them, "Blue Denim Days", his hymn to life as a professional musician, and "Up There With 'Em" a song about records and making them. In between these two songs, Ian examines alienation, separation, loneliness, childhood and relationships. Melody writing has always been one of Ian's strong points and the songs here are all testiment to that. Good songs, good arrangements, good performances - What more can you ask for? On this showing, Ian Bruce is "Up There With 'Em" and deservedly so. ..............John McCready, Living Tradition |
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| HODDEN GREY | |
| Ian has written some fine things of his own, over the years, but here he hurls his big robust voice at a collection of vigorous traditional songs. The result is rivetingly good................THE SCOTSMAN. | |
| His delivery is first class...A very pleasant and enjoyable recording.........Bobby Harvey, Scottish Memories | |
| While "Hodden Grey" may be the title, this album is far above the ordinary. In a nutshell, this C.D. proves that the combination of a good singer and a good song is very hard to beat. It's yet another first-class Greentrax production.........Alan McIntosh Brown, Living Tradition. | |
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Ian Bruce , to some better known as a contemporary songwriter, is a fine
interpretor of traditional song. Bruce's voice is strong, clear, powerful and possesses
buckets of personality. 'The Stoutest Man in The Forty Twa' and 'Will Ye Go Tae Flanders'
fit his voice like a glove and yield warm, comfortable results. Deft instrumentation adds
the necessary shading and musical colouring. A revelation to some, but Ian Bruce's attachment to his roots has always been a vital aspect of his approach to music. "Hodden Grey" is a pleasure to hear........John O'Regan, Rock 'n' Reel. |
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Ian
has been making his living on the folk scene, in the last few years, as one of its most
notable songwriters. So, this album comes as a bit of a surprise. His out standing
contribution to " The Complete Songs of Robert Burns" albums, encouraged him
back to his roots. He has come up with an album of Scots traditional song which is a
winner. Most of the material is well known, but his fine voice and enthusiastic treatments
make sure it is never hackneyed. "Will Ye Go Tae Flanders?" and "Johnny Gallacher" are quite outstanding. Some of the finest young musicians are amongst his accompanists.......Vic Smith, Sussex Folk Diary. |
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Ian
Bruce is Scottish singer / songwriter of some renown. He plays guitar, has
a strong, clear voice and has been prompted to record an album of Scottish
traditional songs. It has variety and is very well recorded. A team of
first rate musicians has been assembled in support. This is a quality product of which Mr. Bruce can be proud....S.B., Folk on Tap |
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I've just found two German reviews. I
think they are complimentary, but I'm not going to sit here typing them
out. It would take me forever. Check out; Folk Michel - Mike Kamp and Christian Moll - the.mollis@cityweb.de |
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| I've seen Ian a few times, at Sidmouth and other forays to the south of England. I can't remember when his last album was released, but, this one, again is impressive. I admire his skill in interpreting some of the old songs in new ways....Rod Harrington, Folk and Roots (Somerset Sound.) | |
| I Loved it!....Bernard Jean, Radio Sauvagine, Bordeaux | |
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1 von 1 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich:
Der Liedermacher aus Glasgow geht mit dieser CD mal neue Wege. Relativ unbekannte schottische Traditionals werden von ihm hier neu aufgelegt. Meiner Meinung nach absolut höhrenswert. Er überzeugt durch seine tolle und voluminöse Stimme. Sollte Gelegenheit zu einem Livekonzert bestehen, kann ich jedem nur empfehlen dieses zu besuchen.
