The reawakening of unknown textures of love has been a continuous presence throughout the four years it took to make this album. During this time, unpredictable life changes have occurred that deepen the meaning of longing for me and David. Likely, making this music helped us realize what we truly know: that music is in this world to quiet the mind and make it sensitive to divine intervention. As Rumi says, “Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”

—Silvia Nakkach

It was a great privilege to work with Silvia Nakkach, her wisdom, and her beautiful heart to make this music of the world. The journey that we created together will give the listener many kinds of experiences. Our collaboration merged Indian raga, jazz, contemporary, modern classical, and beautiful songs from many cultures. Sound Blessings All That Sounds.

—David Darling

ABOUT THE MUSIC

On the album In Love and Longing, Silvia Nakkach and David Darling take us on a tender and soulful voyage born of the romance between cello and voice. Like the play of Shiva and Shakti—the fundamental forces from whose indestructible union all creation flows—the cello and voice weave a cinematic tapestry of emotion. Together, cello and voice create a rich acoustic landscape filled with gentle movements that evoke sensuality, prayer, joy, and longing—the whole range of feeling.

The compositions draw from many places, many languages, and the voice is a musical instrument that crosses many cultural frontiers. Touching on genres as diverse as jazz, bossa nova, and Afro-Brazilian chant, as well as folk and classical traditions from around the world, the music unfolds beyond any category to create an open and spacious tone poem.

This music invites us, as listeners, to become alchemists who play with all the elements that create the music, as sound becomes image and image turns seamlessly to poetry. The sounds of the words of poetry in the compositions are emphasized more than their meaning. The intention is to invoke the intangible world of the spirit.

This is true art music, vivid and orchestral in scope, but full of subtle, microtonal movements—simultaneously an ode to love and intimate communion with all things. Love becomes the inquiry, the answer, and the life within the music. May listening open your heart to your own story, your own longing.

TRACK TITLES

1. Luar (Moonlighting) 2. Alma Divina (Divine Soul) 3. Missing You 4. Melting 5. Beyond Words 6. Adoro Voar (Loving to Fly) 7. Icaro Blue 8. Awakening 9. Indiago 10. Slowly

This longing you express

is the return message—Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

DEDICATION

in the memory of Michael Knapp, who is now playing music for God

In gratitude and unfolding grace to: Mayumi Oda, who first dreamed of this music collaboration, and Al Evers for his realistic support; Ryan Kleeman and Christopher Eickmann, who made this album their vision and launched into a mission of love and “editing” for more than two years; Coleman Barks for his infinite inspiration. Much appreciation goes to all the friends and musicians who give life and housed this music: Patricia Yenawine; Janis Phelps, Laura Duke; Cathy Coleman; Alba Lirio and Joseh Garcia; and the poets, teachers, and voices around the world who teach us how to listen. Special thanks goes to those who listened first and who continuously supported our creative journey: Tami Simon, Mitchell Clute, and Jennifer Brown from the divine Sounds True team.

Music composed, performed, and arranged by David Darling and Silvia Nakkach

Executive Producer: Silvia Nakkach

Producer: Christopher Eickmann

Additional Musicians:

Kit Walker, piano and sound design (tracks 1, 2 & 3)Christopher Willits, guitar (tracks 3, 6, 7 & 10)Steve Gorn, bansuri flutes (track 10)Christopher Eickmann, percussion and sound design (tracks 6 & 7)

Recording Engineers:

Kit Walker @ Free House Music studios, Olema, CADavid Darling, assisted by Julius Holcott @ Camp David Studios, CTChristopher Eickmann @ Creative Scores & Magico Studios, Emeryville, CA

Mastering and other miracles: Ryan Kleeman @ Overlap Studios, Oakland, CA

Art Direction and design: Jennifer Miles

2. Alma Divina (Divine Soul)

Portuguese Lyrics

Alma DivinaHumildementeHumil–de-mente Sem mente-de-amar In mente-de-amar-se Por amor, por amar Sem mente HumildementeHumil–de-menteCa-den-te Ca-den-te . . . maisCantar por só cantar Amar por só amar Dia a diaPrevê-treve. Breve-treveSem começoAmar sem fimAmar por amarVida DivinaAlma Divina

Traditional Yoruba chant-salutation to Yoruba’s Orixá Oxum, messenger of spiritual elegance and sweetness

Ye Ye Ye, Ye Ye Ye XorodôE o Mà Solo Mà Fè-FèXorodô Xorodô XorodôOxum elola, Oxum elola

Alma DivinaYe Ye Ye YemanjaSegredos do marA cor do céu A linha espera A filha do MarA Rainha do MarMãe mãe mãe mãe do marEla é, Ela é, a Rainha, Rainha Alma DivinaGente FinaAlma DivinaAlma DivinaGente Fina Mãe mãe mãe da água

LYRICS

1. Luar (Moonlighting)

Portuguese Lyrics

Lua NovaLua Cheia Vida PassageiraAmante EsperaLua CheiaAmante EsperaEnamorada A Lua CheiaCura Cura . . . CuraráLua CheiaLua NovaLua CheiaVida PassageiraClareia

English Translation

New MoonFull MoonLife . . . ImpermanentA lover . . . WaitingFull MoonA lover . . . WaitingIn LoveFull MoonHeals, Heals . . . Will HealNew Moon Full MoonLife . . . ImpermanentFull MoonClear

of the WaterGoddess of the SeaImmensityBeginning without endMind-less-lyDivine Soul

3. Missing You

Portuguese Lyrics

Deixe livre soltar meu cantoDeixe a voz voar no arNo vento, no céu,nas nuvensserenasDo sopro . . . divinoDeixe livre soar meu prantoDeixe livre sair da voz o que eu sintoA voz que gritaa voz que esperaA voz que o ar . . . abraça e levaLongeLongeLonge

