AmyBlog Archive

Amy Barlow Liberatore
Singer/Songwriter/Poet/Activist
Wanna chat? Email me! sharplittlepencil@gmail.com

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AMYBLOG ARCHIVE

GENESIS (if you've read this part, skip to next section for my most recent blog post)
I've played music all over the place. Jazz, blues, piano bar, cabarets, concerts, you name it. LA; New York; Bermuda; San Juan; and my hometown, Binghamton, where I came up on the bandstand with a bunch of old dudes who treated me like their own daughter... solo or singing backup for people so good I don't want to name them, lest you think I'm bragging.

Whether it's a circle of singers and guitars; an intimate setting with candelabra atop the baby grand (or ME atop the baby grand), or a full-tilt boogie, it's good to have it recorded. And other than a few mp3s hanging out in cyberspace and a cassette from the 80s, I had nothing I could hand to you and say, "Listen." Or better yet, "Wanna buy one?" Because this is IT. This is my 401K, invested in a major project.

Thursday, August 20, 2009
I'm taking back my original name, AMY BARLOW, for performance. No reflection on my marriage to Lex, my in-laws, or anything; it's simply easier to spell and to pronounce! So don't worry, the "home front" is fine - Lex and I are as happy as clams together.

Changes in direction are common on any musical project. As the saying goes: "We plan; God laughs." Well, the Creator's chuckle has led me to halt work on the jazz project and head back to Panda Records to complete work on my gospel CD. This was my original intention; then, the "Jazz Baby" project sprouted wings and most of my live appearances are geared toward my original jazz tunes and standards. But finances dictate that the work on "Jesus Said Love" should be finished before recording "Confidential Dark." I will soon post a kickin' version of my song, "He Was Eating and Drinking," remastered by Pinecone Fletcher and featuring Scotty Compton (bass) and Mike Riccardi (drums), on the homepage. Cone knows how to find that rockin' place in my material!

I am not at all unhappy about this turn of events, since gospel/praise music is a huge part of my life - but my theology finds its thirst quenched in the wellspring of God's unconditional love... which means this CD may open some eyes and hearts to a new way of looking at our welcoming God. I'm letting you know, it's definitely a radical message of inclusive, boundless love and of my journey with Jesus, one of the greatest community organizers our world has ever known.

Have lost two pastoral friends this week - Minister Larry Gipson, who died well before his time, and Rev. Bob Grimm, a giant in the WNY social justice arena, who was 80+ (but 25 in his heart). Perhaps their witness will help fuel this grand undertaking... but please keep Larry and Bob's families in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks, and more news to come.

Tuesday, July 22, 2009
Mac McGhee's tribute at the CyberCafe West celebrated one of the smilingest men I ever did meet - along with Billy Fuster. I'm not a blues expert - which means that, when I'm in a group of musicians I don't know, I have to call something pretty standard, meaning, "Stormy Monday," "Route 66," or (thank God for Bonnie Raitt) "Love Me Like A Man." Now, I was sitting in the ladies' lounge, and when I heard another girl sing, "These men that I've been seein', babe, got their souls up on a shelf," I thought to myself, "Self, I'm screwed."

But I'm a songwriter, too, dammit, and I sat down and composed a blues for Mac on the spot. It's about living in Attica and missing Binghamton. The song will never see the light of day again, because it was so moment-specific, but it mentioned the greatest deficit any city could face is LACK OF MAC MCGHEE.

Just uploaded the studio session mentioned in the last blog. Click on the home page link to hear that demo from the new CD. (I keep wanting to say "album...") Then I said goodbye to our favorite drummer/artist/character, Riley Dunn, as she winged her way westward. (I would say "Westward Ho!" but that phrase would not be appropriate in this case...)

More later, but click on the homepage link and you will get the feel of the new CD. Then click HERE to go to the YouTube link of Rickie Lee Jones singing the most beautiful live version of a song her dad wrote... Also, a fitting tune for the 40th anniversary of the moon landing!

