CD Review
by Nadine Condon
Graceful Passages
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 the gift of simply being alive."
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
Remel 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-five 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
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 chart popsters Stroke 9 and
Smashmouth. She is also a hospice volunteer with Mission Hospice San
Mateo, California.
Related Links
Ram Dass: Spirited Survivor
Sixties guru Ram Dass, among the world's best known spiritual voices,
makes one of his first public appearances after recovering from a massive
stroke only three years ago.
Forum.
Stroke of Wisdom
Ram Dass discovers how the lessons of our aging bodies feed the wisdom
of the soul.
Excerpt.
Caring to the End
Our panelists explore their call to caregiving, and what it is that they
gain from a relationship with the dying.
Forum.
Dying Gracefully
A panel of caregivers and those facing death talk about finding hope and
spiritual transformation in the dying process.
Forum.
