FIRST SINGLE OF "NOTHING EVER LASTS"

Hi everyone….. i hope u enjoy my first single!!!

I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU

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The main reason I came to San Sebastian from Bayonne is that a local band singing in english in France goes nowhere. No one wants to listen to you unless you already have international notoriety. I had a conversation on two occasions with Hughes Aufray (a big star in France) who called me after I'd sent him a cd in which I pay hommage to Bob Dylan.  H.A. is a friend of Bob Dylan and he became popular in France singing Dylan's hits in french. He advised me to sing my songs in french which of course sounded ridiculous to me. I write my songs in english because that's how I can express my feelings better and singing Blues or Country in french is as ridiculous to me as singing Blues or Country in Chinese. French is just not the right language. I was happy to find an audience in San Sebastian, people who really know and appreciate american music.

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NOTHING EVER LASTS

The song itself is about losing someone very dear to me and the lesson that sooner or later we will lose loved ones; that nothing is permanent in life, friendship, love, prosperity, luck, health etc... and the only thing that doesn't change is that "all things must pass" as George Harrison said.

The C.D itself follows that theme. For example "I fell in love with you " upbeat and joyful is followed by "Tell me where love can be found"heavy and desperate. "A gambling man" is about luck that comes and goes. It ends, though, on a good and hopeful note with "Love on my mind", a love recently found.

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Hi everyone.

I'm only starting with this online stuff so bear with me.

 For the past year or so I've started playing in San Sebastian and around with Fernando Neira, Jon Aira and Gustavo Gonzales.  We're getting along real fine musically and socially. I consider them friends now.  These guys give me what I've been looking for for so long which is quality and support. Last september we went into MECCA studios and recorded and mixed our first live album ( That's the only way to do it ) in three days. We're all very happy with it. The Art work is also very cool and I'm expecting the full product in about a week.

So look out folks and be ready for it. We also did a video with Makoki, I guess everyone knows who he is, I don't know his real name.  I also got together with Gemma Gonzales of Lady Red Management and with the whole package in hand she'll go out and prospect for future engagements.

We have a date for our album release party which will be on the 26th of December at DOKA club. So I invite all of you to show up and support our band.

That's it for now !

I'll keep passing on the info as it comes to me.

So long!

Agur

F.B.

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The story of my life

Nací en Maruecos (Casablanca), mis padres eran profesores allà . Regresé en Francia a los 3 años.  Vivimos en el sur de Paris (Melun) donde empezé a praticar los artes marciales a los 14 años. Ví un día un disco que era de Lightning Hopkins y descubrí esa mùsica que me influenció toda la vida.  En los años 60, también salierón Bob Dylan, Simon / Garfunkel y los Beatles que también forman parte de mi Background.  Bob Dylan todavía escucho y me encanta, para mi es el que admiro lo más de todos los autor-compositores del mundo.

A los 19 años me fuí a vivir en Londres. Estaba harto de Francia. En Inglaterra la gente era más abierta, más amable y claro la mùsica era muy buena. Descubrí el Folk en los Pubs.  Me quede en Londres 2 años y mude a Madrid. Alla me lo pase bomba, fiesta , mucha fiesta. Me gustó el ambiente alegre de los españoles. Descubrí el Cante flamenco y la guitarra flamenca, me hizó pensar en el Blues. Lo encontre muy potente como el Blues. Cuando voy para Andalucía siempre voy a ver un « show ». Una vez en Velez Malaga, nos invitaron en una peña flamenca y me pidieron tocar. Yo rehuse porque tenía vergüenza y el guitarista era muy bueno. Pero insistierón mucho y no tuve más que tocar, los dedos temblando. Pero me escucharon muy atentamente y al final me dijó el guitarista que aqui el Arte se respeta, y que son ellos abiertos a escuchar los otros artistas. Fue una buena experiencia para mi. Al mismo tiempo segui haciendo Artes Marciales, el TaeKwondo.

Pero desde mucho yo quería ir a los Estados unidos.  Con todas la peliculas que había visto y la mùsica, ademas de « Woodstock », tenía que ser el mejor Pais del mundo para mi. Me fui a N.Y un mes y viajando por Chicago y en Wisconsin pero me desilusione. Regresé a Madrid, tuve una chica que era de Idaho y me pidió venir a vivir alla. Yo no quería , pensando en mi experiencia en N.Y. pero al final me fuí.

