PlanetLightworker - August 2003 - Music Reviews by Avenescent

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

DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY SOUND THAT YOU HAVE EVER MADE ECHOES STILL? How aware are you of the healing potential your own voice offers your body in stressful moments? Why do you think some people prefer singing to themselves when they work, grieve, or when bathing? Why do you suppose some people must process their thoughts "externally?" Did you know listening to your favorite piece of music or dining on your favorite sound, (even your own voice), can stimulate the production of endorphins, promoting a sense of pleasure, boosting your own immune system? Music is perhaps the most powerful healing tool in the universe, and yet how many times do we overlook it, reaching for an aspirin or glass of wine to help soothe our rough edge? The idea that music can affect healing and human behavior is at least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato; but how many of us consciously participate in our own healing with our favorite music and sound? Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic predicted that "sound will be the medicine of our future." I agree, and that future is now. Vibration is the basis of life! Every part of the human body has its own frequency. If we remember that a solid, is actually a wave, created and organized by a pulse, we then begin to comprehend how harmonic resonance occurs when our human vibratory frequency comes into synchronization; when consciously merging our awareness with a beautiful sound. In the time it takes to inhale a few breaths, merely gathering a positive intention, and placing focus and attention on a healing sound (of your choice), the cells and genes in your body will open, creating a harmonic shift. From brain waves, to stress hormones, to creating a feeling of safety and sense of well-being, music can reach deep inside us penetrating layers that traditional therapy does not. When was the last time you had an estranged memory from childhood surface while listening to an old favorite song, and consciously participated in making amends and releasing that memory? Music is truly a nectar from the gods. It clearly assists us in assuming responsibility for our own healing process and improves our sensory and perceptual abilities. Pleasant sounds strengthen our concentration and stamina levels, while reducing tensions held in the body. From the heart rate and respiration level, to the blood pressure and body temperature, beautiful sounds makes a profound impact on our biology. The next time you find yourself listening to a special song, or even momentarily captivated by lovely sounds of life, whether it be a crowd of people talking softly in an auditorium, water trickling sweetly into a fountain, or whether it’s the infectious laughter of a child or an eighty-eight year old, take a look at your biology and see what a difference embracing that sound makes in the quality of your life's health. Floral embrace, Aven Chimera Delerium If I took a poll as to how many of you are familiar with the group "Enigma" most would answer, "Yes! I loved their music." Delerium is equally as interesting with its orchestrated layers and world beats, and in the opinion of many, quite superior in talent. How many of you remember Sarah McLachlan's hit collaboration with Delerium a few years back titled "Silence?" I still reach for that gorgeous piece of music when I'm in need of a motivational booster. Delerium is made up of Rhys Fulber and Bill Leeb, who have created numerous other musical projects over the years. Delerium got started in 1988 but was focused on the darker sides of ambient, tribal, space-age, and even industrial sound. For the past seven years or so, the group seems to have finally found their place in the industry by honing in on a wonderful style which allows them to have guest female artists on each album. Their new release Chimera, while perhaps not the gem that the mid-nineties hit "Karma" was, is certainly a very good work of art. There is a middle eastern vibe to it in some places, and several female vocals to choose from over the course of its listen. "Magic" with Julee Cruise's ethereal vocal is perhaps my favorite. All in all it's rather pop-sounding, but I will say that it's far better than most "electronica/techno" that is routinely saturating the airwaves of this time. Give it a listen! <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"> Medicine Buddha Jonathan Goldman A writer, phenomenal musician, and teacher, Jonathan Goldman is an authority on sound healing and a pioneer in the field of harmonics. He is the president of Spirit Music which produces mind-blowing music for meditation and healing, and has created some of the most spectacular (even award winning) recordings available. He is also the director of the Sound Healers Association in Boulder, Colorado and teaches throughout the world. There are several of his albums that I could recommend, like my favorite, Chakra Chants, but due to space limitations I'll keep it simple. Medicine Buddha is a very unique recording. At first I felt it was a difficult listen for me, because it was just so guttural sounding (to the point of being distracting). Soon after I discovered that characteristic was part of its tremendous gift. Medicine Buddha draws heavily from the Tibetan tradition, but clearly creates a listening experience of being wholly balanced and set upright. The most common instrument used in the recordings I believe is the human voice through Tibetan overtone chanting, vocal harmonies, and choruses. Jonathan also uses singing bowls and other Tibetan bells and instruments, also Pythagorean tuning forks to create music of great balance. Listening to this recording one can't help but notice the endless power in his deep Tibetan chant. It will almost immediately bring you to center. If you've ever enjoyed doing your healing work with prolonged sounds of the didgeridoo, (or if you desire doing some deep work on your root chakra), I would recommend this. A standard characteristic of Jonathan; this album gives you the sense of purification taking place at the core of emptiness within each of us. <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
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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.