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In Hodden Grey
Ian Bruce celebrates twin themes that run throughout Scotland's heritage: the trade of the
soldier and the feelings of egalitarianism bestowed by the hodden grey - the cloth that
results from weaving undyed wool and which is famous, far outside the nation, as the
uniform of the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, The London Scottish, of whom
Ian's father was pipe major. A rumbustious collection with a wry, confident, altogether gallus feel about it, performed by experts who are enjoying it as much as the listeners will...............Alasdair Maclean, Scots Mag. |
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| Bruce has a fine, strong voice and his style suits the material well, witht the occasional subtle vocal trick not usually associated with the stricter traditional singer. He even manages to breathe new life into "The Diamond Ship" and "Tatties an' Herrin'." .............................BEB, Dirty Linen, U.S. | |
| Ian Bruce is known to many as a gifted contemporary singer /songwriter. He has already penned a number of fine albums of his perceptive and sensitive songs. This is an album of predominantly traditional songs delivered with feeling and Ian's clear, strong voice is left unadorned. There are some real gems here. This is another fine album, from Ian, gently accompanied, which is dedicated to his dad. Nice touch....Bob Lloyd | |
| It was with delight that I listened to Ian Bruce. Better known on the British folk scene as a singer/songwriter; on "Hodden Grey", he has returned to his roots and proved himself to be a reputable singer of traditional Scottish folk songs. For me, it was like becoming re-acquainted with old friends....Jenny Jones, Shreds and Patches | |
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| ALLOWAY TALES | |
| "Singer Ian Bruce has contributed to Linn's on-going Robert Burns project and now fourteen of his settings have been drawn together (Alloway Tales, Linn CKD112) in a compilation. Bruce's strong and pleasing voice is tastefully accompanied by his own guitar, as well as variously by Tony McManus, John Martin, Catriona MacDonald and Ian Lowthian among others. The songs include Ye Jacobites by Name, Now Westlin Winds, Such a Parcel of Rogues, and other Burns' favourites."... Taplas - Dec / Jan 2000 | |
| "Culled from the excellent Linn Records ' Complete Songs of Robert Burns (Volumes 1 to 6)', the songs are a mixture of the very familiar - 'Auld Lang Syne', 'Now Westlin' Winds and Slaught'ring Guns', 'Ye Jacobites by Name, - and lesser known ones such as The Auld Man's Winter Thought, 'O' When She Cam Ben She Bobbed. With Bruce providing guitar and superb performances throughout , these songs retain the spirit of Burns who hoped to 'form a kind of common acquaintance among all the genuine sons of Caledonia song', by making them accessable to a whole new generation of listeners. With a fine roster of musicians that includes some of Scotlands finest, from the guitar of Tony McManus and Catriona Macdonald's fiddle to Dougie Pincock's pipes and Marc Duff's whistles, it's an album that will delight fans of Ian Bruce as well as those who hold Burns in such high regard." David Haslam.. Rock and Reel (Spring 2000) | |
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LISTEN
TO THIS........Ian Bruce brings a robust humour to his 'Alloway Tales', a
collection based upon the song works of Burns and enhanced by the talents of a cornucopia
of guest players like Dougie Pincock, Ian Anderson, Tony McManus and Billy Jackson.
Though the words may be familiar enough, this collection has its own fascination, not least the contrast between the unaccompanied 'Parcel of Rogues in a Nation' followed by an upbeat, jaunty version of 'A Man's a Man for a' That' and check out the wistful emotion of 'Auld Lang Syne' to the original tune. As befits a man whose father was the pipe major of the London Scottish, the Scottishness is as up front as the music. Good one Ian......Alasdair Maclean, Scots Magazine. |
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Review taken from issue No 2 (July - Aug 2000) of the
bi-monthly on-line folk magazine edited by Mike Raven
www.freefolk.com
(permission given to reproduce it here) For well over twenty years Ian Bruce has been refining and honing his talents as a singer-songwriter. His finely penned songs and powerful presentations, well laced with a sparkling, friendly wit, have won him respect and admiration around the world. From early adventures with his brother Fraser, and sometime collaborations with Ian Walker, Ian Bruce has emerged as a major talent, well able to stand alone, as evidenced by his The Naked Truth album. That said, he has, many times on record and on the concert hall stage, demonstrated an ability to enhance his performances by working sympathetically with other fine musicians. Alloway Tales is a ‘concept album’ and the brainchild of Dr Fred Freeman who produced the recording and provided some illuminating background notes. It is an album that sees Ian Bruce using his performing skills to present a programme devoted to songs by Robert Burns. Whilst never a devotee of the works of Burns I cannot help but recognise the hold his work has on the Scottish psyche world-wide. I must declare myself here. I am fortunate enough to count Ian Bruce as a friend, and I have enjoyed and admired his work over many years, so I could be accused of bias when I say that this is a magnificent album. However, I think that this recording will stand up to the closest scrutiny and be adjudged one of Ian’s best efforts. Twenty years ago, perhaps even ten, he couldn’t have done this album justice. Now he has the maturity to demonstrate that he is truly in command of the material. The opening track, Ye Jacobites by Name, is a magnificently controlled performance, a welcome change from the ‘raucous thrash’ which we often hear; then into a gentle version of Lassie Wi’ the Lintwhite Locks. This is followed by a short, more up-tempo, vocal and instrumental extravaganza, Galloway Tam. There is light and shade throughout the fourteen tracks and some fantastic back up instrumental arrangements. With so many fine musicians adding their skills to the album it seems almost invidious to single anyone out for special mention, but I must say that I was particularly taken with the contributions of Dougie Pincock on bodhran, small pipes and whistle; Ian Lowthian on accordion and John Martin, viola and fiddle. My favourite track is Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation, which Ian sings unaccompanied with such joyous relish; but then there’s The Auld Man’s Winter Thought, a contemplative piece beautifully delivered; then into Craigieburn Wood and Now Westlin Winds and Slaught’ring Guns. He also includes a version of Auld Lang Syne, which redresses all the abuses which have been heaped on this song over countless Hogmanay celebrations. Go on, buy the album and make your own choices; you won’t be disappointed. Johnny Collins |
