This morning’s soundtrack for my morning yoga and meditation was one of my favorite new New Age albums. Voices from Heaven Volume II from Norwegian keyboardist Tron Syversen and wordless vocalist Runar Halonen
Every time I have used this album for meditating it has been great. That’s to be expected since the album was designed to take listeners on a deep journey into their inner self.
From TronMusic….
The Voices II music heralds a channeled arrangement on both piano and keyboard combined with voices floating on the waves of music to achieve a powerful sound healing album that creates unique frequencies that will be received in to your body. These frequencies will release your energy when the sharp and high notes are heard, stimulating a needle-energy similar to the ancient of acupuncture without needle.
Most people within the Northern-European-relaxation-healing music community consider Tron a pioneer within their community.. In addition, his music and influence seems to spread farther and farther around the globe each year. This is a result of the marketing of his recent albums internationally. Each album has quickly risen to the Top 10 on the international Top 100 Zone Music Reporter Chart..
About Voices From Heaven Vol. II
Voices from Heaven Vol. IIis composed of three lengthy tunes, each composed by the Halonen – Syvensen team. The tracks are: “My Journey to True Love”, “Rainbow Bridge” and “Hymn to the Lost Souls”
Tron Syversen provides the spacey, ambient, and floating music via piano, keyboards and occasionally synthesized percussion or strings effects. Halonen adds soaring, sailing,drone-like, mood-setting, and uplifting wordless vocalizing. Special guest vocalist Helem Edler Lorentaen joins the duo on “”Rainbow Bridge”. “Rainbow Bridge” also includes Lorentzen playing a shaman drum and Per Elias Drablos on bass.
Bottom Line: A Sixties Man Rating 4.5 out of 5.
“My goal has always been to make enjoyable music that people like to listen to.”says Tron Syverson “But I also want the music to be good for deep relaxation, meditation, sharp concentration or improved sleep. If my music helps people in their daily lives, I have accomplished more than entertainment. ..”
I say… that on Voices from Heaven Vol II Tron Syversen you have accomplished your goal!!I think the first time I used the album for a meditation soundtrack, I was going to meditate for 15 minutes. The meditation lasted 30 minutes!! The second and third times, I ended the meditation with savasana for five minutes or so…..at the end I checked my pulse it was 43 beats per minute – definitely DEEP RELAXATION!
So Check Out Voices from Heaven Vol. II! As for me I will be checking out Voices from Heaven along with Tron’s Piano Meditations! Along with previous Syversen and Halonen musical guided music collaborations. Such as, Activation of Your Inner Healing, Create the Life You Wantand The Translucent Return Journey!
“At 65 I was wondering whether a 20-minute Tabata workout could replace my normal workout. At 74 I’m wondering whether I could still survive that Tabata workout! These days my exercise routine looks a little different. Running, walking, yoga, and staying active enough to chase grandchildren have replaced most of those high-intensity workouts. But one thing hasn’t changed. Music still plays an important role in both my exercise and relaxation routines.”
A Tabata Workout Followed by the peaceful music of Nathan Speir
This morning I really did not feel like doing a full 60 minute workout. I seriously considered only doing a light yoga workout. But the\n I thought maybe a short 20 minute Tabata workout. So I created one on the workout app tha
t I use. It consisted of 8 – 20 second intervals followed by 10 second rest of the following
Jumping jacks
Squat thrusts
Sit ups
Mountain climbers
Push-ups/ squats 5 push outs 3 squats
Of course I counted how many of the exercises I did in each interval. If you had told me T the beginning of the exercise I would be doing
200 jumping jacks
64 sit-ups
64 squat thrusts
240 mountain climbers and
40 push ups
I would have said you were nuts! But that’s what I did. And although the workout according to my Fitbit burned fewer calories then I thought! It was pretty damn good workout!
I followed the workout with a 10 minute meditation and 5 minute savasana ( had to sneak in a little yoga!)
