Soaring above life’s worries

These days my mind is filled with worry. I have been watching the events unfolding in the Ukraine. I find it unbelievable that the world’s major powers are taunting each other on Russia’s doorstep.

This major conflict wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that many of the countries involved have nuclear weapons. The only time I am aware that tensions have been so high among super powers with nuclear arms was during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. It is alarming and upsetting that we are at the precipice of the third world war again.

I am grateful that I have found some escape from all this bad news through my regular meditation of listening to music. In particular, I am thankful that my friend John Elliott has finally produced his album of instrumental music titled Soaring. His long-awaited musical work is like an antidote for me to the worry of all this talk of war.

I have known John for many years and I was welcomed into his family of musicians when I first left my home community. I was surprised to find myself around the piano with his parents Rita and Everett and his brother Donald singing songs at Christmas and other festive occasions. Donald is also an accomplished musician.

John is an incredible pianist and keyboard player who has worked with Native musicians like my cousin Ron Kataquapit. John provided all the keyboard work on Ron’s album called Spirit Of The Wolf.

I’ve had many private performances over the years from John where he lives with his wife Colleen near London, Ontario. I, like many of his family and friends, have been waiting for him to produce an album. Soaring is a masterpiece of meditative music. Like the title suggests, it can lift your spirits.

John is a northerner from Iroquois Falls, Ontario, and you can hear his Irish and Scottish roots in the album. You can also hear songs that have a jazz-fusion feel and calming melodies.

Through the magic of modern technology John produced this album from his own studio. The quality of this production is amazing. He also put together all of the electronics, sound, music production and promotion.

At a piano or keyboard he effortlessly pours out all kinds of wonderful melodies. I have learned over the years how to play some guitar and I can identify with what it is like to feel the music you produce, whether it is sad, happy, angry or loving.

My favourite song on the album is “Just For Fun”. This tune reminds me of Paris as its upbeat melody takes me back to the streets of that incredible city. John is what I would describe as a big picture thinker and I see his interest in physics, the stars, the universe and beyond in songs like “Soaring”, “Space Walk” and “13 Lightyears”.

What really excites me is the fact that all of this wonderful music can be purchased for less than the price of a sandwich online at www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnelliott1 or by searching for ‘Soaring by John Elliott’ on iTunes. You can also visit his website for more information at johnelliottproductions.com

Here is an opportunity for people to support a Canadian musician. At the same time you can find that antidote to worry that I have discovered in his soaring melodies. Perhaps if we had the artists and the most creative people on our planet leading us we would not be in the current world crisis at the brink of nuclear war.

It seems that we have given up on finding and putting good people in power that promise to make a better world for future generations. It is difficult to find a way to change this game of war but maybe and just maybe saner minds will prevail and humanity will avoid another close call in the nuclear age. Perhaps it will be the artists and musicians who will provide us with enough strength and hope to make a change for real peace.