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Last Monday, Rob Weinberger, Riley Dunn, and I made some music. We recorded "Take Me Back" at On Point Studios in Binghamton. Rob's wife, Donna Dajnowski, recorded the event for posterity on her camera (pix pending). Those who know my family will understand why this was an historic session...

THANK YOU to all who attended my gig at Tranquil in Binghamton last Monday! Mickey Ray, who introduced me to Loren and Sean, a million hugs - we jammed the place on a Monday night. I was booked for three hours and played two sets - the first, more sedate, and recorded live by Jeff Stachyra of NewClear Studios - the second, a two-hour jam session. Got to introduce songs from the upcoming CD, and hoping some of the live cuts from that evening are included. Also was inspired to write a new song, "Meet Me At The Tranquil," just from the vibe of the club.

Thanks to guest artists Mickey Ray, Gene Cothran, Rob Weinberger, Riley Dunn, Cathie Coiro, Dennis Martin, Chris Pellicano, and Corrine Crook and Kathy Smith of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, where I used to serve as music minister (we sang "Rivers of Babylon" a capella).

Many thanks to supportive friends: Mickey, who handled publicity and sold CDs; Gene, who lent his keyboard for the occasion; and Burt Mueller, a fab guitarist who will figure large in the title cut of the next CD - he lent me his sound system. Rob and Riley, thx also for your help with setup. Donna took some amazing photos, which we will include once they are uploaded. Finally, my continued thanks to Nancy Tittler and Alex Feingold, who host me during these trips - Nan's and my "girl time" has added so much to the quality of the music that springs forth, and Alex is a great sport.

Heard from Tom Bingham of SUNY Fredonia's "General Eclectic" that he got me some airtime on their jazz station, WCVF-FM. Nice to be included on the same set list as Willie Nelson!

Please stop in and have lunch or dinner at Tranquil Bar & Bistro. They deserve our support - I'll be back to play there again soon. In the meantime, see you this Sunday at the CyberCafe West for the 2pm tribute to Mac McGhee!

SUNDAY, June 28, 2009
First, the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Still reeling from the death of Judy Garland (anyone who laughs at that remark will have to answer to me, because you obviously don't understand the depth of the community's love for that woman, let alone mine), gay men at the Stonewall and nearby pubs, who had been arrested and beaten senseless night after night by police simply because they were gay, decided that enough was enough. They fought back, and a new civil rights struggle began. Forty years later, it's still being fought, along with straight allies, including my favorite member of the NYS Assembly, Sam Hoyt.

I cannot fathom how Americans can't accept the mere fact of two guys holding hands on the street, or two girls sharing a little kiss in the park. Yuck, you see straight people creating steam on movie screens and in the malls - no one wants to see anybody make out! So get on board with equal protection under the law for ALL Americans, not just the ones Jimmy Falwell deemed appropriate.

Wrote a song inspired by Psalm 139 this week, directly as a result of conversations with longtime friends Jason Ward and Douglas Charles. "Work of Art" says, in part, "You are God's creation, a perfectly acceptable part... You're wonderfully, fearfully made - you're a work of art." Deals with handling rejection by those who would make you feel different, an outsider, the OTHER. It's about unconditional love. I think I'll put it on the gospel CD; it's written for young people about to enter the "real world," where things aren't so protected and predictable as they were back home.

OK, I have gigs coming out the gingrich myself, and you can view them on the home page. Thank you, Binghamton, for the hometown support, especially Tranquil and the CyberCafe! I had hoped to tape an episode of "Expressions" on WSKG-TV, but their NYS funding cuts (like so many other cuts to the arts) forced a cut back in schedule. Please watch the local performers during the next season, and write a check, whatever you can afford, to WSKG. They do so much good work!

Gene Cothran, Paula Bacorn, Scotty Compton, Rob Weinberger, Riley Dunn, Burt Mueller, and more great players will be featured on my next CD, tenatively titled, "The Confidential Dark." It will be 100% original material, all jazz... then (hopefully, if y'all keep buying my music) there will be the long-awaited gospel CD, with Scotty, the Blue J's, and lots and lots of great singers from different ministries, as well as members of the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus (with the able encouragement, harrassment, and subtle suggestion of my dear friend Jason Ward).

