Album Notes

I started with a theme: loss, searching, and discovery. These themes at the time were connected to my feelings about the loss of a good friend, Gerry Hall, the questions I had about the meaning of life, and even my pursuit of a musical career. Was this where I wanted to be? Part of me felt that I didn't belong here in the belly dancing community, but something was keeping me there, for now. These ideas developed into The Gathering Season. Gathering-meaning everyone and everything coming together, whether it is a nation in unity or family. The tracks "Huda", "Qabil", and "Hujayni" reflect this idea. "Harvest Moon" reflects the meaning of Season, a celebration of the coming harvest.

Released in the Summer of 1998, I wanted the listener's journey to begin with the ominous "Paradise Lost", which is symbolized by the brooding minimal string arrangements and heavy percussion to lend to the disparity and emptiness of the song. I felt this would be the best track to start the CD because it set the stage and gave this proverbial book its prologue. Songs like, "Huda" symbolizes the tribe gathering their tents and preparing for the long journey. "Desert Journey" is the actual journey through the desert. I wanted the listener to feel that he/she was trudging along on the hot sand as the caravan struggles across dunes and endless nothing. "Saaba" and "Sudan" further the story with its vast emptiness as desert winds howl and the Oud dances a minimal and sad melody. Finally, "Journey's End" sees the arrival of the caravan. Huge tribal drums call to welcome the tribe in a rhythmic celebratory gathering.