Music & More
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

CDs

All One World
Anne Trenning
Shadetree Records
www.annetrenning.com
Sophisticated yet accessible, sparingly orchestrated yet rich in mood, Anne Trenning’s All One World showcases her lovely piano style. Occasionally, strings and various winds, brass and guitar join in with her. Celtic and ‘Americana’ influences are strongly evident on this album to both think and feel to. Especially notable are original compositions, Ben’s Song and Walking Through My Tears.

Loveland – Music for Dreaming and Awakening
Jai Uttal, Ben Leinbach
www.soundstrue.com
This aptly subtitled CD waxes at times cinematic, at others intimate and personal. Featuring traditional mantras and chants set to original music, it was originally composed for an instructional CD entitled Pranayama: May Our Breath Be Our Prayer. A decision was made to release the music on its own. A wise decision! The treatment of the material is sensitive and richly evocative. Translations are supplied for all pieces, which include a Prayer to the Buddha Maitreya, Gopala Lullabye, and the lovely Radiance, which ends in a spoken prayer for peace. Very well done.

The Dawnseeker
Sleepthief
Neurodisc Records
www.neurodisc.com
From its haunting opening cut ‘Eurydice,’ The Dawnseeker had me eagerly anticipating each subsequent cut. Dreamy, cinematic, jazzy, modal, fantastical pop electronica, with each cut leaning in more or less of each of these directions. The instrumentation is precise, providing a beautiful canvas for the various vocalists. A heartfelt musical exploration with passion and wonderment. Standouts were the cuts that featured the liquid voice of Jody Quine, from the group Balligomingo.
Film

Peaceful Warrior
Written and Directed by Victor Salva
Screenplay by Kevin Bernhardt
Lionsgate and Sobini Films
www.thepeacefulwarriormovie.com
Yes, this is the movie version, long-awaited in some circles, of the well known bestseller by Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior.
I confess to being a great fan of Dan Millman, having read more than a few of his books, and meeting him at a lecture years ago. I wish he had written the screenplay, as his writing and, particular to this story, the conversations between the young Dan and ‘Socrates’ (the gas station attendant/spiritual guide) have a lively, witty quality which didn’t make it to this screen version. Perhaps in an attempt to make the film more accessible to a wider audience, and stressing the “ordinary” in “There Are No Ordinary Moments” (the film’s subtitle and the title to Mr. Millman’s follow-up book – also an excellent read), Socrates, portrayed by Nick Nolte, is written as a much more taciturn, matter-of-fact individual. This Socrates lacks the ever-present humor and effervescence of the Socrates of the book, who is described as frequently “roaring with laughter” at the foibles of Dan (and by extension, of us all). The movie version barely cracked a smile. This lack of mirth seemed all the more pointed as, on a hike mid-way through the film, Dan recites three important things taught to him by Socrates--one of which is having a sense of humor and being able to laugh at oneself. Without that humor and wittiness, Socrates’ lessons sometimes come across as rather pedantic and flat.

That said, the film is not without numerous merits. In the realm of spiritual writing, novels, movies, etc., that expression is often heavily weighted on the side of the feminine, receptive, mother-energy, sometimes to the exclusion of the masculine, active, dynamic principle. This film is an exception, presenting the refreshing notion that masculine energy can be honed by spiritual discipline and emerge still masculine in nature. The gymnastic scenes are terrific, and the cinematography is superb. The opening sequence, as well as a scene where Dan must let go of his ego, are particularly striking.

Scott Mechlowicz deserves a round of applause for his portrayal of Dan. He even resembles Mr. Millman! But more importantly, he expresses the turmoil and triumph of the character to perfection. Amy Smart is mysteriously engaging as “Joy” and Nick Nolte, given this script, turns in an admirable performance. See the movie, but read the book too.

Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer based in New York City.