El oeste de los USA no tiene nada que ver con N.Y. me Gustó mucho la gente amable y generosa. Viví en Idaho unos 6 meses y nos fuimos en Arizona, en Tucson.  Alli fui a la universidad y trabaje en la construcción de pisos. Conseguí mi cinturón negro de Taekwondo. No tocaba mùsica, solo en mi piso. Quedamos 2 años en Arizona y nos mudamos en Seattle en el Noroeste de Los USA (cerca de Vancouver, Canada).  Alli empeze a tocar mùsica en publico, primero haciendo los « Open Mikes »por todas partes. Encontrando otros mùsicos quien me ayudaron a dar conciertos enteros. Yo hacía de telonero para ellos. Y despuès me las arreglé solo en duos y también con una Banda que llamé « The French Connection ». Asi dí una primera parte con Tom Paxton quién era conocido como Folk singer. También toqué en el Folk life Festival de Seattle durante 7 años.  Fui a muchos conciertos en los USA de mucha gente que me influenciarón, hable un poco con Taj Mahal y también Bonnie Raitt.  Descubrí en mis 25 años en el oeste de los USA , Country Music.  Me gusto muchissimo, descubrí la música de los « Sudistas ». Country Music me encanta, es una cultura en si misma. Las canciones son divertidas, cuentan la vida de todos los días y los músicos son fantasticos. Hay alli los mejores guitaristas del mundo. El nivel de esa gente es impresionante.

  La segunda cosa es mi encuentro con James DeMile uno de los primeros alumnos de Bruce Lee. Estudié con el durante 10 años y fuí el instructor principal de su club durante 4 años. Alli también encontré mucha gente impresionante.

Regresé en Francia para casarme con una mujer del pueblo donde vivían mis padres. Vivi en Pau donde empezé a dar clases de Gungfu y también formé una banda. Tocamos en varias cuidades y hizimos unos Festivales, Mirande (Country music), Marciac en el programa « off ». Fui también finalista del concurso de « Blues sur Seine » en 2008 en Paris. No fueron buenas las condiciones, ademas AirFrance me rompieron la guitarra asi que no lo pasé bien.

Hicé una primera parte por Willy Deville en Bastia Corsica. Le había encontrado en el Festival de Blues en Cognac y hablamos en su « Loge » media hora. Era una persona muy interesante y una enciclopedia de la música.

Hace dos años tuve la suerte de tocar con mis mùsicos franceces en el Altxerri aqui en Donostia. Me gustó el ambiente y me encantó ver a gente quién conocían esta mùsica que tocaba. En Francia era una frustración tocar frente a gente que te mira como una curiosidad folklorica, que te llama « Crocodile Dundee » y que no entiende la música que tocas.  Incluso te preguntan porque no cantas en Frances.  El año pasado hable con Hugues Aufray , una leyenda de los años 60 quién cantó Bob Dylan en frances.  Yo le había mandado un cd donde hicé un homenaje a Bob Dylan. Le gustó mucho por eso me llamó. Pero me dijó que en Francia había que cantar en frances porque a mucha gente no les gusta los americanos.  Mezclan todo con Politica, es un azco.   Los músicos con quién había tocado no eran profesionales : quasi no ensayamos, no les importaban subir al escenario sin estar preparados.  El talento sin trabajar no es nada. Asi que estaba harto.

Bueno un día me dijó Dani del Altxerri que un músico le dió su número de telefono para mi. Llame al músico (Fernando Neira ) y nos encontramos para tocar.  Desde aquel día tocamos juntos.  Dije a mi grupo frances que ya no quería tocar más con ellos. Despuès vinó Jon Aira y más tarde Gus Gonzales. Ahora tengo piso en Donostia, nueva mujer (soy divorciado) y tengo este grupo muy bueno, un público respectuoso y amante de esa música.  Estaba muy desilusionado con Francia y había decidido dejar de tocar.  Desde que estoy con Jon, Fernando y Gus, se me volvió las ganas y ahora tengo este cd muy bueno con temas todos nuevos.

Un abrazo

F.B.

