Featured Music Production
“Window To A World” had a limited release in 1991 through Rincon/Rhino records. Prior to this, there had been a tremendous amount of interest from different record labels whilst making the album. However, the market in the U.S. hadn’t opened itself to the big Celtic/Pop crossover that came with some now well known artists just after this. So the minds of those companies were very closed as to what to do with it, what category to place it under or what radio station to play it on, etc. The power was all in the hands of the record labels in terms of new artists and new sounds and there wasn’t a clear path – as there is now via the internet, iTunes, myspace, youtube, etc. for an independent artist to make their mark.
“Window” was the beginning of an important creative journey for me. As I look down the years from my current musical standpoint – I can see that even though my music has shifted, changed and evolved in many different ways – the seed was planted in this album and it is from this seed that my sound today grew.
I wanted to share this palace of origin with all those who experience and enjoy my music. In listening to it again all these years later, somehow the album still stands the test of time and is something to be proud of. Regardless of the era it was recorded in, what is still present, is an uplifting group of songs, a really unique creative energy, this sense of discovery and some really wonderful players and performances. This is what I wanted to share again.
This CD also marks the beginning of my long and fruitful collaboration with Jeff Silverman. He is the producer of this album and a comrade in the writing of it and my dear friend. Without a doubt, he is more potent with talent than almost anyone I have ever met. Jeff was also searching for something different musically himself – something he could feel passionate about. So it was somewhat of an artistic vehicle for him too and a new sound emerged through our creative alchemy.
Jeff was a successful songwriter and producer at that time and was signed to Stone Diamond – the Motown publishing label and so had quite a “groove” in him. However, he also had a strong “pop” sensibility and an understanding of bluegrass. These were all elements that he brought to the mix.
I have a deep affinity for old Celtic folk songs and music – these were the first things that I sang and played and the music that moved me most. Having just come to live in Los Angeles from England, I somehow felt these old musical roots more strongly. I felt this need to express something that was more authentic to my roots and at the same time bring it into “now.” I wanted to bring the essence of something traditional or ancient into a contemporary setting. I’m also interested in the magical, the ethereal, that place that we go to where all things are possible, where you can dream true and “Window” was the starting point of bringing those ideas into “sound” form.
Although you can pick out different flavors and styles in “Window To A World,” at the time, it wasn’t necessarily derivative. It was more of a merging of sounds and of styles. It might be hard to hear that all these years later, but in beginning of this body of work, there wasn’t anything out there that was an influence. So I would say there is a “sense” of “country” with the addition of steel guitar. “Face of Africa” began a journey of blending a “world” music feel into the music… There is also quite a universal pop feel – which isn’t necessarily as present in my later work… but, was a strong influence of that time.
“Window To A World” is a collection of heart stories. Long ago all news was brought through song by bards or minstrels who traveled from town to town – stories in song form were passed down in this way from generation to generation. This is how we remember and connect to the ancient part of ourselves.
Within all stories lies the opportunity to be transformed by allowing the sprit to be transported to another place, another time, where life takes on a different colour and texture, where magic is possible and we can dream true.
The heart stories of “Window To A World” take you to those places, if you wish to go. They are both old and new, both full of joy and with some sadness, some uplifting and some full of whimsy – but all come from a place of truth and were written and sung with great love.
Originally mastered by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Studios, Los Angeles, CA. Digitally Re-mastered by Jeff Silverman at Palette Studio, Nashville, TN
All songs arranged by Jeff Silverman except “Savannah,” “Hands of Love” and “Portrait of a Dream” by Aeone and Jeff Silverman
Styling: Randall Scott
Make-up/Hair: Barbara Farman for Cloutier
Photographs by: Charles William Bush and Sonia Kesheshian
Back CD cover painting by Judithe Randall
Palette Music Website & Graphic Design, CD layout and design by: Debra Silverman, DLS Graphics
MUSICIANS:
Lead Vocals: Aeone
Background Vocals: Aeone, Jeff Silverman, Kathy
Hazzard, Mona Lisa Young, Seay and Jack White
Guitars – Acoustic/Electric: Jeff Silverman
Bass: Jeff Silverman
Keyboards: Aeone, Mark Ross, Jeff Silverman
Mandolin: Byron Berline, Jeff Silverman
Banjo: Billy Ray Lathum
Steel: Dave Pearlman
Bagpipes and Pennywhistle: Paul Lewalt
Drums: Jack White and Tim Aller
Percussion: Rick Geragi, Jeff Silverman and Aeone
Sound Design/ Sampling: Paca Thomas
Note From Aeone:
Thanks to all the amazing and gifted musicians who played and sang on this album. Whenever a new idea arose – the right person would appear to play and somehow their performance was imbued with this special energy that the project had and were true gifts.
