PlanetLightworker - July 2003 - Music Reviews by Avenescent

Sound on! B Y A V E N E S C E N T

DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT MUSIC IS? When we speak, we attempt to convey messages, but do we really receive one another’s message as the truth it was meant? I dare say that more often than not we only slightly comprehend one another even at our clearest moments. Language is primitive at best. We know this by how easily and how often we misinterpret details and at times completely misunderstand one another's entire communication. Have you ever considered how many times you’ve said something important to your partner or child or co-worker, only to be informed after the fact that, "No, I'm sorry, but that is just not what I heard." It's fascinating to me that the thoughts we think we are communicating can be lost in transmission, and rather what is received is but a simple harmonic energy merging silently on the backside of the words, pointing to deeper truth being shared. The actual tones in which we speak are full of information and it is often that (music) which we translate to have the “true” message. When was the last time you got lost in the music while someone was speaking to you? When we are deeply engaged in listening to life around us, whether it be the crackling of thunder, morning birdsong, a baby's cry, a dog's bark, or the screeching of tires at an intersection, it feels as if it is of biological importance. Yet, for me at least, the power of music feels to be equally important to my health and sense of well being. I know, it’s all music isn’t it? But while I could easily imagine living my life with very limited verbal communication, I couldn't imagine living long without music. Music is the universal language. Without a single lyric, music can cause our hair to stand on end giving us goosebumps, motivate us to dance or enjoy a cardio gym workout. It can move us to saturation in a puddle of salty tears, or jarringly rattle us into an annoyed state of anger. Music can heal. It can assist us in accessing the clear presence of the supreme essence in meditation. Music can help expectant mothers give birth, and it can also assist in the transition and death of our elders. We are only now really beginning to collectively conceive of our individual power to self-heal by toning with our own human voice. I anticipate exploring some provocative thought regarding sound with you. I look forward to sharing an occasional musical artist who might challenge our perception of "what is music" in this column. Please feel free to write and share your stories of how music has provided healing and touched your life. Present peace, Aven Sound Transformations *Tom Kenyon M.A.* If you’re unfamiliar with the works of this great master of psychoacoustic healing, Tom Kenyon, you’re truly missing one of the Milky Way’s most generous, precious, specialty elixirs. A teacher, scientist, tone healer, psychotherapist, shaman, author, songwriter and musician with numerous albums to his credit, Tom founded the Acoustic Brain Research Organization in 1983 to scientifically document the effects of sound and music on consciousness. What makes Tom’s music so special? Besides having an almost four octave range to his voice, his current work is in the synthesis of internal alchemy as a means to heighten awareness and to develop spiritual illumination. While listening to Sound Transformations be prepared to find yourself transported into the cosmic realms of being, while gazing through the eyes of a highly spiritual and talented genius. These live recordings capture the magic and stunning beauty of Tom's sonic creations which many of my friends have regularly reported as profoundly transformational and healing. As Tom clearly states, “these songs were created to open windows of perception, and to create for those who hear them a doorway into the immense inner worlds of our own being.” From my own experiences and those who I’ve shared this music, I believe it is a vehicle for nothing less than self-transformation and true spiritual enlightenment. <MAP NAME="boxmap-p6"><AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="1, 140, 83, 150" HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" ><AREA COORDS="0,0,10000,10000" HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/planetlightwo-20" ></MAP><img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/120x150.gif" width="120" height="150" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p6" alt="Shop at Amazon.com"> Bare Annie Lennox If you think Annie Lennox isn’t spiritual think again. Bare is her first album since 1995’s “Medusa,” and first original work since 1992's "Diva." Annie, now 48, says Bare is about sorrow and heartbreak and facing the "negative emotions" that we have come to call our shadow self. As Annie states, “These feelings aren't unique to me. They're symptomatic of what it is to be an adult human being in this world. At this point in my life, I feel that my real capacity on this planet might be to connect with other people on that deep level through my songs.” On Bare’s striking album cover, which Annie designed herself, she appears bare, save for ghostly white powder and a black studded leather collar. She is just as bare with her songs like Oh God, with the opening lyric "Oh God, where are you now and what are you gonna do about the mess I've made? If there was ever a soul to save it must be me.” Or the lovely 1,000 beautiful things opening line, “Everyday I write the list of reasons why I still believe they do exist… a thousand beautiful things.” If you’ve ever loved even one Annie Lennox song, this album will come as an essential treasure for your music collection. Even with the silver lining running through it, Bare is musically more varied and interpersonal than her previous solo work. The melodies are brushed brightly lush or broadly textured with rhythmic piano or harmonica riffs and a renewed sense of vitality. Curiously enough, the album more than manages to be uplifting, because it's more than just a great listen. At its core, her heart and soul have never been so married, nor shined so eloquently through her work. I expect Annie will be rewarded for this triumphant creation. <MAP NAME="boxmap-p6"><AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="1, 140, 83, 150" HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" ><AREA COORDS="0,0,10000,10000" HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/planetlightwo-20" ></MAP><img src="http://rcm-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/rcm/120x150.gif" width="120" height="150" border="0" usemap="#boxmap-p6" alt="Shop at Amazon.com"> © 2003 Avenescent
previous articles by this author			e-mail this article to a friend

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Avenescent Thomas is a masseur, reiki master, freelance artist and spiritual transformationalist native to southern California. He enjoys all forms of music, having grown up playing several instruments and singing for several musical groups. He loves working with people, photography, computers, glass, natural sculpture, exploring zen, non-dualism, and every fiber of nature. Prior to being a healer he was a social worker for the state of Washington providing Outreach services for those in need, and counseling for abused gay and lesbian teenagers through a state funded program called Odyssey. He can be contacted here and welcomes correspondence. If you have an album that you would like to submit for musical review please feel free to contact Aven at the above link. Please keep in mind that any CD submitted must be first listed at Amazon.Com. We apologize but submissions cannot be returned to you.