‘it put a big smile on my face.’ Tom Robinson, BBC6 Music
‘A treat – witty, wistful, wonderful.‘ Gyles Brandreth
‘Marriage Song #1 is a quiet masterpiece.’ Sunday Times
‘ Sharp satirical thinking put into song… You’re going to love it. ’ Folkwords
‘ A delight in every way…. precise and with compassion – a rare delicacy to be able to combine expert satire with the longing of humanity.’ Liverpool Sound and Vision
‘Like dry Jake Thackray and American Tom Lehrer, Blacker has the ability to look at the ordinary everyday that nobody writes about and turn out gems of social observation…This is knowing writing with the laughs masking depths and intelligence.’ Northern Sky Magazine
‘ Hilariously entertaining. ‘ Mary Dickinson, Everyman Folk Club
If there were ever a song that illustrates the muddle we are in about race, tolerance and offensiveness, it's my Friday Song this week, 'That's Why They Call Me "Shine"'. The song has taken a peculiar journey over the past century which, as far as I (or, rather, Google) can see, has never been recounted. It was written by Cecil Mack, born Richard C McPherson, with music by Ford Dabney, and released in 1910. Mack has an impressive list of credits, including 'Charleston' and - surely this one is due for a revival - 'I'm in the Right Church But...
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