Rhythms Of Change

I Believe in You

2015-01-11T22:11:00.002-08:00

Honolulu, HI

I'm not sure when I wrote this little snippet... sometime in late 2013 or 2014 to add onto Billy Wood's "Peace is Possible". It was largely inspired by wanting to appropriate a double entendre lyric by Kevin James Carrol: "...let Love reign (rain) all over the world" from the track "Let Love Reign" on his CD "One."

LYRICS:

-->

I believe in you, and you can lean on me

Yes, we have faith in us, and the world we know can be
We are trusting God, and the power of the One
As love, peace and blessings reign over all under the sun

... and then Billy song, and then Kevin's line...

RHYTHM:

Om Namo Bhagavate

2015-01-04T23:39:00.002-08:00

Honolulu, HI

It's been high time, for a long time, to write a song praising Krishna. The inspiration to actually begin working on something arrived when I learned that "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" isn't a chant to Ram and Sita. (I had assumed this based on Krishna Das also singing "Sita-Ram" in his version - which incidentally was the very first kirtan I completely fell in love with.) A complete explanation of the meaning of the mantra is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_Namo_Bhagavate_Vasudevaya So, I didn't really write a chant, just a melody ;) It took quite a few days for the tune and rhythmic structure to settle in... at one stage in the evolution it almost sounded Gregorian. Today I shared it in it's rough form with a pure devotee who absolutely loved it... so good enough for me! When I offer this at a kirtan, it will lead into "Nitai Gaura Haribol" and then the Maha Mantra.

LYRICS:

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

RHYTHM: Bhajan

Wrapped Up

2014-10-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Boing! Song started on a drive down to the beach to check the surf... which turned out to be really fun and lightly populated ;) Had to keep singing the whole time in the water so I wouldn't forget it, so it grew and was "done" pretty quickly. Came home post-surf and... dozed off before recording it! Luckily, it remained firmly stuck in my head when I awoke.

LYRICS:

We are wrapped up
Safe and Sacred
Held and Holy
In the ____ of the One
(arms, heart, light,
mind, joy, peace, etc)

All that we are
All we can see
Everything we learn
All that we can be

RHYTHM: D.Ck.kC.

Magnificent!

2014-09-24T17:47:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Once in a while I just "know" there's a song to unfold... and then there's the lag while I try to figure out what it actually is! This one started out exploring the theme of "beyond" - beyond all the symbols, art, scriptures etc. that we typically associate with deity. Thinking that way leads one pretty quickly to "God is EVERYTHING" - and here's what came out of that ;)

LYRICS:

You are the Center, of the circle
The farthest flung frontier
Pure essence, sweet presence,
Magnificent! Now! Right here!

You are the All in All in everything
You are the All in All… in All!
You bathe us in Your beauty
Everywhere is Your Temple

RHYTHM: D..kC..k.kD.C..k

Warrior

2014-07-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Brewing on offerings for the 2014 Illumination Gathering in Oregon and realized I don't know any songs about warriors. (We'll be doing a four phase fire-circle on Friday night unfolding along the lines of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey - Lover, Warrior, Philosopher, Fool.) So, here's what popped out...

LYRICS:

Yeah, there’s a Warrior in me

I pursue my goals relentlessly

I am strong, courageous, brave and caring

Unstoppable, noble and daring

There's a Hero right in here

Who overcomes all fear

Champion for a better world

For every woman, man, boy and girl

RHYTHM: (accapella)

“Every society needs heroes. And every society has them. The reason we don't often see them is because we don't bother to look. -- There are two kinds of heroes. Heroes who shine in the face of great adversity, who perform an amazing feat in a difficult situation. And heroes who live among us, who do their work unceremoniously, unnoticed by many of us, but who make a difference in the lives of others. -- Heroes are selfless people who perform extraordinary acts. The mark of heroes is not necessarily the result of their action, but what they are willing to do for others and for their chosen cause. Even if they fail, their determination lives on for others to follow. The glory lies not in the achievement, but in the sacrifice.” -- Susilo Bambang Yadhoyono - President of Indonesia

Zillions!

