I wrote this song about and for my family. There is some political references, but most of all it is about adoption and the greater meaning of family. Enjoy. [audio:https://dianedandeneau.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/01-The-Bond-thats-Called-Love.mp3|titles=01 The Bond that’s Called Love]  The Bond That’s Called Love, from the CD What Would You Do if You Knew You Were God?
Diane Dandeneau

I had the privilege to provide the special music for Unity of Boulder. I shared the video of Goldie, the Baby Golden Eagle that grew up in Meadow Park in Lyons, CO last summer. This service is wonderful and Syntysche Groverland Lierman delivered a powerful message. At the end I played the song Now. Thanks for listening.

Sweater – MP3  Demo

Capo on 7^th Fret Am, C G (Bridge F, Am G Am)

I have a sweater that keeps me warm
It’s soft to the touch and beautifully adorned
With sacred symbols first carved in the stone
Reminding me I’m not alone.

Made by a woman from high in the Andes
In the tradition of her mother before
Spinning the yarn from the family Alpacas
While her children play on the floor

I have a sweater that keeps me warm
It’s soft to the touch and beautifully adorned
With sacred symbols first carved in the stone
Reminding me that I am not alone.

Bought in a shop down in La Paz
Just after I was almost kidnapped
The shopkeeper said I was lucky to survive
I know I’m grateful to be alive

I have a sweater that keeps me warm
It’s soft to the touch and beautifully adorned
With sacred symbols first carved in the stone
Reminding me that I am not alone.

Bridge
I feel the love in her hands
Wrapped in the gift from the land
The Andes live in my dreams
As I feel the sacred me

I have a sweater that keeps me warm
It’s soft to the touch and beautifully adorned
With sacred symbols first carved in the stone
Reminding me that we are not alone.

I heard this story on NPR http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/139641794/where-generations-of-soldiers-healed-and-moved-on about Walter Read Hospital and it inspired me to write in my journal. In a few short hours, it turned into this song:

Why? By Diane Dandeneau

He once was six foot three, now he’s five foot two
Someone put a landmine in the path of his boots
His life has changed forever, as he waits for stumps to heal
The good news is they have for him new feet made of steel

One of the lucky ones, he has a life to live
Wants to raise a family, would like to coach some kids
The interviewer asks him, can’t that dream still come true?
He hesitates… saying yes… not sounding very sure

Chorus
He’s a hero to his county
A hero to his wife
But no-one asks the question…
Why?

I listen to this story on NPR
Wondering why the real question’s left on the floor?
In this crazy world there must be another way
To deal with the insanity, than playing these deadly games

Chorus

For it is the economy that really matters now
The more it grows the more we need to protect what is ours
We should all be grateful to those we sacrifice
Their lives and limbs to protect our privileged, cushy lives

Bridge
Can we hear him crying late in the night
And feel the pain that’s shattering all of our lives?

Chorus

I have finally put all the pieces together from my documentation of “Goldie”, the golden eaglet that grew up in Meadow Park last year. The music is from my new CD: What Would You Do if You Knew You Were God?. The Filming is from my April 16th CD Release Concert and Art Show and from Meadow Park. Photos from many wonderful photographers. Please leave your comments!

Artist: Diane Dandeneau
Album: What Would You Do If You Knew You Were God?
Review by Bobby Jo Valentine, Award Winning Singer/Songwriter and Music Reviewer

Diane Dandeneau approaches music with a purpose in her debut album “What Would You Do if You Knew You Were God.”  Mixing folk-styled standards with positive uplifting messages, Diane has put together a collection of songs filled with honesty, charm, and depth.  The guitar parts are solid, the percussion is creative and bright, and the lyrics have moments of both sweetness and depth. For listeners looking for a pleasant listen and uplifting lyrics, Diane’s new album serves them up a musical meal that will delight and enchant.

Diane displays some wonderful wisdom and great vocal harmonies in “One Heart of Man,” a story about the unified spirituality of the human race.  I’ve gone to the ends of the earth/In search of who I am/and what I found were a million mirrors/to the one heart of man.  All of the lyrics are solid, the observations are honest, and Diane’s pure and honest vocals tell the listener that this is a song that Diane hasn’t just written; it is a story that she has experienced.  Pleasant, well arranged, and powerful, “One Heart of Man” is one of the highlights of the album.

“12 String Guitar” is a sweet, catchy story-song about being in love with music and the tendency that life has to take people away from doing what they love.  Diane tells the story of coming back to music after a long hiatus, and realizing that it was what she wanted to do with her life, and proves it with a wonderful rolling Irish rhythm, and another great song.  A profound question is asked in “What Would You Do If You Knew You Were God,” an interesting moral tale wrapped in a medieval rhythm and more positive messages about life and its mysteries.  The dance with the darkness allures and appears to be the way of the world and its fears.  When you shine the light on the truth, you realize that it’s all a ruse.

