An inspirational "mini-album" from folk/rocker JP Taylor celebrating wild creatures, wild places, and the natural magic of nature.

5 MP3 Songs in this album (16:39) !
Related styles: Folk: Folk-Rock, Rock: Soft Rock, Solo Male Artist

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Details:
The old saying âturning over a new leafâ can have lots of meanings; taking a new direction, making a fresh start, or even a reformation after seeing an error in oneâs judgment. In some ways this album is meant to represent all of these.

For me itâs meant taking a simpler approach to my songwriting, recording, and production, and getting to the heart of what each song is about â my new approach to being a songwriter and singer.

I think it also represents a hopefulness that more people will âturn over a new leafâ by beginning to care about the wild creatures and wild places on our beautiful planet, and leave behind the constant quest for more and better âthingsâ to make them happy. In todayâs world where thereâs an âappâ for everything, and new devices to keep us connected, doesnât it seem that we are becoming alarmingly disconnected from nature?

We need to reconnect with the real world â before itâs too late. We need to turn over âA New Leafâ and live our lives more in-tune with all the other living things that share this planet with us. There is a natural magic for all of us to rediscover if we will just open our eyes, minds, and hearts to it.

"Do You Want to Go?" written in the summer of 2011 in North Carolina, was inspired by my anticipation of returning to Mt. Mitchell, near Asheville. Itâs the highest point in the United States east of the Mississippi River â a great hike up to the top and a truly magical view from the summit.

I began writing "Chimp Eden" in the spring of 2010, but left it unfinished after hearing the television show had been cancelled. I revisited the track a year later and decided it was important to remind people that, although the show was over, the chimps continue to need all the support we can give them. Itâs my salute to the Jane Goodall Instituteâs Chimp Eden and wonderful people working at primate sanctuaries around the world.

It was the issue of National Geographic featuring the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the keepers of the orphan elephants in Kenya that inspired me to write "Iâll Be There for You." Every time I see a photo or video of any of those dedicated men in the green trench coats and khaki hats I get emotional, inspired by what they do. They are heroes and deserve all our support and admiration.

"Peace on Earth" - Like many folks I am a big fan of reggae music, and love the songs of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, any others who helped make this upbeat music so popular. Having never written a real reggae-style song before, I thought Iâd have a go and focus on something that is positive and promotes responsibility and peace for all the creatures on the planet.

So while I was doing this musical âstretchingâ, I realized I had never written a song in ¾ time, basically a waltz, and figured the time had come for this challenge as well. For some reason Bob Dylan came to mind for this, and "Over and Over" came to life in fairly short order. The lyrics are intended to be realistic, but optimistic and hopeful that we can turn over âa new leafâ and begin to live more sustainably with the Earth.

For the wild creatures, the wild places, and the natural magic of nature,

JP