Tales of a life in music

How Do You Make a Lyric Video for Four Words?

Every new track gets a lyric video, but it ain't so easy when the verses and choruses are the same four words! Not the traditional song lyric that has a narrative from which to create.

Om Mani Padme Hum. Over…

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The One Who Hears the Cries of the World

Last week I introduced you to Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion — the one Om Mani Padme Hum calls out to.

His name has been translated many ways, but my favorite is this: the one who hears the cries of…

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The Compassion Already Alive in You

This Friday, July 24, I'm releasing Om Mani Padme Hum, the third single from my forthcoming album, Mantras in Kingston.

Om Mani Padme Hum is one of the most beloved and widely chanted mantras in the Buddhist world…

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Responder vs Generator: Claude's View

I’ve always been more responsive than generative. For example, I can’t tell jokes well and I’ve never been able to create a joke. No idea how. However, when people are talking, I’ll often see something very funny about the situation.…

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Before Legends Heard the Music, Friends Built It.

Back in 2008, I was living in La Costa, walking for hours every day to clear my head and write music.

On one of those walks, I passed a house with a van parked out front. Not just any van…

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Manifestation’s Path is Often Surprising

There's a moment, when you're intending to do something nobody's done before.

Mantras in roots reggae. Sanskrit on a roots reggae riddim. A vision I'd been carrying this idea around in my heart and mind for decades.

When I reached…

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Wait! What? Master Po Wasn’t A Real Shaolin Priest???

I already told you how reggae took over my musical life when I was 22, so NOW what do I write about? Oh! How about how mantras found their way to me? Good idea!

It all began… [scene fades out…

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I Was 22 When Reggae Took Over My Body! But Reggae Mantras???

Yup, it’s story time! Not about the single that’s out today — but what led to it.

There I was, 22, standing in a crowd watching a local reggae band called The Effects play an outdoor show. When the bass…

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MAKING MUSIC ACROSS AN OCEAN

I really enjoy doing these duet videos. Honestly, my part is the easy one. I sit down, hit record, sing the song, and that’s pretty much it.

But those who join me? They’re the ones doing the real work.
Here’s…

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Love Me Do 🎶

Love Me Do. What a song title! Who thinks of that??? Brilliant. And really, it’s humanity’s universal outcry.
What? Less commentary? Fine! Back to music.

There’s no way The Beatles wouldn’t be my biggest influence.
Paul taught me melody…

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A Real Story of Father and Son

When I first sang Father and Son in clubs as a young man, I’m sure I was only hearing one half of the story — the son’s. The restless energy, the urge to step out into life, the feeling of…

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Pickleball, a Fractured Shoulder, and a New Video

Good news and… well… jeez!

The good news is that the Father and Son performance video drops today on YouTube.

The “Life Is” news is that back on October 13th, during my trip to New York for my high…

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