PATH of EMPOWERMENT

Various mundane and cosmic forces are in a desperate battle for your attention, because your attention represents where and how you focus your energy for creating the reality you encounter. The courage to fearlessly ask questions is at the core of your spiritual awakening. People have been clinging to various stages of denial for a long time; as a result of this inattentiveness to life, a behind-the-scenes breeding ground for carrying out despicable deeds was easily fostered. Such behavior by your leaders is a symbol for society's denial to effectively deal with the truth, and by playing out exaggerated versions of lies and deceit, they test your abilities of discernment. By claiming your rightful ability to move your conscious awareness around the field of existence, you will experience direct knowledge and be able to tell the difference between truth and deciet. And you must claim this ability to reach beyond the confines of physical reality to understand the power of the forces that challenge you to awaken. Then you will not be so easily deceived.
The controlled mainstream media is used as a tool to pull your attention into a probable world that is devoid of vitality and creativity. By enticing your attention into a reality of violence and war, your thoughts and beliefs are conditioned to enslave you in victimhood and complete disempowerment. Will you choose pessimism or empowerment, be browbeaten or make use of the new energy and soar to new heights of achievement?

...excerpt from PATH of EMPOWERMENT by Barbara Marciniak

So much of this latest book by Ms. Marciniak explains the world we're living in and that alone would make this a most important read. For me, the extreme relevance of this book is much deeper. It will serve as a validation to those of you that have long believed that we are 'not alone' in our universe. In fact, we live in a multiverse and this group known as the Pleiadians that Ms. Marciniak channels, has some sage advice for these troubled times. Regardless of your personal beliefs, you owe it to yourself to read this book with an open heart..., you'll be surprised at just how much of it truly makes perfect sense and you'll experience a profound relief to learn how you can affect change in your immediate community, if you would just listen and pay heed to those that have gone before us.

Published in 2004 by Inner Ocean Publishing, Inc. ~~BD

JONO

JONO McCleery:

I listen to alot of music. But seldom do I care to hear more than one tune by an artist. Usually I can hear their whole bag of tricks in that one tune and don't feel the need to listen any deeper. JONO McCleery of London is one of the latest exceptions to that general rule. His voice is raspy and soulful and unpolished at times, but not in an affective way. You know you're hearing the truth in his unadorned interpretations of his very personal tunes. He sings inside each song, listening, tuning from the inner man to the outerchild to great effect. His lyrics are deeply simplistic and reeks of a 'been there, done that' quality, and on the surface might have you asking, is that it? He gives you sparse arrangements with a simple guitar base and backing harmonic vocals (he's playing and singing them, too), seemingly intentionally (not just because of budget restrictions) so that you're a part of the process, as if your presence as a listener changes his performance, ever so slightly. Of course that can't be, ...these are recordings! But the genius of JONO is they sound like live performances, and I swear to you, different performances with each listen. There's three individual demo discs available: "Bet she does", "Little Rivergirl" and "...a little out of reach" that you can order directly from the man himself via his website, linked through the title above.
He is also on the ever popular, MySpace, musical community at http://www.myspace.com/jonomccleeryuk where you can sample his tunes and drop him a line of appreciation. Why should I share with you my favorites because they all are (honestly), but the three title songs are on myspace and if you get the urge for more, I strongly suggest you pick up the discs, and you might discover exactly which tunes I favor (hint). Each individual tune stands alone as a well crafted short story and is well worth the investment into an artist on the rise.

SHIRLEY HORN: I LOVE YOU, Paris

1934 - 2005

National Public Radio Says Good-Bye

"Click to Listen"

I'm one of the fortunate that really got to know Ms. Horn for a season.

She was wickedly funny and seriously all about 'the music'. I will forever cherish her 'deposits' into my soul. I am forever changed for knowing her and having her treat me as a 'son' for that brief period in time.

If you know Shirley's music, you will recognize the subject of the post as a title to one of her best recordings. It's a special part of our journey, together, and one of my fondest memories how such a simple title could cause such a ruckus inside her label.

'We won that one, didn't we Shirley ?!!'

Rest, Now. Your work is done.

I will honor your memory, with dignity.


Douglas Edward Powell aka BrotherDouglas

(co-author: "Should I Surrender", 1997 Loving You release)

More Shirley Horn Tributes

More blogs about Shirley Horn.

