Solitude is not for everyone, but Ivo Gleeman loves it. He finds it just great to go through life as a one-man band. With his characteristic twelve-string guitar and foot drums and sometimes a harmonica, he travels like an old troubadour or singer-songwriter from village to village and from town to town. Therefore his debut album is aptly titled Wander About, as roaming is the name of Ivo’s game.
Gleeman is a loner. His name derives from the troubadour from Eye Of The World, Part 1 of The Wheel Of Time, the fantasy novel series by Robert Jordan. He doesn’t intentionally seek solitude as an artist. Previously, he had a band, but being solo works better for him. ‘It was a creation out of necessity,’ the man himself says. He performs sitting, so he can simultaneously play the foot drums with his feet. ‘It has become part of me. It came about organically. Without it, I feel even naked. To each his own, and this is what I do.’ This striking setting determines his sound, which is strongly Celtic-tinged with here and there an Arabic accent. Very dynamic, very special. The track The Gate is more bluesy. He puts a small guitar on his lap, which he occasionally uses as an additional percussion gadget.