Anticipation
I have been anticipating this moment for a long time. Ten years have passed since I released ‘Melodies of the Nightingale’ with two close friends, Fiona Doomun-Rouhani and Michele Brown, and six years since I completed ‘Melodies of the Nightingale for the family’. And now my upcoming CD, ‘Fire and Gold’ is near completion – January 2008 is the release date! Please join our mailing list for updates. Working on this album with talented producer, Jarome Matthew, has been such a fascinating and exhilarating experience and a true gift. Let me describe for you how Jarome has lifted my music to greater heights. It is as though he has found a hidden gem and lovingly polished it to shine brightly so it can be appreciated to the fullest. You can hear some samples of the music on the Music page or Myspace Page. Here is a photo I took of the two of us in Jarome’s studio this past summer while recording in his studio. 
I’m so grateful to all the outstanding musicians who have contributed their talent on this CD (check out the links page for more details). The irony is that I haven’t met most of them as this project was created long-distance. I hope I will get a chance to thank them in person some day.The theme for ‘Fire and Gold’ is one that EVERYONE can relate to – the tests and difficulties in life and not one of us is exempt from these challenges. This is a quote from the Baha’i Writings that I rely on when I go through my own struggles. It is included as one of the tracks on ‘Fire and Gold’:“O Son of Man! Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.”I want to thank all of you who have listened to and enjoyed ‘Melodies of the Nightingale’ and ‘Melodies of the Nightingale for the family’ and for sharing how much it has affected your lives and friends you have shared it with. I hope that ‘Fire and Gold’ will continue to inspire you… I look forward to commenting more on the music and the potency of the words that I sing. They are truly soothing to the soul…I hope this blog is a source of inspiration to you and learning for me. I would love to hear your comments… Thought of the day: “When there is love nothing is too much trouble and there is always time.” Abdu’l-Baha
20 Comments
Elika, how wonderful it is that you have a blog and finally, your audience of so many years can not only find you but actually connect with you!
I am so excited for them because during the production of your incredible album, I have come to realize what a talented, amazing and kind yet courageous person you are, and I hope others can have the same pleasure to get to know you better as I have.
Thanks for your generous comments, you truly are a gem, as many have already witnessed through your glowing talents. Thank you for the opportunity to work on this project with you.
Thanks Jarome for your kind words. I so look forward to sharing ‘Fire and Gold’ with friends all over the world. Thanks for making it possible!
I love this quote about love by Abdu’l-Baha!
Dear Elika, What a wonderful album. It is sure to inspire and warm the hearts of the lovers of God everywhere, and as it is written. “They who recite the verses of the All-Merciful in the most melodious of tones will perceive in them that with which the sovereignty of earth and heaven can never be compared.” (Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 61)
Dear Elika joon !
We love Fire and Gold already ! We play it a number of times from your myspace page.
Oh yes ! and the message from the music does get home especially when the road gets rough !
Lots of prayers and support from our end. We admire your courage and commitment to sharing your talent with humanity. Peace and Blessings sister.
p/s Our appreciations to the other(behind the scene) talents that helped this project .Good work Jerome ,we miss you!
Dear Elika,
We really love your music. It was so nice to hear your music. I replayed it many times. The more I hear, the more I love it. I’m moved by the music and the words. You, the nightingale, have saved many souls with your melodious voice. We love you and miss you. We want to buy your album.
Love,
Michael and Meishi Haslip
I love your music, and I hope you will keep on making CDs.
Thanks Taraz love for allowing your mum to make music when she could be spending more time with you! Shirin, Kim, Auntieclare & Jon, Meishi & Michael – Your comments warm my heart and fill me with courage to create more. I am so thrilled to be able to share these pieces with you soon!
Dear dear Elika,
I always love your music!! Your music witnessed my growth and brought so much encouragement, comfort, love, steadfast…to my path of growing! I just can’t wait for this album to come out since I fell in love with “This is Faith” when I first heard it a few months ago.
Much love,
Betty
Betty dear, thank you for sharing how the CDs have affected you. You are such a gem and a dear friend. Can’t wait for you to hear the whole album very soon. 🙂
Dear Elika,
I love this music, it was really soothing and all my colleagues are waiting for the final CD that are in the progress now from the factory hope can here it asap all the very best to you.
All the very best from
Woon and Oops Studio Team
Thanks Woon! You and Zhou Cai have been so wonderful to work with and so accommodating with my requests. I appreciate your professional and high standards and the beautiful design work for the CD inlay and booklet. I look forward to seeing our work come to fruition very soon.
Dear Elika, we were very exited to listen to music from your 3rd CD “Fire and Gold”, we’re already your fans since we heard the prior CD’s.
Your music transcends national and cultural barriers and expresses purity love and hope. The lyrics and the music always lift our spirit.
Lots of love from Sigi and Boaz Guy
So wonderful to hear from you – Sigi and Boaz! Thanks for your loving words. I miss you all!
Dear Elly, Congratualtions on another great CD! Thanks for sharing your talents with the world and we look forward to receiving more. This is an example to so many, well done!
Lots of love, Atieno, Taraz, Andalib & Adwet in Botswana.
Thank you dear Atieno. It’s so wonderful to be in touch with you and the family once again. Hope we can connect soon somewhere either in Africa or China! Lots of love.
I am so proud of you, Elly dear. Your creativity, passion and determination is inspiring.
Dearest Elika, I am overjoyed that you are continuing to share your talents with the world. It was such a joy to work with you on your first CD. Your music is touching and inspiring, and I look forward to more to come! Lots of love, Fiona
Dearest Fiona, what a gift and pleasure it was working with you on ‘Melodies of the Nightingale’ and to have that chance to sing together. You have great talent dear one and I’m so glad that Sarah is following in her mum’s footsteps! Lots of love to you.
Dear Elika and family,
Well done and congratulations to you and to all who participated in making Fire and Gold what it is. What a precious gift????
Much love,
Rebecca.