During the hot dry summers of 2002 and 2003, wildfires raged across the western United States. Political madness hogged the spotlight on the network news, and we called upon the Medicine Wheel for balance. The Djembe is the heartbeat, and the electric guitar keeps licking through this arrangement like flames.

2. God Bless Us All

In the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, a typical reaction was to fly flags and write "God Bless America" on walls and trucks and billboards across the country. In one small corner of a front lawn in Nashville, JD and his co-writer Chuck Jones saw a brave sign reading "God Bless Us All." This song comes from that heartfelt sentiment.

3. I Came Here for Love

"Perdition" is a fancy word for Hell. We were contemplating the war-like mood of our government a year after the 9-11 tragedy, after the invasion of Afganistan, and as the current administration was preparing to attack Iraq. The first line that came to us was, "An eye for an eye, toothless and blind, we stumble our way to perdition." We decided to take a stand for personal and collective sanity, and sing the bravest, most compassionate statement we could muster. And to ask ourselves, "What will we do with this chance to be free?"

4. There's Another Way

This vision goes beyond old grudges and mindless conditioning into a new and radical way of life: Peace on earth. Great acoustic guitar and harmonies on the back porch, singing about a brighter light beyond the wrong and right.

5. And Together

Ben Dowling's beautiful and compelling music inspired Jan to write words and a new bridge that calls for courage in the face of shadow and devastation. "And together we can weather any madness.....And together, through the heavy skies......Through the darkness, through the storm we'll find the passage......And together we will fly." The melody floats on Peter Gabriel-type jungle drums.

6. Starting with Me

Originally conceived as a children's song, this paints a relaxed and jazzy musical picture of a new world coming out of the storm. "Bless these hearts and bless this vision, bless us where we are. Peace on earth is our decision, starting right here, beginning right now, I'm the rainbow I've wanted to see. The circle of peace is complete, starting with me."

7. All That I Am

JD wrote this one with our good old friend Bobby Mason, Aspen's King of Rock & Roll. It was a magic day....the music flowed and Bobby channeled one great line after another. And then out came this line...."and now the part of me I didn't want to face, has become the very thing that gives me strength." Here's to going through whatever it takes to finally realize that we're already home.

8. Stand Up

"My voice is so tired of being kept inside of me." There's a time for silence and a time to speak....a time for laying back and a time for laying it on the line. James Harrah kicks this off with the perfect guitar lick and Denny Weston throws down the backbeat. And then the "chicks" seal the deal!

9. In the Beginning

Mystics and quantum physicists know that "the beginning" was not a historical big bang, but is rather an on-going possibility, the delightful field of pure potentiality coming true as a big surprise in each moment. The divine presence, known as the "I AM," is where we start and where we end, and if we have any good sense, is where we remember to hang out as much as we possibly, humanly, can. Jan was hoping for a serious anthem-like melody, but instead, the musical feel was strongly inspired by Sesame Street. Imagine Kermit singing in his froggy voice, tougue-in-cheek, and add a toned-down Django Rhinehardt guitar. Then, take 2 aspirins and call me in the morning.

10. I Dreamed of Rain

The words for this one came from one of Jan's journal poems, in the erie midst of the dry hot summer when the world was on fire. "I dreamed of rain, of a long and luxurious soaking, black wet soil and green earth fully open....." The melody began with the sound of rain on the roof, then the harmony and chord structure was presided over by the benevolent musical spirits of Stephen Foster and Aaron Copeland, great American composers.

The music IS the message, the path and the destination: Say and sing what you really want, see the perfect beauty already present in the natural balance of light and shadow, and let peace spread over the land.

11. This is What I Know

"We are all connected......the universe reflected in each shining part. And everywhere I go, I recognize the faces, all of my relations in this one heart." Wisdom from the Native American tradition, mystical Sufism, and decades of humble meditation brought this one through. The personal experience is absolutely real. "When I sing it I can see it. I welcome us in, and now we begin....." The best part for JD and me is the big AMEN chorus at the end with all of our friends from the Agape Spiritual Center in LA.

12. I Dreamed of Rain-instrumental without vocals

This instrumental version of the song is provided so that you can sing along with the track.

13. Starting with Me

This song was originally written for kids. Here's the version featuring the Children's Chorus from the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork, Carbondale Colorado.