Solo performer mostly - athough I do play with a band on occassions and also a harp player as a duo.
Influences
So many influences to mention - from old time blues players such as Blind Boy Fuller, Willie McTell etc. to more modern day players such as Keb Mo, Ry Cooder, Roy Bookbinder, Bob Brossman etc. I hope what comes out is me though. Overall, I guess there is a style of playing that could be put into the bracket of 'Piedmont' Blues - despite there being a debate over whether there is such a category of blues.
Big fan of much music including Blues, Old Timey, Celtic and Classical. I suppose the two guitarists that feature, currently, on my play list are Sonny Landreth and Eric Sardinas.
Sounds Like
I hope I sound like me but I have been compared to Roy Bookbinder, Bob Brossman, Stephan Grossman and one of my real early influences - Davey Graham. But I personally would never be so presumptuous as to agree with this.
Lil' Ian playing Robert Johnson's Crossroads Blues at the National Jazz and Blues Festival, Tauranga, New Zealand
Lil' Ian playing Furry Lewis' Falling Down Blues at Rotorua Blues Festival, New Zealand
Born in the UK, but now living in New Zealand, I have been playing acoustic guitar for some years now and not always blues. I started off in a traditional English Folk band - Shire Reeve, Hartlepool - and some of my music is influenced by the Celtic nature of that. If you get to listen to my 'Out Of The Blue' CD, listen to Cypress Grove for instance. I play this in DADGAD - very Celtic feel. I was also influenced by some of the American Primitive Musicians such as Leo Kottke - who wasn't in the 70's? - and John Fahey. I guess I cut my teeth on these guys - but was always pulled back to the players that first motivated me to play - Josh White, Big Bill Broonzy and Gary Davis.
Along the way of course have been a myriad of players such as Ry Cooder, John Hammond, Stephan Grossman, Duck Baker and the wonderful John James. I hope what currently comes out is me though, despite these influences.
I have performed in the UK, New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey and Greece and have been featured on TV in both the UK and New Zealand along with several radio performances. I have appeared on the same bill as John James, Steve Tilston, Duck Baker, and have opened for Dave 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Stephan Grossman and Andrew White. I currently have two CD's on release that are receiving airplay around the globe.
Some reviews:
"An excellent guitarist in the old style" Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records, US
"Kiwi slide guitarist extraordinaire" Radio Hauraki, New Zealand
"The real deal" HotFM, Australia
"One of the best country blues guiatrists we've heard in years" Good Time Blues Review, Argentina
Lil' Ian playing Blind Blake's Police Dog Blues at the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival, Paihia, New Zealand.
Lil' Ian playing Snooks Eaglin's Come Back Baby at the Bay Of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival, Paihia, New Zealand
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Weekend! Hope Everything Goes Well ! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
Cheers Ian. Enjoyed listening to the playing and songs. I can see what they mean about Davey Graham, especially on Katie Mae. Good luck and best wishes from Joel.
Hi Ian, Thanks for finding me,great to meet up on myspace. I love your acoustic blues. I hope to get to New Zealand one day. It's a place I've always wanted to see. Especially the South Island. All the best and keep pickin' Max
Hey Ian, Wishing all the best for the upcoming BOI Jazz an Blues Fest. Looks like a great lineup man. Holla if you come thru Hamilton. You'd be welcome to join me in The Blues Room LIVE.
nice to meet you..2 hours away, where may that be? Noticed you were playing at the blues and jazz fest..didnt realize there was one there..might take a drive out..
Hi Ian... nice to be here on your site and visa versa. I thought the world was small BEFORE I cranked this m'space thing up. Now everybody lives next door.
I like your playing very much - especially on 'Katie Mae' - very clean, great tones.
Please give"Early In the Morning" a listen on my site - a direct influence (and written in his musical company) of Roy Book Binder - a name that doesn't show up so often on these pages, but should.
