The new solo CD by George Mann-- producer of the "Hail to the Thief!" anti-Bush CD compilation series and singing partner to Julius Margolin. The producer of the "Hail to the Thief!" anti-Bush CDs (available here on CDBABY) steps out on his own with a strong selection of originals. Folk music with pop production and a little bit of classic rock mixed in-- check it out! George Mann has been an activist since joining the fight against the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant while growing up on Long Island in the 1970s. A union organizer who helped SUNY’s graduate employees unionize and then spent five years organizing with Musicians Local 802, George brings his songs and music from the past century of struggle to his work. He has sung and recorded with 91-year-old Julius Margolin since 1998 and they have released three CDs. They also created and produced three “Hail to the Thief!” CD compilations, which have showcased songs of opposition to the Bush regime and its wars by such folk legends as Utah Phillips, Tom Paxton, Kim & Reggie Harris, Anne Feeney, and Billy Bragg! “Into the Fire” is George’s new solo CD, recorded with his longtime band members (bassist and cellist Marty Confurius, percussionist Scott Supeck and Alan Podber on harmonica, mandolin and dobro) and the angelic voices of Myriam Valle and Joe Jencks on harmony vocals. Twelve songs plus three bonus cuts: the Fox-bashing “I Know it Must Be True,” the antiwar song “There’s No Way Out” and a song of hope called “This Beautiful Child.” The Songs I Remember Winter: A song about global warming. Contemporary folk and mostly acoustic, with drums and percussion by Scott Supeck. The Banks Are Made of Marble: The old classic by Les Rice, redone as a more aggressive, acoustic song with a new verse by George. I’m Chipping Away at This War: A powerful song about our soldiers returning from the war and its effects on them. He Will Shine: This quiet song was written for two parents going through a tough time. Beautiful harmonies and acoustic work. This Government of Shame: Myriam Valle shines on harmonies on this acoustic song with a great hook in the chorus. Fort Worth Blues: A moving remake of Steve Earle’s tribute to Townes Van Zandt, with great strings by Marty Confurius. Lonely Old Room: A sad song about a woman on her own, perhaps a victim of love, with drums and electric guitars, sweet piano, and harmonies by Myriam Valle and Joe Jencks. If You Ain’t Got Old Friends, You Ain’t Got Much: This song takes some digs at Donald Trump and Paris Hilton while masquerading as a sweet duet with Julius Margolin. Soft percussion and a great chorus! Rest, Papa Rest: Folk DJs, this is your song! Cellos and basses, beautiful vocals by Joe Jencks and Annie O’Shea, e-bows and harps– a song of the old west and the miners’ struggle for a union and a decent life. You Stood in the Fire: A folk rocker dedicated to those who stood out there long ago to warn us and try to stop George Bush’s war on Iraq. Pray for Me: A moving acoustic song about the disillusioned youth of Iraq, with beautiful harmonies by Joe Jencks and Myriam Valle. There’s A Light at the End of the Tunnel: There is hope ahead for all of us, and this song is a soft, almost gospel-like closer to the album. CD also includes three bonus cuts.