One last thing: I performed at "ALT-Terior Motive" recently in support of a unique performance space, The ALT Theater. They do it all - poetry/music/dance; drama; comedy; and experimental, mind-expanding projects. David Butler and Amy Tarabella collaborate on spoken word and dance pieces that are so moving... I was proud to share the stage with WECK-AM's Loraine O'Donnell, the Eclectic Company Kristen Becker! And David Butler's version of Nick Cave's "People Ain't No Good" rocked. Support the ALT! Long live improv and live theater! (hysterical improv troupe), and emcee - drrrrrrrrrumroll please - the indomitable

MONDAY, June 14, 2009
Saw a great production of "1776" at the Cider Mill and could SWEAR I saw Tom Libous doing the minuet during "Cool, Conservative Men." After all, it's about rich white guys who "got theirs" and don't want to give "special rights" to a certain class of people. Sound familiar re: LGBT marriage in NYS? He's a major leader in denying civil rights to the gay and lesbian minority. Get on the phones, people. Demand equal protection under the law for your kid's teacher, your pharmacist, your banker... maybe even some of your elected officials who are too scared to come out, you never know.

I'm not on Facebook much, but it's helped me get back in touch with my next-door neighbor growing up (Kimberly, who ROCKS, we have so much in common), friends from Binghamton (especially my dear Mickey Ray), and even the Princess Hotel in Bermuda (hey, Vicky!).

Stayed with good friends Nan Tittler and Alex Feingold, whose lovely, talented daughter Judy is home from school. The three of them saw me fill in a set for Monkeys Typing (cool name, great jam band) at the CyberCafe and hawked CDs for me - thanks, y'all. Also in attendance: Kimberly and Mickey, plus musician friends Scotty Compton and Gene Cothran (who will both be on the next CD and who joined me to jam on the last two songs of my set) and Panda Records' Pinecone Fletcher, who hauled me out to his car to hear his KICKIN' second mix on a gospel tune, "He Was Eating and Drinking." The man is a genius.

Coming home a bit grumpy, impatient to make more music. If anyone knows of clubs that favor jazz/cabaret styles, and I can hook up two gigs in a week in that town, I'm coming. Just give me contact info and let me know if you would be a good reference. Mickey Ray has done this for me at Traquil and Merlin's in Binghamton. Thanks for coming through, my friend!

MONDAY, May 26, 2009
THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who have purchased the CD so far! I have just signed with CDBaby.com (just mailed the CDs, so wait a few days), and the web continues to grow... but thanks for passing my site along to friends and family and supporting "Jazz Baby Hits Her Stride"!

In the works: Contacting Buffalo, Binghamton, and San Antonio media. Am in negotiations to perform on WSKG-TV's "Expressions" series next season.   Loraine O'Donnell of WECK-AM here in Buffalo is the first on-air host to ask for my music, which ROCKS and so does she. (Loraine is an actress and a helluva a singer - her version of "Black Coffee" is hot, hot - I backed her on piano several times.) You have to get this stuff written up, reviewed, and performed live whenever and wherever possible - including doing a lot more DIVA by DIVA this year!

Great news: Gene Cothran has signed on for the next wave of the jazz project, as have Scotty Compton and The Blue J's, Paula Bacorn, Rob Weinberger (Unity Group and The Terry Walker Project), and a host of other great musicians. Of course, Pinecone Fletcher of Panda Records will head up production again.

Promises to be a wild ride - all original tunes. Everything from "The Confidential Dark," in praise of committed relationships, to the heartbreak-meets-O.C.D. ditty, "My Heart Has Never Been So Broken (But My Bathroom's Never Been So Clean)"!    Stay tuned.

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2009
Sang at the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus fundraiser at Pearl Street Grill last night. What an incredible group of voices, of hearts, of personalities.