2014-07-03T13:48:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Grateful summer is here again. Free time to muse and create! I'm thinking this may actually be the first song I have written - vs the way I have pasted like themed chants together into longer pieces for my looper or open mic sets. I am SUCH a variety junkie, it only seemed natural to make up a song appreciating that... and, I just love the word "zillions" ;)

LYRICS:

wandering 'round in the forest
so many different shaped leaves
curve and line, massive or fine
it's the infinite pattern of goddess
a zillion patterns of god

touching the world all around me
so many textures my fingers meet
slick or prickly, fluffy or moist
it's the infinite sensation of goddess
a zillion sensations of god

CHORUS:
variety, diversity, multiplicity, infinity
scents and sounds and sights surround
tastes and textures do abound!

take a deep breath in the city
endless scents, sour and sweet
pungent or smokey, moldy or fresh
it's the infinite aroma of goddess
a zillion aromas of god

i hear the world and it's singing
a symphony of sounds greet my ears
chirps and thumps, bubbles and howls
it's the infinite song of the goddess
a zillion songs of god

CHORUS

all the miraculous flavors
so many things we can eat
savory, tangy, salty and tart
it's the infinite taste of the goddess
a zillion tastes of god

thousands of people surround me
every conceivable form
black or red, yellow or white
it's the infinite face of the goddess
a zillion faces of god

CHORUS

i thank the One for variety
the diversity and wonders of life
multiplicity, infinitely
it's a potpourri of the goddess
a potpourri of god

RHYTHM:

1...2...3...4...

D.Dk.kC.C.Dk.kC.

I Bow to You

2014-05-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Well... it's been a long time since I have written anything, as I have simply been deep into singing "traditional" kirtan songs, as well as the multi-faith library. In truth, I have been feeling the need to be creative in some way, and that combined with conversations about our kirtan group recording a CD provoked me to work on something original. The notes in parenthesis are mudras that accompany the song....and, you'll note there's no rhythm on this recording as I'm playing the harmonium these days too!

LYRICS:

I bow to You     (namaste heart)
Light of all Life (hands to heaven)
all around            (chi gung circle)
and all within    (hands to heart)

Use me now    (holding tray)
Oh Holy One       (hands to Heaven)
To do your will    (hands to 3rd eye)
and live as love (lemniscate)

Put my hands in motion
Fill me with Devotion
Bathe me in the Ocean
Of You, Oh Lord, Of You

A Righteous Revelation
Of positive vibration
Fill me with the Ocean
Of You, Oh Lord, Of You

Rhythms: Bhajan and Bideo

Shakti Hallelujah!

2012-04-17T22:32:00.027-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Woke up an hour before the alarm was due, and the rest of the little snippet that started this off the night before poured out pretty much immediately. I have been thinking of writing a song along these lines for about a year and a half without ever making an attempt. The song title is actually my preferred name for the kirtan group I'm in... but was nixed out of concern that it might alienate people with issues about Christianity... ?! (Hey, I'm into a world where Christians and Hindus sing together... and Pagans, Muslims, Buddhists, and... ;) The soundfile here is the 2nd quick sketch I've made so far for the percussion arrangement - but I suspect this song has MANY more transformations as it finds it's voice. (There is nowhere near enough Hallelujah in it yet!!) I'll probably get my Strumstick into this pretty soon. Joy liked it immediately... so "All is Well!"

LYRICS:

OM Shakti! Hallelujah! Beloved One, many names!
Adi Shakti! Hallelujah! You are the Life within our veins!
Mother Goddess, Source of All, your blessings fall like rain!
We sing you love, with all of our hearts... again, again and again!
Adi Shakti, Shakti, Hallelujah Namo, Namo
Om Shakti, Om Shakti, Om Shakti Ma

1..2..3..4..
C.CkDDkTkD.D

NEW MUSIC VIDEO!

2011-10-16T01:15:00.001-07:00

Michael Wall's
RHYTHMS OF CHANGE

An inspiring, fun-filled adventure in percussion, song, and storytelling celebrating Spirit and Spiritedness! Michael captures and loops his original compositions on the fly, weaving rich instrumental and vocal layers laced with metaphor and sprinkled with insight. The audience is “in the band” – clapping, singing, dancing, and offering dreams and visions. Heartfelt, hilarious, sacred, and profane... It's a roller coaster of revelry!

Click on photo below to play the video

PLEASE NOTE: The black clay-pot instrument in the video is an "Udu", and produces a very low note that you likely won't hear if you are listening on a portable device like a cell phone or a tablet/pad. I encourage you to enjoy the video in stereo with headphones or a speaker system.

Please leave a comment on YouTube - click here

Click on left image to see my flier for the Nov 10, 11 and 12, 2011 Oahu Fringe Festival shows at Ong King.

If you plan to attend, please say so on the Facebook Event Page

Tickets on sale HERE or call (800) 838-3006 (on-line booking fee will apply) or at the door (only $5 !)

