Live Your Music — Margaux Joy DeNador

"Already Here" — Anna Taylor's Debut Album

 

 

Anna Taylor's recently released debut album "Already Here" was a transatlantic collaboration between the English singer and California music producer Robert Berry.

Following is a brief description, by Anna, telling us how this magical, transatlantic musical adventure began:

 

"At times, I wondered if it would ever happen, but after patiently (or not so patiently!) waiting for someone who could create the music for my lyrics, my prayers were more than answered in March 2008, when at the recommendation of a friend, I sent an e-mail to song-writer and producer Robert Berry in San Jose, California. I knew immediately that he was the perfect person to work with - even though part of me wondered how on earth we would manage with such distance between us. But we did. And I'm very aware of our unique connection that made co-writing this entire album via e-mail not only possible but wonderful!"
 

 

 

Robert Berry and Anna Taylor at Soundtek Studios.

 
 

Here is an amazing fact: 

During the time the songs were being written Robert Berry and Anna Taylor only talked on the phone one time. They had never met in person until Anna was able to come to California to record the vocals for her songs at Robert's recording studio. All of their communication was done by email.

In September 2009 Anna traveled from England to record the songs for her album at Soundtek Studios in San Jose, California. 

 

I met Anna Taylor through my friendship with Robert Berry. In June 2008 I sent Robert an email with my schedule for the "I Can Do It" conference in Las Vegas. I was surprised when he emailed back asking me about Doreen Virtue. He told me about Anna Taylor and said that she had trained with Doreen. He gave me Anna's email address and that was the beginning of my friendship with Anna. During this time I've heard the passion Anna has for the songs on her album. 

During her time in California Anna came to stay with us for a couple of days. What I discovered is that she is passionate, kind, loving, and beautiful inside and out. Having her visit was fun. We would love to have her visit us again next time she is in California!

 

 

 

Anna Taylor during one of the recording sessions.

Born with Cerebral Palsy, Anna Taylor knows first hand the incredible healing effect music can have on our mind, body, and spirit. Her music has a calming and healing quality to it. When I first heard the album I liked it. But what I've found is that now, after hearing it over and over again while driving my car, I love it. The songs make me feel good. Anna's voice is both soothing and beautiful to hear. 

 

Robert Berry  playing a track on his "Taylor" guitar. 

The music Robert Berry created to go with Anna's lyrics has a magical sound that makes me want to hear it again and again. 

I've been amazed for years by Robert's musical talents. Watching and listening as he created his magic while recording songs for two albums by my husband and son was a joyful experience.

Robert Berry's own albums are rock 'n roll. But because he is a masterful keyboard player, music composer, and guitarist he is able to shift gears and create music that is perfect for Anna Taylor's musical style. 

 

Anna Taylor recording a vocal track.
 

Anna Taylor's album comes with a beautiful booklet that includes the lyrics to all of the songs. Anna is a communicator who will touch your heart with the words she's written as the lyrics for her songs. 

The lyrics of the songs are a large part of what is so special about them. I highly recommend buying the CD so you will have the booklet with all of the lyrics. Click here to buy the CD from Anna's website.

Choosing my favorite songs was a challenge because to be honest I like them all. A few of the songs that stand out for me are: Already Here, Body, Like Me, and Beautiful. 

You can hear Anna Taylor's songs on iTunes. Just type in either Anna Taylor or Already Here and it will take your to her album page and you can hear part of each song. 

To read Anna Taylor's story on her website: click here.

Already Here was released on Valentine's Day which Anna calls "Love Day."  Her music is all created with love. You will feel her love as you listen to her sing. 

Please take the time to check out Anna Taylor's album. In my opinion, "Already Here" is a joy to hear!

 

Book Review: The Shift by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

 

 

 

 
 

 

I am happy to announce that I have been asked to be a book reviewer for Hay House Publishing! 

 

The first book Hay House has asked me to review is Dr. Wayne Dyer's book The Shift: Taking Your Life From Ambition to Meaning. In this 112-page book, Dr. Dyer takes us behind the scenes and explores some of the ideas and stories shown in his movie The Shift. I enjoyed the movie which shows Wayne Dyer meeting people while at a beautiful resort on the coastline of California. During the movie several of the people make a shift in their thinking — from ambition and ego to meaning and spirituality — that causes them to feel happier and more fulfilled after talking with him. 

 

Because I liked the movie so much, I was curious to read the book. I found it so enjoyable that I finished it in one sitting. In the book Dr. Dyer suggests that at a certain point in life we begin to want to feel life has meaning. He calls this shift moving from the "morning" of life to the "afternoon" of life. The shift in our thinking also causes us to act with humility and feel a greater connection with other people and all of life. If you feel you're one with the Universe, you feel connected with everything instead of separate or apart as the ego sees it. This leads to humility, forgiveness, and meaning which creates a shift in our focus from what we can get — to what we can give. 

 

Here are seven things Dr. Dyer says we will experience as we shift from ambition into a life of meaning:

 

1. We shift to personal empowerment.

2. We see ourselves connected to everyone.

3. We are motivated by ethics, serenity, and quality of life. 

4. We shift to the possibility, even the expectation, of miracles being part of life. 

5. We pursue a meditation practice. 

6. We begin to recognize ourselves in nature's beauty and intricacy. 

7. We are less judgmental, and we easily understand and forgive. 

 

As Dr. Dyer writes, on page 71, of The Shift: Taking Your Life From Ambition to Meaning, "By taming the ego, we elicit the support and assistance of our own originating spirit, and we come to notice synchronicities happening in our life. The people we need appear, circumstances come together in a way that assists our Dharma path, financing becomes available that was never there before, and so on."

 

I love Patanjali's quote about inspiration, and in this book Dr. Dyer included the last part of it which says, "Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."  It is inspiration that causes us to come fully alive and use all of our talents. When we allow ourselves to be inspired life can feel like a magical and meaningful journey. 

 

 
 
 

If you are a fan of Dr. Dyer's work, I am sure you will enjoy this book. In my opinion, the book can stand alone or be read as a companion book to the movie. I like the fact that it is a small book and can be easily taken with me as a reminder to shift my thinking. As Dr. Dyer reminds us, shifting from ambition to a life of meaning and purpose allows us to enjoy life more and can also improve our relationships with the people we love. 

One thing I am wondering is how I would feel had I first been introduced to Dr. Dyer's work with this book as opposed to one of his earlier books. It seems to me that if you've never read any of his books, you might want to start with watching the movie or perhaps reading one of his earlier books first to better understand his philosophy. Here are a few of my favorites: Ten Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, The Power of Intention, There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life. As I write this, I feel inspired to re-read some of Dr. Dyer's earlier books myself.

I found this book interesting and inspiring. I recommend buying a copy.  

Dr. Dyer's book, The Shift: Taking Your Life From Ambition to Meaning, will be available March 1, 2010. To find out more about the book, and to purchase a copy of it, please click on one of the three links below:

Hay House  
Amazon
Barnes & Nobel

I would love to hear your thoughts after you read The Shift: Taking Your Life From Ambition to Meaning. Please send me a message or post a comment on my blog or on my facebook wall. 

Love & Joy, 

Margaux