Mystic Prophet-Playing in Tongues CD notes
This album is a collection of tunes that I have played over the years. After having a number of people ask for a recording, I was faced with a dilemma: record what I hear or record what they hear? In true Celtic fashion I have done both. The main body of the album is the vision I step into when I play the piano, but the bonus section is piano only. This bonus section is for Scott, for all of his support and encouragement; after all, he bought the first copy of the album when I was not sure that there would be one.
| Thoughts and prayers about the songs | |
Dancing with Angels Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano, Korg Strings and Korg Horns; Ben Simpson on Percussion Instruments. 4:07.
We live in this world and hardly know what is really going on around us. There are angels working acts of God's mercy every moment. One of the joys of my life is in worship when I have the grace to see the angels in our midst rejoicing in our woven lives with the spirit of Christ. Once, when I was playing this song, the veil of the thin places opened up and it was as if the angels were playing with me.
Living in the Real World Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano. 3:41.
This song expresses the bittersweetness and the depths of joy of living in our time. Think about the relationships of friends, passing through our lives in moments, and seeing your parents and friends age, growing more in wisdom and more like children, the young and young-in-heart playing together. As you continue "Living in the Real World," take the time to savor every moment and nuance of life, for it is rich.
Come to Me Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano; Ben Simpson on Percussion Instruments; Elanor Carr - Lead Vocals; Shannon Hoyt - Harmony. 3:37.
This is a prayer as our spirit searches out the truth of the Holy Spirit, that God's Trinity will "Come to Me" and comfort, teach, and lead; that the Holy Fire of God will set us free of the lies we tell one another, and at last ask Christ to sit with us and tell us about Himself.
Ocean Eyes Listen
Composed by Elanor Carr: Elanor Carr on Piano. 3:24
Ocean Eyes is a love song that was inspired by the power of the ocean and God's love revealed through it. While walking along the shore I was overwhelmed by a sense of longing and loss. I had forgotten my God and His love for me. His response to my prayer was this song about the return to the Father, and is meant for anyone seeking life, seeking love, and seeking Him.
Rainy Days (Thinking About You) Listen
Rainy Days (Thinking of You) - Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano and Korg Keyboard. 3:43.
This is a love song in many-layered ways - thinking about you, your love for me, the melancholy of being lonely during a spring storm or the storms of life. The wind, rain, thunder are only passing moments of longing between the earth and sun; even in the midst of the storm the sun shines out in glory. And we like the birds tentatively chirp out our words "I love you."
I Am Listen
Poem & Music by Ted Carr: Voice - Ted Carr. 3:47.
This is hardest song for me to share on the album as this is my understanding of the Trinity of our Creator and how we need to embrace the unfathomed love of Christ.
I AM
I am all around you, in every single thing you experience.
I am so rich, I am everywhere at any given moment.
I am so pure, I am translucent.
Since before the dawn of all that is,
I was speaking all of creation into being.
I am not creation.
I spoke creation into being.
I am not a stone,
I am not the storm,
I am not the wind,
I am not the earth.
I am a still small voice
wooing you to my way of truth.
Do not be surprised,
I am more than man,
I am more than woman,
I speak to my creation
in ways that are fitting
to those that listen.
I am so much more
than the highest imagined sum
of all humankind.
But my love for each one
is greater than all the thoughts
of all humankind.
I will meet you in the place it's hardest for you to look . . .
In your feeling,
In your thoughts,
In the Truth of myself,
I will meet you in your essence,
the very stuff that makes you, you.
I will never impose myself on you.
Even as I witness you in great despair
or in your moments of triumph,
I will not enter in
to help
or share
without your permission.
My ways are pure.
Invite me into your life
moment by moment
and I will be your guide, keeper, teacher,
friend, counselor, confidant.
I will make you a new creature
and sanctify your ways
until my thoughts
are your thoughts
and your thoughts
are mine.
Even in the midst of our communion
I will never violate your freewill
to choose your own path,
even if that choice
breaks my heart.
I will meet you and woo you to my ways.
I am there in your openness,
I am there in your innocence.
I am there in your deepest darkest moment,
to take you to my Light.
I will meet you:
Inside your shame
Inside your confusion
Inside your doubt
Inside your shell that locks everything and everyone out.
There is no darkness
that conceals you from me,
or any chains or spells
that lock away
my protection, comfort, and love
for you.
There is no place you can go
where you will not be
within my Love.
Your spirit and mine
are braided into a new creature.
Let me bring forth
that unique and sacred being
you were born to be.
Let us be together now and forever.
I AM - You are precious to me.
All my love, Jesus of Nazareth
Searching Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano; Micaela Cooley on Cello. 2:13.
In daily living we are like the piano, doing our routine things, but we must listen to our spirit, which is the cello, longing for communion with our creator. Whenever I feel that I am too busy living to listen, this song reminds me of what is important - The Cello.
Joy Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano and Korg Strings; Ben Simpson on Percussion. 5:02.
It is the opening of the day. You are walking, and the song of your soul starts to sing; you hear the song of creation woven by the Breath of God. As you walk you understand and step out beyond; not only are you hearing the melody, but you are living and sharing the moment with those who have gone before. In the glory of Christ you worship not just now but in remembrance with angels, saints, prophets, and folks just like you who have lived, and now live on in God's presence. The incense of your collective praise fills both the heavens and your soul with the depths and breadth of that communion. In that moment you grasp the love expressed in all creation of our creator for us.
Angel's Prayer Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano. 2:18.
This is the story of a frustrated angel wanting to help a human in trouble. But due to the rules the angel cannot unless the human asks for help - you know, pray. Finally the sad, sad human mutters "God, help me, I don't know how, but help." The angel moves in joy with the freedom to help, to protect this human from life's trials, all because the human prayed. Our guardian angels' prayers is for us to empower them by praying to our Creator. What are you waiting for - an invitation?
Love's Lost Night. Listen
Composed by Ted Carr: Ted Carr on Piano and Korg Strings, Bassoon, and Chimes. 3:54.
I wrote this during a time when I was studying St. John of the Cross. The song expresses how sometimes our prayer life just rolls along and then gets interrupted by the Spirit with God's agenda. Those interruptions are like a counter melody in our lives showing us another layer to living. Sometimes those interruptions provide surprises that add additional depths of joy. We need to look for them, not brush them off as wild ideas.
Bonus Track of Piano-Only Pieces
Dancing With Angels
Come To Me
I AM
Joy
Love's Lost Night
Music Credits
Recorded at Red Cliff Sound Studios, Durango, Colorado.
Mastered at Red Cliff Sound Studios, Durango, Colorado.
Album Cover design by Thea Cooke.
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