All My Relations (Album of 9 original songs, Bible and Baha'i chants)
Music by singer-songwriter, Jera Jones Igo, and her husband James Michael Igo. Jera wrote the music, featuring passages of Scripture in some of the songs and original lyrics in others. James plays woodwinds, and Jera sings, plays guitar, keyboard and percussion. Jera did the recording and mixing.
The expression, "All My Relations," is a Native American statement or greeting that affirms the connection we all share. James is indigenous to the area now known as Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. After meeting James, Jera learned about the tragic history of those native to the American continent. They were slaughtered and their lands were stolen. The trauma suffered during the Spanish invasion, and, a short time later, the invasion by the United States, is deep, and still affects subsequent generations. It is with a desire to help, bless, and heal, that we offer our prayer, All My Relations, the first track on this album. James plays the quena, a wooden flute indigenous to South America, which is an open tube from one end to the other. The tone is produced by blowing across the top. Jera sings, plays guitar, clapstick and keyboard.
Is This Not The Fast is a quote from the Bible, Isaiah 58. Jera first began singing this passage while studying Scripture with John Robert Stevens, and the Living Word organization, many years ago. She had a Bible in which she had written guitar or piano chords in this passage of Isaiah, and a few other places.
Celestial Youth was composed after readinThe Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. According to Campbell, mythology and religious beliefs from all areas and epochs praise a hero who has certain archetypal characteristics. At the time of composing, Jera was a new convert to the Baha'i Faith, which also stresses the commonalities of the different religions. The Dorian mode provides a mystical backdrop to this mystical concept, with James on quena and Jera on guitar, dumbec and voice.
Maker of All Things, is a quote from a passage of Scripture, a prayer by Baha'i co-founder, the Bab. Bluesy guitar chords accompany the upbeat song, featuring James on the concert flute. TV
Garden in Paradise features James on the clarinet, with a long, solo. and Jera on keyboard. The words are inspired by the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, the primary founder of the Baha'i Faith.
A New Song, is a hymn of praise for the birth of a new religion 200 years ago, which Jera wrote upon discovering it Jera sings three voices, plays keyboard bass, records and mixes.
Intone is a quote from a passage of Scripture from Baha'u'llah. The harmonic minor lends an Oriental feel reminiscent of Persian chants, although this chant is in English. James plays quena, concert flute, and clarinet. Jera sings and plays keyboard.
Just for Today is an upbeat song based on the principles of Alanon, a recovery group for people who have substance problems in the family or among friends. Jera wrote the song while being helped through the loss of her mother, and her expected inheritance, by a local Alanon group. James plays clarinet,Jera sings, plays guitar, keyboard drums and bass.
Rainbow of Light is a slow, meditative song that provides seven affirmations in seven short verses, each one pertaining to a chakra, from the sole to the crown. Jera began the study of yoga during her teens, which has enriched and inspired her ever since. James plays flute, Jera sings and plays guitar.
The album is also available on Google drive, and Wordpress