The album flows smoothly through the different stories, and maintains a good quality and a pleasant sound throughout.  “Don’t Be Afraid of Love” is a beautiful, haunting lullaby about not running away from love.  There are some wonderful instrument pieces here, with a mandolin plucking away in the background, and a haunting, deep bass sound in the distance.  “She Played Her Guitar” is a quirky, fun biography about the life of a singer/songwriter and the difficulty of getting noticed in a world where the gap between famous and unknown is often large and uncrossable.  She plays her guitar for the dogs/now that the cat is dead and gone/they usually sleep right through the songs/while the neighbor dog sings along.  The song ends with a confident and uplifting invitation to play despite the number of people who may or may not hear you.

All the tracks are pleasant, but a few more stick out as memorable and noteworthy.  Diane shows some great songwriting skill in “Quilts,” a wonderful and haunting piece of poetry about the simple beauties and struggles of a typical family’s life.  “Quilts” has a great introduction, with a guitar being finger-picked and soft cymbal accents bringing the listener into a story of local gossips gathered around in a sewing circle.  Diane observes each patch and sewing project, their details giving clues to what’s actually going on in the clothing-wearer’s lives.  Beautiful, soft, and emotionally profound, “Quilts” is easily the best track on the album.  “The Bond That’s Called Love” is another haunting and uplifting tune, with an Irish guitar rhythm and Diane’s lyrics taking the listener through a tale of love that goes deeper than a contract or approval form.  Addressing issues of sexual discrimination gently, but firmly, Diane speaks with strength and conviction.

Diane has accomplished a great feat in this album; She teaches principles and spiritual lessons without wandering into territory too familiar, or using lyrics that the listener has already heard before.  Focused, gentle, pleasant, and genuine, “What Would You Do If You Knew You Were God” will be sure to attract new fans to the inspiring work of Diane Dandeneau.

Review by Bobby Jo Valentine
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Thank you to everyone who has come to my concerts and/or purchased my CD.  I would love to get your thoughts and feelings about my music, CD and/or specific songs.  Since everyone’s time is so valuable, I have decided to give an 8 x 10 print of Goldie, the fledgling golden eagle to everyone who takes the time to write a review for me (even the critical one’s).

Please put your address in the post and I will write it down then remove it before I approve it.  It will not be posted to the public.

Thanks for your help and feedback.  I truly want to get this music introduced to the people who will appreciate it and want to hear it.  Your suggestions as to where I can introduce it would be great.

Blessings,

Diane

I wrote this song a few years ago as a commentary on the debate about climate change and protecting our environment.  Now that the Space Shuttle program is being retired, I hope that we can use this opportunity to shift the conversation to focus on protecting our only home. Listen here:  Shuttle Song.  This song is from my CD:  What Would You Do if You Knew You Were God?.  Below are the lyrics.

Don’t retire the shuttle yet, we’ve got somewhere to go
We have got to find ourselves another home
For we’re using up this one as fast as we can
And we don’t seem to have ourselves another plan

Why do we think we need so much?
Did happiness come with all this stuff?

Chorus:
Fly me home, is there somewhere else that I would rather roam?
Fly me home, is there someplace better to call home?

So now I am asking, would you mind sharin’ a bit
I think we can find a way to resolve this
For I believe we’re smart enough to make it be alright
It’ll just take the left hand working with the right

So why are we fighting over stuff?
Don’t we know that all we really want is love?

Chorus

Please retire the shuttle, there’s nowhere else I want go.
Let’s keep all those scientists workin’ here at home
For we have Mother Nature, the water, earth and sun
And she will teach us how to live with everyone

Then we will remember who we are
A part of everything and made of the stars

Chorus

Wait!
Don’t retire the shuttle yet, we’ve one more trip to make
We need a photo of our home, from outer space

For when we look at everything together all at once
We will see the truth that we’re all part of one
We will see the truth that we are part of one
We will see the truth….

Then Fly me home, there is nowhere else that I would rather roam
Fly me home, there is no place better to call home

Diane Dandeneau, lead vocals, 6-string guitar;  Erin Schey, background vocals; Tyler Grant, 6-string guitar, mandolin; Brian Schey, bass, background vocals, tambourine; Brian McRae, drums and percussion

April 16th CD Release party was amazing.  Here are some wonderful photos.

I wrote this song in 2004, shortly after I got my 12 string guitar.  It is about shifting our perspective of life to realize that we have chosen to come here and have chosen to play the game.  Here are the Lyrics. 

