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Brisk & Breezy

by Marc Block

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Brisk & Breezy saw Marc revisit the “jaunty acoustipop” of his former band, Marc Block and the Breezes, overdubbing his own voice, guitar, bouzouki, harmonicas and percussion, with further backing vocals by Rachel Delicata and double bass by Martin Bentley. It’s an exuberant collection of mostly original songs, including new recordings of some of Marc’s old favourites from his younger days.

    CD artwork by Frank Duffy (www.frankduffy.co.uk), photography by James Fagan.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Brisk & Breezy via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 6 Marc Block releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Maybe Someday, Faerie Fire Dances, Faerie Fire E.P., Brisk & Breezy, The Hawthorn Spring, and One Year From Now EP. , and , .

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1.
My Young Man 04:31
CHORUS My young’s a fine young man, a fine young man is he A fine young man is my young man, as fine as he can be My young man he’s brisk and gay, he’s handsome, tall and true His pretty mouth smiles and lights his eyes of palest blue And when he takes me in his arms the world and all its cares Fade from view and disappear as he his sweetness shares We met on a grey cold day, a-walking by the Tyne Where I went to face my fears and leave some stuff behind And there I opened up my heart just like a morning bloom Surprising me with joy he took me gently to his room CHORUS He unhooked my hang-ups and he flung them on the floor I showed him my worries and he showed them the door I can tell him nigh on anything and he won’t bat an eye I’m truly free to be myself with this young man of mine My young man gives of himself freely and with love Showers me with bounties that I never dreamed of And now and then he’s fragile too, and if he’s feeling down He’ll trust that I will be there, to soothe away his frown CHORUS Hardly any hour goes by that I don’t think of him I’m put in mind of his tender love by almost everything A bath, a bird, a curious word, an unfamiliar tree We share in my imaginings wherever he may be My young man always knows the very thing to say No matter what the distance he’s the one who shows the way And all he is and all he does appeals so much to me Whenever we’re together, I am his entirely
2.
The Black Dog Marc Block © Glasspool Music 2009 Fog comes down, black dog jumps up again Fog comes down, black dog jumps up again Bites hard, strikes deep, pulls me down There’s a tight fist of rage that beats in my chest I feel the panic rise and it beats inside my chest But where it came from, I can’t even guess I’ve seen green shoots covered by snow I’ve seen green shoots get covered up by a fresh fall of snow But soon it will melt and fade and I’ll watch them grow Had some work to do on a dull day Had some work to do on a dull and dreary day Took a long time just to clear the thorns away Fog comes down, black dog jumps up again Fog comes down, black dog jumps up again Bites hard, strikes deep, pulls me down Didn’t know what I was trying to find Lord I didn’t know just what it was that I was trying to find But I kept on digging for something that was preying on my mind Seems I’d dug a wide hole Seems I’d dug myself a wide and deep hole It was filling up with water dark and cold I stood a long time, I could not jump in Stood a long time at the edge, I knew I had to jump in To the icy unknown where the child screams again Fog comes down, black dog jumps up again Fog comes down, black dog jumps up again Bites hard, strikes deep, pulls me down I’ve seen a change in the line of the light today I’ve seen a change in the way the sunlight falls today I’m hoping the warmer weather’s on the way Storm on the ocean, storm at sea There’s a storm, boys, on the ocean, a storm at sea When a rock’s what I need, driftwood’s all there seems to be
3.
Eco Street 05:12
Eco Street (1985) by Marc Block Glasspool Music Sitting in the sun Waiting for the grass to grow on me Well I’m sitting in the sun With the flowers round my feet Watching the sky, down on Eco Street Watching this guy, down on Eco Street Well the music’s pure It fills me up like only you Someone comes by Selling cake, and that’s my treat Spending my time down on Eco Street Spending my time down on Eco Street You can share a dream Hear a tale or sing a song You can buy your bread hot From the oven when it’s time to eat Do what you like down on Eco Street Do what you feel down on Eco Street Skin in the open No-one tells you what to do Well breathe your body It’s hot, but there’s no heat It’s an easy life down on Eco Street Easy life down on Eco Street When the sun goes down We’ll be dancing by the great oak tree Where the fire-siders They play a crazy beat But after a while, back to Eco Street I’ll be watching the stars down on Eco Street
4.
5.
6.
The Old Fool 04:04
The Old Fool by Marc Block 2009 ©Glasspool Music I’m bound to quit you but not just yet, I’m shamelessly obsessed You fill up my screentime, you’re not like the rest Your look’s not all it is, I’m entirely fascinated I’m shooting-star-struck and sorely infatuated Oh, oh, the old fool is calling From time to time, I’m down and up again And when you’re there, you help me through Help me back to where I can do the things I need to do I’m scrutinising every line for any kinds of clues You and Oscar and your angst are giving me the blues You once called me darling, I wish you hadn’t done I must suppose it’s just a pose but it seems to lead me on I keep rolling in late at night hoping you can chat You tell me what you think I could do about that You I wish it was when I’m beside myself I wake up thirsty, besotted and on the shelf I was close to driving half the day just to see you play You would surely get it if I gave the game away You’re young and complex and decidedly cool I’m on the rebound, just a lonely old fool
7.
Hard Times of Old England Trad/*Corinne Male/**Roy Bailey arr. Marc Block Oh the hard times of old England... Come all working people who travel along And pray, come and tell me where the work has all gone Long time I have travelled, and I can find none and it’s Oh the hard times of old England, in old England, very hard times Provisions you buy at a shop, it is true But if you’ve no money, there’s none there for you So what are the poor folk and their families to do and it’s Oh the hard times of old England, in old England, very hard times You go to a shop and you ask for a job But they answer you there with a shake and a nod It’s enough to make poor folk to turn out and rob and it’s Oh the hard times of old England, in old England, very hard times You see working people out walking the streets From morning till night for employment to seek And scarce do they have any shoes to their feet and it’s Oh the hard times of old England, in old England, very hard times *We go to the polls and they’re asking us to vote And they’re telling us we’re all in the same boat But how many sink while they stay afloat? and it’s Oh the hard times of old England, in old England, very hard times **So come all working people and stand to your ground If we all join together we can turn it around Freedom is turning the world upside down Sing Oh! Good times in old England, in old England very good times
