A little slow to report, but here I am...

A week later, the fire has been extinguished, the smoke has dissipated, and Winterfolk VII is becoming another happy memory. This year I got the chance to do quite a lot of playing--Saturday night upstairs at the Black Swan for a special Valentine's Day program with Laura Fernandez, then moving quickly downstairs to play with the extended Guitar Boys of Alderon (Tony Quarrington was with us this evening. Thanks for the brilliant bass-lines you provided through some of the tunes, Tony...) On Sunday afternoon I started at the Mambo Lounge playing the guitar behind Laura and Kevin Stocks' song stylings, then moved myself to the Willow for the festival closer.

A few days earlier I'd re-met my friend Marc Pizer when he dropped by the Liberty Bistro to partake of some of our weekly fun (every Wednesday, from 8 p.m. I'm waiting for you!!!) and asked him if he wanted to play some music with BDZ on Sunday. I had been anticipating a two hour set, and was toying with ways to flesh out the set and make it strong enough to reach the unsuspecting diners and drinkers. Drums always help...

Marc showed up early, and after the Moonshine guys tore down, we were up and ready to go. Mr P brought a lovely old Ludwig snare, a couple of cymbals, and a delightful 8" deep calf-skin kick from the 20's, that, beyond its elegant and dignified sound, was further distinguished by having a tranquil landscape painted over the surface facing me and the crowd (full room!)

We then proceeded to play through an hour long set of blues/folk/country. With the grounding of drums and the taste of this fine musician we transformed the din-filled Willow into a concert hall. It was reassuring to have Marc there, and I kept thinking "rock & roll" as my hair went over my eyes when I turned to listen to the beats and carry my chords and riffs over them. Marc played only what was needed, added tremendously to the ambience and depth of the music, and injected a big dose of musical adventurousness into my left arm. That was a kick! I've always liked the idea of a guitar/drum duo thing (see Martin Sexton and Morgan Davis for precedents) and now I have my batteur. Look for us in duo format in a venue near you. You can also catch Marc every Thursday with Janice Hagan and the band at the reservoir Lounge.

Thanks to all who came to listen, to John for the sound, and to Brian for the festival.

Soon, nz
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