Well, it's been awhile since I've sent one of these out.  I'm expecting to get lots of bounced emails. :) This is the Post-Estrella version of the BlackBird Recording electronic newsletter. If you don't want to receive this newsletter any more, just drop me a note and I'll take you off.  If you know of anyone who wants to be added, have them drop me a line and I'll add them. Remember, anyone who's on the list when the next album comes out will be entered to win a free album.  Thanks!

NEWS FROM THE RECORDING FRONT:

All of the copies of "Bards Make the Best Lays" limited edition CD have been sold with the exception of #100.  I'm currently planning to auction it off at an event and give half of the money to charity.  So "Lays" is currently only available in cassette and songbook.  There is talk of making a run of "Lays" CD's (NOT the Limited Edition) but that won't happen for awhile yet since we still have stock of the cassettes and I'd rather put together a whole new one.  Remember, the Cassettes are $10 and songbooks are $3.50.

Many of you have asked for "More!!!" on CD.  Well, "More!!!" is now available on Limited Edition CD.  We did a similar run to the one that we did with "Lays" - we added Finnegan's Wake as a bonus track and made 100 copies; each copy is signed and numbered.  They were released at Estrella and I've already sold the first 30+ copies.  I haven't compared them to hotcakes, but they seem to be selling well. :)  This is the fundraiser to raise the capital to put out the third CD.  

The third CD will be recorded over the summer.  We're calling it "Three Cheers for the Black Bard".  Some of the songs currently on the list to be included are: "The Battle", "Wise Dragon", "Havelok's Story" and "The History of Rome in 10 Minutes or Less".  

NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING FRONT:

Estrella was wonderful!  My voice gave out about 2 days in (can you tell I'm out of practice?), but I continued performing (albeit with a little less volume) until the end and I got to see some of the things I never get to see because I'm busy singing.  Starkhafn bardic was fun, Ironwood Loch as always was most hospitable (managed to get Stefania out firewalking for a bit), and I camped with Calafian Baronial which included the Iron Maiden and the College of St. Artemas.  Good people.

NEWS FROM THE WRITING FRONT:

Not a lot new recently.  I fear that I have not been very prolific recently with all of the mundane goings on.  

Please note the new email.  Remember, if you need to get in touch with me, my permanent e-mail is:

Rathflaed@hotmail.com

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

Cassettes: $10.00 inc. S&H.  Songbooks: $3.50 inc. S&H Limited edition CDs ("More!!!" only - 28 left) are $15 inc. S&H
(CA residents please add 7.75% Sales Tax)

PS: We didn't win the election, but stand a pretty good chance next time! :)

Paint Yourself the Stars
by:  Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
mka Stephen R Melvin
for: Lady Cara ni Cheallaigh, mka: Laura J. Sullivan

So put your pen to canvas lass, and paint another world,
For when the moon has come again, your talent is unfurled.
And when the dawn it does arise, and folks can see your work,
Why then your beauty comes to light, from inside, where it lurks.
For 'tis true a pretty face can turn a young man's roving eye,
And a graceful lady calls the folk to turn as she pass by,
But beauty fades and grace does too, when time has turned its wheel,
And what does last when years move on? What remains as real?
The paint on canvas you have placed will carry on and on,
And light the fire for a hundred years when we have left and gone.
So paint a pretty picture here and burn the fires within,
Call some folk to goodness and others call to sin.
But paint yourself most carefully in every lasting stroke,
For that remains at every turn, when all the rest is smoke.

5 Jan 2000