What People are saying about Red Alabaster and Blue: “Celia’s songs are all stories. They touch the heart. They make one think…. (“Red, Alabaster and Blue”, and “Symbol”). Sometimes they bring tears (“Quan Yin”), and sometimes a smile and memories (“Porch Song”). Celia is a bright light and a talented treasure.” -Ann Wondra, Life Coach and co-founder of Kindred Spirit Coaching & Wellness “I ABSOLUTELY *LOVE* CELIA'S NEW RELEASE "RED ALABASTER AND BLUE"... It moves my heart in ways both high and deep... CELIA BENDS HER WORDS AND VOICE IN THE MOST DELICIOUS WAYS!!!!” - Melissa, Fan “I just received my limited edition RED ALABASTER AND BLUE and WOW! This album is pure Celia, each song ---- yet each song is refreshingly different. Having this CD in your collection should be a must. Thanks, C and crew.” - J. "I am RELISHING in Red Alabaster and Blue. I find it not only musically excellent, but challenging, inspiring and affirming." - Miguel de Jesus, Fan "I LOVE the new album. The title song brings tears to my eyes every time (literally, EVERY time) I hear it!" - Reed Cockrell, Fan “I love Celia’s new CD! I cried when I listened to it… it is so beautiful. Thank you for your work Celia, this album is incredibly moving.” - Lisa, A Fan Red Alabaster and Blue Liner notes: 1.) Red Alabaster & Blue: I dedicate this song to all the Americans who are not getting their story told on Fox News. “My hair is red, skin’s alabaster and I’m Blue. And I’m an American too!” FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/redalablue.htm 2.) Unlucky One: When you believe it to be true love….. When it burns and haunts and lingers….. When it visits you in dreams…… Let Go. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/unluckyone.htm 3.) Porch Song: I wrote this song after a chance meeting with an old colleague on the Porch of the General Store in Spring Green, WI. It was the HOTTEST day of the summer and yet we sat on that porch sweating our fannies off without the modern convenience of air conditioning…happy as clams to be inspired by each other’s vitality. NOTE: To let you in on the inside joke. My mother, Cecilia Farran, owns a shop called 43/90 North Earth across from the General Store. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/porchsong.htm Quan Yin: I was traveling thru Ann Arbor Michigan and met the man who adopted Baby Jessica (Jan) and then lost her in a custody battle with the birth parents. He started a non profit called Hear My Voice to help others (and especially the children) in this situation. The next day the host I stayed with in Lansing, MI (Lea) told me the same thing happened in her family. On the third day my dear friend Lori told me that the same thing was happening in her family with her granddaughter Morrigan. At this same time I was introduced to the Goddess Quan Yin. Quan Yin is the Goddess of Compassion. She is the Goddess of Mercy and the Goddess of protecting our children. I took all these elements and combined them to write “Quan Yin”. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/quanyin.htm Acid Rain: Believe it or not, I started writing this song when I was in high school. I was on a field trip to NYC with the Drama Club and as the NY rain soaked my hair and skin I wrote…”Look to the skies and taste the acid rain. Look to my eyes, look away, come back again.” The melody and words haunted me for the longest time. After living in NYC in my 20’s and a great deal more experience the lyrics fleshed out and became “Acid Rain”. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/acidrain.htm Symbol: When I heard the story of Sgt. Patrick Stewart (A Wiccan Soldier) being denied his Pentacle as his emblem of belief on his grave marker I was STUNNED. I had to ask…What country am I living in? And What happened to Freedom of Religion? And Who’s freedoms are we fighting FOR? I came to the conclusion that it is simply NOT okay for our Non-Christian soldiers to fight and die for this country and continue to be denied who they truly ARE. “Symbol” has been named the Anthem for the Pentacle Quest by Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary. I am very proud to be among the core of fine citizens who fought to see the Pentacle as an option for our deceased Wiccan Veterans. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/symbol.htm Strings on Our Kings: In Celtic times the King was as virtuous and only as virtuous as his relationship to the Goddess…or the land. If the King treated the Goddess with respect and honor there was much abundance for his people. If not, there was struggle, strife and ….War. The King had to be perfect to rule. That means he had to have perfect eye site, no battle scars and he had to be able to complete a full sentence in his native language. Hmm….makes you wonder. If the King was not perfect it was law that he would step down. Now, there was one person who had a bit more power than the king and that was the Bard. The Bard. The Keeper of the traditions, the Storyteller, the Shaman. If the Bard felt that the King was not treating the Goddess with respect then the Bard could create a poem, or story, or song that was so powerful that it would cause an imperfection in the King and force him to step down. The deep truth I see in this is….never piss off an artist!:) I wrote “Strings on Our Kings” as if I was projected into an ideal and positive future. Then I looked back at now. Wasn’t it strange when there were Strings on our Kings? FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: 8.) Shadow: For all the little boys and girls who grew up in the shade of the bottle. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/shadow.htm 9.) Simple Question: Inspired by a coffee meeting with my NYC friend (Chris). A reminder to live in joy regardless of the external circumstances. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/simplequestion.htm 10.) Shine Your Light: Dedicated to my brother, Banjo Marty. I celebrate his life by letting go and forgiving on every level I know how. FOR LYRICS AND MUSICIANS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/shineyourlight.htm 11.) We’ll Always Sing: Inspired by the events of 9-11. When I lived in NYC I worked in the towers for a short time. This song is about taking adversity and turning it into opportunity. Had timing been different I might not be here now. This song was originally intended to be on my “Breathe” album but got cut for budget reasons. My dream at that time was to invite The Different Drums of Ireland to play on it. I was sad that it did not make “Breathe” but the circumstances made it possible to include the Different Drums and make it the final track on Red Alabaster & Blue. One of my favorite parts is the Lambeg Drum. I think we rattled the building up to the 10th floor and we were in the basement! FOR MUSIC AND LYRICS: http://www.celiaonline.com/lyrics/wellalwayssing.htm