Some primitive cultures believe that their musical instruments are indwelt by spirits. When I first heard that I thought it was amusing and smiled that I was very much more evolved than that. Then I started playing these flutes. Now I'm not so sure about the spirits, but I know that if I approach them as though the WERE so indwelt that they begin to become like my friends - each with it's own distinct character and personality - and that I learn much more from them than when I look at them as mere modified pieces of wood. This is a fun, playful song because that is the character of this flute. I purchased it in Monterey while spending a weekend there. When I travel I love to go into shops and see what interesting stuff can be found, and I cannot simply walk by any shop that has anything to do with Native American stuff. The woodblock/guiro thing was a find at the bargain bin in the percussion shop at guitar center. When I saw it I had no idea what it's use would be but I knew it would find it's own place in my music, which it has.

In early 2004 I was spending a lot of time driving between Sacramento and Oakland where I was studying with Tobias - boy genius doumbek master. Often on the way down to Oakland I would get out a little recording device I have and recite ideas for songs. One day, during one of those trips, the idea for this poem came to me. When I was first thinking of making this CD, I had no thought at all that I would use spoken word on it. This is a very emotional piece for me, and sometimes it's difficult for me to recite it. I hope that it has meaning to you.

hmmm... what to write about this one... This is a simple song, influenced by some of the music I've heard from people like Douglas Spotted Eagle. I wrote it on the first Native American flute I bought some years ago. It's a wake up call. Maybe a call to war.