We had a great time last weekend playing at Guitars of Pikesville. Our old friend, Josh Polak, his daughter Esther, and friends Shuvi and Miriam Maaravi, performed first as the “Father-Daughter Thing.” Beautifully played and sung, including songs in Ladino. Check out the shop’s website at: Guitars of Pikesville. We followed with a long set. We were glad to see quite a few friends from Baltimore. Here are a few photos from friend and phenomenal photographer, Coos Hamburger. Check out his work at Foco Photographic. All photos copyright 2011 C.Hamburger.

I wrote this song earlier this year.  Bob and I thought we would post a video in solidarity with the courageous and the frustrated who are part of Occupy Wall Street.  It’s far from perfect, but we thought we’d  send it out there.  One day soon we’ll get around to recording it.  Sofia even makes a cameo.  Please let us know what you think.  I’ve posted lyrics on the lyrics page as well.  Many of my family members, early 20th Century Italian immigrants, worked in sweat shops.  My Sicilian grandmother, Carmella, did sew trousers for Eagle Clothes.

Tell us what you think about the song.  Tell us your story . . . what are you dealing with these days?

Having had our run of disasters . . . earthquake, hurricane, plague of locusts (on the eve of Irene, I was attacked by a hive of yellowjackets and stung 10 times) . . it seemed appropriate to come up with something to suit the times. Join us for an upcoming performance to hear After the Hurricane:

The rain falls on the rich and the poor man
The wind treats us all the same
But the wealthy have insurance,
The poor just their endurance
After the Hurricane.

I thought I would share something new via video. Here is a fresh-off-the press song I wrote a week ago or so. I’ve also posted the lyrics on this site. We debuted the song last week at Against the Grain. A couple thoughts for context. Here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland we have a rich historic legacy, but one rooted in deep-seated inequities that continue to affect our neighbors and friends, and thus, all of us. This song may seem like it is about the past, but it is about the present. I had a conversation with someone recently about some of the homes where there remain shackles on the cellar wall, rings in the courtyard that were used for restraints. One more note of explanation – the reference to “PBJ” in the song is not “peanut butter and jelly.” It stands for “probation before judgment.” Rattle them chains. . .

Well, I’m exploring what it means to be a digital musician. It does require you create a digital persona. That is actually a construct and requires some work. It is an exciting opportunity to think that we can reach one another in this way. To make it more fun, I am experimenting with free downloads. You can download a free copy of my song, Angels, from the Terra Nova recording, Beyond the Gate, by going to my facebook page: Free Song Download (Angels).

I know I get more requests for this song than any other, and have had the opportunity to sing it at many benefits and special occasions over the years. It has become the featured song of an annual benefit I do with a number of others here in Chestertown, Maryland, every year called “Women Helping Women.” I get to sing it with an angel chorus of fantastic performers. This year we added guys to the line-up so it became “Men Helping Women Helping Women Helping Men” or something like that. It was a great evening and raised funds to support a medical clinic that serves low-income residents on the Eastern Shore. Look for it again late next Winter or early Spring at the Garfield Center for the Performing Arts at the Prince Theatre.

Pam