Bob Olofson Tree Of Life CD

"Tree Of Life" has been an amazing journey for me - I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have! It began in earnest on the Winter Solstice of 2003, when I met "Poppy Drum". This remarkable drum had belonged to Homer Gayne, a diplomat and popular singer in the 1930's, 40's and 50's, while he was living in Haiti. It was the first time I'd ever heard an instrument truly speak - to me, personally! To my delight I was allowed to take Poppy home with me, and he has been an honored guest in my home since then. The wonderful spirit I found in this drum has guided and supported this whole project, and its big, distinctive sound is particularly important in "Le Toon de Baboon" and "Chant For Spring".The role of spiritual guide has been shared by another unique instrument, the double-chambered cedar flute which appears in "Chant For Spring" and "Hawk & Turtledove". I had ordered the flute from Ward Stroud (www.stroudflutes.com) then experienced several months of frustration, as I tried to make the instrument do what I wanted. After a particularly difficult bout of futility, I stared at the flute in my hands and asked, "Okay, what do you want to play?" Almost instantly music started flowing from it - intense, poignant and authoritative. I learned very quickly to treat it with the utmost ...