8.
Two Steps Back by Marc Block 2009 © Glasspool Music Bright green on the sycamore and willow Only ash and the oak are still bare Gospel Dylan’s in my headphones And it’s a slow train takes me there Slow train takes me there And I’m one step forward, two steps back Down the slippery slope I go Walking up the down escalator Climbing on a greasy pole Oh mercy I’m on my way to the city Men are talking of the game without end Recent things that you said are on the rise I’m just trying to help a friend Just trying to help a friend We stop in our tracks in the country Swollen river fills the meadow Blossom’s on the bush, the wind is blowing Fields are green and turning yellow Green and turning yellow One across the table, one beside me Remaining strangers, in red Man it’s true I hardly know you But right now you’re always in my head You’re always in my head In Bartholomew’s Yard the sun is shining There’s so much that I don’t know In the gatehouse I can stop for a while And I let my whistle blow I let my whistle blow
9.
CRADLE OF SUNSHINE Marc Block 2008 © Glasspool Music We’re not so different, you and me We both have the same view and we quite like what we see But sometimes things just seem to hurry us too far Let’s take the time to set things free Take me rolling, take me dancing, to a garden in a dream Take me laughing, smiling, running to the end Take me from the mountain down to the sea And lay me in a cradle of sunshine, beautiful friend You like to feel the waves surround you And I like to hear the breeze that whispers in the bay We like to take a ride and turn it all around So come on let’s spark the fire today CHORUS And now we’re lost among the circles in the sun Don’t notice anything but the wind It’s such a feeling like we never will come down It goes around and round again CHORUS Life’s not that simple for you and me We each have our troubles and we struggle to find the key But sometimes we can forget them for a while Love finds the way to set things free CHORUS
10.
Hal An Tow 02:41
Hal An Tow Marc Block/Trad © Glasspool Music 2012 Take no scorn to wear the horn It was the crest when you were born Your father’s father wore it And your father wore it too Hal an tow, jolly rumble-o We were up long before the day-o To welcome in the summer, to welcome in the May-o For the summer is a-coming in and winter’s gone away-o Robin Hood and Little John Both are in the green-o And in the greenwood we will go And see what they have seen-o The Hornèd Hunter and the Hare Are rising for the dawn-o To be the first to chase the buck And run all in the morn-o Warmer days are on the way And that’s what makes the May so gay The garland wound around the pole Makes the Queen’s delight The fires that we light tonight Blaze all in the field-o And those that make the sacred rite Bless and quick the yield-o
11.
The Moon and my Sisters Marc Block 1988 © Glasspool Music I live with my sisters and together we worship the moon We live in a magic castle that’s full of ups and downs Creaking stairs and a mighty bell and people everywhere Of every size and shape and kind, it’s a strange place, but we don’t care We sit by the fire and drink glasses of wine Tell stories of childhood and mystical times My sisters and I we just laugh When the moon is high, when the full moon is high Rosa, she’s the life and soul Excited like child Lives every moment, with a song upon her lips She’s dancing crazy, and we dance in the rain We sit by the fire and drink glasses of wine Tell stories of childhood and mystical times My sisters and I we dance When the moon is high, when the full moon is high Cathy is the poetess Surrounded by her books Waxing and waning with a moonface I know someday she’ll tell us her tale And Nell is of the faery-folk Enchanting with a smile Weaving her silver web of loveliness She holds me warm in her arms We sit by the fire and drink glasses of wine Tell stories of childhood and mystical times My sisters and I we embrace When the moon is high, when the crescent moon shines I live with my sisters and together we worship the moon We live in a magic castle that’s full of ups and downs Creaking stairs and a mighty bell and people everywhere Of every size and shape and kind, it’s a strange place, but we don’t care My sisters and I love it there We sit and get high and drink glasses of wine Tell stories of mystery and magical times My sisters and I we just laugh When the moon is high, when the full moon is high And when the crescent moon shines, when the full moon is high
12.
Fool for a Face Marc Block 1987 © Glasspool Music Oh what a face, what a face you have What wouldn’t I do for your smile? You’re full of surprise, a delight to my eyes and I’ll Do anything for you, I’m a fool for a face (x2) Well gladly I’d give you my last chocolate And gladly I’d give up my chair I’m eager to please you whenever I see you there And I’ll do anything for you, I’m a fool for a face Well you just don’t know what you do for me You make me laugh aloud I’m jumping inside I’ll confide that now And I’ll do anything for you, I’m a fool for a face Oh! What a face, such a face you have What wouldn’t I do for your smile? You’re full of surprise I delight in your eyes and I’ll Do anything for you, I’m a fool for a face
13.
Eyes Wide 04:32
Eyes Wide Marc Block 2008 © Glasspool Music Seven years old, teenyboppin’ disco Crocodile Rock and I love your Tiger Feet Fourteen, big school disco, Stayin’ Alive and Yes Sir I can Boogie Had so much fun learning how to dance But I grew up slowly, got too hung up on romance There was a time, I was young, I was shy I would hide on the floor on my own I’d get up and fly but I’d close my eyes And I’d try not to feel so alone But that was a long time ago Now I dance with eyes wide open I’m dancing with you Want to see what I feel in my hips and my heels Want to see you feeling it too Dancing with my eyes… wide… Eighteen, Friday night disco Tainted Love and Karma Karma Chameleon And my longing's a guilty pleasure Can’t let the pretty boys see me watching I didn’t have the nerve to take that chance ‘Cos most guys, they don’t want my kind of romance CHORUS Getting old now, but still love to move To Rock Around the Clock all Brisk and Breezy But no longer am I bound by the Hope against hope that used to dog me I’m free to feel the heart-beat and life-blood of the dance ‘Cos oh boy in you I’ve found my romance
14.

