Al Conti MYSTIC

www.alconti.net from Grammy® Nominated artist AL CONTI

including the talents of Charlee Brooks Pamela Copus (2002) Ricky Kej Jeff Pearce “The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible, but there arriving she is sure of bliss and forever dwells in paradise.” Plato

1. Mystic (8:42)

2. Trance (5:28)

3. Prayer (4:55)

4. Visions (5:16)

5. Pilgrimage (5:12)

6. Contemplation (5:39)

7. Ritual (5:25)

8. Devotion (4:30)

9. Anima Aeterna (5:34) “A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” Working with Ricky, Charlee, Jeff, Pamela and Randy was nothing less than an in- Lao Tzu credible honor for me. They are gifted human beings and extraordinarily talented artists. Other wonderful musicians also provided added percussion elements and instrumentation to create this album, which I am proud to have composed. This quote took on a deep, personal meaning for me during the life of this project. The concept for this album emerged before I had wrapped up work on The The Music Blue Rose. Unbeknownst to me, I was beginning a four-year long journey.

After a needed hiatus, during which I moved over 1,000 miles down the East Coast This album was originally going to be solely based on the life of Hildegard von of the U.S., I found myself in a very different space. Most of my albums were Bingen, a 12th Century mystic. Her visions, vast musical works and medical writ- composed with deadlines, release dates and expectations already in place before ings are considered among the greatest from the time period and were centuries even one note was recorded. This time, I chose a different path. As this album ahead of their time. As the project moved is about the inner mystical journey to spiritual deliverance, it seemed appropriate forward, however, it grew to include other themes and influences such as the that the album itself would lead the way, rather than me as the composer, leading writings of Sufi mystics, ancient world philosophers and even the works of writer the direction. The journey, not the arrival, became the focus. Paulo Coelho. Many spiritual paths became intertwined, encompassing one concept: that of the MYSTIC, the individual dedicated to the inner spiritual search. After relocating from Vermont to the Atlanta area, I found myself looking for new production values and a new sound engineer. This was going to be a big change from working with my previous engineer, who had been a great music part- 1. MYSTIC ner through much of my journey. After a number of conversations with Ricky distant bell calls followers to introspection. I believe there is a bell in Kej, a 2015 Grammy® recipient and a talented producer, composer and engineer A based in Bangalore, India, we decided to work together on my new project. everyone’s life that, when it strikes, can offer a point of departure into a journey of inner growth, but only if we are open to first recognizing it and then willing Along with Ricky, I have been privileged to be in exceptional company on this to follow it. In composing this song, I heard my own “bell” and allowed the piece project. Charlee Brooks, who has worked alongside David Arkenstone for several to take me on a journey. Unlike many of my projects where the album’s opening of his albums, provided haunting ambient vocals on two songs. As it turned out, and title song are composed sometime late in the process, this track was indeed the Charlee and I shared the same publicist, Beth Hilton. From the moment I first first song I composed for the album. The opening of a door. heard Charlee’s vocals, I knew she would be a perfect fit for the mood and feel I wanted to create. Beth was quick to make the connection and suggested we work 2. TRANCE together for what ultimately became a powerful collaboration. Much like Contemplation (later in the album), Trance is a state that can lead to For guitars, I turned to longtime friend Jeff Pearce who, in my mind, is THE a higher level of connection and ultimately, of being. The priestess at the Oracle guitar genius to go to for a tapestry of unique sound. His wit and charm made at Delphi was known widely throughout the ancient Mediterranean world for her working with him a delight. divinatory trances. For the life of a mystic, trance is indispensable for communion with a higher source. Witnessing many rituals, where a true state of trance was I am also blessed to have the talents of Pamela and Randy Copus, of the award win- achieved by an individual, has always been a deeply moving experience for me. In ning, Billboard charting duo 2002 on this project. Also long time friends, their composing this piece, it is that state which I tried to convey. energy is truly magical and working with them felt like a meeting of the minds. Randy provided the expert engineering to the recording of Pamela’s harp. 3. PRAYER 5. PILGRIMAGE

