TAKE ME AWAY – PART 3

For lyrics and other stories about this song go to this link: TAKE ME AWAY

Composing after a long dry spell has been wonderful for me. It is truly an exploration, as I search to find interesting chords.

My motivation to compose again has come from the beautiful meditation audience I have on Insight Timer. The love and appreciation from that community buoys me and has become my inspiration.

I released my newest instrumental “Farewell Love Song” on Insight Timer last week. I’m excited to share that Insight Timer featured my track on their home page under the category of “Staff Picks.” This morning, I received the following message:

I’m not sure what I’ll name my newest piece. In 1980, I composed an instrumental named “Waterfalls,” and I’ve greatly slowed and expanded it to create a meditation track.

I’ve really enjoyed the many new passages I’ve discovered. I had fun performing my instrumental in progress and it was great practice for me! I share a Part 1 and Part 2, which were recorded a month apart.

I used to post regularly to my blog, but haven’t for a while. It feels great to share myself here. This year, I’ve continued to record my music steadily. It is more of a solo venture now, since I am not working in a studio with an arranger like I used to.

When a friend mentioned to me that my 52 song compositions were like a “deck of cards,” I chuckled and haven’t forgotten that.

I have arrangements for all of them, but over the last three years I’ve recorded simpler versions with two guitars and a vocal. I also create a piano guitar version that works well for a meditation medley of ten songs.

I am down to my last five songs and will hopefully finish those this year.

My song “Take Me Away” was based upon the chords for “Waterfalls” and that explains my post title. I recorded a new acoustic version of “Take Me Away” a few weeks ago.

Below is my latest vocal and piano/guitar recording:

Last week I began recording sections of my new composition late at night. The serenity of recording at 4 a.m. is amazing. It is also hard work and I get stiff after playing for a long time. Sometimes my hand becomes numb. I have to stop and shake it out for a few minutes because I can’t feel it.

I realize that the editing is going to take a long time because the track is so complicated and long. But it is my joy to do this. I spend a lot of time editing my music.

I can admit that sometimes I feel like I’m very isolated. I’ve longed to connect more with people in person. This wish has now become a reality for me.

I played my guitar for a support group a few months ago, and it was such a beautiful experience. I decided to try reaching out to many healing sites online.

Well, I landed something! At the end of July I’m going to lead a grief/healing/music workshop up in the mountains of Idyllwild for Spirit Mountain Retreats.

I can’t wait – I’m taking myself away!

(For fun, I’m sharing old pictures that were taken in Idyllwild long ago . . .)