keep the faith...

We’ve got the  attention of the politicians and they’re watching the polls.  Some are sticking their toes in the water, but they’re not quite ready to jump in.  Others have already made deals they can’t get out of with Big Gas, and they’re just looking for graceful ways to lie to us about it.

Don’t lose faith.
Here are a couple things you can do now:

If you live in Ulster or Dutchess counties of New York, check out Joel Tyner in the June 26 primary.  He’s the real deal.  http://joelforcongress.org/

There’s a big rally in Albany NY on May 15 that should get lots of press.  http://www.nyagainstfracking.org/

To call the Governor on this important issue: bit.ly/HbDxml

For updates see my, No Fracking page on facebook: on.fb.me/xQHynl

That Mayan Moon is here and gone.

The peepers are singing their little hearts out,
Wondering…
Are we really related to those bullfrogs
That granddaddy chorus round and deep as the Mother, herself.

Time has come, my friend, enjoy every bit of

this crazy love.
May I?
You May.

On the Fracking Front…

No matter where I’m singing these days, I’m finding more and more folks are getting educated about the horrors of fracking.  They’re singing the No Fracking Way chorus louder and clearer every day.  Lots of Facebook groups are springing up from New York, Pennsylvania and all across the U.S.  Quite a few from overseas, as well.

But our responsibility here is far from over…Governor Cuomo promised us an independent health impact study of fracking, but it has mysteriously disappeared during budget negotiations.  Here’s a link to the Wall Street Journal article on this issue:  on.wsj.com/HIjFsm

This study is essential.  How could they even think of letting this process loose on us without an independent study.  Especially with all the horrific anecdotal evidence that’s there for all who want to see:  Emotion vs Science in the Fracking Debatewww.chapelboro.com

There’s so much at stake.  Please call the Governor.  Here’s a link to info on how:  bit.ly/HbDxml

In The Studio…

With help from John Sebastian, Happy Traum, Amy Fradon and more Woodstock friends..

If you’re a fan of my music and if you care about the issues I’m raising, here’s how you can support the music and help me continue to fight for these causes…

Buy a CD:  bit.ly/H0XEXe

Sometime a Spark is mostly just me singing along with my Guild D40 about the things like our delicate environment, fighting fracking, and honoring our heroes…like Pete Seeger and Mohamed Bouazizi (from Tunisia).  This collection also includes a tune about my eccentric wire hair fox terrier (bit.ly/AvzJZo) and a couple love songs, as well.  One that Amy Fradon and I sing together. (bit.ly/zv6hVI)

I’d like to thank Warren Bernhardt, John Sebastian, Happy Traum, Amy Fradon and Mike Esposito for joining me here and there on this recording.  There are also two songs with full rhythm sections that feature beautiful playing by Eric Parker, Eric Weissberg, Steve Gorn and Brahim Fribgane.

On The Road…

The West Coast has been a blast.  Juicy house concerts in Santa Cruz, Vancouver, Washington, Portland, Seattle and more.

Yup, it was a real garage...

I put together a trio with my son, Jeremy, on drums and Jesse Cafiero on bass for a group of mostly Burning Man folks in San Francisco, .  It was a blast… laryngitis and all.

Each of these shows is as different from the next as we are from each other. But the intention to appreciate the music and have a good time feels universal.  Coast to coast to coast.

I also just experienced Maui for the first time!  I performed one of my shows with a local band (put together with the help of my dear friend Jonathan Starr.)  I was interviewed for an hour and a half Manao radio (91.5) in addition to performing a radio concert of the same length with the band.

A wonderful freakin' crew...

Maui is a land of contrasts.  Part of the island is the driest place on earth and another is the wettest.  The elevation goes from sea level to 10,000 feet!  It’s a paradise for growing food and yet they wind up importing 90% of its food.  This is primarily because sugar cane corporate farmers (descendants of missionaries) are ruling the roost.  And there is another devil in paradise…Monsanto is doing experiments on Maui!

All that being said, I have never experienced a more magical, delicious place.  Waterfalls and rainbows with such power and beauty it’s awe inspiring…

Heavens rain down on Maui. Your eyes are blessed as you wear a rainbow halo, standing beneath Alelele. The mighty waterfall that whispers in your ear as it thunders with the power of the gods. This is the Hawaii that makes you sing… Mahalo. Mahalo

I’m currently in Portland on my way to three shows in Seattle this weekend.  I’m a very lucky man…

Somehow, the mundane meets the dream and they dance, toying with their boundaries.  Beckoning us to go beyond the agreements we made at birth.  Beyond our  limitations.  The drudgery of maintaining who we think we are.

The waves poke jokes and make fun of the the sand.  Laughing.  Invading and receding.  The roar of the water, the flutter of the breeze sing all the while songs learned at childhood:

Santa Barbara coastline at play...

“You are on vacation.  From your house.  From your job.  From your mind.  We can stay like this forever, just you and me.”

The kids run like sandpipers.  The grown ups remember and feel the urge to believe once again.  All the while feeling the tug of the moon.

They sky? Look up...

