The Musician
“ If Marc Silber seems to play and bend and sing every note like he means it, that’s because he means
it. While he may look laid back or aloof, he brings the same passion and sincerity to a ballad or a
blues, a spiritual, a country classic or a ragtime ditty that he brings to the standard folk repertoire or
his own felicitous, haunting originals. Not only is he a superb performing musician, Marc is one of
the all-time great listeners. Nothing gets past his hungry ear. In his calming presence, you can even
feel him listening to and feeding his audience. His loving understanding of understatement and
silence — when to play sparsely, when to lay out — make him one of the towering masters of artful
understatement. Marc Silber is the real thing: an honest, living treasure. ”
– Al Young: Author, music commentator, and California’s former poet laureate
Used Instruments
“ I appreciate the fair deal you gave me on the 1926 Roth fiddle you sold me last January. We had the fiddle inspected by the best luthier in Tucson and he was impressed with the overall condition and upkeep. Also, by happenstance my wife visited the Roth family workshop in Germany last summer and the fiddle is listed in the family archives as the genuine article, as I had no doubt it would be. the Tucson luthier didn’t want to let go of it, but we have it back and it sounds better than ever. I plan to use it in an old-time fiddle contest coming up. I’ll be watching you violin listings to see if you happen upon another one of these vintage Roth instruments. ”
– RB: Arizona
New Instruments
“ I have one of your San Francisco Ukes. Just wanted to let you know that I love it. I have received so much enjoyment from playing it over the years. It hangs on the wall next to my desk so that I can grab it anytime the mood hits and play away my frustrations and get my mind back in gear. thanks for such a great instrument. ”
– BG
Hi Marc. The Montalvo I have was one of the first spruce top, cypress back and sides, full size ones you had made. I believe it was made by Juan Huipe. I used it 4 nites a week for 2 and a half years with a 5 piece flamenco show. The sound is rich, clear, dark and sweet, and is exceptional from the 7th to 12th fret. The balance is flawless, and there are no weak notes. The action is easy and responsive, but not flaccid. You can play this guitar for six hours a nite, and do it again the next nite, and both your hands feel fine, which for a professional guitarist is a godsend. I have flamenco guitars by some of the greatest Spanish masters, and this guitar is their equal in every way, regardless of cost. An exceptional instrument and an amazing value
— An Email from John Sim0pson
Articles
“MARC SILBER: A Life of Inquiry And Respect Towards Exotic Traditions”
What we think of as Blues today has been chopped, tailored and regularized, cutting out much of the strangeness and irregularities. The proto-blues of the turn of the 19th century was usually played by non-literate musicians who often played the guitar with a slide, rendering the tempered tuning of the frets irrelevant.
“Going To A Better Land”
Marc Silber, Berkeley, CA. Review by Norman L. Beberman, GuitarNation.com Staff Writer
Blue Fiddler – Common Ground, Sept 2004
An article about blues fiddler, Vassar Clements. Mentions duet with Marc Silber
Blues, More Blues & Guitar
A short article by Izzy Young describing Marc’s early days
12 String Guitars — Lead Belly Letter, Fall 1993
An article by Harry Lewman
San Francisco Folk Festival 2003
From the 2003 program.
Wind Blowing Across A Field
An extract from the book by Evo Bluestein and Juliana Harris.
Marc Silber’s 50 Year Journey
An article by Teja Gerken.
An Appreciation
Comments by Daniel Hamburg