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| JIGS, JIVES & JACOBITES | |
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This album features the Ianianiain Band with special guest Ian. Put another way, this is Ian Bruce on vocals, guitar and Bodhran; Ian Lowthian on accordion and keyboards; Iain Fraser on fiddle and special guest Ian Murray on percussion. It was recorded live in Glasgow's Riverside Club (surprisingly not in Stront-ian or Dalsh-ian) at the tail end of last year and has that nice, slightly rough at the edges feel of a non-studio album. Ian Bruce is one of those performers whose esteem has risen in recent years, helped by his Hodden Grey album of traditional songs which re-established him as "a voice". Here he has chosen to reverse the trend by restricting himself to only two from the tradition; 'Dark Lochnagar' (though I'm not sure about the change of tempo mid-song) and an exciting version of 'Ye Jacobites By Name', which does work. There are two instrumental tracks featuring the compositions of Ian Lowthian but eight of the albums dozen tracks feature Ian Bruce's own songs. There's no doubting that the man can write, but if I'm going to be critical - and that, dear reader, is one of the duties of a reviewer - I'd have to say that, for me, a couple of songs lean too much towards self-examination rather than that of the human condition in general. Still, everyone to their gout as the French say, nearly, and these are more than balanced by the overall quality of the others. It sounds like a great night at the Riverside with both performers and audience enjoying themselves and while the playing personnel might be restricted to those of the same name, the album is for sale to anyone. ALAN MACKINTOSH BROWN - Living Tradition |
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In case any lan Bruce fans are confused, Jigs Jives & Jacobites originally made a fleeting public appearance on the Ruglen label (as By The Riverside by lanlanlain) before being snapped up re-mastered and re-titled by Linn. Recorded live at Glasgow's Riverside Club, lan Bruce's vocals and guitar are supplemented by Ian Lowthian (accordeon, keyboards) and lain Fraser (fiddle, viola), along with special guest Ian Murray on percussion. Don't be fooled by the title though: having raised his profile over the last few years by singing more from the traditional and Burns repertoire, Bruce returns almost entirely to his own songs in this concert, interspersed with some great tune sets from Lowthian. (To be fair, there is one Jacobite song). With the occasional raggedness that comes from a single live take, the album ably puts across the awesome vocals of lan Bruce at full tilt singing his heart out in front of a receptive audience, and the great atmosphere of a memorable live gig. Bob Walton (From Jan / Feb (Nos 223/224) issue of fROOTS |
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"Oh, where the hell am I going?" sings Ian Bruce as if he’s lost in a sea of self doubt, the epicentre of an identity crisis,. The illusion isn’t kept up for long , this is a man who knows exactly what he’s about and his own road. Solid, reliable Bruce and band (two chaps , Iain Fraser on fiddle and accordian pusher Ian Lowthian), have that sound which could only be Scots, Scots folk at that . It’s not in the vocals nor in the song writing – in fact Bruce’s work shows an uncanny knack for capturing all sorts of atmospheres from countryish leanings ‘Fallen Angels’, to rock ‘n’roll ‘ My Martin and My Motorbike’. The trick here is in the instrumentation. It positively reeks of heather and wears tartan. Lowthian in particular has so got under the skin of Caledonia that his playing and writing ‘ Pete & Myra’s Wedding’ for instance is text book stuff. One listen and you’ll be breaking out the malt. Given that this is a live effort recorded in the Riverside, Glasgow, Bruce and chums whip up quite a party. Made north of the border and no doubt proud of it! Simon Jones From "Get Rhythm" Oct 2001 edition |
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CAPTURED live at Glasgow’s Riverside Club, Ian Bruce has long been rated as one of Scotland’s most potent folk voices, as well as a gifted songwriter himself. On this showing, the musical quality of his compositions sometimes outweighs their lyrical calibre, but his singing’s combined melodic richness and raw-edged bluesy grit is a consistent pleasure. In terms of subject, he’s a little over-preoccupied with the vagaries of being a singer-songwriter, while the sentiments behind Namenlos (mourning a departed cat) and Mellow (time will tame all firebrand rebels) are too slight to leave an impression. The gutsy roots-rock opener, Where Should I Go and My Martin & My Motorbike pack a stronger punch with covers of Byron’s Dark Lochnagar and Burns’ Ye Jacobites By Name. Sue Wilson Sunday Herald - 26 August 2001 http://www.sundayherald.com/print17906 Copyright © 2001 smg sunday newspapers ltd. no.176088 |
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Live ist Ian Bruce ziemlich unschlagbar,
daher war es eine gute Idee, die aktuelle CD im Riverside Club in Glasgow direkt
einzuspielen. Dazu kommen mit seinen Namensvettern Fraser (Fiddle) und Lowthian
(Akkordeon) Mitmusikanten, die einen riesigen Erfahrungsschatz vorweisen können.
