MARC'S MUSINGS -- November 30, 2007

- Marc's Music News
- Enchanted
- New CD: A Tribute to Love
- MarcSongs Podcast
- Live in Louisiana and Germany?
- New MP3 - "Tiziano Gunn"
- Blessed with Care
- Vote in the Renaissance Festival Awards
- Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland Deadline Approaching!

Published 1-4 times per month. To manage your subscription, go to the end of this newsletter. Visit My Store Now!

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Marc's Musings

Greetings,

I've been totally enchanted ever since I saw Enchanted at the theaters last week. It's a delightful movie. And I find myself listening to "That's How You Know" over and over again on YouTube. It's the romantic in me.

So I guess it is only fitting that I make an announcement about my new CD, "A Tribute to Love"...

MARC'S MUSIC NEWS
Officially, the CD won't be released until February. That's when I want to do some heavy promotion for the album, just in time for Valentine's Day. But with all the talk among fans about the album, I decided I wouldn't wait any longer to make it available. So I sent it off to CD Baby a few weeks back, and now you can buy "A Tribute to Love" or pick up multiple copies sand save.

"A Tribute to Love" is what I call my love CD. But it's not just the mushy kind of love that you find in most Disney movies. Come to think of it, I think this album is much more in tuned with the movie Enchanted, which takes a somewhat more realistic look at the sweet, lovey dovey, romantic movie genre that they established over the years. I won't spoil the fun of the movie for you, but it's not a typical Disney flick. This isn't Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. But it's just as beautiful.

Well, my CD runs the gammut of love. Because... I believe in love. All kinds. It may be imperfect, but I will take falling in love over never having loved at all any day! But this album may not be for you, and that's okay. My hope is that one day you will find the same passion that I embued in recording this album.

If that doesn't send you soaring on love's wings, then please give a listen to MarcSongs Podcast. Not only can you download free MP3s every Tuesday, but you can hear a great sampling of the different styles of music I'm writing and recording these days. And I have some amazing things in store. Oh yes! It's gonna be awesome!

Meantime, download "Tiziano Gunn", the latest song from my love CD and the latest in the MarcSongs Podcast. And please check out my CD Store and maybe buy some albums for Christmas for you, your friends, and your family.

MARC GUNN LIVE!
I spent the last four weekends at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival with such amazing entertainers as The Limeybirds, Vince Conaway, Craig of Farrington, Paolo Garbanzo, and many more. And we have two more weekends to go. Sadly, my lovely Limeybirds won't be there, but we will.

We are performing on the peninsula at the festival. No, you won't find us in the schedule, but keep an eye and ear open. We spend a bunch of time at the Midwyffe's Cottage and the wine tasting (Madame Ghislaine puts on an amazing wine tasting that is Well Worth it).

Once the faire ends, I'm off to Germany to visit family! That will be an exciting trip, and I am currently working on booking a show at an Irish pub in NW Germany. Nothing solid yet, but as soon as I get a confirmation, I'll post it at eventful and on my calendar.

BLESSED WITH CARE
On the downside, it's been a trying couple o'months. You may've heard that Andrew and I got hit by an internet fraud scheme. Then, I ran into a dental nightmare. And (knock on wood), the last of my problems struck when I was in a car accident that totaled my car. Andrew and I are fine, thank goodness. The car? Not so much.

Despite these problems I find just how blessed I am. Thankful in fact. Fans came to the rescue with the internet fraud. Friends came to my rescue after my car accident with their sympathies. Add to it, that my music continues to grow in popularity. I have countless people emailing about my podcasts. I've had several interviews this week. And I have all the great companions at the Haeuser Hotel in Louisiana. I am greatly thankful for all your support. So thank you!

A couple quick, final notes. There's just one more month for you to vote in the Renaissance Festival Awards. I and the Brobdingnagian Bards can't win, but there's a LOT of great music and entertainment out there. So if you go to Renaissance Festivals, please vote for your favorites.

And last, if you were hoping to be a part of the Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland, get your depost in soon. The deadline is December 3rd! So don't waste any time. Join us for an amazing trip this summer, seeing the hidden gems of Ireland.

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Thanks again for all your support, Slainte!
- Marc Gunn

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Quick Links to Marc Gunn

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About Marc Gunn

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Marc Gunn is a musician, photographer, poet, author, American Scotsman, songwriter, music download connoisseurs, web designer, Rennie, online entrepreneur, and a bunch of other labels that don't mean a whole lot but are all entirely independent.

The world is dominated by massive organizations that strangle the life out of the independent arts. You can stop it at the source. Your good will and support of the arts through kind donations, purchases, and friendly word of mouse will make your feel great!

As you may know, I'm going to Germany in December to visit some family. I was (and am still) looking for gigs in or not to far from Baumholder, Germany. Following one suggestion, I found a pub in NW Germany that made an offer, but unfortunately, the date won't work well for me. I am still waiting to see if they can change it to the weekend of the 15th.

