Enter "Synchronicity" and a favorite earth angel, Cynde Meyer (Spirit Seeker).  She has a CD for review for the June Edition.  Of course the deadline is only five days away, but that is a very GOOD thing.  It means I have no time to dawdle.  Five minutes after receiving the CD, I am tuned into the enchanting flute music of John Two-Hawks.  The CD is called "Honor".  AHHHHH!...sweet mystery of music ... work your powerful medicine upon me!  Infuse me with your magic potion of melody, harmony and rhythm... and bring me back to my center, to a place of inner equanimity and peace.

     Let me start by saying, it is such an honor and a privilege to be reviewing John Two-Hawks' CD "Honor" and to be able to express my appreciation for the gift that his music was to me.  When I first started listening to this CD, I skipped the first three tracks and headed straight for the song title which beckoned to me most ... "Soul Seeking."  I have to say I was not the least bit disappointed.  It was this track in particular, featuring the hauntingly beautiful "solo" performance of John's wooden flute, which infused my entire body/mind with healing, soothing sensations.  His melody guided me to a deeper sense of connection with the innermost places of my being.  The deep resonance of the wooden flute calmed my spirit, and the richness and beauty of his melody left my heart feeling uplifted and inspired.

     As I continued to listen to more tracks, my journey inward continued to go deeper, wider and higher.  Tracks like "Song of the Sage," "Elk Dreamer," "Tradition," "Flight of the Butterfly" and "Crying for a Vision" continued to assuage my feelings of inner turmoil and angst, so that soon the tensions of the last few days began to dissipate and melt away.  I felt deeply connected to the spiritual quality within his music and very much back in touch with a personal sense of oneness and rightness with all.

     There are so many beautiful tracks on this CD.  I love their variety and flow.  Not only is John an amazing flautist, but he also treats us to a variety of interesting arrangements including flute duets with guitar, synthesizer, percussion/drums, and voice.  The minimal overall use of voice is also very powerful, for when it is brought in, the effect is almost hypnotic.  It is very grounding, especially in "Grandfather's Prayer."  This song, in particular, makes one feel "connection, respect and appreciation" within.  It is such a wonderful feeling.

     I also love how John gives us a glimpse of his "intent" with each song, as suggested by the editorial notes included on the inside jacket with each song title.  Without a doubt, John's music conveys to us that of which he wishes to speak.  He takes us on a musical journey into the heart and the innermost places in our being which resonate with trust, wisdom, love, joy, spirit, peace, enchantment, power, transformation and honor.  I really can't say it any better than John himself ... so I will leave you with this quote from his CD:  "With Honor we walk....  With Honor we dance....  With Honor we live....   In the Lakota way, Honor was and is a way of life.  Honor is integrity.  It is respect, morality, courage, leadership and humility.  In short, a life lived with Honor is a pathway to wisdom.  To do anything with Honor is to do it in a way that is sacred."

     Thank you, John, for honoring us with the sacredness and beauty of the gift of your music!  It is music medicine at it's best!