Today’s Meditation Soundtrack: Part of a Kindly Plan – Nathan Speir
The soundtrack for the meditation was a New Age album that’s been in my music rotation for a while now but I haven’t written about it yet. Big surprise I haven’t been doing a lot of writing about anything recently. So in an effort to break out of that rut,let me tell you about Nathan Speir and his album Part of a Kindly Plan.
Nathan Speir is a pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer. He was born in southern California but was raised in Florida and Connecticut. Currently he calls Winston-Salem North Carolina home. Part of a Kindly Planis Speir’s eight studio release. His music style is eclectic and varied. He cites among his influences the music of George Winston, Keith Jarrret, Pat Metheny, Steve Roach, Harold Budd, R Carlos Nakai, Chopin and Erik Satie. His is inspired by his family, poetry, fine art, space and astronomy, the study of religion and nature.
From his Website Biography…
“I have a perpetual need to create,” explains Speir, “and making music teaches me many lessons in life. I hope that my creations enhance the ambience in the listener’s life, and in doing so, the listener holistically benefits. This kind of music lends itself to solace, relaxing, thinking and reflecting on life. Studying your inner life and identifying your personal beliefs is serious business, but I believe that serious things can bring great joy. I want the music to feel like taking a pastoral retreat, or going to space and then returning to earth, but afterwards feeling more at one with things. I feel strongly that each person needs to contribute in some way to our world. With my music I try to do my small part.” Read More
About Part of a Kindly Plan
Part of a Kindly Plan contains mostly acoustic instruments – acoustic piano, steel and nylon string acoustic guitars, wooden flute, cello, harmonica, rain-stick and singing bowls. A couple of the tunes also include a little synthesizer (primarily replicating a string section.)
In addition Speir states: “…. silence has a big part in my music and I pay a lot of attention to the space between the notes”
Some of the inspiration for Part of a Kindly Plan comes from the Thomas Hardy poem. “On a Fine Spring Morning” . The poem was written in the early 1900s and Speir has included it on the back of the album cover. Speir explains…
“At the beginning the poem asks a question: What is solace? Hardy says it is not this or exactly that, but at the end he is happy and content because he says everything is part of a benign or kindly plan that is proof that earth was made for man. I liked the sentiments expressed so I paraphrased the various lines for the name of the album and several tune titles”
You can read more about the various tunes also in his biography at his website. Here is the link.
Thoughts About Part of a Kindly Plan……
I find Part of a Kindly Plan to be a nice quiet and relaxing album. It is a nice album to use for meditation, not a perfect meditation album but damn close. One of the tracks that I’ve heard the most and have really enjoyed is track two “As We Turn” The track features an acoustic-steel string guitar blended with piano, rainstick shaker some sampled tympani and synth strings. Speir says the following about the track:
“There are lots of turns in life, and as we grow older our perspective of life changes.”
As I was driving to Walmart this morning listening to the album, I thought about what Speir had written about the use of space between the notes in his compositions. I really noticed that in practice on the tune ‘Praxis” The song mixes nylon-string guitar and Native American flute with a rhythmic drum-sound created by Speir hitting the cello fretbound with his open hand.
“The idea behind this piece”, relates Speir is that everyone should choose a discipline of some sort, seriously practice it, persevere, improve and also enjoy the journey.”
Anyway the album is, like Speir says a beautiful and varied collection of acoustic music and is well worth checking out. I think that it will be in my New Age rotation for quiet a while!! And it’s not just me who likes this album. The album was number 8 on the MusicZoneReporter.com Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart for April
Links for the Further Explorations of the Music of Nathan Speir
Nathan Speir Discography Since Part of a Kindly Plan
Searching for Nepsis (2019)
Finding a Way to Be (2020)
Polyhedric Hearts (2020)
Ambient Piano Improvs (2021)
Pilgrim (2022)
Over Earth Under Stars (2023)
Tapestries for Seasons (2023)
Ethereal Moments (EP, 2025)
Interstate X O (Single, 2025)
A Night of Poetry (2025)
Beside a Sanctuary for the Brave (Single, 2026
Looking at this list, I have to ask myself a question. Why haven’t I listened to more of Nathan Speir’s music? Since writing this original review he has released a considerable amount of music, and judging by how much I still enjoy Part of a Kindly Plan, I think I have some listening to do. Perhaps one of these albums will become the soundtrack for my next yoga session, meditation, or early morning reflection.