Lediglich den Percussionisten hätte man sich sparen können. 1x Burns, 1x Byron,
diverse Tunes von Mr. Lowthian und natürlich und hauptsächlich Lieder von Ian
Bruce, wie wir sie kennen und als seine Fans lieben. Wer spricht seine Probleme
so offen aus ("Where should I go"), wer schreibt ein absolut nicht peinliches
Lied über eine verblichene Katze ("Namenlos") oder wer sagt Konzert-Hooligans
die Meinung und offenbart trotzdem einen Blick in die Künstlerseele ("Pearls
Before Swines")? Eingängige Melodien und seine kräftige Stimme sorgen dafür,
dass die Fans diese CD mit Freuden in ihre Bruce-Sammlung einreihen werden. Einzige Enttäuschung: das schottische
Publikum, was trotz des überzeugenden Materials und mehrfacher Aufforderung
partout nicht mitsingen will. Lösung: die nächste Live-CD in Deutschland
aufnehmen.
Mike Kamp
http://www.folker.de/200203/rezi-eu.htm
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| THE NAKED TRUTH Vol 2 | |
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THUMBS UP Ian Bruce - The Naked Truth - Volume 2 (Ruglen Records LUMS CD0109) Revisiting some more of his greatest favourites, the
man with the From December 2004 fROOTS No 258 page 67
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| THE DEMONS' DANCE | |
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I’ve
never owned, let alone reviewed, an Ian Bruce CD before. Turns out that’s
my misfortune rather than his, cos I have to say that this is never less
than good, more than that in others bits, and contains a blindingly good
rendition of the best song I’ve heard for a year or two. I’ll get to that,
but first… Ian hasn’t fallen into the trap of putting quantity before quality, something that often seems to bedevil those who produce CDs. You must’ve encountered CDs which have anything from 15-17 tracks, some of which cause you to you wonder if the quality inspector was asleep at his post and let a half dozen of the inferior ones past to the detriment of the work as a whole, rather than preserving just a dozen superior tracks which no one would’ve needed to feel apologetic about. Ian sticks to giving us 11 good tracks, the longest of which are a couple of which come in over 5 minutes, so the album is a tight work of shifting moods and subjects which keep the listeners attention because of the quality of the writing, the accompanying musicians, (Angus Lyon on piano and accordion makes a particularly outstanding contribution to creating some of those “moods” of the album) and last but certainly not least, the singing. Ian is singing well with maturity to the voice that finds him keeping the drama under control using it only where really indicated, and his version of ‘The last watch on the Midland’ is an example of a fine song being given a fine treatment. His own (with co-writer Charlie Milne) ‘Arrogant man’ is a song about being judged on appearances and people only seeing the exterior. As he looks like a fearsome extra from ‘The Terminator’ but has much more intelligence and sensitivity, then the song has real resonance with the singer and it’s an interesting piece which he manages both to zoom through yet be reflective at the same time, and is such an honest open piece it is irresistible. Stephen Clark wrote the stunner of a song I mentioned earlier, and Ian does two things for it. He moves it to a Scottish reading so that “Coming Home” becomes “Comin Hame”. Might sound a small thing to do, but it makes a very fine song even better because it fits the vital “A’ Jock Tamsons Bairns” language that is used elsewhere in the song. Secondly he so much makes it his own that I was surprised to learn that it wasn’t. Married to his great interpretation the song describes the abused of different countries viewed variously as our “brithers sisters, faither and mither”, making their new homes in Scotland, “comin hame tae a land they’ve never been” Intensely moving reading of a song that’s way up there with the humanitarianism of a Hamish Henderson, and thankfully the absence of a preaching demeanour that’s so much the case in Ians’ personal appearances carries through to the recorded version. Buy it Bono ye mullet heid and learn! Fine album – love to see a collaborative effort with the other Ian (Walker) as a future project as they balance each other even better than Itchy & Scratchy, but till then this is well worthy of your attention. Hector Christie
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Schottische Traditionals von
Ian
Bruce, 31. August 2000