traveller

I had thought of - the traveller - for some time

the title fits who I am, a wanderer,

a person who is intriqued with other cultures;

and although I have not done much in the way of 'world travel'

I talk to everyone I meet.

I love to know about their culture, faiths, and music; the things that they love, and what inspires them.

I can't even begin to describe the wide range of music that I love

But, I can say this - I will choose passion over

technical expertise anyday.

last August, 2005

my father gave me one of his blues harmonicas

I had said to him, do you think I could play

one of those, since the flute likes me?

He said, "here, find out"

That very day I went downtown for a walk

and while waiting for a friend,

played the harmonica while watching

bumble bees enjoying the flowers.

A blues song was born.

I called it HoneyBee.

so, I had thought that 'the traveller'

was going to be a 'blues CD'

after I wrote about six songs

which I put on a CD called the Wee Hours

that only went out to my friends.

then November came and it

lasted for 3 months.

to make a long story short. . .

all artists experience a time when they feel

that the Muse has forgotten about them.

It's not true, of course.

But every artist experiences it at some time

and in a different way.

She's there all right - all the time

but we fall into a place where we can't hear her

I'd call it hell, if I believed in such a place.

The truth is,

something has to wake us up,

inspire, touch, move, shake,

and that happened to me on New Year's Eve

I don't partake of New Year's Eve as a rule,

however,

My father was playing at a neighbourhood Pub

and there would be some old friends there.

Just before Christmas a friend of the family,

had been hit by a car and died.

And that night, I was drawn to go to the Pub

and sing "the Parting Glass"

for Joey, and the O'Reilly family.

I played with my Dad the rest of the night,

and when I came home I got out my

harmonic flute and composed

Come Join Me

in honor of my childhood friend

Bonnie O'Reilly.

my recordings seem to begin about 3.a.m.

this is what some people call the

Soul's Midnight

and when I feel that that is when the Muse

whispers in your ear and you just have to

get up and do something.

To dream, paint, sketch, write a poem or sing.

All of the music on 'the traveller' CD

is completely in the moment, so much so,

that lyrics don't even get written down.

what you will hear on this CD is the result of

a dream, a walk from visiting someone at

the hospital, a feeling from looking at the sky,

or someone's art work.

The love I feel for someone, and want to express. . .

the only thing on paper is the translations to Spanish - the love songs.

Talking to Dragons - for the air and water spirits, a call for people to listen

Forgotten Heart - step out-side the rules, be aware, be free

Nashka - do you know who you are?

Mi Amor Dulce - for Richard

Dream - for Frida Kahlo

Into the Mystery - for Richard, eternal love

Kaliasha - my first spontaneous recording - thankyou Ian Montgomery

- singing for Spirit - named for a sacred mountain in India

Este Gitano Lamenta - a song for special friends

Mona and the Bear - from a dream, for my Gramma, Mona

Leah - for people (all folk-Pipin) who need help in healing

Come Join Me - for Bonnie, and Heather

Cup of Air - thanks to Kaleb for the cup sounds, having some fun

Viva! - Ely and I have something to say - Viva la Vida!

For Richard

the sun

for this moon woman

who loves me

in all that I am

and doesn't ask for what I am not

and not only doesn't mind me

recording in the wee hours

but loves to hear my voice in the night

Mi Amor Dulce

for Frida Kahlo

and those like her

who remind me,

and inspire me,

that life should be lived in passion

to capture the soul in every moment

to feel every emotion

to live every day

like it might be the last

and celebrate the blessings

Bless you all

keep singing,

keep dancing, painting, writing,

what ever you do

with all your heart and soul.

for Heather

on June 18, 2006

for whom a new song came

"I'll sing Silver for You"

the willows listened

my dedication to my

silver anniversary friend.