Marc Black is an eclectic folk-rocker who says he carries the Woodstock tradition of dealing with life and all its social and political challenges one song at a time.
Topics in his songwriting range from the small pleasures of life (his love of good coffee and an appreciation of MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow) to the political hot-buttons of our time like hydrofracking and the life-changing events, like the difficulties endured by a close friend recovering from a stroke. His style is very down-home and personal; wryly humorous and always genuine.
“This country of ours is chock-full of people who are thinking big thoughts about the present and the future,” he writes on his blog. “Trying to play my part, I’m carrying my love of music and my guitar everywhere I can. What an honor to stand up in front of folks, reaching for the universal energy and love. Sharing the beauty I am blessed to see and hear. Somehow weaving all of these communities together, they fill my soul and become part of the songs and the sound.”
Every year on Thanksgiving Day weekend, Black does a show at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, set to happen this year on Saturday, November 24 at 8 p.m. The band personnel for the show includes Amy Fradon (who will also open the show) and features Warren Bernhardt on keyboards. Eric Parker on drums, Mike Esposito on bass and Don Davis on horns rounds out the band. There are sure to be some surprise guests, too, says Black, including Happy Traum and Tommy Ramone.
Pianist, composer and producer Warren Bernhardt was Steely Dan’s pianist (1993-94) and musical director (1994), co-leader of jazz-fusion group Steps Ahead (1985-88) and is also renowned as an accompanist with performers including Art Garfunkel. Amy Fradon has been singing and performing for over 25 years since her early days immersed in the Woodstock music scene of the early ‘80s.
Marc Black Band with Warren Bernhardt, opening set by Amy Fradon, Saturday, November 24, 8 p.m., $20, Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker Street, Woodstock; (845) 679-4406, bearsvilletheater.com.