Prayer means different things to different people. ‘Precari,’ the Latin term from I think of Pilgrimage as a journey. One of the most well known pilgrimages is which the word comes, means to ‘beg.’ Some people turn to prayer and spirituality that of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, also known as the ‘Camino’ (the “road” during harrowing times. However, for a mystic, prayer takes on a whole different or “way”). Many who travel this road see it as a retreat from modern life and some meaning: that of being part of the cosmos and creation as a whole. Prayer is a time have recounted great spiritual awakenings after walking it. There are many roads where the mystic becomes one, communes with the source, and is deeply thankful that comprise the Santiago pilgrimage, all which converge and end at one point. for the entirety of existence, expressing a deep devotion. This, to me, is symbolic of the many paths we can walk, all leading to the same place: enlightenment. One of the symbols of the Camino is a scallop shell, which From a journal entry I wrote on March 10, 2005 – Palermo, Sicily: “The Cathe- represents the many roads leading to one point. I remember some of the pilgrim- dral is quite spectacular, with its Gothic arches and multi-cultural heritage blended ages my Italian grandmother used to make, sometimes walking over 30 miles. I together over the centuries. Once inside, I quietly sat, reflecting on the artistic have done my own pilgrimages, striking out on my own through my travels and greatness around me. An old woman entered the cathedral. She had barely any even going within, and continue to do so throughout my life. hair, wore ragged clothing and sandals that were so worn she was almost bare- foot. She was begging for money, as she talked to herself. Something happened to me then. My heart shattered. I gave her what little money I had on me and 6. CONTEMPLATION just watched her. Part of me wanted to hold her, telling her all would be well. I briefly became her and the pain was harrowing. I had to exit the cathedral and pull myself together.” The word ‘prayer’ took a very different meaning that day. Contemplation is that time where we withdraw and go within. It is through this state that we can sometimes find answers to the questions that define us and 4. VISIONS where we can also find peace and solace. Staring at a beautiful sunset, a garden of flowers in which bees and hummingbirds revel, or a beautiful painting, all speak to me of contemplation. In the life of a mystic, contemplation leads to an opening of Hildegard von Bingen was well known for experiencing visions, which she the pathway to higher realms. Many who practice automatic writing or channel- called “the shade of living light.” It was not until she reached her forties that she ing speak of contemplation as a ways to open the channel. In my own personal was “guided” to write down what she witnessed during these visions. Visions are experience, contemplation has always been a way to center myself, find answers to not uncommon when speaking of mysticism and many well-known accounts exist pressing concerns and chart my own way. In fact, I would say that all my albums, across cultures and traditions. Even in ancient tales such as that of The Siege of especially this one, have been created in deep contemplation. Troy, in which Cassandra, through her visions – that ultimately went unheeded – predicted the impending attack and destruction of the city. We may never fully Throughout my travels, the time in contemplation has always been a steadfast understand the depth of visions – in many cases they defy logic and are as different companion. Whether at the ancient temples in Italy, the Normandy Coast of as those who live through them. During a period of near death, many years ago, I France, traveling through Germany or in the vast Pampas in Argentina, I recall cer- experienced such visions and their realism was overwhelming. Even more astound- tain moments spent in contemplation, the time where I seek, like so many others, ing was that some of the things I “saw” in these visions came to pass. If I retain to answer the fundamental questions: “who am I and why I am here.” one thing from that experience, it is that visions can have a profound effect on those who have them, and leave them forever changed. The feel of this particular song is Medieval, much like the rest of the album, and the harp played by Pamela Copus brought a deep feeling of contemplation to this song, a mood I have always found in 2002’s own music. Among my friends and colleagues, when I think of Pamela and Randy Copus, I immediately feel a sense of well-being and peace. That is who I know them to be as people and the effect of their presence in my life. 7. RITUAL What came through when composing this song, loosely based on a traditional Middle-Ages pilgrimage song, was the act of devotion. Such devotion as that of The Temple of Diana, in Sicily, believed to have been built around the 5th-cen- the novice, and even one’s own devotion to a spiritual path, physical health and tury B.C., is a temple made of large stones fitted together, with a few surviving daily life, can be a hard and ongoing effort to maintain. As I listen to the song, I doorways intact. It is a difficult trek up to the temple, as there are no roads lead- can hear in it this constant struggle to sustain one’s devotion and balance. ing to it and visitors must hike nearly 1,000 feet up the mountain. With each step, the city of Cefalù and the ocean below slowly reveal their beauty. As it is not a 9. ANIMA AETERNA well-known tourist attraction, once at the temple, one is pretty much alone except for the occasional herd of goats grazing nearby. This peaceful, secluded spot and the solitary feeling I felt while there was deeply moving. This was the second song I composed, but from the beginning, I knew it was the song that would close the album. Like the first piece of the album, this was As I walked through the temple in silence, I could feel the energy of rituals past. an opportunity to showcase Charlee’s exceptional vocals while saying farewell to I wrote in my journal at the time, “The energy in the temple is peaceful and quite listeners on their journey. magnificent.” I came upon a covered underground chamber and surmised this was where those aspiring to initiation were placed in ritual separation, and I came to Plato wrote, “The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible, but there arriv- discover later that the same design exists in the temples of Chichen Itza, Mexico. ing she is sure of bliss and forever dwells in paradise.” It is fitting that the album This separation chamber was, to me, almost akin to one’s separation from previ- would end with the most mystical of all concepts: the eternal soul. ous life when entering a deeper spiritual path. It is not uncommon to lose many friends when moving through spiritual growth, while at the same time experienc- It is an enormous achievement for a mystic to arrive at the realization that the soul ing new people entering our lives. I find something comforting yet extremely is eternal. It is also a moment of profound liberation – an unshackling. Once powerful in rituals of every kind, whether a true spiritual undertaking or a simple we realize that there is no beginning and no end, that the soul continues and, as daily routine. I have always been someone who needs some form of routine to stay Plato wrote, “takes flight to the world that is invisible,” life takes on a whole new centered, even when traveling. It may well be related to the sign of Cancer having meaning. Many mystics believe that at the end of a lifetime we return to the state a prominent spot in my natal chart. of “beings of light” and we are a soul no longer in need of the physical body, the shell. Based on my own near death, and many experiences in my life with family 8. DEVOTION members and others around the world who have lived through unexplainable situ- ations and shared these with me, it is clear to me that the soul is where all resides, and where all is, eternally. p During travels in Northern Italy, I came upon a cloister high up on a mountain. There was no view of the inside, as the enormous stone walls disguised what lay within. I was told that the novices entering this cloister would never leave it, and would not have contact with the outside world once they passed the threshold. There was a small opening in one of the walls, which I was told served as a window where the residents of the cloister would receive food and goods; their only link to the outside world. This image stayed with me for a very long time. It chal- lenged me to wonder about my own spirituality. Would I have the courage to ex- tricate myself from the world in such a way? Being an introvert, I must admit the thought sounded appealing. However, I realize it would take tremendous courage to do what these women undertook. It was also a bit of a shock to find out that one of the women in the cloister was actually a relative of mine! All titles composed, arranged and performed by Al Conti. “Pilgrimage” and “Devotion” loosely based on traditional music, arranged and adapted by Al Conti. Additional programming and keyboards: Ricky Kej & Vanil Veigas. Additional arrangements: Ricky Kej. Monks choral and Charlee Brooks’ vocal arrangements: Al Conti. Additional musicians: Charlee Brooks: vocals (tracks 1, 9); Jeff Pearce: electric guitars (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9); Pamela Copus: harp (track 6); Jenevieve D’Silva: ghatam (tracks 1, 5), cajon (tracks 7, 8), assorted percussion (tracks 2, 4); Karthik K.: mridangam (track 1), tabla (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9); Butto: flute (tracks 1, 4); Ricky Kej: harmonium (track 2); Vanil Veigas: santoor (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9); Manoj George: violin (tracks 2, 3, 5); Varsha Kej: darbuka (track 8); Ganesh Mathur: esraj (track 9); The Oxford Court Monk Choir (track 1).

