COMFORTING MUSIC The JOURNEY HOME is music to remind you of that place inside that feels like home. It wraps you in a cozy blanket, sets you down in front of a comforting fireplace, and hands you a cup of hot chocolate. The cup contains some happy Brazilian music, a jigger of jazz, a pinch of pop, a bay leaf of ballads and even a nuance of Nashville. (Well… maybe just a hint of country). We recorded the JOURNEY HOME in the tradition of James Taylor, Carole King, and Antonio Carlos Jobim – with none of the typical studio processing (reverb, compression, and equalization) so the music could retain a natural, organic quality. We also used analog tape (instead of digital) to get a warmer sound. The result was intimate music: as if you had invited us into your living room. In fact, as you listen, if you close your eyes you’ll “see” us right in front of you. THE MUSICIANS The players are all great studio musicians. But most of all, they had fun playing. And that joyful flavor comes through in the music. Tom Keenlyside: (sax and flute) played with Paul Anka,YES ,Tom Jones, Mel Torme, Aerosmith, Sheena Easton, Boz Scaggs, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick. Buff Allen: (drums and percussion) played with Hank Jones, Teddy Wilson, Paul Horn, hundreds of sound tracks including the McGyver and Lonesome Dove TV series. Robbie Steininger: (guitar) played as the opening act for Bob Dylan and Tom Cochran, also played with John Mellancamp and Melissa Manchester. Lisa Simons: (bass) played with Chris Squire (YES), and Sonny Emory (Earth, Wind, and Fire). Al Harris: (piano, vocals) has written and played on hundreds of sound tracks for radio, TV and film, and produced about 25 CDs for other artists. He’s the author of The Healing Power of Music Kit, and the Bach Flower Music Kit, and has also played more than a few times for his cat. Joani Bye/Gordy Maxwell: (background vocals) have sung with such people as Cher, Bon Jovi, David Bowie, and INXS. THE EFFECT OF THE MUSIC I’ve noticed that when musicians are playing and having fun, the audience has fun too. A more subtle thing is that if a musician can get himself out of the way of the “current” that’s coming through, the music can help a listener connect to whatever they need. While I’ve known about that for a while, the response to music of THE JOURNEY HOME was unexpected. Just after I finished the CD I gave one to a friend who called the next day and said: “Your music saved my life.” Strong words, so I asked him what he meant. Here’s what he said: “I was feeling really low, cut up from the inside. Your music opened my heart and put me at ease. ‘Cause I felt the love from it and it’s given me the courage to do what I know I need to do. I suddenly understood that not only should you be in love with what you’re doing, but act from that place all the time. That’s where the music took me. The energetics of what’s coming through really did it.” COMMENTS FROM OTHER LISTENERS “Kudos to your sound engineer. The album is warm and detailed with a great soundstage (depth of image). “I've listened to your album again and again and the cast of musicians is superb. The music is just damn fun! It’s confident, free, open, and well thought out. You really did a lot of work putting this together and it shows. “Thanks for the love and hard work you put into this music. It is special on many levels.” G.A. – Electronics Engineer “Your Journey Home CD was given to me during a period of extreme growth and change. I found it very comforting to listen to during the 'difficult' periods. Thank you for music that is both uplifting and inspirational. A true joy to listen to!!!” C.H. – Human Resource Specialist “I first heard the Journey Home just after my husband died. And the words of your songs lifted my grief and gave me hope. You have to let emotions out, otherwise they bottle up inside, and stifle you. But when you get feelings out, you can deal with them and then you can move forward. The songs enabled my emotions to come forth and be felt. “That sharpens your senses, so you’re more keenly aware and you take in more. Because of the music, I realized things I was feeling that I didn’t know before. Thank you, I’m going to loan it to a friend who does grief counseling.” - Marian Platt, Author/writer