Born in Marocco, my parents were teachers over there at the time. Back in France at 3, we lived in the south west first and then near Paris (Melun) where I started Martial Arts. One day I stole a Lightning Hopkins record and discovered the music that would influence my whole life. Then came Bob Dylan, Simon-Garfunkel and the Beatles. Bob Dylan is for me the all times best Songwriter. At age 19 I moved to London, fed up with arrogant France. In England people were more open and friendly, plus the music was great. I loved the pubs and their folk singers. After two years in London I went to Spin (Madrid) where everything was just partying. I loved it. I discovered the "Cante flamenco" which is like the Blues, very gutsy, very real. Everytime I go to Andalucia I catch a show. I got invited once to a "Peña flamenca" in Velez Malaga and they announced that I would play some songs. I refused, too scared cause I had just heard some incredible guitar player. Anyway the guy was persistant so I had to play or they'd be offended. After a couple of songs the guy came to me and said "here we like any form of Art, you had nothing to worry about". In fact it was the audience I ever had to play in front of. Wanting to go to the states was stil gnawing at me. After seeing "Woodstock" I had to go there sure it was the best country in the world.  First I went to New-York and Chicago and that wasn't the best experience of my life so I returned to Madrid desillusioned.  I got together with a woman from Idaho who was to become my wife. After resisting a while, I moved to Idaho. Western USA isn't like New-York. I immediately liked it and was intimidated by it. I liked the relaxed ways of the people and admire their resourcefulness. From Idaho we moved to Tucson in Arizona, and I got my black belt in TaeKwondo there. I attended the U of A and worked at odd jobs. I didn't perform yet, just played in my living room. We stayed two years in Tucson and moved up to Seattle in the Northwest, not too far from Vancouver , Canada. There I started to perform doing the local open mikes aznd met professional singers who helped me by having me open for them. Then I flew my own wings, as a solo then as a duo and then with a band I calles "The French Connection". I played the Seattle Folk Life Festival for 7 years in a row and the various clubs and pubs in the area. I played "Bumbershoot" where I excahnged a few words with Taj Mahal and Bonnie Raitt which for me was a thrill. I love Country music which is a culture by itself. The songs are fun, very humorous and descriptive of everyday life. They have the best guitar players in the world. 
I also met with James DeMile, one of Bruce Lee's first students and became his student. Later I became Head Instructor in his club and went to New-Zealand promoting his Gungfu. Through him I met some outstanding people in the Martial Arts. 
I came back to France and got married to a woman from my parents' village. I lived in Pau where I started teaching Gungfu. I also got a band together and toured a bit, did Festivals and also was finalist in the National Blues Contest in Paris, not a good experience plus AirFrance broke my guitar. I also opened for Willy Deville in Corsica, I had met him in his dressing room 3 months earlier and I won't forget it. This guy was something esle and an encyclopedia.

Two years ago I played in San Sebastian at the Altxerri club. I loved the way people appreciated the music I played. In France I was just a Curiosity, they called me "Crocodile Dundee" and didn't know any of the stuff I was playing. They even asked me why I didn't sing in French.  I talked to Hughes Aufray (a french singing legend who introduced Bob Dylan to France singing his songs in french) and he advised me to sing in French cause "people in France are mostly anti-American", "they mix politics into everything".  By then I was fed up with France and also with my musicians who for the most part had no sense of professionalism and respect for the job well done. Well one day the manager of Altxerri gave me some guy's phone number, a bass player. I called and we got together and played for a couple of hours. His name is Fernando and he is the best Bass player I know. Later joined Jon Aira and Gus Gonzales. Now I have a place in San Sebastian, a new woman (I'm divorced) and this new band. I'm back wanting to play and I'm writing away new material. We did a live recording of an album which I'm very proud of. 
So long!
F.B.

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ABIERTA CONTRATACIÓN

Abrimos contratación para la gira de el nuevo disco 

Para cualquier propuesta no dejéis de poneros en contacto con nuestra empresa de management

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Teaser del nuevo single

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My diary

Ire compartiendo con vosotros pensamientos, ideas, letras, detalles de la gira y de los conciertos y todo lo que se me pase por la cabeza .. No dudéis en participar activamente y preguntarme cualquier cosa.

Un saludo!

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¡¡ NO QUEDA NADA !!

Dentro de muy poco os avisaremos de la fecha presentación de el nuevo trabajo de Fran Blackfield

"Nothing ever lasts" 

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Love on my mind

Love on my mind

Well I woke up feeling great a big smile upon my face

Nothing will go wrong today I got love, love on my mind

With you right next to me and me right next to you

We’ll cakewalk our life together I got love, love on my mind

Yeah with you with you my love

Yeah with you and the stars above

Nothing will stand in our way I got love, love on my mind

Through the worries and through the pain, through the tough times and through the rain

I’ll be there and hold your hand I got love, love on my mind

Well I woke up feeling great………

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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A working man

A working man

Five in the morning he lights up a smoke

Gets out of bed and puts his clothes on

Two cups of coffee it’s time to go

Clocks in at seven, life goes on

He’s a working man that’s his fate

He’s a working man don’t you know

Working man, working man

Working man from his head to his toes

Working man, working man

He’s proud to be a working man

Never thinks how different things could’ve been

He works with his sweat and his calloused hands

He believes in hard work, the American dream

He believes in courage that’s where he stands

He’s a working man…………………..

Don’t need no reward, don’t need no praise

He takes care of himself and the ones he loves

He don’t care to listen to what the Union man says

He trusts his own heart and the Lord above

He’s a working man……………….

