"LOVE" is both calming and uplifting, perfect for an evening at home in the bath, or at work during a hectic day. These songs were written over two days, two very early mornings, rather, while everyone in the house was asleep. This is my first totally instrumental CD since 1995. Totally instrumental! Totally inspirational.
LOVE’s Story
Uncle Ed and I started working on LOVE in November 2005, right after Thanksgiving. I had received a call while I was on a meditation retreat at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, CA. Mom's distraught voice said on my voice-mail that Uncle wasn't doing well, and that I should call and tell him I love him just in case I didn't see him again.
I got on the phone and said, "I'm coming over!"
Despite Grandma's persistence, who was Uncle's primary care-giver, not to worry and to finish my retreat, I sped down the mountain, onto the freeway back to Las Vegas, and on a flight to Washington State early that next morning.
We'd spent the last thirteen years making music together. My mission had been to "Heal the world with music." His mission was to spread the word of "God and Love...and to make a million dollars from selling songs." Together, we created a team, not without trials.
We challenged each other. Every time we got together, it was a meeting of the minds. We learned so much about life while working together, so much of love, and what it takes to heal, even those untouchable wounds.
Uncle's contribution to this album was great, in that it was his inspiration that brought it to life...he said to me one day, "Make an album that I can get massaged to."
"Hmm..." I thought, "Okay!" And so I wrote for four straight days, into the night and early morning while everyone was asleep. Some afternoons I'd be making the finishing touches on some tracks, and Uncle would be there beside me lying in his hospital bed that was kept in the living room in front of Grandpa's big screen T.V.
Uncle persisted that he be in the living room everyday. Even when he was too weak to open his eyes, he wanted to be in our company. It was his chance, I believe, to love us, and to love life unconditionally. He could not so much control the destiny of his body, and of the length of time he'd spend on earth as Uncle Ed, but he could control his attitude...He lived every moment of his last weeks in acceptance, in freedom and in total beauty.
Thank you to all my family and friends who contributed to this work. The support of Linda, Ellen and the Tuesday Night Mindfulness Group in particular held me through those challenging moments. And to the sweetness of my teacher, Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, who through his message has brought thousands of people to the safe refuge of the Dharma, of love itself.
Many blessings upon you on your journey.
Brian Kimmel
LIVE IN LOVE - January 4, 2006
Diary Excerpt: Sept. 14, 2005
If in our lives we have not won the Nobel Prize, or have not accomplished great fortune--it's okay. But if we have succeeded in loving someone, even if just ourselves, or just one thing, we have accomplished so much!
Loving means we have put aside our anger, we have put aside our fear, and we have looked into the heart of another living being. And when that person or thing becomes our reality, and we see in them a continuation of ourselves, then we have given all that we have to love.
Love is the most important thing! Love transcends all types of barriers, removes obstacles, and brings us home to ourselves, our true selves, again and again.
Thinking of you sweetly... Brian.
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