When I first wrote this post, I was searching for ways to slow down, relax, and perhaps rediscover a meditation practice that had slipped away. Two years later, Richard Noll’s Peaceful Being still finds its way into my morning routine.
Much has changed since then. I’ve returned to running, become more consistent with yoga, experimented with CPAP therapy, and spent countless hours babysitting grandchildren, working at Target, and rebuilding my websites. Yet one thing I have learned is that peacefulness is not something you achieve once and keep forever. It is something you practice.
Looking back, I find it interesting that the album’s title can be interpreted in two ways: feeling peaceful or being a peaceful person. At this stage of life, I think the second meaning speaks to me more than the first.
There are still busy days, stressful days, and days when my mind jumps from one project to another. But there are also mornings when a few minutes of yoga, a little quiet reflection, and music like Peaceful Being remind me that slowing down is sometimes just as important as getting things done.
With that in mind, here’s the original post I wrote about an album that continues to accompany many of those quiet moments.
Over the last month Peaceful Being the debut album from Richard Noll has been he soundtrack for many of my morning yoga routines and meditations. Overall, it has become one of my favorite albums. And listening to it has led to some of the most relaxing and calming meditations I have ever had.
About Richard Noll’s Music
Richard Noll is one of the few recording artists who plays primarily recorder and he is amazing! On Peaceful Being he plays both tenor and alto recorders. He also plays an electronic wind instrument, the EWI 4000s. But he doesn’t stop there. He also plays electronic keyboards. He uses the keyboards to create piano, percussion gamelan-like tones and other instrumental sounds.
Noll explains “Even though I play transverse flutes from time to time. I concentrated on using the recorder on this album since many of the pieces were composed on that instrument. Of course recorders are a type of flute, an internal duct flute, and I generally play them in the style of a native or indigenous wooden flute”
Nature is a primary inspiration for Noll’s music. He relates” Most of my early music came to me as I sat with my wooden recorder in the mountains or along rivers and streams of Northern New Mexico”
About Peaceful Being
He explains “ I collected eight of my songs for Peaceful Being that I felt were soothing meditative songs that could inspire, uplift and nourish a listener.” “ I believe these songs can be supportive during times of reflection and inner process, as background for yoga, meditation or other daily practice, during massage or other bodywork sessions, to create meditative energy for groups, or offered wherever calm and spacious music would be appropriate”
I have experienced Noll’s music as both background for yoga and meditation. So,I can attest to the fact, it is perfect for both!!
The title of the album Peaceful Beingcan be understood in two ways: feeling peaceful, or as a peaceful person. Noll explains, “ The meaning that emerges depends on whether “being” is understood as a noun or a verb. ”Either way peacefulness is the end result of listening to Noll’s relaxing yet invigorating music
Final Thoughts and an Experiment
Peaceful Being is a pleasure to listen to. One of the most calming and relaxing to which I have ever listened.. I know it’s going to be in my music rotation for a long time. So check it out!
Finally let’s try a little experiment. Noll relates the following, “ I was sitting by a waterfall along a small stream in the mountains in New Mexico when I wrote “Peaceful Being”. It evokes for me the lush, specious and nurturing presence of the pristine earth and the quality of being alive, nourished and supported by nature.”
The song “Nightfall” celebrates twilight, the transition from the light of day to the dark of night when the diminished light softens the edges of all things as the shadows take over, and I feel a sense of mystery and wonder. I composed this as dusk fell while camping at a river in the Gila Wilderness in Southern New Mexico.”
Ok so now I want you to re-read the above. Then listen to the appropriate track below and see where the music takes you!
The other morning while meditating my mind turned toward my blog and I thought of my blog in relationship to my body mind and spirit.
