He’s the all round roots renaissance man. In his six decade plus career, Ian A. Anderson – hang onto that A, it’s very important as it distinguishes him from another Ian Anderson – has pretty much done everything that could be expected of him and some things you wouldn’t expect… and lots of other things as well. Evidence you cry… okay, here’s a very brief resume…. Ian’s been a musician, broadcaster, writer, designer, publisher, editor, record label, event organiser, photographer, tour organiser, publicist, promoter and general all round cheer leader and enthusiast for folk and roots music in all it’s many, varied forms. He was even in there beavering away with the select few who coined and birthed the term world music. A book about this crusader should be a given, but so far no one has exploited the opportunity, so Ian’s done it himself. After all who knows better than he what he’s done?

Truth to tell he’s been mulling it over for quite some time but due to other activities – this man never sits still – the tome was always a good intention, but now comes more concrete evidence that his story will be with us before long and believe us it’ll be worth reading. With his ever absorning Podwireless latest episode where he casts a weather eye on the folk scene, came this tempting missive.

“Keep your eyes peeled, your nerves steeled etc (to quote the legendary Dr Strangely Strange,) shameless self-promotion: my long threatened book ‘ALIEN WATER : Six Decades Paddling In Unpopular Music’ will finally see the light of day in the spring. I had three publishers interested but none of them could publish it until late 2026 and who knows where we’ll all be by then! So in mid-January there’ll be a Kickstarter launched to publish it independently. All pre-orders via that will be much appreciated. Ithangyew!”

More to follow then. In the meantime his detailed and informative website ianaanderson.com awaits your attention and attendence.