Love invent us...part 1

The city's contradictions and frailties drive me to the church. The church, in turn, binds my wounds and soothes my troubled heart and soul, and sends me right back out into the city again.

Steven Ross


If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I an only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I can have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.......
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13:1-3, 13

Love invents us..part 2

" I believe we are placed here to be companions...a wonderful word that comes from the Latin..CUM PANIS...( with bread ). We are placed here to share bread with one another, so that everyone has enough, no one has too much.
There are many names for such sharing: utopia, community, communion of saints. And while the goal is too vast to be realized solely on this planet, it is still our task to create foretastes of it here...living glimpses of what life is meant to be. Which include art and music and shared laughter and picnics and politics and moral outrage and wonder and humor and endless love, to counterbalance the otherwise immobilizing realities of tyrants, starving children, death camps, and just plain greed.

Robert Mc Afee Brown

adios, Bruce

Music...Heart and Soul

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND THE WAY YOU ACT WHEN YOU HEAR MUSIC.
THAT WAY, WHEN PEOPLE WATCH, THEY'LL SEE SOMETHING FROM YOUR HEART
AND SOUL, AND AS A RESULT WILL COMMUNICATE YOUR FEELING AND THOUGHT
MUCH BETTER.

Billy Sheehan

I HAVEN'T UNDERSTOOD A BAR OF MUSIC IN MY LIFE.
BUT I HAVE FELT IT.

Igor Stravinsky


In the beginning months of my two-three year Oaxacan journey, I am making so-so, adequate progress with my verbal Spanish communication.
But my heart and soul is so thankful that I can share so many other feelings and thoughts with the welcoming local Oaxacan musicians. I have been so refreshed and re-educated in having opportunities to express my passion for folkloric music-making with them.
I had little idea that Mexico has had such a large and long musical history, that is full of cultural contrasts, with so many different styles and influences.
A fusion of indigenous, European Spanish and African traditions. Stringed instruments of many sizes, brass instruments, wood and skin drums, wood and marsh-reed flutes, horse jawbones, ceramic pots, violins, etc, etc.
I am grateful to be a part of this sharing, of this expressive way the Mexican culture integrates music into an emotional life tears, fears, joys, work and rest, births and deaths. So many songs! So many instruments! So very grateful!

adios, vaya con Dios

MAYBE IT'S THE MUSIC THAT ENABLES THEM TO FUNCTION LIKE THAT,
TO ALWAYS SEEM TO TAKE EVERYTHING AS IT COMES, AND NEVER
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MISERY, HARDSHIP OR INJUSTICE.

Wim Wenders

MUSIC AND RHYTHM FIND THEIR WAY INTO THE SECRET PLACES OF THE SOUL.

Plato

Psalm 149:2-4

PRAISE HIS NAME WITH DANCING, WITH TAMBOURINE AND HARP.
FOR THE LORD DELIGHTS IN HIS PEOPLE, HE CROWNS THE HUMBLE
WITH VICTORY.