Damn! A new year already!
2016 has been a wild ride. I put out two solo CDs, did several performances, released a book, and had many advenures. Plans for the future include more music releases, videos, live streaming of performances, and some other surprises.
Things are changing in the world. And I and my collegues are changing with it; but we’re changing for the better. And with this in mind, I, for one, am looking forward to 2017. And I’m looking forward to experiencing it with you.
You’ve probably noticed that some changes have been made to this website. It’s evolving, and is a work in progress.
The most important thing is that the music is now readily available! Both digital downloads and ordering the physical CDs are easy.
Here are the downloads . And here are the CDs.
Well, summer was interesting. I weathered some changes, and a few challenges. But I’m still standing. I hope you did well, and had a great summer!
Anyway, on to business.
Saturday, September 17th, I will be one of the featured performers at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors‘ Full Moon Event. This will be a solo performance, and I will be offering two sets in the post Full Moon Lounge, and a talk on the subject of Islamic spirituality for the event. Details will be found here. The event begins at 7pm. CoSM is located at 46 Deer Hill Rd. Wappinger Falls, NY 12590.
I have the honor of composing music for an upcoming independent film; “Sweet Dreams, Momma.” It’s written and directed by Dianne Kirksey, and stars Ella Joyce. For more information, and to learn how you can support this project, check out this link:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sweet-dreams-momma-film#/
The next God’s Unruly Friends concert will be at Shrine (2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030) on Thursday October 27th, 7pm. You will want to be there; there will be a few surprises. And it may also be a CD release party! The new God’s Unruly Friends CDis nearing completion (who knows? Maybe I’ll offer a few pre-release copies. I’ll let you know).
(BTW, the photo in this newsletter is my original artwork that will be used for the CD cover. You like?)
Speaking of CDs, the Sacred Forbidden Music (from the Music Meditation Sessions) CD is now available at the following locations:
Namaste Bookshop
2 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
www.namastebookshop.com
Quest Bookshop
240 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022
www.questbookshop.com
Scent Elate
313 West 48th Street New York. NY 10036
https://www.scentelate.com/
Finally, a new video!
I’m glad I had the chance to reach out to you, and look forward to sharing more music with you! Hit me up at godsunrulyfriends@gmail.com
On behalf of myself and all of God’s Unruly Friends, I wish to take a moment to salute the life of Muhammad Ali.
What is there left to say about him? He was a master boxer whose technique was technically “wrong” (he kept his left low; you just don’t do this in boxing), but became the undisputed world heavyweight champion. He was a fearless fighter for civil rights, who put himself on the line, ready to accept without fear or apology the consequences society threw at him for doing the right thing. He was one of America’s best representatives of Islam, showing the world the beauty and heart of Islam at a time when it was made to be the enemy.
Once, he was in the vicinity of a police standoff with a suicidal man who was about to jump from a ledge. He talked the man down, and literally saved his life. He’d clown around for the press and for the amusement of children; and at the same time show astonishing seriousness and strength.
I will never forget when, after Parkinson’s Disease had ravaged his once strong body, he lit the torch for the 1996 Olympics. Even the fragility of his body could not diminish the man’s power.
When he died, after all his organ failed, his heart continued to beat for a full 30 minutes before he was finally called home.
He was exemplary of what a man could and should be. I salute him, and thank Allah for his life.
On Sunday, March 9th, 2016, God’s Unruly Friends presented a concert at St. Mark’s on the Bowery in NYC. A few video clips of the concert were made available.
Now, the entire concert is available to watch on YouTube.com
The concert is here.
Many more cool things are in the works. Until we meet again.
God’s Unruly Friends has a YoTube channel. OK: this is not an unusual thing. But I’m trying to get a custom URL (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpI7wAuCWOYswkLcQopZPzA is so clumsy).
The thing is, the new eligibility requirements mandate that I have 100 subscribers.
Since this is a new channel (and I been a bit busy to promote it), I do not have 100 subscribers yet.
Would you help me, and subscribe? Just go here, and click “subscribe.” That’s it.
Thanks!!
As I write this, it’s one day past my birthday (oh, OK: I’m 55). It’s been an interesting week.
Last Wednesday, I performed with a Neo-Sufi ensemble led / facilitated by Ruhi Roo. She’s got some really interesting ideas, and is making them happen.
I saw the new Miles Ahead movie, with Don Cheadle. It’s really a good movie. I’m writing a review of it for doobeedoobeedoo.info. Keep and eye out for it.
My art work is on display this week at the ArtLovHer Artist Salon. It ends Sunday.
And there’s the Sacred Forbidden Music!
In 2004, I developed a method of music performance for yoga and martial arts classes. The idea was to both harmonize the music with the energies invoked in the class, and to invoke energies needed. For example, for classes of a system of martial arts based on the Five Chinese Elements while the sensei was teaching moves based in water, I would improvise using a musical form analogous to water, and synchronize the musical flow and dynamics with the class. The results were successful/
One of the inevitable results of this was obvious. I began to use the techniques he developed to conduct guided meditation. The difference here is that while guided meditations have traditionally used words, suggestions, imagery, etc. to guide the individual and group meditation, my method uses musical form.
The results have been interesting. People have reported effects such as recovering repressed memories, deep meditation states, trances and visions, and astral travel.
The music for these Sessions is completely improvised; the music for each Session is specific to a particular time and place. I do not teach my method of improvisation.
This music is called the Sacred Forbidden Music.
The premeir concert performance will happen on Monday, May 9th, 8pm at the Theater for the New City (155 1st avenue, NYC). The exchange is $15.
There are other things happening, such as two new CD releases in the works, my new book A Mansion with Many Rooms, and other cool stuff.
#godsunrulyfriends
#sacredforbiddenmusic
#beunruly
An Old Review of a Renegade Sufi Concert.
The performance of God’s Unruly Friends and Tribecastan at St. Marks on the Bowery on Sunday, March 6th was EPIC!
OK; I probably shouldn’t be using words / catchphrases like “epic” or whatever. But it was a dman good concert.
It was a nice day. March often threatenes nasty weather, but not this day.
GUF opened the show. The line up was Dawoud (yours truly!) on sitar and laptop, Chenana Manno on vocals, dance, singing bowls, Ras Moshe on saxophone and flute, and Peter Barr on percussion. The band played beautifully. It was one of those performances where everything clicked, and the band and audience were in The Zone.
Tribecastan tore it up! They gave a tight and very enjoyable performance. Bandleader John Kruth held thongs together beautifully, and led the audience in the fun.
We are presently negotiating with St. Marks to secure another date for a performance. Details to follow.
OK, I have an announcement.
God’s Unruly Friends has some new online presence. You can email us at godsunrulyfriends@gmail.com.
We have a new Twitter account!
https://twitter.com/GUF786
An we have a youtube channel! It’s new, so if you subscribe, we can get things off to a good start. Check out our last video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GErTWFgyspE
#godsunrulyfriends
#gmail
#youtube