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The Chris Chandler Show

  • The Muse and Whirled Retort 2024

    The Muse and Whirled Retort February 2024

    The Muse and Whirled Retort February 2024

    The CHris Chandler and Paul Benoit Show

    Hey everybody,
    It’s that time again. February 1.

    February 01, 2023

    Imbolc. St Brigid’s Day. The start of a new year, a new life.

    Here are two photos. This day last year - we had an ice storm here in Austin and this year - it is glorious.

    February 01, 2024

    This year is particularly reflective for me because I just had a big birthday. Sixty. We had a big celebration in Oakland. Followed by several shows. Paul Benoit had a family situation and could not join me, but I was lucky enough to have the adept accompaniment of John Elliott and Jordan Feinstein. I hope to have a couple of videos of some of those shows up soon.

    In other news, Paul Benoit and I are planning a handfull of shows in the north east. It is centered around a May First tribute to Anne Feeney in Pittsburgh. We would like to play some shows in and around there: Philly, New York City, Washington, DC, maybe even Boston. Want to present us? Have us do a house concert in your living room? Drop me a line!


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    T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.
    Feb 01, 2024
    Austin, TX

    This month’s edition is a poem by Al Grierson. One I may have shared with you before. But it has particular resonance with me as I start my 60th year. I made a video for it a few years back.

    Til The Circle is complete
    By Al Grierson

    Both the turning of the season
    and the ticking of the clock
    The planet's one year older,
    so are you.
    I leave the speculation
    and the silly idle talk
    for another time
    and someone else to do
    there will be a celebration
    at the end of every street
    when we claim our bread and roses
    and the circle is complete

    So if destiny should drag you down
    or dress you up in style
    may you never be too weary
    to walk another mile
    May you never cease your growing
    or learning as you grow
    May the things you discover
    be the things you want to know

    May you gain in strength through sorrow
    and may all your love be true
    May you turn your hand to something
    that you really want to do.

    May your friends encounter fortune
    and your comrades find release
    though they see the hopes of others disappear
    may your parents die contended
    and your children live in peace
    though the hands of desperation
    hold them near
    Should the future find you lying
    with a lover at your side
    or left alone with broken arms
    and all your dreams denied
    may your footsteps ring like rifles
    through the darkness of defeat
    may your spirit never falter
    till the circle is complete

    May your life be like a love song
    and the act of every breath
    be a poem to the purpose that it serves
    May you set your feet to dancing
    at the hour of your death
    And meet it with the courage it deserves
    may your shadow pass
    in pirouettes of such amazing grace
    that the tears of those who mourn you
    disappear without a trace

    watch Chandler's Video for Al Grierson

    In a smoke that shapes their sorrow
    to the fading of your feet
    in a ring around the rainbow
    Where the circle is complete.


    May you never cease your growing
    or learning as you grow
    May the things you discover
    be the things you want to know
    May you gain in strength through sorrow
    and may all your love be true
    May you turn your hand to something
    that you really want to do.
    ******
    There will be some dates coming soon.
    If You are in the Pittsburgh, DC, Philly, NYC area
    and ya want to hep us come to your town.
    Drop me a line.
    Look for stuff on the West Coast this Summer.