Dreams of Flying (2003)

Original folk, traditional gospel, Russian and Chilean folk. Debut of two wonderful young singers, Maia and Sarah. Strong return performances from Cynthia, dandelion, Jamuna (Russian folk in Russian), Claudia (Chilean folk in Spanish), Jasmine, Ari, and the Omega Choir.

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  1. If I Cannot Fly (3:22) © 1975 Cynthia R. Crossen
  2. "Utushka Lugovaya" Meadow Duckling (2:25) Russian folk song
  3. Lead Me To Calvary (2:39) Jennie Hussey 1921
  4. Keep This Fire (4:17) © 2002 dandelion john
  5. Gracias A La Vida (4:37) Violetta Para/ P.N. de Chile
  6. Gracias A La Vida (4:37) Violetta Para/ P.N. de Chile
  7. Sweet Gratitude (3:21) © 1980 Cynthia R. Crossen
  8. "Zemlyanka" (1:47) WWII Russian folk song
  9. Disillusion Oneself (5:47) © 2001 Maia Derewicz
  10. Muscadine (2:28) © 2002 Sarah Haggerty
  11. The Trail (3:13) © 2000 dandelion john
  12. "Yamsheek" Carriage Driver (3:31) 19th century Russian folk song
  13. Winter Trees (2:40) © 1999 Jasmine Girard
  14. Hidden Word (4:31) Lyrics from Bahá'í sacred writings, music Maia © 2002 Maia Derewicz
  15. Agnus Dei (3:39) © 2001 Claudia Lopez Bascuñan
  16. Old Ship Of Zion (2:46) Traditional Gospel
  17. November Winds (3:52) © 2001 dandelion john
  18. Honeysuckle Night (3:25) © 1980 Cynthia R. Crossen
  19. "Noch' Svetla" Night Is Light (2:24) Russian romance(romantic song)
  20. Painter (3:52) Lyrics Maia and Mark, music Maia © 2003 Maia Derewicz
  21. La Lavandera (3:11) Violetta Para/ P.N. de Chile
  22. A Synthetic Lullaby (5:30) © 2000 Ari Picker

Artists


Recorded, mixed, and produced by Ken Crossen, Paul Ford, and dandelion john, except
Agnus Dei produced by Claudia Lopez, A Synthetic Lullaby produced by Ari Picker, and
Old Ship Of Zion produced by Johnny Price.
CD package design and photography by Ken Crossen, except
photograph of Ken Crossen by Alix Pentecost-Farren.


Song Notes

Zemlyanka

Recording Russian singer Jamuna has been an unexpected adventure in cultural differences. We started talking about iconic songs, songs that represent powerful experiences in a culture, and the topic of war songs came up. One such song, Zemlyanka, written in 1941 during the battle for Moscow, goes something like: "...Somewhere an accordion is singing about you, about your smile, about your eyes, and about you the bushes whisper to me... It's so far over snow-bound steppes to you, but to reach death is just four steps." In contrast, during this same period Americans were listening to "The Boogie Woogie Bugler Boy of Company B".

A young girl's father kisses her goodbye, promising to be back, and within days is killed at the front. Her mother, and all of her brothers and sisters are killed during the battle for Moscow. This is profoundly different from the American experience of war, but common in Russia.

Zemlyanka, Yamsheek

We are attempting to reinterpret these beautiful Russian songs to be more interesting and accessible to Americans, as well as fresh and surprising to Russians, while remaining sensitive to the songs' meanings. Yamsheek is Russian blues; the words go something like "carriage driver, drive slow, nobody waits for me...". The original crossover concept was a horse-drawn carriage taking a coffin to the graveyard through the streets of New Orleans. This recording of Yamsheek was made with a single stereo microphone during a rehearsal session.

Agnus Dei

This song expresses Claudia's memories of childhood in Catholic Chile. Powerful, evocative, and mystical, it sings to that part of us which stands in awe of a star-filled sky.

Old Ship Of Zion

Four young women, collectively One Voice, associated with the Omega Choir, laid down this gospel gem in a studio session. Johnny Price gave us this track to publish when we were recording the Omega Choir. The Omega Choir, featuring deep solo talent and Johnny's imaginative direction, is one of the finest choirs I have ever heard.

A Synthetic Lullaby

Ari has another gig as singer/songwriter with a band that has a record contract, The Never (formerly the b-sides). The Never plays really good rock 'n roll in the same way that Frank Zappa was good, but Ari's sweet voice and quirky lyrics also deserve solo treatment.

Disillusion Oneself, Hidden Word, Painter

These could be our modern spirituals, antidotes for our self-absorbed culture and a heart-healing philosophy from the Bahá'í faith.

If I Cannot Fly, Sweet Gratitude, Honeysuckle Night

Among the many gifts Cynthia has brought to my life is her music, but perhaps her most important gift has been teaching me to listen to women's voices, in every sense of voice. Here is the voice of the woman that taught me to listen to women, and to venture beyond my own limited perception of reality. Honeysuckle Night features the collaboration of our son Jesse, who knew, at age sixteen, that his mother's music was the genuine article.

-Ken