Mind, Body and Spirit Lead the Way
Much of what I try to do during the day is directed at one of those three aspects of life. Whether it’s trying to enrich and keep my mind sharp by reading, exercising and eating right to help my body and meditating and listening to New Age music to lift my spirit, the actions I take revolve around these aspects of life.
Anyway what I am going to try for a while is to keep this blog oriented toward the rejuvenation, and revitalization of my mind, body and spirit,
As part of this shift, the music discussions on this site will be mostly about New Age music and maybe some jazz. But knowing that my musical explorations of other genres including Americana, blues and progressive rock won’t stop, I will be discussing those explorations at FreeWheelin’ Music Safari!
Getting Directions from KeyWebsites
Now with the above thoughts swirling around in my head I visited some new sites like MindBodyGreen and BodyMindSpirit Guide both of which I believe I will be visiting more often in the future. I also visited a site that I have visited often in the past Tiny Buddha. While I was at Tiny Buddha the following post caught my eye……..
I thought the article presented some good practices to help become more mindful. As a result of reading this post I decided that this morning I would do two things.
Putting Thoughts into Action
First, I was going to listen to some New Age music on my way to work and secondly, I was going to try to be more aware of my surroundings. S
So as I was driving, I was attempting to view things as if it was the first time I saw them, rather than the six hundredth million time!! I must say that it made for a pretty interesting trip and I don’t think it’s too bad around here!!
Accompanied by Uwe Gronau – Mystical Morning
The music that I listened to was the album, Mystical Morning by German composer and keyboardist Uwe Gronau. I have had this album in my music rotation since its release back in October of 2015 and I like it more and more every time I listen to it!
About Uwe from his biography at his website…….
Gronau was born and raised in the Rhineland in northwest Germany, and grew up in Dusseldorf and Bocholt (where he currently resides) which is only a couple of miles from the Dutch border. “In the ‘70s and ‘80s the Netherlands were more involved in the evolution of jazz, pop, rock and soul than Germany, so I profited from this situation and heard much great music.” Uwe began playing piano at age six and grew up immersed in music as the son of a choir-leader, orchestra-conductor, music-school teacher and piano instructor.
In his early years Uwe studied classical music, but soon became passionate about jazz and rock artists such as Brian Auger, Keith Emerson, Patrick Moraz and Refugee, and Joe Zawinul and Weather Report.
As Gronau got older, his musical tastes expanded to include Supertramp, Jethro Tull, Gilbert ‘O Sullivan, Keith Jarrett, Sting, Peter Gabriel and Dream Theater. When Uwe was 14 he began to play in a series of bands and built a reputation in the area for his musicianship and professionalism.
One thing that always set Gronau apart from many other musicians is that from the beginning and continuing to today, Gronau has always played original material and has never covered compositions by others. In college, Gronau majored in music, German and theater-science. Read More
Thoughts on Mystical Morning
The music on Mystical Morningis varied and always interesting. A review of the album at CDBaby says it better than I can…..
This German keyboardist explores all that and more on his Mystical Morning album which he says is “positive, celebratory music that is like sunshine pouring onto a new day.” He specially has a ball playing his Hammond B-3 organ, most noteworthy on his tribute to Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (“Letter to Emerson”), a fast-paced piece bubbling with energy.
That organ shows up several other places including the most prog-rock tune, “Over the Bridge,” which has a full-bodied arrangement featuring lots of varied sounds including synth, acoustic guitar and horns.
These pieces are balanced with some softer piano-dominated numbers including two versions of the piano and acoustic-guitar “Shy” (one with drums and one without). In fact about half of the 15 tunes are rocking (with drums or forceful percussion) and the other half are fairly soft which keeps it interesting. Gronau has always been known for making music that keeps the listener guessing and fascinated as to where he will head next. He somehow captures the spirit of the great rock albums of the Seventies and Eighties, but with modern sound exploration that is fresh and invigorating. Read Full Review
My favorite track is the aforementioned “Letter to Emerson”, but this morning ” A Day in Sri Lanka” and the title track “Mystical Morning” fit the mood of the morning!