The album is a combination of synths, sound design, programmed and live drums which create a bed of sound and blend into the organic feel coming from the live players. There is a strong Celtic overtone within the songs, but we’re using bluegrass fiddle and banjo in this pop format. We also used live bagpipes, pennywhistle, mandolin – some very organic and traditional percussion.
Special thanks to my family and my friends both in England and in the United States, for their great love and continued support. To Jeff Silverman, for your incredible talent, endless creativity and belief along the way.
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Window To A World
COPYRIGHT 1991 – ANGLETERRE MUSIC/BMI
Through a window to a world
I see that life is ever-flowing
And in the picture of a soul
The heart is ever-knowing
Close your eyes and I will sing to you
Of the dreams that I will bring …
Through a window to a world …
Then We Dance
COPYRIGHT 1988 – ANGLETERRE/BMI/STONE DIAMOND/BMI
Can you hear the pipes a’calling
Can you feel it in the air
Can you hear the drums a’drumming
The sound of thunder everywhere …
Oh – then put your hand in mine my love
Upon this starry night
And I will show your mortal soul
The way to paradise …
Then we dance
On and on ’til the night is over
Then we dance
Round and round
Without a sound
Above the ground
United when we dance …
Oh let us raise a glass together
And let us sing for “auld lang’s ayne”
When the music plays forever
Let us move in perfect time …
Oh – then take me in your arms again
And lead me to the floor
And I will hold this heart of gold
To me forevermore …..
Repeat chorus
And the child that lies in every soul
Cries for freedom, young and old
So lift your spirit to the sky
And then we’ll dance
In the dance of life …
Repeat chorus
Angleterre
COPYRIGHT 1988 – ANGLETERRE/BMI/STONE DIAMOND/BMI
Well the sun rose high in the english sky
And we set our sails for the morning tide
From home – my home
And we bade farewell with a loving kiss
To the ancient land and the silver mist
My home – oh
Now the winter’s gone
And the birds have flown back over the sea
And it seems so long
That i’ve been gone from the island of green…
Oh Angleterre
Now i know deep down in the heart of me
I’ll be forever there
Oh Angleterre – my Angleterre
Well the winds of change have blown away
And i found me another time and place
Called home – my home
In this foreign land my spirit sang
And i held the future in my hand
Like gold – oh
But the memory of my fairest isle
Lies safe in my dreams
Like the mother of my soul
She’ll always wait there for me ….