I introduced one song from the CD, "The Best I Have To Give," by saying it was written for the wedding of two of my best friends years ago. The place was gorgeous, clergy was on hand, rings at the ready... all that was missing was the license. Christopher and Jimmy were the couple. If you have purchased the CD already, listen again, and realize what one woman said when she hired me to sing it at the wedding of her daughter and future son-in-law: "But it just sounds like any two people in love." And I replied, "I know, that's the point, hon." Love is love. So I told the assembled crowd that I will sing it at THEIR weddings once the NYS Legislature realizes that the marriage license is a contract! A wedding is nice, but it's just cake and kisses without that piece of paper affording the couple civil rights.

Gorgeous men in tuxes, folk singers (Peter, Paul, and the Marys!); standards and classical music... all presided over by my old friend Jason Ward, king of cracking wise and still affirming warmly the gifts of each performer. And of course, Barbara Wagner, BGMC Director and accompanist for the evening, was gracious, funny, and glam in gold.

Even local lushlifelady Gladys Over was on hand to lip-synch Liza's "New York, New York," and lemme tell ya, Liza could learn a few moves from Gladys! Vicky Vogue was there in the person of Danny Winter - there is not a person in town who has done more for the LGBTQ community. He is a treasure. Vicky Vogue Vaudeville (fundraising efforts) introduced me to the WNY stage, and I am forever grateful to this gentle soul.

For those of you not "on board" with what someone called "Amy's gay thing," just a gentle word... love is love. We were all "w0nderfully and fearfully made" (Psalms) and frankly, if you believe Heaven has no room for Oscar Wilde, George Gershwin, Gertrude Stein, and Mahatma Gandhi, then I'd ask you to go over your Gospels again. And yes, we'll find a place for Rush, too!!

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2009 (home in Attica)
You all know my husband, Lex, is pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ; well, we were asked to offer music at the UCC's Western Area Conference this past Sunday, along with the gifted classical pianist Hassan Al-Mufti (whose mother came in from Iraq to hear him play. What a blessing to have her there) and Strike the Rock, a huge group from East Aurora, who really rocked. Any group that ends with "Spirit in the Sky" has my vote!

Lex and I led praise songs - what Lex called "all-skates" at a band rehearsal years ago, and the term stuck. (My song, "Deep Within Our Hearts," will be included in the UCC's new Praise Hymnal.) Scripture from Exodus, about manna falling from heaven. We both did the sermon - word and music intermingled. I had written the song years back, "It Fell Like Rain," (Can you imagine the sight/in the early light/when the bread of life, it fell like rain.) Lex talked about how some Christians have come to expect good things to happen to them, just because they g0 through the motions of attending church, thinking it grants them a "Get Out Of Hell Free" card.   Then, when things go wrong (like our recent economic downturn), everybody freaks out because they have not been keeping their faith vibrant, haven't been walking that mile in someone else's shoes. It's like: I've got mine, who cares about "them"? (P.S. Jesus was "them." He was homeless, stinky sandals and all.)

Then back to the song (I was hungry, thirsty/tired of searching for meaning/ I was pleading, "Jesus, give me reason to live..."), which makes its way around to: "It fell like rain, coming down from heaven... there in the darkness of night/you can see the light/ let the bread of life, let it fall like rain."

This will be on the gospel CD. Also more radical stuff: He Was Eating And Drinking, blues version of The Lord's Prayer, Jesus Said Love (about God's radical welcome to all, not just the ones who jump through a church's theological hoops), and a bunch of other boat-rockers. Stay tuned!

THURSDAY, April 23, 2009, San Antonio
If you have never been a club musician, particularly a piano player, let me tell you - it’s fraught with pitfalls. You hear there’s a sound system; a house band; a baby grand; a boom stand, the kind with the arm that allows you to sing and play at the same time. Then sometimes you get there and are confronted with the sound system from Halifax (cords so jumbled they are referred to in the trade as ‘spaghetti’); a bunch of backup players who hog five choruses with every solo; some mic stand that is held together with duct tape and spit (and tends to sliiiiiiide down every so slowly during every song until you are hitting the keys with your chin as you try to sing)… and the pianos themselves. Some are like Stairmasters - you never know what level the next key will be. Will it even have an ivory, or just a splintered wooden surface?