about

I’m immensely grateful to everyone who helped to crowd-fund the making of Brisk and Breezy. Without you I’d be a poorer man today.

The songs on this album are largely the repertoire performed by Marc Block and The Breezes from 2009 to 2013, then Marc Block Trio from 2013 to 2015. Some of them I also sang in duos with Tony Wells (The Unison Twins, 1985-6) and Graham Miller (Auld Alliance, 1999-2006). I recorded Hard Times of Old England with Graham, and also with the Breezes, with whom I also recorded Hal An Tow, Eyes Wide and The Black Dog, but those recordings are only available online. An early recording of Cradle of Sunshine was on my 2010 EP One Year From Now, and four-track cassette recordings exist of Eco Street and Fool for a Face (Foreign Voices, 1988) and The Moon and My Sisters (Sunrise in the Rain, 1990).

Many thanks are due to The Breezes – Chris Pitcher, Bee Powell, Milli Galgut and Lytisha Tunbridge – for their contributions to arrangements, and for their support which helped me grow as a musician.

My thanks also go to Ich Mowatt for demo recordings; to Roger Wilson, Sam Hindley, and Liz Elliot for putting my crowd-funder on the radio; to Phil Preen, Julie Palmer, Dave Walters, Mary Smith, Claire Halliday, and all at Poppy Folk Club for their support; to Steve Benford and Phil Langran for loans of guitars; to Keith Turner for past recordings.

Special loving thanks, for being who you are, to my family: my sons Solly and Max Worth, their Mums Karen and Wendy, my Dad, ‘Trombone’ Tim (who comes to nearly all of my local gigs), and my brothers Freddy and Oliver; and to my dear friends Sally, Charlie and Ollie Jackson, and Roy Bailey.

I dedicate Brisk & Breezy to the memory of my Mum, Letty, who was both those things, and so many more, and would have loved it.

credits

released October 7, 2016

Marc Block: Lead and backing vocals, guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, bodhrán, djembe and other assorted percussion
Martin Bentley: Double bass, all tracks except 10 and 14
Rachel Delicata: Backing vocals, tracks 3, 7, 9, 10, 13
George French: Keyboard, tracks 2, 8, 12

Produced by Marc Block.
Engineered and co-produced by George French and Huw Jones at Paper Stone Studios, Nottingham. www.paper-stone.co.uk
Mixed by Huw Jones
Master by J P Braddock at Formation Audio www.formationaudio.co.uk
Design by Frank Duffy www.frankduffy.co.uk
Photography by James Fagan

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Marc Block Nottingham, UK

"one of the most exciting singers I've heard in a long, long time" - Mike Harding

“The joy in the singing is totally what I need right now” – Peggy Seeger

"Really good stuff" - Mark Radcliffe, BBC R2
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