SPIRITUAL PRODUCERS

I'm part of a production ensemble, TaoBrothers of EdenDust. We mainly produce spiritually based multi-media. Below is a sampling of our journey, thus far.

Each individual name-heading is also a link to other songs and videos.

Enjoy !!!

WORDS to LIVE BY

I posted this on another board and decided it was

"words for this day".

All that's ever 'required' of us as BELIEVERS is to be REAL.

First and foremost, to ourselves.

Secondly, Before God.., and,

Thirdly, in a our dealings with others.

Sometimes that means showing a part of ourselves we would prefer to keep hidden.
Your BEAUTY and POWER is in the flaws that God designed us all with.

Everything has it's season, and that means everything. Be encouraged, especially when it seems no progress is being made.., there's always movement in Heaven.


BePEACE, BD

voice of the ocean

I have some very creative friends in Germany.

Daniel Morawek and Ulf Ramminger came to New York a couple of summers back for a film festival in which Daniel had a submission: 2003 "Caffè della Vita". While having a nice evening reflecting on our original introduction when he was a mere teenager with a request to use a song of mine in his film, 1999 "Los Delinquentes Parte Uno", that tune, Noble Pursuit, was the beginning of a beautiful collaboration that would finally culminate in this moment when both Daniel and Ulf started to share with me and my business partner, Jeremiah Alexis, a new vision for their next project.

In a matter of hours we were filming all over Manhattan, improvising a story that has now become the cornerstone of this latest project from GET REAL Entertainment and LIFEHOUSE Film. Enjoy it's cyberspace release @ Video.Download.com by linking through the subject heading and keep your eyes and ears tuned to the indie theatre scene in your town.
Who knows when we might soon be at a cinema near you!! ~~BD

H E R O - Kirk Franklin

I don't think for one minute that Kirk Franklin came onto my blog and read the original HERO post from 11 September 2005 (of course not!!), but here he is, a month later with a new CD release called..., H E R O !! Coincidence?? I think not !!! But seriously, this CD is soooo good it deserves a preview, something I rarely do. Here's why it's good:

• it's deep
• it's musical
• it's melodic
• it's got slamming vocals
• it's got fewer vocal interuptions from Kirk (you know you've wanted to say Shut Up a time or two, now didn't you!!)
• it's the next level of gospel music, God willing, cause let's face it, we who buy gospel ALSO buy Kanye, Beyonce and Barry Manilow... (don't you dare bust on Barry!!)
• it's deep, which bears repeating, 'cause you don't believe me, I know. When you hear these lyrics, you'll understand just what I'm talking 'bout. (Sang, Stevie!!)

THIS IS NOT YOUR MAMA's GOSPEL MUSIC, unless your mother just happens to be Patti LaBelle! With the release of HERO, Franklin steps to the next level in his remarkable career and remains in the forefront of influencing future generations with his inspiring and timeless gospel message. In addition to the first single, “Looking For You,” a signature hype record -- featuring the classic Patrice Rushen sample “Looking For You”-- that Kirk’s fans have come to love and expect from him, the CD includes the title track, “Hero,” which chronicles the journey of mankind from destitution and depravity to redemption and restoration, and features guest vocals by one of the legendary Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark-Cole. “Let It Go,” featuring guest vocals by tobyMac and Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., is a haunting musical testimonial where Franklin tells of a past filled with sex, drugs, pornography, insecurity and growing up without a father. “Without You,” one of the most intimate moments on the CD, features a rare and deeply personal lead vocal from Franklin himself as he expresses his deepest sentiments of dependency on Christ. The one and only Stevie Wonder makes a featured guest appearance on the Motown-inspired song, ”Why,” a semi-tongue-in-cheek take on many of the social ills plaguing society, both inside and outside the church, that also features a scorching percussion by Sheila E. Several other tracks round out HERO including, ”Afterwhile,” featuring Yolanda Adams’ velvety vocals along with a gentle piano accompaniment delivering a message of assurance and encouragement that will undoubtedly resonate with all who hear it.

Just go get it, and write your own review !!!

Kudos Kirk, you're gonna catch holy hell, again, from the church.., but that just means you're doing what no one else had the courage to do.., 'till now. Hard being a pioneer, but quite rewarding. Thanks for paving the way. ~~BD