I WAS LUCKY. I got Barry Brake, an amazing pianist (think Harry Connick. Jr. without the cocky attitude), all smiles and even more energy. Gracious as all get-out. Chuck Moses on bass, grinning and nonchalantly laying down incredible lines - he even played originals, Tioga Moon and The Caravan Lounge, without ever having heard them! No charts! Just heart!   John Bates, one of the last drummers on earth who uses brushes, every singer’s dream… tasty trade-fours, steady beat, and laid back attitude.

I sat in with them on some standards, Barry on keys: Route 66, Stormy Monday, even Skylark. What a pleasure, to step out from behind the piano and just let loose.

MI FAMILIA. The Lizarraga family, including our hosts, Danny and Joy, as well as Danny’s brother Marcos and sister Laura, were there along with Lex. I sang “Somos Novios” in honor of Lex’s and my 11th anniversary. They are not late-night people as a rule, so their coming into town was an extra blessing - and they got to see what being a jazz singer is all about. We had a great time, and my good performance was due in large part to their hospitality and presence.

EVEN BAD LUCK CAN TURN INTO GOLD. At one point, while the band was on break (and had actually stepped out of the club while I sang my solo stuff), the power went out. Not throughout the whole club… just on stage. I said in my loudest voice, “Now, you’d think a pastor’s wife would be able to snap her fingers and say, ‘Let there be light,’ but my connections are highly overrated! So…” I stepped off the stage and stood among the tables. My mom was a singer. She told me that when things happen, you have to make something happen right back.

“I’m just going to sing to you right here.” I took a deep breath, said a little prayer, and launched into “Over the Rainbow.” Even a young girl sang along. I was going from table to table, getting people to join me on the “someday I’ll wish upon a star” part (“I need more of my boys here!” I winked at Bob Fancher). By the end, you could have heard a pin drop, and then they clapped their heads off. Still no lights (they worked furiously to get the fuse changed), so I held up one hand, started snapping, and did “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” not realizing that, on that last line, the lights would flick back on. Truly magical!

Now the CD is on sale - and I have to tell you, from stem to stern, these puppies were darned expensive to self-produce, and every single CD was hand-assembled with love. So if you buy one, PLEASE don’t “do a friend a favor” and dupe them a copy.

Click on "ORDERS" to the right; it will take you to an order form. I will take good care of them, autograph the CD if they want, and they will also have lovely artwork and song lists - plus some kickin’ jazz, including four standards and six of my own songs. You will also be helping me pay for this project! Thanks for your understanding… more later!

Friday, APRIL 17, San Antonio (day before the Riverwalk gig)
OK, so I'm in San Antonio with our friends, Daniel and Joy Lizarraga and their four beautiful daughters, celebrating Lex's and my 11th anniversary. And my old friend Bobby Fancher sets me up with a gig. On the Riverwalk, during Fiesta, the hottest ticket in town during the hottest week in town.

Today, I open the San Antonio Express-News, and the Weekender section has a write-up with my picture in it! Great advance work, Bobby, you are now my official S.A. agent!! The good thing is it mentions Binghamton and gives our hometown a boost.

Binghamton, NY, has been in the news of late because of the shootings at a civic center. But Amy Barlow Liberatore, a pianist and jazz and gospel singer and songwriter, will display another side of Binghamton, the side that makes music. Liberatore has worked across the country and in Bermuda and San Juan. Listern for her to do songs from her "Jazz Baby Hits Her Stride" CD.

Thanks to Jim Beal Jr., who co-writes the column for the Express-News, for planting this most excellent blurb, and to Made Fancher for running the copy and the pic over to the paper before it went to press! His band, EarFood, played the opening "Fiesta Fiesta" concert last night - they are one hot ticket. Sorry, I couldn't find a link to get you to the publication, so I'm writing this instead. Love to all, y feliz Fiesta, Amy

Thursday, APRIL 16
"All my CDs are packed/I'm ready to go..." WE'RE ready to go, Lex and I, on a SouthWest Airlines flight to San Antonio. SouthWest rules; their customer service cannot be beat.

