Prayer for Healing

A few moons ago a new sound came through my inner ear. It was different, gentler than the maqam music of the middle east that speaks to me so strongly. The guitar of the north african blues tradition is approached like some of the string instruments native to that region, the kora and the ngoni. The strings are inverted, the bass intruding at wonderfully unexpected places. I realized I had enough material that fit the bounds of this sound, and it was a sound the world needed right now, tender, loving, healing.

I invited dear collaborator Max ZT, and new friend Yacouba Sissoko, master of the kora, to lay down some gifts in honor of the new moon of Elul, season of spiritual attentiveness, approach to the new year. It was also the first time that I could see how the work of the pandemic had changed us. Musicians, most artists I imagine, holed up in our caves had the rare opportunity to arrive at greater mastery of our instruments. For me, the death of my teacher, Bassam Saba, was also a period of profound musical devotion, new subtleties in the fingers, deeper grasp of rhythm, parting gifts of the master.

There was a famous session with Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate, two of the giants. One night I stumbled into a youtube short on the session, Ali was saying they didn’t really rehearse much. He said to Toumani, I’ll hold it down, you go and get lost, don’t worry, I’ll be right where you left me. When I heard that I understood my place in this music. Earth for lift off. We spent two minutes going through the chords for each of the four tunes, then we hit record. 

This is half the band for the upcoming high holidays. We’ll be joined by Megan, Liron and David, on violin, percussion and bass, with some more special guests. I hope you’ll join us. We’re not messing around.

The lyrics for this beautiful prayer of healing were written by the 19th century Syrian hymnist Rafael Entebi.

Source of faith heal my pain

For you are a tender healer 

You are my guide, protector of my fragility

The one who gives my soul her strength.

Open the gates of compassion

Oh lofty dweller of heights

Let grace fall over your servant

For there is no love without you baby.

Living one desire my prayers 

Be moved to my aid

Cry freedom soon for all the children

Born to the great mother.