Oh Angleterre
Now i know deep down in the heart of me
I’ll be forever there
Oh Angleterre – my angleterre
Tous les nuits je reconnait
(every night i realize)
L’amour est dans mon coeur
(the love is in my heart)
je vois un soleil d’or sur la mer
(i see a golden sun upon the sea)
Et tous les jours je repete les mots & je suis sur
(and every day i repeat the words and i am sure)
Demain, je revien en angleterre
Tomorrow – i will return to england …
Oh Angleterre
Now i know deep down in the heart of me
I’ll be forever there
Oh Angleterre – my Angleterre
Ophelia
COPYRIGHT 1989 – ANGLETERRE/BMI/STONE DIAMOND/BMI
Oh, child of perfect grace a watchful eyes is keeping
Who’ll take your innocence
And leave your soul to weeping
Upon his lips a Judas kiss
That told you love held more than this …
Now in your simple heart
There is no understand
Where lies the truth
When fate must journey on …
Ophelia – your face so sweet and fair (Ophelia)
Floating down the river
With garlands in your hair
In the water’s deep
Your soul will keep
The secret of your prayers – Ophelia …
See through your lover’s eyes
A father’s life is taken
Hear in your brother’s cries
When love has been forsaken
Now on the wind we hear your songs
Only the memory lingers on …
Ophelia – your face so sweet and fair (Ophelia)
Floating down the river
With garlands in your hair
In the water’s deep
Your soul will keep
The secret of your prayer – Ophelia
And as the shadows fall
Our tears are overflowing
We light a candle in remembrance of Ophelia
Repeat Chorus
Colour My Eyes
COPYRIGHT 1991 – ANGLETERRE MUSIC/BMI
Night comes down like a purple gown
Stars in a sky of gold and blue
And oh in the velvet dark
I bring my heart closer to you
Come to me in a paisley dream
In a burning shade and a deepest hue
And oh our love will start
In a moment marked by a silvery moon …
Thoughts of grey all fade away
In a psychedelic dawning …
I hold my breath when I hear you say …
Oh you colour my eyes
Oh you colour my eyes
And your northern lights wash over me
Like a richly woven tapestry
And oh you colour my eyes …
Paint my lips with a crimson kiss
In a picture of a perfect face
And oh the fire will glow
Like a rainbow on that precious place
Silent wings of emotion bring
A kaleidoscope of silk and lace
And oh then I will know
The secret of your sweet embrace …
We’ll sail away to a golden day
And a technicolour morning
Spirits rise and I have to say …
Change – and then I heard you calling
Stay – your world is black and white
Stay and see a new life forming
I visualise when you colour my eyes …
The Face Of Africa
COPYRIGHT 1990 – ANGLETERRE/BMI/PALETTE/BMI
I see in the face of Africa
Her hungry heart is calling…woman
Cries for a living seed
For the suffering mouths of her babies …
She is the face of Africa
Her silent tears are falling …woman
Looks for the hand that feeds
And she carries her endless grief upon her shoulders …
In my heart I hear the voice of Africa
Let my children come
Like a prayer upon the wind
Heal the scars upon the face of Africa
Let them beat as one …
I see in the face of Africa
Her thousand cities calling …woman
I am the one that bleeds
So be the mother to the child in me …
She is the face of Africa
Her sun is slowly falling…woman
The world is half asleep
Let me carry your endless grief upon my shoulders …
In my heart I hear the voice of Africa
Let my children come
Like a prayer upon the wind
Heal the scars upon the face of Africa
Let them beat as one …
Woman – aa ee aay ee ooh
Woman – way ee yay ee
Repeat Chorus
Savannah
COPYRIGHT 1991 – ANGLETERRE MUSIC/BMI
She walks in silent fields at dawn
And counts the flowers one by one
She lifts her face up to the sun
And greets the new day as it comes …
And she is whispering a message to the trees and on the breeze
the spirit of a child running wild …
Oh won’t you sing Savannah
As the wind blows through your hair
Oh won’t you dance Savannah
To the rhythm of the air
The sun and the moon will both shine together
And the peace of the earth will hold you forever
And oh won’t you bring Savannah – magic everywhere …
The autumn leaves come tumbling down
And form a rainbow on the ground
She takes the flowers she has found
To make into a golden crown
She’s like a mirror to the beauty of the land she understands
The earth beneath her feet she is complete …
Oh won’t you sing Savannah
As the wind blows through your hair
Oh won’t you dance Savannah
To the rhythm of the air
The sun and the moon will both shine together
And the peace of the earth will hold you forever
And oh won’t you bring Savannah – magic everywhere …
Let the love come rushing through you
And the world will open to you
Offering a blue and perfect day
Repeat chorus
Hands Of Love
COPYRIGHT 1995 – ANGLETERRE/BMI
Time stands in stillness before me
The shadows move closer towards me
I feel there’s no end or beginning to life
And I’m lost at the edge of a storm …
It’s dark in the night and I can’t find the light
To guide us together …
Take my heart – give me rest
And heal me in the quietness …
Take my breath – lift me up
And hold me in the hands of love …
I want to believe that you’re near me
I’m calling your name – can you hear me?