Whether this pans out or not, I'm ultimately looking for something on that first weekend. I haven't had time to really contact a lot of pubs though. So if anyone is still interested in hosting a house concert please let me know ASAP.

But time is getting tight, so it may well be that I will have nothing. One day, I need to let someone else do this for me.

One of my all time favorite songs is "Hotel Supramonte" by Fabrizio de Andre.

Fabrizio de Andrè was an Italian folk singer. From what I understand, back in the 70s, he and his wife were vacationing in Sardinia when some bandits kidnapped them. They were prisoners for four months before being released. This song came out of it. The imagery is stunning, and the song still brings me to tears every time I'm hear it.


Hotel Supramonte
(testo e musica di M. Bubola e F. De Andrè)

E se vai all'Hotel Supramonte e guardi il cielo
tu vedrai una donna in fiamme e un uomo solo
e una lettera vera di notte falsa di giorno
e poi scuse accuse e scuse senza ritorno
e ora viaggi vivi ridi o sei perduta
col tuo ordine discreto dentro il cuore
ma dov'è il tuo amore, ma dove è finito il tuo amore.

Grazie al cielo ho una bocca per bere e non è facile
grazie a te ho una barca da scrivere ho un treno da perdere
e un invito all'Hotel Supramonte dove ho visto la neve
sul tuo corpo così dolce di fame così dolce di sete
passera anche questa stazione senza far male
passerà questa pioggia sottile come passa il dolore
ma dov'è il tuo amore, ma dove è finito il tuo amore.

E ora siedo sul letto del bosco che ormai ha il tuo nome
ora il tempo è un signore distratto è un bambino che dorme
ma se ti svegli e hai ancora paura ridammi la mano
cosa importa se sono caduto se sono lontano
perché domani sarà un giorno lungo e senza parole
perché domani sarà un giorno incerto di nuvole e sole
ma dov'è finito il tuo cuore, ma dov'è finito il tuo cuore.


My mediocre English Translation:

And if you go to Hotel Supramonte and look at the sky
You will see a flaming woman and a man alone
And a letter true at night and false in the day
And then excuses and accusations excuses without return
And now you travel and live, laugh or you are lost
With your discreet order inside your heart
But where, where is your love, but where does your love end.

Thank God I have a mouth to drink and it is not easy
Thanks to you I have a pen to write I have a train to lose
And an invitation to the Hotel Supramonte where I saw the snow
On your body so sweet with hunger so sweet with thirst
This station too will pass without hurting
This subtle rain will pass just like the pain passes
But where, where is your love, but where does your love end.

And now I sit on the bed of the forest that by now has your name
Now the time is a distracted gentleman, is a sleeping child
But if you wake up and you're still afraid give me your hands
What matters is if I've fallen, if I'm far away
Because tomorrow will be a long day without words
Because tomorrow will be a day of uncertainty of clouds and sun
But where is your love, but where is? Is your love finished.

I had a couple of Interesting marketing observations about the dentist office, I visited today. Both were extremely negative in my mind.

One, the waiting room. They have Court TV running. What's with that? Is there any thing more stressful, except maybe gossip TV, which is also a regular feature last few times I went. If you want people to feel at ease, give them something interesting and relaxing, not that sensational crap that raises your blood pressure.

Two, the dentist room. Okay, this is personal taste, but I really detest contemporary country music. And that is what was playing on the speaker, BOB Country, or whatever the generic multi-decade, Country music station it was. All I know is the music was terrible. Hearing people whining about losing their lover and dog doesn't do much, in my mind, to make me relax.

The lesson to be learned? Appeal to your audience... and maybe they are. And I REALLY need to find a new dentist.

In my first cat CD, Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, I felt like I had a song for Jasper and a song for Torre, but no real song FOR Tiziano, my other tabby cat. Lyrics came to me based on the Irish song, "Old Fenian Gun" that just seemed to cool to miss. Since I was thinking of releasing a CD of love songs, I thought I might add this to that CD. Thus, it is a love song for a cat. I recorded it for my non-typical love songs CD A Tribute to Love.

"Tiziano Gunn"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: A Tribute to Love
Read Lyrics: "Tiziano Gunn" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License

Every Thursday is the international meeting for the Sunset Connoisseurs Society. The goal of the Sunset Connoisseurs Society is to take a moment to cherish the beautiful sunsets that take place around the world.

How to Join?
There are no membership fees. No need for hazing, unless you live in a part of the country where smog is really bad. It is absolutely free to join. All you have to do is do what our members do? (Though if you're Really Anxious to support something, make a donation to the founder)

What Do Members Do?
Every Thursday, an hour before sunset, you must find a good place to relax, maybe chat with a friend, or spend some some quiet time reflecting, and when the sun sets, enjoy the experience. Feel free to take pictures if that inspires you.

What Is the Mission of the Sunset Connoisseurs Society?
The Sunset Connoisseurs Society was established to encourage relaxation and appreciation of the beauty of our planet by spending at least one day a week watching the sun set. We encourage our members to tell others about the Sunset Connoisseurs Society, to share their sunset experiences, and to show honor and respect to everyone. Because the sun rises and sets on us all.