Recorded at: Al Conti’s private studio in Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Raveolution Studios, Bangalore, India; Rusk Recording Studios, Hollywood, California, USA; Galactic Playground Music, Plano, Texas, USA; The Outer Circle Studio, West Point, Indiana, USA. Engineers: Randy Copus, Ricky Kej, Jeff Pearce, Jill Tengan, Vanil Veigas. Mastered at: Raveolution Studios, Bangalore, India. Engineer: Vanil Veigas. Studio coordination and management (India): Varsha Kej.

Produced by Al Conti. Associate Producer: Ricky Kej.

Album package design: Shadowside Music. Al Conti’s personal manager: Kevin Manion.

The creation of an album always entails the efforts of many talented individuals, including musicians, sound engineers, public relations and design professionals, photographers and many others. My very special thanks to: Kevin Manion, Beth Hilton, Ricky and Varsha Kej, Vanil Veigas and all at Raveolution Studios, Bangalore; Jeff Pearce, Charlee Brooks, Pamela and Randy Copus, Ed and Stacey Bonk and everyone at Shadowside Music.

Additional thanks: Diane Arkenstone, Paul Avgerinos, Dirk Baxter, Bill Binkelman, Renée Blanche, Jim Cox, Suzanne Doucet, Ben Dugas, Fiona Joy, Wouter Kellerman, Darlene Koldenhoven, R. J. Lannan, Ann Licater, Michael Mattern, NARAS, Gerrit Ohm, Jamey Osborne, Daryl Portier, The Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter, Click below to visit Al Conti’s Tholsi Pillay, Kristen Perry Speller, Marvin Speller, Chris Spheeris, Karen Steadman, Steve and Chrissie at OWM, Bobby Susser, ZMR and my family in the USA, Argentina, Italy, Germany and Canada. official site and social portals

To Mom and Dad, who set me off on my own MYSTIC journey since birth and to Kevin, who always encourages me to look deeper within myself. www.alconti.net