Press Release HERE

Press Photos HERE or call Michael at (808) 737-3786

Michael Wall has brought smiles to thousands of hearts as a percussionist and performing artist for more than 15 years. His musical influences range from traditional West African, Cuban, and Arabic percussion to Kirtan devotional singing and sacred chanting from the Alchemical Fire Circle. Michael has been developing a solo show based on live-looping technology for about a year, and O'ahu Fringe Festival 2011 will be the debut of this new work. He also contributes as an Artistic Teaching Partner through the SFCA Artists in the Schools program, facilitating music-making experiences for children of all ages. Michael will be presenting at TedX Honolulu, and you can find out more about his many projects and passions by clicking HERE

The Babe

2011-10-01T20:06:00.001-07:00

Camp Timberline, Oahu

At the 2011 Fall Equinox Fire Tribe Gathering, for some reason the story of Babe the Blue Ox (of Paul Bunyan fame) popped into my mind. Short version of the story - Paul got a pet ox when they were both young, and every day Paul picked Babe up and hugged him because he loved him so much. Of course, over the years Babe got bigger and bigger - but Paul of course got bigger too - and stronger because he lifted Babe every day! In the circle we took turns sharing the things in our lives which sometimes seem like burdens - but which actually grow us and make us stronger - interspersed with this spontaneous song...

LYRICS:

We give thanks to the Babe
Just a bit of heavy liftin'
Thankful for the gifts it's givin' us

We give thanks to the Babe
Every day a little longer
Every day a little stronger

Surfin' The Circle

2011-09-16T01:21:00.002-07:00

Honolulu, HI

The 2011 Autumn Equinox Fire Tribe Gathering starts tomorrow, and my wild friends who met to call the circle decided the theme will be "Surfin' the Circle" (appropriate for Hawaii no doubt...) So, here's a little diddy I whipped up to surprise them with. (Unless you happen to be reading this the night before - then you can help me bring it on!)

LYRICS:

we're surfin' the circle, all through the night
surfin' the circle, until dawn bright
we are surfin the circle, in this autumn rite
riding on waves of sheer delight

it's up and down and around we go
banking and turning in the flow
we are the link - above and below
celebrating life because we know

(...couldn't find an image of people surfing in a circle, so i opted for a crowd at play... that's us, but without the competitive vibe!)

Awe and Wonder

2011-08-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

Aloha Friends!

As many of you know, I have been working on a solo show of my songs, which will debut in November. I'll be accompanying myself with live-layered loops of percussion and voice.

I am currently preparing for a 3 camera video-taping session in two weeks. The resulting "music video" will be used to promote the shows, as well as the DVD that will be filmed of the performances. Below, you can see and hear me practicing the song that will be featured in the music video - "Awe and Wonder"

I am inviting my family and friends to contribute photographs they have taken themselves of beautiful, astonishing, awe inspiring, wonder filled, delightful, magical things, places and moments which will be woven into the video - and used in a slide show that will accompany the song in the live show.

Parts of the song were originally written to be an English kirtan, and were accompanied by the slideshow that you can also see below. This will give you an idea of the types of material I am looking for. (Most of the images in the slideshow were harvested using Google Photos, so I am sure some of them are copyright! If you see something here that's yours and want it removed, just let me know.)

Please send your (high resolution) photos to drumaloha@gmail.com Please do not submit anything you don't own yourself, as I want to avoid any copyright issues! Submission deadline is Sept 16th, 2011.

I would be deeply honored to receive your artistic offerings! You will receive photo credit in the DVD if I include one of your pictures.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (808) 737-3786

THANK YOU!!!

Depending on your internet connection, you might be able to watch both videos at the same time... :)

Alona

2011-08-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Got the urge to video tape something, as I have been in discussion about having my 3 upcoming shows at the Honolulu Fringe Festival filmed towards making a DVD. The shorter songs combined to make this one are "Traveling Alone", "Alone" and "Recreate" if you are interested in the back story. Next video I am going to do one of the up tempo pieces ;)

Still haven't settled on a name for my "act" - "Loop-D-Loop"? "Me, Myself and I"? Or the ever popular, but I am not so sure about: "Playing with Myself" !?! Your thoughts and suggestions about names are appreciated!

UNDERNEATH GAIA

2011-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess I'm brave enough for people to see what the RC-50 Live-Looping thing is about. If/when my growing set (I'm up to 5 songs now) is ever presented in performance, I'll be using all acoustic instruments (here the Udu is played on my Korg Wavedrum, and the Cascara part on my Yamaha DD-55.) At this stage, I am just getting the hang of the all the electronic technology and the process of "editing live." Actually looking entertaining is still a ways off..! This version combines two songs from this blog: "Underneath" and "Gaia" - going to those pages (see left column) will give you the back story on the songs.

