Magical Liquid Droplets

Today the sky unfurled magical liquid droplets that danced upon my face. I became transfixed by its glory.

- I love the smell of a wet day
-The way it makes you want to cuddle close to your lover
-To me, rainfall is enchanting. I can watch it all day and succumb to its magnificent powers.

History's Greatest Art Patron

THE Renaissance was the golden age of European history where artistic achievements, humanistic studies, engineering development and scientific inventions all happened almost at once. Contributing more than anyone to the flowering of Florentine genius in the late 15th century was Lorenzo the Magnificent, head of the Medici banking family and unofficial head of the government of Florence; supporting such giants as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Sandro Botticelli, Filippino Lippi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Andrea del Verrocchio.

Lorenzo de'Medici was the original Renaissance Man before such a term ever existed.

He was an enthusiastic patron of artists, musicians, architects and scholars. In fact, when Michelangelo was a boy, Lorenzo recognised his genius, and supported him financially for four years; bringing him into his household, Michelangelo was treated as a member of the family, eating at the same table with the Medici family and having his own room in their house. It was this exposure and connection to the family that gave Michelangelo an opportunity for unrestricted access to one of the greatest collections of art and literature from antiquity, heavily influenced his works, and ensured him a lifetime of commissions.

Lorenzo was a genuine art lover and had a considerable personal knowledge too about painting, poetry and music; he wrote some remarkable poetry of varied style and subject in his native Tuscan, and was one of the first to appreciate Classical Works. Unfailingly generous and considerate to the artists that he sponsored, even when he could scarcely afford it, Lorenzo kept the Medici Palace and Gardens open to the talented ones. Under him Florence saw an artistic revolution unparalleled in the rest of Europe.

It was also his interest in music composition that led to the development of the early Madrigal. Some of the musicians that he patronized such as the Organist Squarcialupi and the composer Heinrich Isaak became famous all over Europe and people flocked to Florence in order to hear them.




“How beautiful is youth, that is always slipping away! Whoever wants to be happy, let him be so: about tomorrow there’s no knowing.”- LORENZO DE MEDICI

Writing Surge

I have been completely engrossed in writing for the past two months straight. Just this morning I’ve had a moment to reflect… so pleased.

Near the beginning of this writing surge I had written nine songs, one after the other. It was kind of like blast writing. Not being completely satisfied, I continued on; and wrote four more…these four I noticed a special sparkle that I had not experienced before. My voice was able to breathe and the real Alisa emerged thru the song. The previous music was rich in meaning to me but Alisa was not there.

Now after composing five more (after the last four) I am thrilled. In fact, two of these we chose to put special effort into….going full-out on the production.

Recently it has been extremely intense with the last two songs as we started production in one studio; working almost a full week of 12 -16 hr days…then decided to scrap it all and re-record somewhere else. It was a tragedy; the music took a turn and no longer sounded or felt the way they were intended to. I felt like I was being held underwater feverishly trying to make it to the surface.

After starting over again, the music lives!! In fact, I stopped and smelled the roses this weekend… there is a rose garden next to the ocean in Santa Monica and Terry and I stopped there the other night to listen to the crashing ocean and enjoy the fluffy pink roses. Some of them smelled so amazing that I must have had my nose in them for hours.

But I can now say after reaching the surface to breathe, these new songs are something very special.

My producer Richard Perry just got back into town after being away for a week retreat at his girlfriend’s ranch in New Mexico. His girlfriend is Ms. Jane Fonda. I’m really excited to get back with him this week to show him my new creations.

What creating and writing means to me. ….When creating, part of my mission is to be a voice of compassion to those that need comfort and strength…including myself. To write songs and poems that enriches the soul. I yearn for love to be spread, for smiles to glow and for connections of the heart to be made.

Thank you for being part of life with me. Xx

My Childhood Fascination with Unicorns

As a young child growing up in Cleveland, Ohio I felt a bit closed in. Fantasy and enchantment was no where to be found in my house. So once I learned about the magical unicorn I was in heaven. For me the unicorn stood for freedom, beauty and power…three things I yearned for so deeply.

When my dad got an apartment, I chose a picture of a unicorn to adorn my bedroom wall. Recently I found that same picture online. I was shaken when I saw it, as I never realized that the unicorn in the tapestry was fenced in; trapped. It is named “The Unicorn In Captivity” …I must have felt that was me.

The picture you see here is the exact tapestry I am referring to. It’s actually a series of seven tapestries named “The Hunt of The Unicorn” dating from 1495–1505. The tapestries show a group of noblemen and hunters in pursuit of a unicorn. It is believed to have come from a culture in the Southern Netherlands.

Although I had a special bond with this creature, it wasn’t until a few days ago that I learned so much more about her.

Some interesting facts…
- The unicorn is found in the coat of arms for both United Kingdom and Scotland. Usually shown collard with a broken chain attached – shows broken free from its bondage and can not be taken again.
- Denmark royal thrones were made of “unicorn horns” and the same material was used for ceremonial cups because the horn was believed to neutralize poison.
- In religious art the unicorn falls asleep on the Virgin Mary’s lap as it was known to only be tamed by a Virgin; thus can only be mounted by virgins.
- A grouping of unicorns = a blessing of unicorns
- Only be captured by unfair means
- A unicorn symbolizes love, truth, purity, freedom, chase love, faithful marriage, protection from evil, pride, and they stand on their own
- They are fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary & mysteriously beautiful

So I have just written a song called LOVE IS A UNICORN.

Music Makes Me Real

Music makes me real
I write because I must
I sing to unlock the gates from within
to feel the hand of trust

If music was not a part of me
I would cease to be free
For everything that I love has song around it and within it
From my lover's echoing voice, to a child making his first grown-up choice

Oh music be my light and shine for me every day that I write
You are my hero, the savior of my soul
I bask in your delight

Beauty on the surface

Beauty on the surface 

it passes and fades 

While the beauty of life within,

grows with magnificent complexity; 

beyond a counted amount.

AA

Upper Crust

Recently I have been introduced to the upper crust of America and this is what I have to say....

Don't be Fortune's Fool.

Fill Your Heart with Love not Vanity.

xx AA