The American Courage Lake Freighter in the Cuyahoga
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The American Spirit is trapped in the Ice

The American Spirit is a great lakes freighter that had to make one last run before returning to Toledo to layup for the winter. The boat got caught in the ice. It struggled for some time, but eventually got free of the ice. Perseverance. Steady on. We will break through. Earlier Mixes With Mandolin, Accordion and second vocal Original recording without…
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Sillouette In Blue
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Sillouette In Blue

I boarded my first sleeper car tonight. Union Station in Chicago. It was about  seven degrees when we left. I was bundled up knowing the wheelchair often has to wait. Well, no waiting on a sleeper. I was onboard and in my room in minutes. The room at first sight looked like a bathroom but I turned around and there was…
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The Circus
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The Circus

After Bob Weir died I took some moments to look back. I traveled around with a lot of close friends through the years to go listen to the Grateful Dead. We would look for a few shows and take in a week or more of concerts. When I was in high school our parents let us run off to Philly for…
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I will be coming home to you
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I will be coming home to you

I Will Be coming Home to You is on the Something to Believe CD with Avin Baird and Steve Inglish (Mr Downchild). It was written from the road when I was trying to reassure my wife (Future wife at the time) that I would be returning home soon. We were a new couple at the time, soon had different interpretations. I…
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Howlin’ at My Door
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Howlin’ at My Door

I wrote Howlin' At My Door during the Polar Vortex. It was a cold winter. I was newly disabled. I wasn't going anywhere. I stumbled upon a songwriting contest for the John Hartford Memorial Festival in Bean Blossom Indiana. The rule was your song had to include a lyric from a Hartford tune. When I saw the title, I thought about…
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January Skies
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January Skies

January Skies was written in 2012 in response to a friends concern that everything as going to end soon at the solstice. This song suggests that it is all cyclical and the end is always another beginning. The version on Something to Believe is amazing with the collaborations with Avin Baird, Cindy Langmack, J Scott Franklin. This one is simple solo…
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The Water Is Wide
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The Water Is Wide

The Water Is Wide is a traditional British folk song also known as Waly Waly.I developed my version from Avin Baird. I always loved when she performed it and eventually developed my own with her help. As my finger picking became more intentional, this song became a staple in my sets. Today it appears from time to time in my live…
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I Bid You Goodnight
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I Bid You Goodnight

I bid You Goodnight is a Bahamian spiritual by Joseph Spence. It's origins go further back than that, but his take on the song was picked up by a string of others. Mine mostly resembles the Grateful Dead or Aaron Neville versions because that is what I was listening to when I first heard it. The song quickly became my automatic…
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Statue of Elizabeth Cotton in Libba Cotten Grove, Syracuse NY
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Shake Sugaree

This is a recording I did last night of the Elizabeth Cotton song Shake Sugaree. Other recordings that I love include one of her granddaughter singing the song. There is also a great video of Rhiannon Giddens performing it. When I share that with young students they are always mesmerized. The song is said to be the inspiration for the Grateful…
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Album review (Songs from the Heartland)
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Album review (Songs from the Heartland)

https://madewellmusic.com/songs-from-the-heartland https://madewellmusic.com/files/1381106/mosbrook-what-r-we-waiting-for.pdf What Are We Waiting For? It’s Time Album Review by Steve Madewell Charlie Mosbrook is a Cleveland-area songwriter who performs his original material on a handful of instruments. What Are We Waiting For? It’s Time, is a lovely addition to Charlie’s catalog of recordings, offering insightful lyrics, subtle yet catchy melodies, and engaging arrangements. I met Charlie shortly after…
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