While Michael's first CD release, "Flying Snake Brains" established the fact that he could blow a didj - "Cobra Snake Brains" demonstrates he can compose and arrange for the instrument within an ensemble of skilled musicians. This represents a significant
step in an evolutionary journey that his followers eagerly clamor to enlist on.
The Dreaming Gate
The newest album from Inlakesh is called , "The Dreaming Gate". Musically it is the most diverse and interesting work from an already impressive body of material. Didgeridoo Meditations and Quantum Dreaming have been very well received by didjeridu fans
for the past several years, but I think that the Dreaming gate has much broader appeal. The combinations of didjeridu, chants, sample sounds which appear to come straight from a busy Turkish street market or port in some far east land through your speakers
and call your attention far aware from the mundane everyday life to a life full of wondrous possibilities.
The CD opens with a welcome to the Dreaming Gate and invites you to "awaken within this life time." Rob Thomas and Tanya Gerard 's masterful didjeridus are ever present but carefully interwoven with a vast array of instruments. Joining Tanya and Rob on the CD are Phil Hollenbeck (tabla and tambura), Polly Tapia Ferber (persussionist) and Michael Kott (cello). A little intense at times for meditation (the earlier "Didgeridoo Meditations" is a better choice for that), this is an absorbing soundscape for the i nner journey. I've enjoyed this album many times. Though it's only been in my possession for a few weeks, it keeps jumping into my CD player! Part of the appeal for me is two instruments I dearly love. The first is theTibetan Horns which are skillfully ble nded with chants. Secondly, the Tablas which will always grab my attention in any ensemble. Such a vast array of tones from such a small set of drums has always attracted me to the use of tablas both within and without traditional contexts.
Track three, "Navigator", features an addictive little didj riff that while lays down a nice solid groove, has a wonderful airiness to it that can make a listener feel like they are floating on currents of wind.
Got Gum?
In talking to people on the phone, via email and in person, I often find myself in a rather circular conversation surrounding the termite hollowed didjeridus. A common encounter goes something like this:
"What kinda of wood is that didjeridu made of?"
"That one is woolybutt."
"Are any of those didjeridus made out of Eucalyptus?"
"Yes they all are."
"But I thought you said this other one was Bloodwood."
There are literally hundreds of species of Eucalyptus, or 'gum' trees in Australia. Some of the most common ones for didjeridus are :
Eucalyptus miniata (Woolybutt)
Eucalyptus phoenicea (Red Gum)
Eucalyptus ptychocarpa (Bloodwood)
Eucalyptus tetrodonta (Stringybark)
Additionally, you see nicknames like scrub, box and ghost gum. Some common materials which are hand crafted into instruments include agave, bamboo, various hardwoods, pine and almost any wood, flower or other material which can be coached into a pipe. All h ave there exponents and detractors who exhort the virtues or decry the lact of redeeming qualities of each material respectively. While I personally never pass a pipe without having a blow on it, I still believe that the best didjeridus and the best players come from the culture which invented the instrument and owners the songs of the land of Australia. The important thing is to have fun, have respect and play from the heart.