Favorite parts about the Release Party show last night at Union:

Jason Harrod dance moves to Broken Hearted Stranger while he was up there singing harmonies with me.

People dancing in the back of the bar, waving iPhones, and the sing along that magically happened as we played “I Only Dream of You.”

The lushness of the string section (Katie Kresek, Maxim Moston, and Dana Lyn) playing along with Natalia Zukerman’s lap steel and William Berlind’s tasty keys on “Surprise Me.”

Being buoyed along by Jimmy Sullivan’s bass playing (and facial expressions!), his wife Mary Bragg’s beautiful harmonies, DP’s soulful drums throughout the night.

Seeing people I hadn’t seen in years, and some who I had, and feeling the love in that room.

I don’t know what was my favorite part, but the whole thing left me feeling so lucky to be here, to be living in this great city, in this community, doing what I love. At the end of the night when I had to talk with the manager at Union Hall because they couldn’t find my credit card to close up my tab, I wasn’t even that annoyed. “I am not that concerned,” I said. “We’ll find it.” I got four hours of sleep last night and I am completely hung over. I am not concerned. I am basking. Thank you!

“There’s always someone dignifying a song by taking a woman into his arms or getting through the night. That’s what dignifies the song. Songs don’t dignify human activity. Human activity dignifies the song.” Leonard Cohen

Not only does that man know how to write songs, he knows how to write ABOUT songs! See, music is a two way street between listener and musician. Last night when Neil Young’s “Helpless” came on Pandora while I lay in bed listening to it before going to sleep, I dignified that song somehow. I don’t know what Pandora paid Neil, but I paid him in karmic royalties.

As I release this album, whatever that means in this digital age where everyone in the music business is running around like chickens with their heads cut off, I humbly ask that you dignify this music with your daily activity. Put it on while you make dinner, work out on the elliptical, come home late at night on the subway. Any time at all, no activity too small. It all dignifies.

Please join me for a very special show to celebrate the release of “Yellow Brick Man.”

Friday February 17th, 7:30

Union Hall

702 Union St,

Brooklyn, NY  11215-1209

$10

Natalia Zukerman opens, then Jake LaBotz, then me and my band.

To avoid the possibility of getting left out in the cold on Union St. with no beer and no music, purchase advance tickets here.

Got some gigs coming up with the lovely and talented Diana Kazakova. Come on by and enjoy some tunes and Flaming Hibiscus Margaritas!