Welcome to the Party
by Diane Dandeneau

Welcome to the Party
Welcome to the Game
I know it is crazy
It seems quite insane
But there’s something about it
That allures all the same
We’ve chosen to come here
Chosen to play the Game

So you buy you a ticket
And climb on the Train
It’s going somewhere
Life is the place
So you find you a family
Find your own space
Learn your new part
And walk out onto the stage

Create a story create a life
Searching for something wondering why

Welcome to the Carnival
Welcome to the show
You’ve been given amnesia
So you don’t know
That you write the story
You create the plot
You think you’re a spectator
Ha Ha! Sorry, you’re not

Wondering why we have come
Searching for something, could it be love?

We think it’s about winning
Making money, reaching goals
Protecting our own families
Playing out our roles
We live pursuing happiness
Buying things to fill our homes
It seems so illusive
We wonder why we feel alone

But we’re never alone
Wake up its time to come home

Finding the love
That lives in our hearts
Is all that there is
It’s all it’s about
So let’s change the story
and how we play the game
and take off our costumes
And walk off the stage

Remembering why we have come
Knowing that it is just to love

Welcome to the Party
Welcome to the Game
I know it is crazy
It seems quite insane
But there’s something about it
That allures all the same
We’ve chosen to come here
Chosen to play the Game

Knowing why we have come
Remembering it is just to Love
Knowing why we have come
Remembering we are all One

Diane Dandeneau, lead vocals, 12-string guitar; Erin Schey, organ, background vocals; Tyler Grant, 6-string guitar; Brian Schey, bass; Brian McRae, drums

What Would You Do if You Knew You Were God? is my first CD with songs about my personal journey of awakening. I believe it is a mirror for all of our journey’s and I hope can inspire everyone who listens to touch a deeper part of themselves. I am going to be publishing the lyrics and more about each song here in my Blog. I would love your feedback. Hear samples at http://www.cdbaby.com/dianedandeneau or on iTunes.

Goldie

Golden Eaglet Update  July 27, 2010 by Diane Dandeneau

It is official.  I am obsessed.  I have been sitting in Meadow Park, Lyons, Colorado for hours almost every day for the past month watching and videotaping a baby golden eaglet (now named “Goldie”) as she transforms from a scruffy baby into a beautiful youth.   It has been an amazing experience watching her in the nest; and now fledged, as she’s perched on a ledge about 200 feet away.

We (the eagle watchers) believe the eaglet was born with a sibling sometime in May, but she was the only chick to survive.  I started watching her around June 25^th.  Goldie was almost the size of the parents with a white head, legs, and black body feathers with white spots all over.  When I came back a week later, her head was black and body more filled in.

Ellen, the park host, said that this was the first year in 3 that the nest has been used. I also heard that this nest is recorded to have been in use for at least 100 years.  It is a perfect spot in the cliff with protection from the sun, weather and predators.  The only downfall, literally, is that the first step is about a 200 foot drop.  The other challenge for the eagles is that Meadow Park is always busy, especially during summer months.  She seems to be doing fine and the parents stay close by, despite the human activity and noise below. We will see what they think about the neighborhood and if they decide to return next year.

I started video taping her on the July 4^th weekend.  Based on other reports, Goldie was expected to fly any day,  but my friend and Lyons resident, Jonathan Stacey, an eagle specialist, said she had a couple more weeks to go.

It has been wonderful watching her.  I have hours of video of Goldie sitting, watching and squawking.  Occasionally, she will thrill me with a stretch of her wings or a practice flapping… usually after she poops.  I have one video of her flapping her wings and almost falling out of the nest!  You can hear me shriek, followed by her squawk.

I had a trip scheduled for the weekend of the 22^nd through the 25^th, so I missed her maiden flight, reported on Saturday, July 24^th, around 2:00 PM.  When I returned on Monday I spoke with a gentleman named Patrick, who saw her leave the nest.  He said that both parents were around; one flew into the nest, then out and flew to the ridge to the east of the nest.  Goldie followed and landed on a ledge just below the top.  Patrick reported that one had a fish for her.

It is now Tuesday, July 27th, and Goldie is still in residence in the Meadow Park cliffs (photos and video on my blog).

It has been fascinating for me to witness the interaction between the baby eaglet and the parents.  Goldie would be watching the sky for hours, squawking sporadically.  She would be staring in one direction, squawking intensely. Suddenly one of the parents would fly across the field, with wings tucked then flair to enter the nest.  He or she would drop off some food, quickly leave and land on a nearby ledge. Periodically, the parents would just cruise by, sometimes landing, sometimes not, then fly off.  Jonathan said they would be attempting to wean her to encourage her to leave.  We have been worried, especially with the heat, that she had enough food and water, but mom and dad seem to know what they are doing. Goldie looks fine.

It has been really fun to share Goldie with my family and friends and the many visitors to Meadow Park.  People are curious; they want to know, “what are you looking at?” Most are excited to hear that it is a golden eaglet and are eager to look through my binoculars. (I am sitting in Meadow Park watching her as I’m writing this and she just flapped her wings like she was going to fly. I just got a bit of an adrenaline rush!).