New Year!

2011-01-01T23:11:00.001-08:00

Honolulu, HI

...wanted to start the year off writing a new song, but although there were lots of lyric ideas, melodic inspiration eluded me. The tune here is from a traditional Mande, West African song that accompanies the rhythm "Yankadi", which is played for a dance of courtship. So, I guess the song's underpinnings have something to do with me courting a wonderful 2011 ;) (2010 was a pretty tough year for me, and many people I know and love.) The photo above is overlooking Honolulu on New Year's Eve!

LYRICS:

here's a shining brand new year
feelin' good to start over
the pathways are clear
and we're wiser and older

we're taking time for reflection
and choosing worthy directions
setting goals and resolutions
bringing peace and healthy solutions

so throw out what you don't need
and focus on planting each new seed
it's up to you what you can grow
you're the star of your own show!

1..2..3..4..
D.CC.DD.TT.D

11:11

2010-06-30T19:31:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, HI

I was jammin' around a bit last night, and this strange rhythm popped in. I kept playing it long enough to feel confident that I could stop - and start a recorder - and then resume. After the capture, I discovered it was in 11/8... which led to thinking about the 11:11 phenomenon, synchronicity and all the unexpected things that contribute to the miracle we live every day. Now... to see if I can find my way back into playing and singing this at the same time... I have always wanted to write an "odd" meter song!

LYRICS:

noticing timely miracles

opportunities, chance connections

synchronicity supporting me

unexpected moments, converge!

it’s happenstance and coincidence

serendipity bringin’ blessings

yes, happenstance and coincidence

as our divine design aligns

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.1.0.

D..k.kD.D.D..k.kCCk.C.

Kali

2010-06-25T14:19:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Seems I am settling into one new Kirtan chant a month. I write 2 months before the public Kirtan where it will debut, then engage with it in my personal practice for the first month before bringing it to the group practice. This month, themes of destruction and pain seem close, so Kali is a natural ;)

LYRICS:

Kali Bolo, Kali Bolo, Jaya Mata Kali
O Mata, Kali Ma, Jaya Jaya Mata Kali
Para, Para Shakti
Shakti, O Ma Kali
Kali, Sadaguru
Guru Sri Mata
Chamundaye, Chamundaye, Chamundaye, Shakti

1..2..3..4..
D.CC.CkkDDkk

Om Namaha Shivaya

2010-06-13T13:47:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Continuing to explore the the kirtan form, experimenting again with Hindu words. Wrote this one for our Father's Day public kirtan, but it wasn't ready in time, so I'll "launch" it in July. This is a LONG soundfile (12 min +) and I'm loading it all up here as evidence that I am learning more and more about how to use Logic Express towards bringing my own CD together. It's good for ME to see I'm making progress!

LYRICS:

Om Namah, Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namah, Om Namah
Hara Hara Mahadeva, Jai Shiva Jai
Om Shiva Shankara, Om Shiva Shambo

1...2...3...4...
D.TkT.k.C.D.D...

Oh Ganesha!

2010-03-28T16:28:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, HI

Still playing around with kirtan ideas (though I have also just begun working with more commitment toward a CD of my own songs, including buying a high quality mic!) Decided it was time to see if I could come up with a Sanskrit chant... Ganesh, as the opener of the way, was the obvious place to begin. I was a bit surprised by the groove and feel that emerged, but have been encouraged by my kirtan friends to pursue this - apparently they like it :)

LYRICS:

Oh Ganesha, Ekadanta, Gan Gan Ganapataye... Sharanam
Ganesha, Ganesha, Ganesha
Jaya Guru Ganesha, Sri Ganesha Jai

1...2...3...4...
D..k..C.C..k..C.
D..k..C.DD.DD.C.

Awe and Wonder

2010-02-19T14:36:00.001-08:00

Honolulu, Hawaii

Continuing on the quest to write an 'Interfaith" kirtan, after a friend pointed out yesterday that "Gaia" is a deity strongly identified with paganism. Although I'd likely identify myself as pagan (according to the dictionary: "a person who is not Christian, Muslim or Jew") I'm still looking for a song that would feel good to anyone - including my atheist friends. It's the shortest song to date (which is actually good for chanting), as it has firmly refused all efforts to add more words. So, for now at least, this is it!

