Final Steps and Reflections

June 12th, 2008

Well, it’s just about finished. As I type this note, Jon Castelli is at the studio doing a second round of mixes to prepare for a band listening party that I’m hosting this weekend. We’ll make some notes, and then the final mixes should be in my hands by next week. The last 6 months have been an amazing adventure.

I was talking with my teacher Alice (from the retreat center I frequent in upstate NY) last weekend. I was telling her how music is simultaneously my great joy and my greatest pain-in-the-ass! It pushes every button and raises every defense in me. No matter how many times I lay it aside, it always calls me back. At the same time, it raises every goosebump and sets ablaze every passion. It is not as much something I “want” to do as it is something I’m absolutely compelled to do. It’s like the bird’s instinct to fly south in winter.

Alice commented, “That’s how you know it’s your path!”. She’s right. I’ve always known in my heart that it’s true.

I’m very pleased with the record. Overjoyed, in fact! If I’m the only one who ever hears it, it was worth every moment of time and every penny. I’ve written a fair number of tunes over the last several years. But, this is the only time that I have 10 songs together that really play off each other well. I learned so much. It wasn’t planned – none of this was – it was just a Divine gift. All I did was show up.

Thankfully, some people will hear it. Hopefully a lot of folks! Some will enjoy it, and for some it will pass them by. Thank you – in advance – for the lessons that are coming, to the people who I’ll meet because of this work, and to the travels ahead of me.

I don’t know exactly what is next. I’ve got some ideas, but I’m not making hard plans just yet. If I’ve learned anything in this process it’s that everything I push fails to work. When I step back and watch and listen patiently for the next step to be revealed (and then act on it), that’s when everything is effortless. I still have to remind myself over and over again that everything has a purpose, that I’m eternally watched over, and that there is nothing to fear.

We should have a finished product within a few weeks. The final mixes will be tweaked next week and then we move to mastering and duplication. I’ll keep you updated of all the happenings as they develop!

Much Love,
Thanks for listening,

Joe