I'll send good thoughts Your way this Thursday!

I love getting that email from CD Baby saying a new CD is Ready to go! And I received that email today. I am not officially releasing the CD until February. That's when I'll start telling the rest of the world about it. But YOU can now buy your copy or dozen and share it with friends, family and loved ones for Christmas. But no need to tell everyone just yet. This is just a thank you for you who are like me and Believe in Love!

Oh! But if you got a free copy of the CD, please re-post your review on CD Baby! Thank you!

I believe in love. It's an essential part of human existence. There are so many great aspects to it, and not all of them are romantic: love, love lost, marriage, infatuation, longing, lust, frustration, love for animals, places, and things. It is not all cut and dry. There is no perfection, except perhaps in accepting the imperfection of our own understanding.

We put a lot into that little word. Yet, it's only through opening our hearts and acceptance do we really embrace and receive love back.

That is how I approached my new CD, A Tribute to Love. It's not just another love CD, all romantic and mushy. It's an internal journey through the ups and downs of love. And it is only a fragment of the experience that you may have shared in your life.

This album is not for everyone. I accept that this may not appeal to you in your current path in life. Yet, I hope when you are ready and you listen to the album, you will experience the emotions I experienced in making and releasing the album. I hope you will see it as more than just music, but a way to share your love with others.

Much love,
Marc Gunn

Marrus is a BRILLIANT fantasy artist and Sunday she proved that with a fun, cat loving sketch. We've all been there. Remember not being able to sleep because you have cats lying on and next to your body and you don't want to disturb them. Yeah... me too.

Well here's her picture:

I am celebrating Thanksgiving in Louisiana. It's probably the first time I've not celebrated Thanksgiving with family in... well, most of my life. Though I miss all my family this Thanksgiving, happily the Haeuser Hotel is very much like family to me... some of the best people on the planet!

This morning I received an email from CD Baby that my new CD, A Tribute to Love, is ready for its final confirmation. Though the CD won't be released officially until February, I decided to make it available sooner to everyone who helped support the album. And it got me thinking of thanks. I am a blessed individual.

I am thankful to have a loving family.
I am thankful to have good friends around the world.
I am thankful to have two sweet, gentle, kind, loving kitties (who I miss terribly).
I am thankful to have visiting rights to my sweet boy, Jasper.
I am thankful to have turned my childhood dreams into a reality.
I am thankful to have so many fans who listen and support my dreams.
I am thankful to have kindred spirits with whom I can share laughs and joy.
I am thankful to have the chance to share the stage with so many talented musicians and performers.
I am thankful to have so many people who enjoy my podcasts and ezines.
I am thankful to have a creative mind and the ability to create.
And I am thankful to you for reading this blog. Thanks!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Nikki O'Shea, author of The Adventure of the Brobdingnagian Bards Comic, let me know that Book 2 of the comic book is being set up. I may even be available in time for Christmas.

But if you can't wait for that, order a copy of The Bards Comic Book 1: Do Virgins Taste Better. It is now for sale at Lulu.

I listened to "Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" by Aries9 and again, WOW! What an amazing album.

Aries9 is Ari Koinuma, a Japanese rock artist, who creates sophisticated modern rock that combines grunge, metal and prog elements with evocative lyrics. If you're not familiar with Ari Koinuma, check the liner notes to my CD, Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. He produced that album.

No. It sounds nothing like my cat CD, but it just goes to show that this man has an incredible talent for producing. "Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" is fantastic. It has a great edge to it. The first songs in particular have a very contemporary sound. I was having trouble placing influences on those. They were reminiscent of early 90s Alt Rock, ala STP, Soundgarden, or Alice in Chains. If you like those bands or you just like to rock, this is a great CD for doing just that.

Pick up your copy of "Darkness Reveals the Beauty of Truth" from CD Baby. You'll be glad you did.

I am trying to think ahead for a change and prepare my next Irish & Celtic Music Podcast Celtic Christmas Music Special. I am looking for new music from Celtic artists who wish to be featured in the show. Last year's, Celtic Christmas Music Special was a smashing success.

So if you are a Celtic musician or know of a Celtic group with Celtic Christmas music, please submit your album to the podcast and I'll do my best to fit you on to the show.

While the cool cats are out par-tay-ing in New Orleans, I volunteered to wait for the plumber at the Haeuser Hotel. That's okay. I have a lot of work to do. I just finished the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Now I'm about to update the Song Henge site. I wish I had an easier way to manage this stuff. Guess I'll try to visit New Orleans in a couple weeks.

When we released Memories of Middle Earth, I created a Lord of the Rings Music page where I posted some free MP3s and a bunch of links to Tolkien and Lord of the Rings music and websites. The site was down for a couple of weeks when transferred BardsCrier.com to a new server. But it is back up once more. Though if you want to find Lord of the Rings MP3s, this page should still be pretty good. Though I guess I haven't checked the links in a while.

