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Media Reviews
Grace Online
Michael Stillwater and Gary Remal Malkin
Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living
and Dying
It is impossible to review Graceful Passages within
the confines of any normal critique. It transcends all the
expectations one might have of what a two CD
set, subtitled "A Companion For Living and Dying", could possibly
be about. Graceful Passages is a stunning musical prayer for the ages, pure
and
simple – a prayer that honors the rich and sacred transition of dying.
It is a prayer that comes from many voices, many cultures, many peoples.
With
exquisite artistry, Graceful Passages crosses genders, faiths and generations
to bring healing messages of the "life into death" experience. The
recurring themes of love, forgiveness, letting go, compassion, and the continuity
of spirit recognize the sacrosanct integrity of life while also embracing the
inevitable. As co-producer Michael Stillwater says in his Preface: "This
music is intended to provide an opportunity for listeners, wherever they may
be on the continuum of life, to both relax and to feel supported in contemplating
"
Graceful Passages was conceived as a tool for those working
in the field of end of life care, where the emotional,
psychological and spiritual challenges facing the dying
and their care givers are mostly ignored in the clinical
setting. The CD makes the wisdom of experienced counselors
and spiritual advisors available to anyone who is confronting
not only life's end, but any element of change and transition.
As Ira Byock states in his introduction, it offers "anticipatory
guidance appropriate for anyone who is interested in exploring
their own personal mortality." In the Epilogue, Kathleen
Dowling Singh encourages the listener to "Let this
music and these messages, along with our love, accompany
the one who is dying."
The spiritually sage reflections offered so generously
here, rest on a bed of luscious, original musical accompaniment
that perfectly scores every passage. Particular kudos
must go to Emmy award-winning composer Gary Remal Malkin
for
the breadth of musical talent he (and co-producer Michael
Stillwater) assembled in the studio to achieve their
vision. He combines classical guitars, oboes, keyboards,
Chamber
Choirs, Celtic flutes, Tibetan bells and gongs, cellos,
and the Chinese erhu, with singing voices and spoken
voices to create a richly resonant, soaring yet soothing
musical
score.
Graceful Passages features some of today's foremost guides
and mentors, including Ram Dass, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,
Thich Nhat Hanh, Arun and Sunanda Gandhi, and Alan Jones.
How intensely rewarding to hear Ram Dass, weakened but
not wearied, in a booming rasp to "Be here now" as
a command for living. Or Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, in her
almost indecipherable accent, absolutely compelling you
to "Look forward to your transition It's the first
time you will experience unconditional love. There will
be peace and love, and all the nightmares and the turmoil
you went through in your life will be like nothing." Or
Lew Epstein's simple but deeply touching reminder to "Listen
that you're loved and forgive, all the time. You are love." Alan
Jones provides a feeling of transcendence with his powerful
prayer "Oh my God, you are here. Oh my God, I am here,
Oh my God, we are here. And always, always, always you
love us. Always, always you love us." The hauntingly
evocative closing Benedictus, composed by Michael Stillwater,
and sung by the University of Berkeley Chamber Choir, "Blessings
to you my brother, blessings to you my friend, blessings
to you my sister, with a love that has no end," is
a fitting finale, cloaking the recording's last memories
with infinite tenderness -- so simple, so effective,
so moving.
The CD is thoughtfully offered in a two-disc format.
Disc One, The Messages, includes the spoken word messages
with
music and Disc Two, The Music, is the music alone, for
a different listening experience, or to use as background
for your own thoughts, feelings and emotions. Both versions
are rewarding. But the music truly is the foundation
of the project, as the spoken word messages, forceful
as they
are, find full effect in Malkin's finely wrought, enriching
compositions.
The attractively illustrated and informative fifty-six
page booklet brings a very nice cohesiveness to the musical
package. It's in book form, not the mass produced jewel
box configuration, which adds to its appeal.
This is the first in the Wisdom of the World series.
The producers hope to deal with the universal themes
of Acceptance
(Graceful Passages), Courage, Faith, Love, Forgiveness,
and Tolerance, in like manner. If this first effort is
any indication, we are in for a powerful sequence of
music/spoken word CDs addressing life's greatest challenges
through
their unique blend of music and art, rendered compassionately.
Frankly, Graceful Passages is a must for every sensate
adult's music library.
Nadine Condon
Grace Online
www.GraceCathedral.org
Nadine Condon is a twenty year plus music business management
veteran, with 14 gold and platinum records with superstars
like Melissa Etheridge, Travis Tritt, Jefferson Starship
and current chard popsters Stroke 9 and Smashmouth. She is
also a hospice volunteer with Mission Hospice in San Mateo,
California.
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