Mystical Morning is Uwe Gronau’s sixth full album and while I have not explored his full back catalog I have listened to and written about hos release Thoughts of Tomorrowand you can read what I wrote about that album here.
So with the help of the music of Uwe Gronau and a little mindfulness it was a Mystical Morning!!!
Looking back, I never did complete the grand experiment of comparing the psychologist and the shamans. That’s not unusual. Over the years I’ve started plenty of projects that wandered off into the weeds. But what struck me when I reread this post was that twelve years later I finally did embrace yoga as part of my daily routine. These days a work morning often starts with twenty minutes of yoga before heading off to Target at 5 a.m. So perhaps Michael Brant DeMaria had more influence on me than either of us realized
Discovering Michael Brant DeMaria
So the other day I was browsing through the Zone Music Reporter’s New Age Top 100 Radio Air Play chart and I spotted down at #87 an interesting looking album titled The Maiden of Stonehenge by Michael Brant DeMaria. Not knowing anything more about the album, than that it had both an interesting title and a cool cover (there I go again dating myself). I downloaded it on to the iPhone and gave it a listen. As soon as I heard the flute on the first track “Lost Village” I knew that I was going to like the album and I was very, very correct!!
So then I started to research the album and Michael Brant DeMaria and what did I find. Another one of those people who REALLY have it all together!! (Unlike me who has little pieces scattered all over the place!)
From his biography at his website:
Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria is a psychologist with over 25 years of experience in helping guide others on their life journeys. He has published and presented numerous papers on the role creativity and spirituality play in the healing process nationally and internationally.
Michael DeMaria is also an author. His writings include: of Horns and Halos (1992), Ever Flowing On (2001) and the book of poetry,Moments (2008).
His passion for philosophy and psychology started at a young age having graduated with degrees in both as he turned 20. ,He also received the outstanding student award the same year in the department of philosophy, art and religious studies.
Dr. DeMaria then became the youngest recipient of a Ph.D. in the clinical psychology program at Duquesne University, where he studied in the graduate programs in psychology, philosophy and The Institute of Formative Spirituality
Comparing Edward to Michael HaHaHa He Wins!
Sooo.. I graduated with a two degrees too – one in Political Science and one in Education – and then went to work for a civil engineering company??? Right – top that!!
Hey Michael I think I need some help figuring out my journey and you better hurry, cause the remaining part of the journey keeps shrinking faster and faster!! But back to Michael, so he’s a psychologist does that make you a good musician – maybe not but I guess he may be an okay musician – then I read……..
Michael Brant DeMaria has been something of a phenomenon in the healing/new age music realm with four consecutive #1 albums on the Zone Music Reporter charts, three Grammy Nominations for Best New Age Album, and several Album of the Year awards in the Native American, Ambient, Relaxation/Meditation, and World Music categories!
….The Maiden of Stonehenge, takes his music in yet another direction. The music is the soundtrack to a play by the same name written by DeMaria and Stephen Lott, (who also co-wrote the play Siyotanka several years ago). This time the play takes place in ancient Britain and tells the story of the coming of age of Teagan, a young, disfigured orphan girl abandoned and left to fend for herself. Her journey takes her across the mythic land where she meets wild and wondrous creatures while discovering the healing powers of nature, water, and her own voice.
Thoughts on Exploring New Age Meditation Music.and a Challenge
The music on the album and the overall vibe of the album is great and is meant for healing and yoga meditation, etc.. Now this is the third album that I have listened to over the last several weeks of this type.
The other two were Get Tribal’s Gods of Drum and an album from Ahilah called Warrior that was recommended to me by reader, Kevin Thiessen, from AsZension, who was involved in the production of the album.
Now my mission should I choose to accept it…..(this post will self-destruct in ten seconds – damn you ADD!) is to do meditations over the next week or so using tracks from each of the albums and record my observations from each to see who does it better the Shamans or the psychologist!!
Now let’s see if I can do it! The one thing, I know I will do, is listen to more of the albums from Michael Brant DeMaria!!!
