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
May peace and happiness fill your cup May the sun find you smiling when it comes up May you never face hard times all alone May the road be smooth you’re traveling on
We dropped in on the Tauranga Jazz n Blues Festival this year on the easter monday as they were hosting many events at the Historic Village on 17th Ave. It was an awesome venue and really had a great New Orleans spirit to the day. Apparently ~12,000 ppl on the Sunday and ~7,000 on the Monday!
Well, after Prince William gave us plugs in the Enright Fashion magazine we have become, for the week at least, according to Under The Radar, New Zealand's no. 1 most popular artist. Prince William also said that his favourite song of ours was GROUND COFFEE so we put that up for free download on our myspace profile.....check it out! How's the world treating you?<br /><br />-Elliot
From heaven above arrives a fascination, It's a personal, glory innovation To be honest, thankfull and true - Holy night, I trust in you, cause you give freedom to everyone, You spend much love and also fun. I treasure Christmas through the years, It's a magic time, which disappears. But it comes back again and again, I'm indeed a Christmas - fan.
I wish you and your family a merry christmas Love & Peace
Kia ora Ian! I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for jamming with Beano, Tipi and myself at the Whangarei J&B Fest.That saturday night jam at the Grand was one of the highlights of my musical journey in life so far and everyone there that night felt the special concoction we were all mixing on stage.I was honoured to be a part of that special moment.Beano and myself are & will be raving about this for years to come.I'm seeing Tipi this weekend at Graham's 50th & I'm sure that jam will be the hot topic!Would there be the possibility of a repeat performance if we all came back up? Kia Kite
How nice to hear from u Ian! Sounding as wonderful as ever! Yes Dad is pretty wrapped, I've set up a bit of a myspace page for him...also check out my son 'Janson' in my top friends...keep in touch..
Hey Ian! How've you been?I hope you're playing the Whangarei J&B Fest this year, Brilleaux are looking forward to that!have they released any venues yet for the fest? Cheers
Thanks for accepting my friendship and for the nice comment. Great tunes you have here I can hear Davy in your tunes. Keep up the great work my new friend!!!
Online Now!