Jed Marum's list of albums on Boston Road Records play regularly on Folk Bluegrass and Celtic radio programs around the world. Thanks to CD Baby, his music is distributed widely on all the major MP3 services. Jed plays American Celtic folk music with strong Bluegrass roots. His many original songs focus on the stories of family and immigrant ancestors. And he has a keen interest in history and the passing of culture from generation to generation. Those interests are reflected in his song writing and song selection. LONESTAR STOUT is a collection of Irish favorites, as well as a couple of the Americanized versions of some old Irish songs.

The latest edition of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast features Jed Marum's CD Lonestar Stout. You can listen to the album straight through... for free!!!

I recorded this instrumental tune in the winter of 2006 at my mom's. I was practicing on my autoharp when this melody came to me. It had a fairly sad, yet uplifting feeling that reminded me of Frodo and company returning home after their semi-triumphant return from Mordor. Their lives had changed. The Ring had made an eternal mark on Frodo. Yet, they were still going "home". It's the ups and downs of the occasion.

"The Hobbit Journey Home"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: A Tribute to Love
Read Lyrics: "The Hobbit Journey Home" FAQ

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy Irish MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License

It's poetry night at the Haeuser Hotel. We finished dinner and spent the eve sitting around the dining table reading poetry and drinking wine. How cool is that?!

This is the life. Great friends and conversation, sharing one another's company. This is what I live for in Louisiana.

And the people. I mean. What great people here at LARF: Vince Conaway, Kimberly, Queen Elizabeth, Paolo Garbanzo, Robin Hood and Marion, and it sucks that The Limeybirds were only here for the first half of faire, because they are brilliant! Oh and their Christmas CD is on CD Baby now. Plus, Craig of Farrington, and lots more. Great friends. Great entertainment. I love it here.

FYI! If you come to the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, don't miss the wine tasting Madame Ghislaine is a BRILLIANT connoisseur of wine and has the Best Wine Tastings!!!! They are awesome! Sign up before it's too late. The rest of her season is about full and you do not want to miss this experience.

This was submitted to my Renaissance Festival Podcast compilation CD. The recording was a little long, but it's very cool! And just in time for the Beowulf movie.

BEOWULF
by Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies
mka: Stephen R. Melvin

See Grendel. See Grendel eat. Eat, Grendel, eat. Grendel is eating a few Danish for breakfast. Grendel especially likes the ones with the yellow coating on top. This is good because there are so many of them. Yummy!

See Hrothgar. He is sad. Sad, sad, sad. His warriors are leaving. They are sad because Grendel has eaten many of their friends. They do not want to play with Grendel anymore because Grendel is mean.

Hrothgar is also sad because his food is almost gone. Grendel eats the cows and pigs and horsies, too. Grendel is very hungry. Eat, Grendel, eat.

Hrothgar is also sad because his wife will not stop complaining. Whine, wife, whine. Hrothgar has tried to stop listening to her for three days now. Drink, Hrothgar, drink. Hrothgar is almost out of mead. Poor Hrothgar.

See Beowulf. He is big and strong and handsome. He has long viking braids and pointy horns on his hat and a really big sword. Ooh, Beowulf, ooh! He is sailing to Denmark to visit Hrothgar. Sail, Beowulf, sail. He does not know that Hrothgar is almost out of mead. Poor Beowulf.

Beowulf likes to sail. Beowulf likes to drink even more. Poor Beowulf. When he gets to Denmark, there is only enough mead left for one feast. Poor Beowulf. Poor Hrothgar. Poor warriors. Poor Grendel. Beowulf is very mad. Mad, mad, mad.

Beowulf vows to slay Grendel. Vow, Beowulf, vow. He promises to do many great feats. He swears to return with Grendel's head. Drink, Beowulf, drink.

Beowulf is lying very still. Is he waiting to surprise Grendel? No, he is not waiting to surprise Grendel. Is he meditating? No, he is not meditating. Is he practicing an Arcane magical ritual involving a lawn chair, six milk bottles and a tuning fork? No, he is unconscious. Won't he be surprised when he wakes up and they tell him about his promises? Won't he be happy to know that he has a quest? Won't he feel grand when the warriors cheer him? No, Beowulf will not feel grand for awhile. He has a headache. Poor Beowulf. Please stop cheering warriors.

O see the castle. It is very quiet. Is it quiet because everyone is afraid of Grendel? No it is not quiet becaude everyone is afraid of Grendel. Is it quiet because everyone is afraid of Beowulf? Yet, it is because everyone is afraid of Beowulf. Beowulf has had a very bad headache for three days. Last night, Beowulf's head hurt so bad that he was very mad. Mad, mad, mad. Grendel came over to play and made too much noise. Beowulf was very upset. Beowulf was so upset that he ripped Grendel's arm off and hung it over the door. Poor Grendel. Poor warriors. Smile at Beowulf. Just do it quietly.