I’m standing alone as the tears fill my eyes
And the rain’s falling down to the ground …
There’s so much to say but I can’t find the way
To bring us together …
Take my heart – give me rest
And heal me in the quietness …
Take my breath – lift me up
And hold me in the hands of love …
In the dark shades of winter
Let me wake to a moment of truth
Let me dream without sleeping
Let me stand in the silence
Here with you …
Repeat Chorus
Portrait Of A Dream
COPYRIGHT 1991 – ANGLETERRE MUSIC/BMI
Safe within my ivory tower
I contemplate the cold Manhattan skyline
Can’t see the woods for the trees
I watch the people way below
Moving in some other sort of lifetime …
And buildings that stand grey and tall
Looking in through my window
But I want to see a patch of green …
I’ll picture this upon a screen
And paint the grass
A thousand shades of summer
Oh like a portrait of a dream
I’ll picture this in magazines
A photograph of fields in different colours
Oh like a portrait of a dream
Clouds are forming overhead
And rain falls in a testament of silence
Feels like an omen to me
Above the city’s concrete walls
The sun shines through and silhouettes the sidewalks …
And there beneath the gleaming spires
Small yet so familiar
I see a perfect patch of green …
Repeat Chorus
And every morning I will see out of my window
An illustration to my soul
It won’t fade away
And in my heart I’ll keep the memory like a photo
That’s all I ever need to know …
Repeat Chorus
Bohemian Eyes
COPYRIGHT 1991 – ANGLETERRE MUSIC/BMI
Well I once knew a traveler – a bohemian man
A wandering poet from a far distant land.
He told me the stories of kings and of queens
Of shimmering castles and clear emerald seas …
His words were like jewels – his voice liquid gold
So I promised him silver
For he spoke from the river that ran to his soul …
Oh sing me the songs of bohemia
Oh tell me the tales of your life
I would give all I own for one moment alone
Just to see through bohemian eyes …
Oh to see through bohemian eyes …
His words painted pictures that coloured my eyes
The sound was like music it ran through my mind
And the land of bohemia rose silent and clear
I knew in my heart, it had always been here
Oh mysterious minstrel – Oh magical man
You have shown me the treasure
And I hold the secret of life in my hand …
Oh sing me the songs of bohemia
Oh tell me the tales of your life
I would give all I own for one moment alone
Just to see through bohemian eyes …
Oh to see through bohemian eyes …
aaee yiiee oooh ooo iii yaaah
oooaaah, yooooh woooh
aaeee yieee oooh ooo iii yaaah
oooo aaaah
repeat chorus
Love Is A Pure Heart
COPYRIGHT 1991 – ANGLETERRE MUSIC/BMI
We are restless
Lost without a cause
We are soldiers searching for a war ..
Fight for glory knights of the brave
And the lonely heart inside will break
How many battles does it take
For a man to close his eyes and pray ….
Love is a pure heart
Washing the tears away
Love is a baby in your arms
Love is a fine art
Turning the night into the day
Hope will return – when love is the lesson we learn
Love is a pure heart …
And the fearless
March upon the world
Like the valiant lion hearts of old
The light is fading in their eyes
And the dreams they hold – swept aside
How many tears must an angel cry
For a man to hear the voice inside …
Repeat chorus
Let’s the mists of time draw us closer
The truth is waiting there
And even if the shadows call us
Feel it in the air and everywhere ….
Repeat chorus
We Will Always Be Together
Where the nightingale sings in the cool mountain air
Johnnie he stood – his hand holding mine
Two flowers of youth we were young – we were fine
And my heart was a quiver as he whispered my name
And the earth it did shiver to the promise we made …
We will always be together with the piper and the drum
We’ll be dancing through the heather
When they play our song
From the banks of old Loch Lomond
To the bonnie Isle of Skye
We will always be together if e’er we shall die.
But the sky turned to grey on that cold Scottish morn
And my brave bonnie soldier he went off to war
When I stood on the hill with the wind in my hair
I wished to my soul that my Johnnie was there
Then my eyes opened slowly and I looked to the land
For in the valley below me a nightingale sang …
Repeat chorus
But mine was a love for the taking
My Johnny has gone with the last breath of spring
His soul marches on and I must be strong
For we’ll sing again with the nightingale’s song
As I stand upon the hillside in the memory of my love …
We will always be together with the piper and the drum, etc …
Repeat chorus