Se elevaNo incertoDeixe livre soltar meu cantoAlguém que escutaE ainda assim, eu canto

English Translation

Let my chant soar freeLet my voice flyThrough the wind, in the skyAmong sereneCloudsMade of divine breathLet my cry fly freeLet my voice free to express what I feelThe voice that criesThe voice that awaitsThe voice that the air embraces And carries awayFar, far awayFar, far awayFar, far away

Deusas do MarImenso Começo sem fimSem mente Alma Divina

English Translation

Divine SoulHumblyHumble-of-mindWithout mind. Mind-less-ly.Minded of loveDementia of lovingFor loveTo loveWithout mindHumblyHumble-of-mindLacking of moreSinging just to singLove just to love Day by DayLife Divine

Start anywhere Start anywhereLoving endlessly Loving just for loving Divine Soul

Ye Ye Ye, Ye Ye Ye Xorodô E o Mà Solo Mà Fè-FèXorodô Xorodô XorodôOxum elola, Oxum elola,

Divine SoulYe Ye Ye YemanjaSecrets of the seaColors of heavenAncestors waiting Daughter of the SeaQueen of the SeaMother, Mother, Mother of the Sea She is the QueenDivine SoulNice PeopleDivine SoulGente FinaMother, Mother, Mother

English Translation

If you call me I hold youIf you call meI let you goIf you call meI still come backLonging is not sadnessLonging is lovePlay that music made of . . . silk

Traditional salute to Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian Orixá Nana, the grandmother of all creation, messen-ger of calm and benevolence. Ewa is a divinity of song, of happy and alive things. Possessing a rare enchantment and beauty, she is the queen of meta-morphosis and transformation.

Eu sou de NanaEwe EwaEu sou de Nana

6. Adoro Voar (Loving to Fly)

I miss the way you loved meI miss the way we . . . were . . . togetherI miss the way you smiledI miss the way we played . . . togetherI miss the way you cared . . . for meI miss the way you made me feel . . . like a child bird

I miss the way you loved meI miss the way . . . to me

Living inside memoriesI miss my wayMemories returningIT’S A VOYAGEIT’S A VOYAGE

Faz de mim, um instrumento pra voar Faz de mim, um instrumento

HighIn the mystery of the uncertaintySomeone is listeningAnd even so…I am singing

4. Melting

Portuguese Lyrics

YemanjaOdoiáSereia do MarNo Fundo do AzulAzulNo Azul do Ar

Yemanja Odo, Yemanja Odoiá Odoiá

English Translation

Yemanja OdoiáSiren of the oceanIn the depth of the blueBlueWithin the blue of the air

Traditional salutation to Yoruba’s Orixá Yemanja, messenger of the power of the ocean and nurturing mother of all creation, Yemanja

Yemanja, Odo, Yemanja Odoiá Odoiá Yemanja Odoiá

5. Beyond Words

Portuguese Lyrics

Se Chamar Te Prendo Se Chamar Te Solto Se Chamar Ainda’Eu Volto Saudade não no é tristeza Saudade é amorToca essa musica ---- de seda Eu sou de NanaEwe Ewe’aEu sou de Nana

DesireScaredSilenceSkyGazing Dancing cloudsBlessing

I traded my sorrow For seedsAnd with my tears I planted a treeA tree of loveAnd memoryOut of this place and time I only can be . . . What you made of me

Marirí . . . Marirí . . . Marirí . . . Aye . . . Aye

Esencia cura cura Esencia curara

English Translation

Marirí: healing essence that heals and . . . will heal

8. Awakening

The lyrics and melody are from a traditional Yoruba chant. In the Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian Candomble tradition, the Orixás are intermediaries between the Creator and all beings. This is a salute to the Orixá Obàtálá, messenger of spiritual purity and pure light, creator of human bodies.

Ojó Ibió ReóEie Xanfo Oroxa XireOjó Ibió ReóEie Xanfo Oroxa Xire

pra voar para te ver . . . Faz de mim, um instrumento para mudar o tempo Faz de mim, um instrumento pra voar e te verDespertoEu adoro voar!Eu adoro voar!IT’S A VOYAGEI miss the way you love meI miss my way . . . to meAnswer my call! Set me free Set me freeOf you . . . and me

Make me an instrument to flyMake an instrument to fly and to see youMake me an instrument to change timeMake me an instrument to fly and to see you awake

I adore flying!I adore flying!

7. Icaro Blue

Icaros are healing chants and incantations dictated by the plants to the shaman, traditionally sung by the Shipibo people of the Peruvian Amazon.

It’s Love that lures me . . . to this placeIt’s Love that drags me . . . to this heart cage It’s Love that makes this Voice . . . SingSeeking you. Seeking you.It’s Love that enters this Mind stateIt’s Love that carries me awaySeeking you

Between heaven and oceansIt’s Love that takes me to other hearts

Ryan Kleeman and Christopher Eickmann at Overlap Studios, Oakland, CA

David’s Cello with clothes pins on Alma Divina

Kit Walker, David Darling & Julius Holcott at Camp David Studios, CT

Producer Christopher Eickmann on board

Silvia Nakkach is an author and award-winning composer who has released numerous albums. She is the founding director of the international Vox Mundi School of the Voice. She studied under the direction of the late Ali Akbar Khan for 29 years. For more information, visit voxmundiproject.com.

David Darling is a Grammy® Award-winning cellist who has released numerous solo albums, appeared on many acclaimed recordings, and performed with the Paul Winter Consort since 1970. He studied jazz performance at Berklee College of Music. For more information, visit daviddarling.com.

Ryan Kleeman and Silvia Nakkach, late night mastering

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