O see the feast hall. It is bright and cheery. There is food on the tables and mead in the horns and a great big arm over the door. See the feasters. They are singing and laughing and drinking. Are they happy that Grendel is dead? Yes, they are happy that Grendel is dead. Are they happy that they can laugh and sing and play again? Yes, they are they happy that they can laugh and sing and play again. But most of all they are happy that there is more mead. Drink, Beowulf, drink.

O see Hrothgar. He is happy. Happy, happy, happy.

Is he happy that Grendel is dead? Is he happy that there is more mead? Yes, but he is mostly happy because his wife has stopped complaining. Smile, Hrothgar, smile.

O see Grendel's mother. She is sad. Sad, sad, sad. Is she sad because Grendel is gone? Is she sad because her other children never call? Is she sad because the Angels are losing again? Yes, she is sad because of all these things. But she is mostly sad because she won't get any more mother's day presents. This makes her mad. Mad, mad, mad.

She gets so mad that she decides to have some Danish for dessert. That is silly. Everyone knows that you are supposed to have Danish for breakfast. Silly, silly, silly.

In fact it is so silly that we think that Grendel's mother may have had something besides food for dinner. We think that Grendel's mother may have been drinking. Just like Beowulf.

O see Beowulf. Now that there is mead again he is drinking some more. Drink, Beowulf, drink. When Grendel's mother comes to the feast, Beowulf has already drunk quite a bit. So has Grendel's mother. He thinks she is the most beautiful woman in the world and makes a pass at her. Pass, Beowulf, pass. She is caught off guard and says no. Tease, monster, tease. Beowulf tries again. She leaves and he goes home with her. Grendel's mother was never heard from again. Beowulf was very quiet about the whole situation. Quiet, quiet, quiet.

THE END.

So tonight we did a promo at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival site. Andrew and I were playing "Wild Rover" by the beer garden. After the song, the pretzel man stopped us and said, "Have you heard that CD, 'Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers'?" I laughed. He then went on to say how he played it every morning at some faire in Illinois. hehe! Rockin'!

Everyone seems to release a Christmas Music CD this time of year. So it is no big surprise that there is also a lot of great Celtic Christmas music out there as well.

The idea of Celtic Christmas music is actually kinda funny since Christmas is not a typical Celtic holiday, except outside of Wales. Nevertheless, there are a lot of Celtic artists who celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice. So Celtic Christmas music is Christmas or Yule music by Celtic artists. It might not entirely sound Celtic, but in America, that's such a generic term as it is.

But that's a discourse for another blog. Meantime, I've compiled a few webpages that feature Cetlic Christmas music. Check 'em out!

• Celtic Christmas Music CDs
• Celtic Christmas at the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
• CELTIC MP3s.com: Celtic Christmas Music & Winter Solstice Music

And if you want to hear some of the Celtic Christmas music I've released check out our CD, Christmas in Brobdingnag, Vol. 1.

I don't remember where I first heard this song. But my favorite version was in the movie BIG. But I was really surprised to find out that there were lyrics to the song. I started singing it and I sounded like Jimmy Durante. But I soon worked out an arrangement for my CD, "A Tribute to Love".

"Heart and Soul"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: A Tribute to Love
Read Lyrics: "Heart and Soul" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy Irish MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License

words by Frank Loesser, music by Hoagy Carmichael

I don't remember where I first heard this song. But my favorite version was in the movie BIG. But I was really surprised to find out that there were lyrics to the song. I started singing it and I sounded like Jimmy Durante. But I soon worked out an arrangement for my CD, "A Tribute to Love".

Heart and soul, I fell in love with you
Heart and soul, the way a fool would do, madly
Because you held me tight
And stole a kiss in the night

Heart and soul, I begged to be adored
Lost control, and tumbled overboard, gladly
That magic night we kissed
There in the moon mist

Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling
Never before were mine so strangely willing

But now I see, what one embrace can do
Look at me, it's got me loving you madly
That little kiss you stole
Held all my heart and soul

It's been an interesting couple o'weeks. Right now, Andrew and I are performing as the Brobdingnagian Bards at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. And it's filled with interesting things. So let's take a step back and recap.

Just a few weeks ago, we were hit with a booking/internet fraud. We lost $2500. But thanks to our fans and everyone who spread the news about the fraud, we were able to recover that lost money. In fact, we've decided to donate $250 of our overflow money to The Tartan Terrors, another Ren Faire act, who lost over $100,000 of equipment and CDs when their van was robbed.

Meanwhile, we quickly tried to get in control of our own finances before heading off to the Louisiana Ren Fest. Our DVD package that helped us raise the $2500 was finally completed and should be in the mail this week. And I might add, it's pretty cool. Andrew did a great job with this DVD. The footage is of random quality, but it looks pretty sharp. Maybe one day, we'll get a full DVD out to sell. But not yet.

