Ben Bochner
Greetings!

My friend and amazing singer-songwriter, Ben Bochner, of Eugene, Oregon, passed away earlier this week. I got to drive to the hospital and sing with his family and friends at the end. We'll be celebrating his life in Eugene this Saturday 3-9pm, 7.7 - here's a link to the event.

We'll have a gathering for Ben in Portland soon. If you'd like to be kept informed about that, click here and you'll automatically be added to a list for that purpose.

Ben is an important part of my life. He and I sang together at Summer Solstice Healing Retreat at Breitenbush since 2008 (at least); Oregon Country Faire and more recently, Singing Alive. He is a deep and caring person - and he worked to make the world a better place.

Take a moment to listen to his music . Share it. Learn a song or two. Lucky for us Ben did a great job of putting his songs online in various formats.

Take care and I hope you're doing well.

Love, Albert
Simon de Voil in concert with Ben Bochner

This was one of Ben's last performances and a very special one. It's a long concert with lots of discussion about the songs. Ben mentioned that it was one of his favorite performances ever.
Walking Each Other Back Home by Ben Bochner

Ben Bochner sings an original song titled, "Walking Each Other Back Home". The song was recorded at Maximo Productions in Eugene, Oregon and the video was shot at the same time using two iPhones.
In Robin Williams' Eyes by Ben Bochner

There was always something sad about Robin Williams
Even when everyone was laughing
It was like he had some deep dark secret
Like, inside, his heart was cracking
Like a clown at a birthday party
He made shapes out of balloons
And he helped us forget, for a little while
That childhood ends too soon

In Robin Williams’ eyes, in Robin Williams’ eyes
There always seemed to be a tear in Robin Williams’ eyes

The first time that we met him
He'd just come from outer space
It was like he’d been sent here with a message
For the human race
There was something familiar about him
Something kind and something wise
Yes, there always seemed to be a tear
In Robin Williams’ eyes

In Robin Williams’ eyes, in Robin Williams’ eyes
There always seemed to be a tear in Robin Williams’ eyes

My favorite part he ever played
Was as Matt Damon’s therapist
Matt Damon played a guy who was a genius
At hiding his tenderness
But old Robin, he saw right through it
He kept digging at the wall
Til he found the words we all long to hear
He said, “Son, it’s not your fault.”

In Robin Williams’ eyes, in Robin Williams’ eyes
There always seemed to be a tear in Robin Williams’ eyes