LYRICS:

oh sacred mystery
beauty that inspires me
awe and wonder

oh living mystery
beauty that's surrounding me
awe and wonder

1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...
D..k..T.C...D.TkD..k..T.C...TkTk

Gaia

2010-02-17T15:29:00.002-08:00

Honolulu, Hawaii

Another song for Interfaith Ecstatic Chanting. (I gotta tell you, it's quite an adventure to find ways to express deity without hooking into someone's specific religion. I'm pretty pleased with this one so far :) One thing I find hopeful about the present moment is that more and more people are waking up to the fact that ALL we have to take care of the Earth - and that doing that is in the little things: our choices around diet, recycling, consumerism, green products and the like. A nod here for the melody i used on the second part, originally from "Weavers" by Shekhinah Mountainwater

LYRICS:

Gaia holy mother
Gaia sacred earth
bountiful goddess Gaia
nature soul, our rebirth

you are the green, and you are the sea
you are the air that's around and in me

you are the fountain, you are the well
you're the source of life from which all things swell

Rhythm: Bhajan

alphaOmega

2010-02-14T14:18:00.002-08:00

Honolulu, Hawaii

It's Valentines Day - and flowing along on the english kirtan stream, it seemed like a great day for a love song to God/Goddess/Spirit/One! This sure came out easy.... Still playing around with the idea of an OM sound coming off "one" - anyone know anything about chanting "oN"?

Lyrics:

boundless spirit divinity
numinous spark of infinity
alpha! omega!
eternal beloved, loving one (OM)

1..2..3..4..
C.DC.CkDDkDD

There In The Silence

2010-02-07T17:20:00.002-08:00

Honolulu, Hawaii

For the last few months I have been singing as one of Honolulu's "Kirtan Renegades". Kirtan has its roots in Hinduism, and translates literally as "singing the names of God". It will probably come as no surprise that I have been passionate about bringing songs in English, and this has been supported by a group desire to keep things Interfaith. This song is the result of an intention I set for a Kirtan song to come through, and it's been sneaking in around the edges for the last couple of weeks. Today it all came together... well, at least this far! I'll probably use parts of "Fire Whispers" with it as well.

Lyrics:

you're there in the silence
breathing... life
candle in the stillness
burning, you're the flame

with all my heart I call your name
with all my heart I call your name
with all my heart I call your name
with all my heart I call

1...2...
D..T..T.

One GOoD Thing

2009-04-26T23:11:00.001-07:00

Makua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Most evenings I treat myself to singing and drumming somewhere out in nature for "drumsong sunset". On this occasion, I was at Makua beach at the north west tip of Oahu, van camping at the edge of the sand. Most everyone else had headed home... taking with them their big stereos, ATV's, tents, rambunctious children, dogs, and so on. In the wake was a gorgeous, sweet stillness, punctuated by the stunning view of the ocean, the island and the sky.

Each day I take a moment to write out 10 things I am grateful for. My friend Joy has a version of this she calls "One Good Thing". We had just finished singing Kirtan and meditating, and this chant popped out. Our practice began as we improvised little verses to share the things we were grateful for on this day.

The first one I sang was my thanks for the healing that singing "Little Things" the prior evening brought to a man who had been physically attacked the same day. He told us later that he found himself walking the beach that night humming the song and listing all the things he is grateful for... and how focusing his attention there instead of on the pain was transformative.

Lyrics:

lift up your voice
let's all sing
the praises of
the one good thing

(2nd verse added later:)

make a moment, every single day
give thanks for the good things
coming your way

1...2...
D.Ck.kC.

The Abyss

2009-03-14T23:11:00.001-07:00

Honolulu, Hawaii

I'm 24 hours away from having no more work booked... the earliest on the horizon is (gasp!) January 2010 - and that's assuming the Artist in the Schools Program survives, and I win a grant (hopefully more than one...) That said, I do have money in the bank, and most people would love to be in my position - extended time off! For me the fears of the Abyss are about not having an intense and fulfilling focus, being lonely, getting bored or depressed. This chant was inspired by a friend who took me out to dinner last night for a "Night Before the Abyss" celebration. Some of the things I plan to fill the Abyss with include working on a CD will full arrangements of my songs, playing percussion in a new band that's just forming, studying music theory, becoming more proficient with performing live using the RC-50 looper, and growing body percussion skills.

LYRICS:

I'm standing on the edge of the abyss
remembering that it could be filled
with unexpected bliss
I am gonna jump right in
sustained by spirit and good friends

1..2..3..4..
D.C.DD.C.C.D