So the weekend after our fraud disaster, I had a solo show at Elysium with a bunch of geeky songs that went over really well, despite my nervousness playing on a big stage. I ended up recording all those songs in my latest Pub Songs Podcast. But before I did that, I got to visit the Texas Renaissance Festival. I miss that faire.

Anyway, as we prepared to leave town, I was working on the new Renaissance Festival Compilation CD. This 23 track album features a lot of brilliant music by some of the best Renaissance festival artists on the circuit IMHO. And I am blessed to have them on this compilation which largely benefits the podcast. Though a portion of the money will go to some Ren Faire non-profits. Some suggested RESCU. And I do plan to donate some money to that fine organization that looks after the faire community. And I have a bunch more compilations planned.

My latest solo CD, A Tribute to Love, arrived from the printers earlier this month. I decided I won't officially release the album until February. However, due to several financial struggles, I decided to release it to fans now. It should be up on CD Baby in a couple weeks. I'm really pleased with this album. It's not for everyone, but it is a beautiful glance at love in it's many forms. One of the singles from the album, an instrumental entitled, "Silhouette of Longing Love" has already topped the New Age Charts on SoundClick and Spirit Within Radio. And the album has had a ton of glowing reviews from listeners.

So right before, we left for Louisiana I had a crown put on one of my teeth. The whole dental story was a bit of a nightmare for me. But I was off to LARF for a GREAT weekend. We finally have a good stage there, a nice grassy bit shaded by the water. Unfortunately, we only have that for one more weekend. Then, who knows? We might just be wandering the rest of the weekend.

I drove back to Austin that Monday to take care of the kitties before I left them for two weeks. Ugh. I miss my boys. But they are well-cared for. As I was there, I recorded the Halloween episode of the Renaissance Festival Podcast, posted a MarcSongs Podcast, and of course, recorded show #41 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast has been growing in popularity and praise. I can't believe how many emails I get by fans telling me how much they love the show. And The Celtic Top Five is getting tougher and tougher to conquer. I'm very grateful for everyone who supports my many endeavors online.

Finally, I made it back to Louisiana safely when another tragedy struck. Andrew and I were leaving faire. Cars in front of us stopped too quickly and my car plowed into another. I'm fairly certain my car is totaled. Fortunately, neither of us were hurt. And Andrew had a car in town too. So we're not stranded here, but this adds to my financial worries. I have to get a new vehicle. The days of happily knowing my car was paid for are over. Hopefully, my insurance will give me a decent settlement at least. It's just stressful.

My mom is flying me to visit her in Germany for Christmas. With any luck, I can score at least one gig to help me pay for some of the incidentals of traveling. Because I don't need any more financial problems. This has definitely been the year for them for me.

But at least Christmas is coming. It's always nice to see people buying CDs for the holidays. Ah the life of a musician. It's definitely not easy. But obviously it's interesting.

Meantime, School Days at LARF begin tomorrow and four more weekends of faire. Woohoo!

Slainte!
-Marc Gunn

Didn't I tell you James McDaniel II rocked!

My new slogan for the 2008 elections.

You can pick up t-shirts and yard signs on his Dumb Ogre Designs site.

Here it is! I got the cover for the Renaissance Festival Podcast's new compilation CD. It features photography by Chip Talbert, Kimberly Stockton as Elizabeth I and graphic design by the amazing, hard-working and generous, James McDaniel II. Thank you!!!!!!



(Ain't that purty!)

Oh! I was just reminded of a couple of corrections I need to point out if you plan to come see us at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival.

If you've checked the faire's schedule, you'll note it differs a bit from the schedule on our website. The times are the same, but the acts are not. Our first two showtimes at 11:45a and 1:00p are listed as "Brobdingnogain". The best Andrew and I could figure out is that this is the Brobdingnagian version of Rogain. Andrew is before (short hair), and I am after (long hair).

However, our last show at 2:45 features "Barbie/etc". I have No Idea where the hell they got that from. I mean I don't wear high heels. And I don't think Andrew cross-dresses (aside from the obvious kilt jokes). But then... he did, after all, talk to the entertainment director. So? Hmm...? No. Even with that he's a bit tall to bother with high heels. Just doesn't make sense. But I digress.

Those times 11:45, 1:00, and 2:45 are indeed OUR showtimes, withOUT high heels or skirts. Just KILTS!

And even then, that schedule is only for the First Half of the Faire. At present, I don't know Where we will be for the second half!?!

So the best I can suggest is patience. We might just be playing in the lanes. If that's the case, my guess is that we'll be by Jamie's cottage most of the day. But wherever we are I will let you know as soon as I know something. Slainte!

I finally got around to watching the special edition of "Singin' in the Rain" that I got from Amazon this summer. It's beautifully delicious. But as I watch it, for some reason, I'm jonesing to make a music video for some song. I don't know why. But it really started after watching the special edition stuff. All the songs from the movie came from previous films by the songwriter and producer, Arthur Freed. And there's a lot of delightful bits where you see where those songs came from. Coolness!

