Ceastra

This album - Ceastra - is my life's work.

So excuse me a moment while I wax selfish and try to relate to you how important this really is to me.

I've never attempted creating anything of this scale before. Though I must say, everything in this work was originally created many years ago, and at it's inception, sprang complete from some magical place, and to a state where I think each composition, in it's own way, is already perfect. So then, this album is a re-creation of sorts, and a re-freshening of the sounds and feelings that make each piece. What is new, however, is the audio quality, the performance, and the stitching together of those musical moments in my life into a whole, coherent suite.

I've always been a very private, internally-focused person. I think the mood of the music reflects this. And it's the deeply shielded feelings I have for those whom are / were closest to me, that I am bringing to light in these compositions. Every single piece and movement is written about, and for, a single person that shaped who I have become. And every single one of them also had caused some sort of a severe conflict in my life. So now looking back, to each and every one of them, I am saying, through these songs; thank you, I'm sorry, forgive me, and I love you.

Summed up by the lyrics to the opening song...
through my life of many years, you've watched me live - now I cry your tears.

These songs take you through the journey of my life: from a simple naiive child, through a conflicted and desparate young man, to someone near the end of their life. The album doesn't end in death, however, since that would be pretty hard to write about after the fact, but it does project to that end. In fact, each piece weighs the costs of having or not having something - love, respect, understanding - against that ultimate deadline for either getting it or accepting you dont have it: death. It starts with an arrival, an awakening, and a quest for truth. It continues through a series of events of finding, losing, wanting but not getting, and giving but not receiving. And it ends with a backward glance... and review... a moral... that your time is running out: cherish your love, minimize your regrets, leave your life with good thoughts in good people's minds. Yes, all that is in there. For me anyway. It's my hope that you can follow me through on this cerebral journey.

Expressing these stories through music is difficult, especially without words. So, though each piece is neither sung nor narrated, each piece has a related written-word component and / or poem to set the stage for the music. I'd recommend that each listener read those words either before or while listening to the songs. And I'd also recoommend listening to this as an experience. It is not good as background music, or for casual listening. The best way to get the full impact is by immeresing yourself into it. I believe that the feelings of the music and the related poems together can reach deep into you to touch or open a special place within each listener. At least this is my hope.

So sit back with a full glass, pipe, or relaxing substance of your choice, and let yourself in. The door is open. Enter Ceastra.

Back at it again

Today I'm back in the studio. Healthy again. Inspired again. I swear I'll get two songs COMPLETED today. Brand new super powered Mac all configured and waiting to help mold some art. Here we go...