We wish every musician here on SoundCloud a Wondrous and Creative 2024!

❤️Love, 🕊️Peace, 🙏Respect

Here are the Liner Notes for this CD.

In the depths of musical exploration, where genre boundaries dissolve and creativity reigns supreme, emerges Shekinah Fire – a dynamic collaboration between improvisational pianist Gary Courtland-Miles and guitarist Tim Elliot. With their debut album, "Beyond Belief," they invite listeners on an exhilarating journey through a fusion of classical, jazz, and orchestral improvisational music.

Over the course of the past year, Courtland-Miles and Elliot have forged a partnership grounded in mutual trust, an unspoken agreement in spirit, and a fearless willingness to 'fall off musical cliffs together.' The result? Over 40 unique and passionately crafted compositions that defy categorization and transcend conventional reference points.

At the heart of Shekinah Fire's music lies a palpable sense of wonder, freshness, and authenticity. Each track unfolds with an undeniable sense of spontaneity, guided by the duo's intuitive connection and shared musical vision. Whether navigating intricate melodies or delving into soul-stirring improvisations, Courtland-Miles and Elliot infuse every note with heart and soul.

Recorded at "The Living Room" in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, "Beyond Belief" captures the raw energy and excitement of Shekinah Fire's live performances. Using only one stereo microphone, the album preserves the intimate atmosphere of the room, inviting listeners to immerse themselves fully in the magic of the moment.

Through a blend of electric and acoustic pianos and guitars, Courtland-Miles and Elliot weave a sonic tapestry that is as captivating as it is transcendent. Each composition is a testament to the duo's boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to artistic exploration.

So, dear listener, heed the call to adventure. Let go of preconceived notions and surrender to the spellbinding allure of Shekinah Fire's "Beyond Belief." For in the realm of music that is 'beyond belief,' there are no limits – only endless possibilities waiting to be discovered.

   🎹 🎶 🎸

Music © Gary Courtland-Miles & Tim Elliot 2023
           ℗  Gary Courtland-Miles & Tim Elliot 2023

Edited and Produced by © Anomon


Notes for this Track

Here's the 'abridged version' of Beyond Belief. Part One, so to speak.

As with most of our improvised music, it starts where Belief gives way to the Experience of Being in the moment and engaging in Deep Listening.

We trust you'll enJoy this latest of the 'musical conversations' Tim Elliot and I delight in whenever we have the chance.


For the full version go to : 
https://soundcloud.com/gary-courtland-miles/beyond-belief

Full Liner Notes are there.



© Gary Courtland-Miles & Tim Elliot 2023
℗ Gary Courtland-Miles 2023 & Tim Elliot 2023

Beyond Belief *

There's no doubt about it, Music animates my Soul, and as an enthusiastic student of Life as well as a passionate Improvisational Pianist &  Composer, as far as I'm concerned, our lives would be impoverished without it ! :)  Composing is all about 'Sharing the Joy, Passion and Angst' we experience in Life, as well as connecting with Musicians and 'Creatives' worldwide. This makes it even more wonderful!  That willingness to engage in whatever way makes SC an ever-expanding Movable Feast that nourishes and inspires on so many levels. 

Music Communicates the Emotional and Informational Content and Context of Heart, Mind, Spirit, and Soul. And 'Letting it Flow' is 'Where Its At' as I hear it!  

Over the past few years since becoming part of the SoundCloud Family, my 'Joy in and Passion for' Creative Musical Expression has increased exponentially as has my appreciation of all the wonderfully passionate Musicians and Creatives worldwide who have devoted themselves to Letting It Take Form! 

Here's a bit of a bio, if anyone is interested.  

Somehow, my MUSE got my attention at a tender age. About the time I was completing my Royal Conservatory training. 

My memory being poorer than most, I began improvising in the passages I had forgotten. And while the audience seemed unaware, my teacher chastised me indulgently, saying, "it appears I have a budding composer on my hands"!  And thus began my Odyssey into the wonderful Vibrational world of Sound!:-) In-deed, I have been an ardent, attentive and appreciative acolyte of my Muse ever since. 

During the early 1970s I had the pleasure and honour of a three year friendship and Master Class with the then Octogenarian Composer Manoah Leide-Tedesco , one of Tone Poem giant Richard Strauss` favorite pupils and friend of Maurice Ravel and other 20th century composers such as Stravinsky (whose music he helped popularize). Since then, whether Improvising, listening, studying composition or devoting myself wholly to the visual arts for years at a time, I have been deeply aware that sharing my musical insights , teaching, and or mentoring young aficionados came with the territory!   I love it, although I am afraid that as my consciousness expands...that I know less and less each year! :-)  

The Tonal Oasis called SoundCloud is a fine and wondrous place in oh so many ways.  And with your support and appreciation, I de-Light to share my music with an ever widening audience. I call what i upload ' Sound-Seeds'.  Most of these 'bed tracks' call out to be fleshed out by passionate soloists who somehow Resonate with my Soundz and Ideas.  So please drop me a line, as i am most interested in letting them bear more fruit through collaboration, interpretation, re-mixing or use in other media.    

And on a personal Note, a Huge Thank-You to each and all who listen, inJoy, and Re-Post onwards what finds it's way thru me! :) Bless y'all.  It's my Joy to simply 'Let' the Creative Spirit find expression through this instrument of Body, Mind, and Heart!  I hope you will find some peace, joy, and rest, in at least some of my improvisations, compositions, or soundz. 

Insofar as playing, and composing  ... as you continue on in Your journey into  the infinite 'Cave of Wonders' we call Music, I wish you all the very best in all Your creative endeavours. 

So Be Kind to yourSelves and one another. Be Audacious, Ready to Play, and above all, share the Joy of being able to express whatever you're feeling. 

In-deed, may The Muse continue to 'Sing on and Play on' through each of us !   For this is one way this 'ol world is lifted up, and Changed for the better - note by note, and smile by smile .  

 Yes, may we simply Let our Creativity flow forth without concern for results.
                                   Peace

                                    Gary *+*

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                       Pluto's atmosphere as seen recently by Horizon Spacecraft

New tracks tagged #Straight Up Improv