The Renaissance Festival Podcast is a free, bi-monthly, downloadable radio show of Renaissance festival entertainment. It is hosted by Marc Gunn and Kristen Roger, and produced Joe Haydu and Marc Gunn, the show features music and entertainment from around the world.

Now we are proud to announce our latest compilation CD. This album benefits the podcast though a portion of the profits benefit a non-profit organization that will help the faire community as well and as needed.

This compilation is a lot like an episode of the Renaissance Festival Podcast with a fantastic mix of music and comedic faire commercials with our unique podcast touch.

Here's the complete track listing. Please visit the artists and find out more about the groups who support the Renaissance Festival Podcast.

Track Listing:
1. Fugli, "Crazy Leo's Indulgences", www.povera.com
2. Bedlam Bards, "Bedlam Boys / Bear Dance", www.bedlambards.com
3. Bramblebush, "Mary Mac", www.bramblebush-music.com
4. Bocca Musica, "Nancy", www.boccamusica.com
5. Bounding Main, "High Barbaree", www.boundingmain.com
6. Fugli, "Never Marry a Mermaid", www.povera.com
7. Tenpenny Travelers, "Dapper Dan", www.tenpennytravelers.com
8. Minstrel Woode, "Jolly Beggarman", www.minstrelwoode.com
9. Brobdingnagian Bards, "Hobbit's Dance", www.thebards.net
10. NeidFyre, "Old Maui", www.neidfyre.com
11. "Captain Black Jack" Murphy, "The Humours of Whiskey", www.irishsong.net
12. Queen's Gambit, "Rocky Road to Dublin / Foxhunter's Jig", www.queens-gambit.com
13. Pirate Comedy Show, "Tourists Promo", www.piratecomedyshow.com
14. Vince Conaway, "Cantiga", www.vinceconaway.com
15. Marc Gunn, "Finnegan's Wake", www.marcgunn.com
16. Jesse Linder, "The Leaving of Liverpool", www.jesselinderbard.com
17. Marooned, "Spanish Ladies", www.marooned-lv.com
18. Marc Gunn & Lorella Loftus, "PlagueAway: The Pestilence Potion", www.marcgunn.com
19. Terry Griffith, "For My Grandfathers", www.pittsburghirish.org/griffith
20. Blackjacks 'n Blarney, "Old Black Rum", www.renwidow.com
21. Thyme Awaye, "Highland Harry", www.myspace.com/thymeawaye
22. Seymoure, "The Pudding Song", www.seymoure.net
23. Marc Gunn & Lorella Loftus, "The Faire Is Over", www.marcgunn.com/

It album features photography by Chip Talbert, Kimberly Stockton as Elizabeth I and graphic design by the amazing, hard-working and generous, James McDaniel II.

The CD will be officially available for sale on CD Baby in December.

I learned this song from my dad. These are the lyrics he used to sing to me as a kid. I think he learned it from The Brothers Four. It was always a favorite song, which is why I recorded it for my CD, "A Tribute to Love".

"Froggie Went A-Courtin'"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: A Tribute to Love
Read Lyrics: "Froggie Went A-Courtin'" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy Irish MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?
Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License.

Alrighty, I have the latest arrangement of tracks for the upcoming Renaissance Festival Podcast compilation CD. It features 24 tracks of great Renaissance festival music! That is 78 minutes of music. Wow!

Track Listing:
1. Fugli - Crazy Leo's Indulgences
2. Bedlam Bards - Bedlam Boys / Bear Dance
3. Bramblebush - Mary Mac
4. Bocca Musica - Nancy
5. Bounding Main - High Barbaree
6. Fugli - Never Marry a Mermaid
7. Tenpenny Traveler - Dapper Dan
8. AD - PlagueAway
9. Minstrel Woode - Jolly Beggarman
10. Brobdingnagian Bards - Hobbit's Dance
11. NeidFyre - Old Maui
12. Captain Black Jack Murphy - The Humours of Whiskey
13. Queen's Gambit - Rocky Road to Dublin / Foxhunter's Jig
14. Pirate Comedy Show - Tourists Promo
15. Vince Conaway - Cantiga
16. Marc Gunn - Finnegan's Wake
17. Jesse Linder - The Leaving of Liverpool
18. AD - The Naughty Wench
19. Terry Griffith - For My Grandfathers
20. Marooned - Spanish Ladies
21. Blackjacks 'n' Blarney - My Magic Place
22. Thyme Awaye - Higland Harry
23. Seymoure - The Pudding Song
24. Marc Gunn - The Faire Is Over

I'm still waiting for a few higher quality files to make the final mix. But most of it is done. Oh! And still waiting on the album cover. I forgot to check in on that. So better go do that now. Emailed. Hopefully, I can get this out next week! WOOT!

Then on to the next CD project which is a mostly a solo CD with a few bonus tracks of faire artists. Melanie Gruben has volunteered for that CD. If anyone else is interested... and I love my friend Nancy. She came up with the coolest CD title that I want to use for this solo CD--"What Color Is Your Dragon?" Ain't that a cool title? I love it!

