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 21st
century blues man
Expressed through a distinctive bitter-sweet vocal delivery and harrowing
guitar work, Ian's songs hold nothing back. His ability and willingness to
share with his audience, naked honesty and genuine emotion, is what sets
him apart.
Drawing on an eclectic range of influences, this young man is fast
becoming Britain's best loved blues/roots performer. A songwriter
genuinely literate, sometimes almost literary, Ian is an original
craftsman rooted in the blues but not trapped by any desire to replicate
the past. He is without doubt a relevant contemporary blues man.
Ian signed to Ruf Records following a personal introduction to US record
producer, David Z (Prince - Purple Rain). His debut album 'INSIDE'
(Ruf1094) was released in October 2003.
" I was truly honoured to be involved in this project." David Z
In March 2004, Ian appeared on Germany's top live music TV show,
'Rockpalast' as part of the 'Crossroads Festival'. Ian and his band were
voted the number one act of the festival and a live DVD of this incendiary
performance was released in June 2005, entitled '...WHILST THE WIND'
(Ruf3007).
In addition to the DVD, a live album documenting Ian's performance in
Hannover during his December 2004 European Tour, was also released in June
2005 under the same title (Ruf1102). Both releases met with high critical
acclaim and continue to notch up impressive sales.
In September 2005, Ian wrote and recorded five songs for a Ruf Records
project album, 'PILGRIMAGE' (Ruf1112) which was recorded in Clarksdale,
Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee, and released in January 2006. The
recording of Pilgrimage, not only extended Ian's touring activities
throughout Europe and importantly into the US, it also had a profound
effect on the artist's musical direction and focus.
On return from America in September 2005, Ian began a lengthy artistic
process based around his rediscovery of the blues and soul artists who had
inspired him to begin playing as a teenager. This period of consolidation
culminated in the recording of the album 'WHERE I BELONG' (Ruf1120),
released in February 2007.
'WHERE I BELONG' was recorded in Cheltenham, England and produced by Matt
Butler, whose extensive CV includes none other than Sir Paul McCartney.
Recorded analogue to tape, the album has the rich and warm sonic
characteristics associated with the pre-digital age, but there is nothing
retro about this release. 'WHERE I BELONG' has something for all blues
fans, purists and progressives alike. It catalogues the pronounced growth
and self-discovery of a modern blues artist who is here to stay.
"The best band I've seen in a decade - Ian's voice, feel and guitar
technique are what his contemporaries can only dream of!" WALTER
TROUT
"Skilfully crafted, emotionally expressive and honest original songs."
BRYN SLACK (Austin Slack Music)
Next
European Tour April 2008
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