I'm setting up an "orders" email account for folks who want to get "Jazz Baby" before I farm the ordering out to CDBaby. As of now, we have 100 CDs, all hand-assembled and ready for San Antonio, plus orders here and around WNY. Sure hope we can sell these babies, because it will cover the cost of production, plus add money to the Gospel CD account so we can get that one recorded. And who knows? I may have to run more copies!

I may have mentioned that Saturday's gig also marks 11 years of marriage to Lex Liberatore. "The Rev." is a rock - and sometimes a hard case! But his belief in me, in this project, has meant the world. I am surrounded by earthly and ethereal angels. I am truly blessed.

Someday I'll right a book about all the misadventures that led me here - mostly the stories my mom used to tell me about the Great Depression (not the one that runs in our family - the one in the 30's!). The stories always began with a glass of Gordon's gin for her and a cup of black coffee for me (starting at age 5) and the words would come forth: "Diver tellya?" Five little words... did I ever tell you... that signaled the start of tales so outrageous, so sad, so funny - no fiction writer could conjure this stuff out of thin air. You had to be there. So I'll let you join me some day, at the kitchen table in the late evening, the smoke from Mama's Bel-Air curling in the air and her words coming forth about the time Great-Grandpa Dunn took the family life savings and bought a telescope and built a little shack around it (named The S***House by Grandma Dunn, because that's where that enterprise put him for the remainder of their marriage). Or how my grandma got the best of my Grandpa, Bill, when he got caught cheating... with Blanche's best friend.

So much to sing about, so much praise to God for all my blessings. Can I get an "Amen"?

Saturday, APRIL 11
So much has happened. Thanks to our friends Daniel and Joy Lizarraga, we are traveling to San Antonio next week. And thanks to my old Binghamton buddy Bobby Fancher, I now have a gig at Stefania's, a jazzy restaurant on Riverwalk, during FIESTA! I'll be playing standards and my stuff there on Saturday, April 18, which is also Lex's and my 11th wedding anniversary. Yee-hah!

So I went into full-tilt mode to assemble a CD culled from various live and studio sessions, in order that I may market same at Stefania's (and eventually, to every single solitary soul who is reading this blog. Watch out. I know where you e-live!).

"Jazz Baby Hits Her Stride" has 10 songs, including "The Caravan Lounge," the song featured on my home page. Some are live appearances (like Caravan, recorded at The Triad Club in New York City); others are studio work, both solo and with the aforementioned Stuart Watarz.

Talk about sweat equity: Scotty Compton donated graphic artwork (we raced down the Vestal Parkway at midnight, only to find out Kinko's had closed at 9 pm). Hope to have a shot of the cover up soon - it's hot. And Lex and I are assembling the CDs from dupe to label to exacto-knife cutouts of covers to assembling the final product. How about that for hard work? Doesn't it make you want to buy one of my CDs, even MORE?! ;^)

Pinecone Fletcher of Panda Records culled many cuts from existing cassettes and did a masterful job. (We found out the Binghamton shootings were going on during our session. Talk about heaven amidst hell.)

John Bradford Brandon of Aerie Designs did the cover shot, which now graces my home page. I repaid the favor by misspelling his name on the CD cover. Darn. He is a very forgiving person, and as soon as I figure out how to add links to this page, I will include his. He is not only a talented photographer; he designs furniture that can improve the quality of life of those confined to bed, particularly seniors. He has some wild projects going on, and his wife, Arlene, is a talented musician as well.

In the midst of this all, my computer died... well, it was more like pouting. Would not print. Stomped its feet whenever I asked for a copy of something. Enter Bill Stedman of the coolest group of computer whizzes ever... Geezer Geeks! He talks to any computer owner like they actually possess a BRAIN. No geekspeak, just straight talk. I'm up and running now because of him. Again, links forthcoming. Hey, maybe I should call Bill and ask him how to do it...!