Many people have asked why I call her “she”.  It has been an interesting study in human behavior. First, I just wanted to and wanted to see how many people would ask.  If I had called Goldie a “he”, I’m sure noone would question me. Just about everyone comments, either just asking how I know that she is female, or commenting that they liked it.  I do have another reason: I saw her next to one of her parents and she looked bigger.  Since the females are typically larger than the males, I concluded that she could be female.

I have been blogging about Goldie (www.dianedandeneau.com/blog) and have posted some wonderful photos from some of the other photographers, as well as some of my videos.  I am editing all the footage, and will be putting together a longer, finished piece.  If you have some photos of Goldie you want to share please let me know.  I would love to add them to the site.  Email me at [email protected].  Sign up for the RSS feed to get the updates.

Goldie has so inspired me that I wrote a song for her.  The lyrics could also be for all of us who are called to step up to the next great thing in our lives.  The recording will be on my website soon.

Here are the lyrics.

“Fly baby Fly” by Diane Dandeneau © 2010

There is something that looms before you now
Something that’s greater than you’ve ever done before
The time is upon you, and you’re standing on the Ledge
Are you ready, to take that Step?

You’ve been preparing for this all your life
The stars are shining on you and perfectly aligned
Follow your heart, and you will know how to begin
For it is time to trust the wind.

Chorus:

Fly baby fly.  Where you belong is up in the sky.
If you stay here you’ll (surely) die.
For you were born, you were born to fly.

It’s a long way down and I’m sure you are afraid.
So this is the time you must rely on faith
Remember who you are and what you’re meant to bring,
Look behind you, you have wings

Chorus

You are loved and you have so much support
And there are many who long to see you soar
For it is through your life that you will inspire
And show us all how to reach higher.

Chorus x 2

Diane Dandeneau is a Lyons resident and is the co-founder of the Green Heart Institute. She is now the Chair of the Lyons Sustainable Futures Commission.  It is her love of nature that inspires her work and life. Diane is now a leadership and personal transformation coach as well as an environmental and business consultant, singer, songwriter, speaker, and artist.

About 6 years ago I was listening to the radio in my art studio and heard that the Paul Winter Consort was going to be playing that night in Fort Collins.  I have loved Paul Winter since early college, so I called hoping that there were some tickets left.  The woman on the phone said I was in luck, there were two. One was front row center, and would I like it?

As I was walking out the door to head to the concert my friend Mystie called about some art project, and I said, “I can’t talk know, I’m heading to see Paul Winter”.  She said, “oh, his cellist, Stephen Katz, is a friend of mine and I’m having breakfast with him tomorrow.”  I told her there was one more ticket available for the concert and that she should come with me.  So, she got the ticket and we were on our way.

The concert was amazing.  I had the Paul Winter Consort playing just for me, and was swept away by the music.  Then at intermission we got a note from Stephen that we could come back stage after the Concert.  So the second half, I sat there even more excited knowing that I would soon be meeting Paul Winter – and Mystie’s friend Stephen!

Well, the meeting was wonderful.  Paul was great and Stephen invited me to join them for breakfast the next day.

The following day, I got to spend some time with Stephen, who is a sweet and gentle soul.  I heard some of his own amazing cello music, and was so inspired.  My heart was so full of love for the music yet rather sad too.

You see I have been playing guitar since I was 12 years old, but had this old 12 string guitar that was practically impossible to play.  So, I pretty much gave it up.  I didn’t think I could play, nor did I feel I had an aptitude for music, as much as I loved it.

So on the way home with my Mystie, I was telling her (more like whining to her) that I so loved music but just had this old guitar and really couldn’t play it.  She said to me, “Diane, why don’t you get yourself a nice guitar”?  I just said, “oh, that’s a good idea”.

So a week later, I walked into Wildwood Guitars and picked up a beautiful Taylor 12 string guitar, sat down, and started playing it like I had been playing all my life.  I couldn’t believe it.  So, I took home a beautiful new guitar and started playing and writing songs with the enthusiasm of a child discovering a new skill she didn’t even know she had.

Now, 6 years later, I have written 27 songs, am working on a CD, and have done several concerts including my first house concert on January 30th..  The full circle to this story is that Mystie was at my concert, where I played my song:  12 sting guitar, which is about her and this story.  The other amazing part is that Mystie said the Stephen was in town, and that he was having a house concert on Thursday, and asked if I wanted to go.   So, I got to see Stephen again and hear him playing his incredible Flying Pizzacato cello style and was again inspired.  For he pushes the boundaries of what can be one with the cello and is exploring new territory.  He is for me inspirational on many levels as he brings his heart and soul and love and expresses it through his music and life.

I am so grateful for all my teachers and inspirational friends.  I believe are all here so share the best was can be and to learn from and inspire each other.

Visit Stephen at: http://www.stephenkatzmusic.com