15th November 2008

Hi Folks,

Long time, no newsletter as usual! I've been pretty busy doing pre-production work for my new EP, which is coming together nicely, and will be released at the start of next year. I'm very excited about the new material, and I'm really looking forward to trying some of it out in Holland during the acoustic tour in December. We've been playing more or less the same songs now for close to two years, and as much as we vary the set wherever possible, an injection of new material will undoubtedly re-energise everyone involved. I also love playing acoustic music, so Holland will be a real treat for me!

That said I'm still enjoying the 'regular' shows very much, and the recent tour of Germany and Switzerland went really well. We have recently tried out several different approaches to the songs and the show during the first part of our UK tour, which has been interesting. With fourteen more shows to go, we have plenty of opportunity to maintain this creative approach.

In fact, this UK tour will be the last full band tour in this country for a few months, as I'm going to be doing something different at the beginning of 2009, before I get back out on the road with my band in the spring with my new material. I've been touring relentlessly (and very happily) with a four-piece line-up for the last ten years or more, and whilst I don't intend to stop performing in this manner, it won't do me, or my music, any harm to try out something new for a short spell.

The 'Ian Parker – Up Close and Intimate' concert series will take place between January and March of next year, and will feature material from my back catalogue as well as some of my new songs performed in a variety of stripped down formats. In January, I'll be out with Morg Morgan playing in our traditional guitar and piano, duo set-up. Then In February and March, I'll be doing duo shows with Steve Amadeo on double bass, and others with Chris Eaton on slide guitar. I played some shows in New York in the summer with double bassist, Brian Killeen, which I really enjoyed, and I know it will be great to do this again with Steve. Chris is one of my favourite guitarists, and his slide playing in particular is out of this world. Certain shows will be based around an acoustic trio featuring both of these fantastic musicians. I'm really looking forward to these shows, some of which are now listed on the gig guide. More will be added over the coming weeks.

I look forward to seeing you all at a show somewhere soon!

All the best,

IP