So - more to come. Once again, Nan Tittler and Carol Ackley and George Bezushko kindly offered me bed and board, saving the cost of a motel room. My 401(k) thanks you, my checking account thanks you, and I thank you.

Friday, MARCH 20 (Day before first session at Panda Records)
Lex and I spent our last night together in Attica before my trip here sitting around the table with a bunch of charts spread out. This was the Final Cut for solo tunes to be recorded tomorrow with Pinecone Fletcher at Panda Records. So many songs! Some intensely personal - which means other folks might not relate to the words. And the worst is, they are all my "babies." These are the fruits of my creative womb (I know, yuck, but it's true) and it's hard to say that some are coming to the studio with Mommy and some have to stay home. In a file folder, no less.

We had a sheet with several words written on it, phrases mentioned by folks along the way whom I trust and admire: PROPHETIC. MATURE. WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. Touchstones, if you will, to remind me what to choose and why.

Faith Under Fire is in there. This one has a rich, enduring story which is to be told another day. Let's just say it's pure gospel and was written in response to a call I didn't understand at the time but later proved oh, so real.

It Fell Like Rain. Bridging the Old Testament (Exodus 16, about manna) and the New Testament (John 6). The Bread of Life means so many things to so many different people, Jews and Christians alike. I don't believe there is a mention of the concept in the Quran, but the song is about being showered with grace and love, and that is something any spiritual tradition embraces.

Signs of Life. Straight out of Psalm 139, how God knows our coming and going and our... everything. When I was a little kid, I used to wonder about this, like in the tub, if God was watching while I was "all nakie"! But now that I am an adult and "have left childish things behind," I realize that God does indeed know every stretch mark on my hips, and you know what? I don't care! I'm God's creation, so it's all good!

I'm going to attempt a solo version of The Lord's Prayer, which is simply a restating (and embellishment) of the prayer Jesus taught us. It's a straight-ahead gutbucket blues. Pray for me. I talked Scotty Compton into standing by on bass, just in case I need the extra oomph and his infectious attitude. Attidude? That's my new term for Scotty.

The Day I Saw An Angel Fly. Wasn't sure, still not sure, that this should wait for the pop CD, but angels are a part of our lives. This song puts the wings on a person whom many of my conservative listeners would not expect. I challenge everyone to give it a listen. It's all about love, legacy, and what we are actually doing here on earth while other people suffer.

When I am in Binghamton, I stay with my closest girlfriend, Nancy Tittler, and her husband, Alex Feingold. They both teach at Binghamton University; therefore, their guest room has bookshelves filled to the brim with amazing literature. Last night, I read the autobiography of Pablo Neruda, one of the great poets of all time. It was like falling asleep in the jungle, but without the pesky big hairy spiders crawling into your sleeping bag. I owe Nan so much - she accepts my "comings and goings" with ease, and we catch up when we can. Sometimes I feel like their third kid, except that we are all the same age!

And I caught a set of Rob Weinberger's 258-piece, horn-powered jam band OK, maybe it's only 11 pieces, but honestly, it seemed like more, a real powerhouse). Had to drop off his demo and the Big Letter that will be coming to all musicians working on this project, warning them what they are getting themselves into!

First, I was amazed... thought to myself, "Look at all the old people on the dance floor!" Then I realized, I am the same age. Oy. Danced with some of the "girl groups" because guys in Binghamton don't know how to ask a girl to dance. Never have. Something in the water here. But I did dance with a homeless guy who was boogeying in his wheelchair; we had THE best time swaying and smiling, loving the audacity of a band that plays Chicago and Sly in the New Millennium. (I tried to talk my way out of paying the cover charge by claiming "ex-wife privilege." In the end, I ponyed up the five bucks. It was worth it. Check these guys out.)

Now I'm going to do some more piano rehearsal and rest my voice. I feel fine. And if you have ever seen the remake of "The Italian Job," you will know that FINE stands for "freaked-out, insecure, nervous, and emotional." (I say that like it's a bad thing. My mom (also a singer) used to say, "If you are about to get in front of a mic and you aren't nervous as heck, sit back down. Otherwise, you'll bore people to death.")