Okay. Time to pack. I leave tomorrow. Durn it and I didn't do the Halloween special of the podcast. Crap. Never heard from Kristen either. Ah well... Sleep and I'll be fine.

LOL. Just listened to it. I LOVE my commercials. What a break! LOL

Oh and if you're a Ren Fest performer and want to be on my next CD, let me know.

My new song is now named. I had a tough time coming up with the name for this tune. The final name is "Of Twilight Shores and Heroes' Death".

Thank you for listening and voting for your favorite name. Give it another listen and I hope you enjoy it. I was excited it also climbed to #4 on the World Music charts of SoundClick too! Rockin!!!

My mom bought me a ticket to visit her for Christmas in Germany. I thought I'd try and find a venue or two to play while I'm there? Any suggestions? Contact me.

When I was a kid, I LOVED going to the dentist. Doc Yoc, we called Doctor Yockleson (sp?), my dentist in Maryland. It was fun. Sure, I'll admit it was partially the because after every visit I got a little toy, like that plastic monster you could put on your finger and go, "Grr Arg!" Very Wedon of it now that I think about it.

But over the years my faith has waned. It really began in college. I went to a dentist to have a tooth fixed. And the messed it up bad. It was hurting afterward. I told them about it and they said it was fine... or would get better... or some such B.S.. Me, being the cowardly, passive aggressive college student I was, I accepted it, found a new dentist, and lived in pain on and off for the past fifteen years.

So it was no surprise last February when I went to the dentist and they told me that fucked up tooth had tooth decay and needed a crown. I don't have the kind of money to fix that. But their computers were down when I finished so I was happy I didn't have to set a date, but expected it to be delayed. Delayed it was. They never called me back to set up an appointment. Eight months later, I call them and say I need another check up.

Last week, I went in and the dentist told me, "You need a crown still and it's getting worse!" He didn't say it was rotting and it was essential. It was a dark, foreboding overtone as if my life will end soon. Sorta like when I went in for the cleaning and told them I've been a little lax at flossing recently. Except in that instance, I've done a great job brushing my teeth regularly thanks to the lessons I learned from Tiziano losing one of his teeth.

Yeah, the dentist left me with a feeling of dread. But I still don't have money. And when they told me it would cost $1200 to do. Youch! Sorry, that'll have to wait. BUT if I could wait until the 1st of November then I'd be fully covered and wouldn't have to pay anything. Hell yeah!

So at the front desk, they confirmed that with the insurance. November 1st. Great! That means I can't leave for Louisiana at the same time as Andrew, but at least I won't have to pay anything for this crown.

Skip ahead to today when the world magically changes before our eyes.

I check in to Castle Dental of Austin. They take me to The Chair where I spend a grueling hour and half trying to keep from choking, tasting that awful cement crap they use to take an "impression", and stressing out big time... By the end I was almost at the panic attack mode... which I've never done before! And certainly not at a dentist!

I go out to the counter to get my release sheet and miserably wave bye bye when they tell me I'm not covered AT ALL! And even if I WAS covered they'd only cover $170. BULL SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Now my face in number from the anesthetic and I'm horrendously pissed, trying my best not to curse too much of a storm, but finally realizing where the term "hopping mad" comes from! I was furious and about to go orbital!

After thirty minutes I call my dad to calm down and see what kind of people I can contact to report dental fraud, because when you tell me I'm not gonna have to pay something and then say, "I'm fucked!" That to me is lying and fraud. And it's treating your costumers with contempt!

But it happens a LOT. My dad began telling me how his dentist told him hey needed a crown over some tooth that's been vacant for 30 years. Is that shit REALLY necessary? No! As my dad said, Dentists perhaps are scared. Too many people are brushing and there's not enough rotting teeth around to pay the bills. So instead, they're making up bull shit excuses to "FIX" your teeth. It's B.S.! And I'm sick of it!

When I walk back in they tell me they tried to make a temporary change to my inception date with my insurance since that cock up moved it from November 15th to November 1st. But the insurance company wouldn't budge. The dentist later called me and told me that they were appealing because the insurance people DID SAY November 1st. And there's some documentation of that. So it was the insurance companies fuck up.

But before that happened, the dentist people told me, that the $1200 Quote they gave me was an "error" and it was only $750. Hmm... Which makes it sounds just as fucking fishy to me! I mean, so were you raping me before by charging me $400 than you needed to? OR do you have to LIE about how much it costs to give me a fucking price break?!

Lesson Number One:
While I appreciate the price break, YOU FUCKED UP! So be honest (for once) and say, we'll give you 50% off or some bullshit.

Lesson Number Two:
Dentists! Stop raping your costumers. Treat them with honor and respect and they will be back for another cleaning.

Lesson Number Three:
More little monster finger toys.

Nevertheless, I left there fuming and fucked with indigestion from the fucking medication and feeling like shit all over.

To top it off, my faith in dentists--7% and falling FAST!