(From Nothing Ever Last)

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I bealive in love

I believe in love

You say you love me I’m your honey pie

You always come home, come home late at night

I believe in love I don’t believe in your lies

You say you’re going shopping with your best friend Sue

I found out later it just wasn’t true

I believe in love I don’t believe in your lies

I can hear the words you say, the truth ain’t in your eyes

Same old stuff everyday  lies nothing but lies

You call me on the telephone at about 1am

You say you’re at your sister’s home cause she ain’t feeling well

I believe in love I don’t believe in your lies

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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Dead end Blues

Dead end Blues

I’ve been feeling them blues ever since I can remember

I’ve been paying them dues forever and ever

Won’t you show me some way out of this

Lord won’t you help me out, out of ‘em dead end Blues

I’ve been hanging in this town waiting for my lucky break

Luck hasn’t come around, them Blues I can’t shake

Won’t you show me………………

I know there’s gotta be a way I can ease my troubled mind

I’ve praying for the day I can leave them Blues behind

Won’t you show me…………………

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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Tell me where love can be found

Tell me where love can be found

Help me lord, help me please, help me up cause I’m down

I need your help yes indeed, get my feet back on the ground

A little bit of sun, something nice, I need to see smiles, smiles all around

A little bit of fun, once or twice, tell me where love can be found

Tell me where love can be found, Lord I’ve been looking all around

I need it Lord I need it now, tell me where love can be found

Guide me Lord, show me how I can find some peace of mind

I need it Lord I need it now you know my life is such a grind

Give me hope that someday my face won’t be such a frown

Show me Lord lead the way, tell me where love can be found

Tell me where love can be found, Lord I’ve been looking all around

I need it Lord I need it now, tell me where love can be found

Help me Lord help me please………………………..

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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I fell in love with you

I fell in love with you

I could’ve gone 10 times ‘round the world

Looking for love and baby never find you

You just appeared one day in my life

Ooh babe I fell in love with you

Years gone by time has no mercy

But the sun shines for those who love and that’s you and me

Love is young and it’s always true

Ooh babe I’m still in love with you

When I’m sad and lonely my colors turn to grey

Just one look in your eye you make it all go away

Many years from now we’ll be together

You’ll still turn my skies to blue

And I’ll have that twinkle in my eye

Ooh babe cause I’ll be in love with you.

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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A gambling man

A GRAMBLING MAN

I’m a gambling man

 I gamble everywhere I go

I don’t work for no living

Gambling is all I know

My daddy was a gambler

He travelled from town to town

Moma did the best she could

Sorrow put her six feet in the ground

I took after my daddy

 I got a itch in my hand

Home is where the next game may be

Love is just a one night stand

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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Take me to the river

Take you to the river

I Walked by a church south side of town

I was feeling low feeling down

I heard angel voices they called my name

Looked up the Heavens and I heard them say

Come on brother we’ll take you to the river

Come on brother we’ll take you to the light, to the light

Walked up the steps, went through the door

There was singing and dancing praying to the Lord

My heart started swelling and I began to cry

The Preacher looked at me and then he smiled

Come on brother we’ll take you to the river

Come on brother we’ll take you to the light, to the light

When the load’s heavy and you’re feeling down

Take a little walk south side of town

Listen to the Angels voices in the wind

Climb up those steps and let yourself in

Come on brother………..

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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Nothing Ever Lasts

NOTHING EVER LASTS

Lord knows how long I’ve been standing here

With the thought of you running in my mind

The time when you were with me is still so near

Now you’ve gone and I’m left behind

I look at your picture hanging on the wall

And I remember good times we had

And as summer is turning slowly into fall

I am feeling so weary and sad

Time with no mercy moves along

What is here today tomorrow will be gone

The weeks go by, the months then the years

I belong in here you’re in the past

I’ll go through more sun and I’ll go through more tears

But I know now nothing ever lasts

Don’t live your life in tomorrows or yesterdays

Enjoy the good times don’t let them slip away

Time with no mercy moves along

What is here today tomorrow will be gone

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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I´ll be fine all alone

I´ll be fine all alone

If you want to leave me babe, just pack your bags and go

If you want to leave me babe just go come back no more

Don’t worry about me now

 I’ll be fine all alone

I won’t try to hold you babe, I won’t beg you to stay

I won’t make no fuss woman, take your things and go away

Don’t worry about me now

 I’ll be fine all alone

No I won’t shed a tear, no I won’t feel no pain

I want some sun in here, Lord I’m tired of this rain

Don’t worry about me now

 I’ll be fine all alone

(From Nothing Ever Lasts)

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