A New Year, A New CD!

For me, there are many things to be thankful for this past year. Not least of these is completing my tenth CD of 14 original songs -- MY GUIDING LIGHT. This CD is an exploration of my spiritual journey, from its struggles and triumphs, hopes and dreams, sad moments and funny ones, stories and reflections. The title track is sung by a fine quartet of voices from my church choir -- The Walker Singers.

Through poetry and music, I attempt to convey the every-day craziness encountered while riding the bus. I take you on a trip to the public library where many of the city's homeless have sought refuge, and where I'm reminded of Jesus' admonition: "What you do to the least of these, you do to me." I relate the back story of my adoption in Germany in 1947, thanks to the intervention of a courageous Catholic priest who survived the Holocaust.

On lighter note, I sing about the nasty virus that's got all of us in a tizzy and that isn't about to go away any time soon. I fantasize about shaking off the debilitating effects of growing old and feeble by having Star Trek's Scottie beam me up into the stratosphere to have my second birth. I imagine forming a new band made up of all banjo players who can "get your toes tapping to a crazy Cajun beat, or soothe you with a lullaby."

Finally, I express the hope that our country will emerge into a better place, a place where "the shy will learn how to speak, the strong will hold hands with the weak, where we won't turn our backs on the poor, and brother won't beat brother no more."

It has been very uplifting to put these thoughts and feelings into words and music. And it has helped me get the new year off to a good start.