I have never felt anything like now. Never will. But the pattern is inscribed in my mind. In my DNA. This labyrinth that we walk contains us. Defines, describes us.

It is who I am. Who you are. It’s as if these guided tours were real limitation. And once we surrender, they are.  Once we agree (perhaps at birth?) to recognize them.

This dance is joyous. The sky is endless. The air is clear.  I love every step and feel blessed to take it.

Those of us who are not angels are forced to rely on the kindness of those who have already earned their wings.  Especially when traveling.  As I embarked on a 747 to begin my seven week adventure to California and beyond, I was taken in hand by just such a creature.

When boarding the plane, I was told that there was no way my guitar or my overstuffed suitcase would fit.  I was walking and mumbling about how my guitar is older than most of the people on the plane and needed TLC.  Claudette could be psychologically damaged if she had to ride in the unpressurized belly of this flying monster.  Bottom line, however…I was losing this argument.

Angel on the edge of the material world, ready to fly.

I guess angels can feel when you’re in need, because that’s when he appeared.  He wore a cherubic half smile and a white apron over his black pants, white shirt and tie.  He said simply…’follow me’.  And I did.  (You can see from the fuzzy photo that he is only partially located in our material plane)

He showed me his secret place for guitars between the last row of seats and the wall in business class.  And then we went to the closet where the flight attendants keep their bags and my bag fit just fine!

I’m feeling like the heavenly hosts have blessed this trip.  Staying with my son in San Francisco tonight, than off to Santa Cruz for a show.  Saturday night, it’s my birthday and a Burning Man Party where you know who will be on fire.

I’ve collected ten songs that are resonating with me and recorded them in a few studios, all within a couple miles of Woodstock.

I hope you think my music adds something good to your life…and that you’ll want to download this latest collection of recordings.  I appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you lots of new music throughout 2012.

I’m singing about thing that are close to my heart, and may be close to yours, as well…

Our environment…No Fracking Way and I’ll Be Gone, have become anthems in the fight against hydro-fracking.  Clean Up Man praises Pete Seeger’s obsession with a cleaner environment.  And Praises to the Sea is a reminder that water is the source and sustainer of life altogether.

Universal rights…Sometime a Spark tells the story of Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit peddler who started the Arab spring and changed the world.  Three days after I posted it on Facebook, it was featured on Tunisian State Radio.

Our unique Hudson Valley groove…especially when folks like John Sebastian, Warren Bernhardt, Happy Traum, Eric Weissberg, Steve Gorn, Mike Esposito, Don Davis and Eric Parker join in.

Singing with Amy Fradon…I’m sure you’ll enjoy our romantic duet on Pretty One, a tune we’ve loved to singing together for many years.

The only place, and the only way, these recordings are available is right here:  http://www.nimbitmusic.com/marcblack.

Ten songs for ten bucks and we keep it all rollin’.

Thanks!

We were rehearsing when his wife, Jane, came home in a sparkling mood.  She was returning from her table tennis lesson and smiling ear to ear.  She told me that she and Happy have recenlty become players and they’re totally loving it.  That’s all they can think about.

And I was definitely intrigued.

sticky fingers

And then before I left, I told Happy and Jane that my wife and I have recently become addicted to a game on the IPhone (that I’m sure many of you know)…’Words with Friends’.  (The same game that got Alec Baldwin in trouble with the law when he couldn’t get himself to turn off when his plane was landing!

Happy and Jane wanted to play, so I set ‘em up and got ‘em started.  Within a few days, they were playing non-stop with each other, their family, their extended family and about half the town.  There was one game that Happy and I had goin’ where I saw he made a move at 3:30 AM.  This is not good, my friends.

And on my side, the more I thought about table tennis, the more the idea took hold.  Yesterday, I took my first lesson.  (An early birthday present from my wife).

Aw jeez…I’m hooked.  I can see it now.  I’m know I’m gonna wind up a table tennis geek having to buy my own paddle and join a table tennis club.  Before this is over, I’ll be having dreams about loose wrists and a quick backhand.

Last night, I found myself googling table tennis!   And, by the way, I discovered we’re not alone in this table tennis passion.  Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron of England recently played a game.  Susan Sarandon opened up a table tennis club in New York City.  And Puzzle Master Will Shortz did the same in Westchester.

So, my friends, let this be a warning.  Like your Mama told you…watch who you’re hanging out with.  You can pick up some bad habits.

When you’re walkin’ down the road and you’ve got a long way to go, a song can make the miles disappear.

Warm you up on a frigid afternoon.  Give your work rhythm and joy.  Bring you hope when your down.  Courage in the face of power.

Music2Life brochure

Having been a songwriter most of my life, I have written about each phase as I’ve passed through.  Curious, shy teen; psychedelicized  young adult; father and husband, to name a few.  And now that my kids are grown (with bands of their own), I’m reveling in every little thing about this life.  And I want my music to connect to it all.  Unify.  Sow the fragments together so that they recognize they are part of the same quilt.  And…beautiful.

That’s why it was particularly sweet to be recognized by Peter Yarrow’s Music@Life organization for creating music that makes a difference.

Thank you.  That’s exactly what I want to do.