So nervous is good, because that's the Holy Spirit keeping me on my toes. FINE.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 (Amateur Irish Day)
I'm Irish, but not culturally. My real heritage is Jazz, and my background comes from stories of the Great Depression. My dad's family, the Barlows, were English, Anglican, and they came over on the Mayflower. They were loaded with money and with connections stemming back to the court of Henry VIII (which gives you some idea of the moral legacy that comes with the coat of arms). Whatever. Money is boring - and the rich, generally, more so - although T. Boone Pickens promoting wind power fascinates me. But people like the WalMart kids, who inherited their money and think it makes them better than other folks, are a tragic, prolonged yawn.

So the Irish are my mom's family. Laughlins, Dunns, Gordons. These were not Lace Curtain Irish. More like Pigs In The Parlor Irish. Protestants who came over during the Potato Famine. And in general (sorry, my little Cloud of Witnesses, but it's true), the only part of Irish culture they clung to was the stereotypical drinking. In my family, drinking claimed no particular day on the calendar. So when I call St. Paddy's Day "Amateur Irish Day," it's with good reason. Really, do we NEED green beer? Green milk shakes? Because it all looks so unfortunate when it ends up all over a neighbor's lawn or a brownstone stoop later in the day...

My St. Paddy's Day was spent with Rev. Bill Hockey of Seekers' Church, here in the village of Attica. Bill is an old hippie like me, another soul who found refuge and strength in Jesus' message of love along the way. He and his wife, Sue, and their dog, Gracie, live a few blocks away, and we spent the past two days holed up in his little upstairs studio. We were making demos for the musicians who will play on the final tracks, which will be recorded in my hometown, Binghamton, NY, and we managed five full tunes in two sessions, including some backup vocals. Occasionally we had to pause because the bells from the Catholic Church next door were chiming, but we plowed through the tunes in short order, thanks to Bill's encouragement and savvy behind the controls. More on Seekers' Church later; it's a rich tradition with Celtic roots and lots of amazing music.

Next comes a quick trip to Bingo to for my first formal session at Panda Records with Scott "Pinecone" Fletcher. Pinecone is a cool throwback to the 20s who believes that, despite the exponential advances in technology, the best way to get a good drumset sound is to surround it with, you know, good pieces of wood. He believes in the organic sound, the feeling that you are right there with the band when you listen to the CD. And THAT, my friends, is a guy worth trusting with the treasure of your heart, which in this case is about 10 songs pulled from my soul by God.

Scotty Compton, a blues and gospel bass man and longtime co-conspirator, was my inspiration for beginning this project. He went through some life-changing stuff last year; the story spilled out of him like doubloons from a treasure chest. I knew then and there that it was time. He's my anchor for the band.

Rev. Cliff Aerie is now at the United Church of Christ in Cleveland (the UCC is our denomination, from Congregational roots - check out the website, www.ucc.org for some "Church of the Firsts" stats on social justice as witness in the hearts and minds of UCCers everywhere). He is also the pastor who introduced me to Lex at a new member's class at First Congregational Church in Binghamton 12 years ago, a debt I can never repay! And he's the one who sidled up to me after worship and casually said, "I hear you're a musician. I want to start a praise band. Think you want to help out on keys and vocals?" As my buddy Craig would say, "Plot ensues."

So let's put this on record: If I am in music ministry, I owe it all to Cliff Aerie. He is my touchstone for the ministry/jazz connection (he's a sax man) whose band, Oikos, plays jazz vespers services and concerts all over the country. When it came time to propose this venture, I drove out to Cliff and Jan's place in Cleveland (both warm, loving people who introduced me to a circle of wild and willing witnesses to the Gospel of Now... we are living and giving and stumbling through this world armed with only our hearts, our love, and the assurance that if anybody's gonna burn, God ain't starting the fire, the televangelists are!).

Cliff helped me triage the best of the songs, talked me through the process of recording, and gave me the best advice of all: "It's your dime. It's your session. You are in charge. Don't back down on your own vision, and you'll be fine."

And now I am poised on the precipice and...