This is the BlackBird Recording mailing list.  If you don't want to receive this list any more, just drop me a note and I'll take you off.

My apologies for taking so long to get this out to everyone.  I was going to send it out right after Estrella, but it seems the Good Lord had other ideas.  After a bout with the flu, strep throat, and a kidney stone, I seem to be back online.  I also have an ISP now, so I'll be able to get to my email with a little more regularity.  

NEWS FROM THE RECORDING FRONT:

Well, good and bad info here.  We thought we had a studio lined up and a deal in the works to get the next albums recorded and we were supposed to start recording on March 30.  I got a call on the 22nd where they backed out.  I've got a few more things in the works, but I'm back to square one so it's still going to be a bit before we get the next one out.  I'm hoping to have it out by May War, though.  Got enough songs for two albums, albeit slightly shorter albums.  We'll have to see how the final thing turns out.

Old Stuff: 
Another reminder: if any of you know of someone who might want to link to the site (BlackBird or Cantaria) please let them know so that they can do so.  

Don't forget to let people know that we are holding a lottery!  Everyone to sign up for the electronic mailing list, or who places an order between now and when the next tape  comes out will be put into a drawing to receive a free copy of the next tape.  So if you know anyone who might be interested, be sure to let them know.

Got some more retailers to sell the albums/songbooks but we're still looking for more. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please let me know.  

NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING FRONT:

Estrella was a blast even with a broken foot!  Starkhafn held a Grand Bardic with many MSoBs there and a good time was had by all.  I spent some time over at House Dragon where James claims to make the best home brewed root beer and homemade sausage in the Knowne Worlde.  I have tried both and been unable to refute the claim.  They were good!  He also claims the same for his birch beer but I have yet to find him with some on him.  Next time perhaps (hint, hint!).  Check out the pictures of James and I at:

[Insert URL here]

The camps I was very impressed with (and spent some time at) were: Ironwood Loch, Starkhafn, House Dragon, Staghold (on their bardic night), Keg's End, Dreamchaser and The Knights of St. Michael who hosted the Crystal Flute competition and the Crystal Fruit competition.  All hail Simon MacFearchair (ask him on the pronunciation, he's picky ;) ) for some wonderful performance!  One of our newest MSoBs and one to watch.  

There were many more wonderful camps out there that I did get invited to and for whom I didn't get to perform, but make sure you pass the word on the ones who are "bardic friendly".  I find that "bard bait' is becoming more the norm than the exception, so the work that we poor starving bards did for the past several years is paying off.  Ironwood Loch, Dreamchaser and Starkhafn for example don't let bards leave without a token of appreciation.  It's good to be a bard these days. ;)

NEWS FROM THE WRITING FRONT:

Since the last newsletter, I've been fairly prolific.  I'm including "So You Wish to Be a Bard...", and "The Wise Dragon" for this newsletter.  I've also written: "The Price", "Havelok's Story" and begun "Green Eggs and Hamlet". :)

The current songlists for the second and third  albums are:
[Insert songlists here]

I am now on line at home and so will be checking my email more often.
I'm at:

Rathflaed@hotmail.com

Thanks again for everyone's support.  Hope to see you soon.  Until then,
may the muse gift you with the words and music to make your life bloom.

Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
http://www.chivalry.com/blackbard/
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"Bard's Make the Best Lays" available at: 
BlackBird Recording
PO Box 75
Tustin, CA. 92780

Cassettes: $10.00 inc. S&H.  Songbooks: $3.50 inc. S&H
(CA residents please add 7.75% Sales Tax)
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The Archer King
				By Rathflaed DuNoir
				The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
				mka: Stephen R. Melvin

Kind of a talking blues rhythm

C			    G
Once upon a time, there lived a mighty king,
         F						C
In a kingdom that was known both wide and far,
	   C				 G
For the prowess of its warriors, their skill with sword and shield,
	  F				       C
And the tactics that they'd use to win the war.

Now when an army needs to train, it fights a battle false,
So the king he took and divvied up the sides,
But before the fight had gone too far, an arrow took the king,
And in the battle, 'twas that arrow turned the tide.

Now the king he got a little mad that couldn't play his game,
So he said there's no more archers on the field,
And not a man took up the bow for the next ten years or more,
For if they did, they knew their fate was sealed.

So the cloud of shafts that filled the air was no more to be seen,
Until another kingdom came to play,
Now that kingdom said, "We want your land, although we've heard you're
strong.
You'll have to beat us 'fore you make us go away!"

So the king he called his men to war like he had a hundred times,
And the cry rang out, "All archers to the fore!"
Then about three men stepped to the line, the loyal bows of old,
But the enemy sent out three hundred more.

So the skies were darkened once again by feathers, blades and shafts,
Only this time they were pointed not away,
And the king he learned that sword and shield might do for battles
false,
But they won't suffice when another comes to play.

So the moral of this story it should be quite plain to see,
That each and every weapon has its place,
And just because the game's not fun, don't take the toys and go,
For you'll need Every One, when foes you face.

15 Sep 98