1.BEHIND THE WATERFALL
On Basho´s Narrow Road in Japan.
2.LOVE BEYOND LOVE
A temple in Japan dedicated to Goddess of Love.
3.HEART SUTRA
Prajnaparamita Sutra..Blessing the Waters in Japan on The Narrow Road.
4.WILLOW SPIRIT
On Basho’s Narrow Road The Spirit of an Ancient Willow Tree appears to tell its silent tale…and speak to the heart of those who will listen…
5.UNGAN JI BLOWING ZEN
Blowing Zen…Listening the Silence…some years ago in Japan…The Zen Master was there, watching , at 5 in the morning…He had told me to play ‘ The Sound AFTER the Sound of One Hand Clapping….’
6.LADY TAMAMO
Lady Tamamo…A mysterious legend in the deep mountains of Japan…
7.RYUSHAKUJI
In an ancient Temple, on The Narrow Road to A Distant Place in Japan…A place where the Cicadas sound was penetrating everything..There Basho called it “The Sound That Pierces Rocks”.
8. SHIRAKAWA BARRIER
On the Narrow Road, Thunder and fire in the deep forest, with Taiko master Hayashi Eitetsu.
9. FLOWERS SHOWER
First recording ever of this song…In a mystical and wonderful place on the north coast of Japan, Matsushima.. ‘Islands of the Pines”.
10.SANEMORI. A tragic Noh-drama, a Samurai general who raised the son of a warlord, and taught him to be a great warrior; Political fortunes changed, they found each other on opposite sides of a conflict in the Civil War, and old Sanemori let himself be killed by the young man instead of killing. His spirit comes back to tell the sad tale.
11.TENGU-TAIKO
Magic and Mystery in Ancient Japan…from Basho’s Narrow Road.
12.INNER TRUTH
On Basho’s Narrow Road, in the high mountains of Northern Japan. A lonely temple at the top…Inside, only a mirror…Special thanks to all those of NHK-Japan who made this journey possible; Hatano-san, artistic director, Endo-san, master cameraman, Furya-san, executive director, and all the crew who together we struggled up and down mountains and rivers and seas for 6 months, making this dream pilgrimage a reality.
13.NOWHERE TO GO, NO-ONE TO BE
On the Narrow Road in Japan…Meditation on Moon Mountain…
14.REFLECTIONS SEA OF JAPAN
This interlude along the Sea of Japan was near the end of the long Narrow Road Pilgrimage…A long walk on an isolated and empty beach, grey skies and stormy seas, time of introspection and contemplation…Much like this year of 2020 has been. The instrument is Rudra Veena, an ancient instrument of India.
15.SADO ISLE
On a windy beach facing Sado Isle and the Sea of Japan…The island was always known for its wild and stormy weather, and people. Now host to Kodo drummers, whose music from there has spread to all the world. Here along with drummer Leonard Eto, we celebrate the windy sunset and sea.
16.VALLEY OF SOUND
A mysterious echoing valley on The Narrow Road…here we are playing a joint concert live on opposite sides of the valley, with the Taiko master KIMIKO KAWATA…She is an Okinawan shaman, mystic musician, composer, performer, great artist and friend. Enjoy the space!
17.TOWER OF THE SPIRIT
The Tower Of the Spirit…The Zen monastery Eihei-Ji…playing at the grave of Dogen, the founder of Soto Zen.
18.WRITTEN ON WATER
And the really last…a final performance as the rains of autumn set in…with a remarkable performance and presence of Sayako Yamaguchi as the Goddess of Art and Dance.
19.WATERS OF LIFE
Near the end of the long travels…a peaceful hot-springs in the mountains near Kyoto…Flowing waters renewing life… music from the CD THE NARROW ROAD.
20.LUX VERITATIS
The final scenes of the long pilgrimage, at the end of the journey, at Biwa Lake in Central Japan. As Basho traveled by foot, horse, canoe, sailboat, so did I in each of those places, to match the rhythms of his journey. These are the reflections at the end of the story…Hope you have enjoyed!