REVIEWS: MYTHICAL BEAUTY

“So great to hear again, that ancient beautiful mystery music…in superbly remastered form…We have plans to share it braodly and to listen even more closely.”  

 - J and L  Carmel, CA 

 

"Two things set this cassette apart from all else we offer. First it’s an album of songs rather than instrumental music: second, we recorded and produced ourselves, the only release to date on the HEARTS OF SPACE label. You’d expect us to be biased about this album, and here’s why.

Buddy Comfort is a pure and caring soul who lives among the redwood trees, has an absolutely gorgeous voice, and is a very accomplished musician and songwriter. Of all the singers we’ve encountered in our area in the last ten years, Buddy has consistently moved us the most.

Basically a folk artist and balladeer, his songs have an expanded frame of reference in time and space we call “Cosmic Folk.” His subjects are not yesterday’s news; nor is he concerned with simple nostalgia for our lost 19th century whatever.

Rather, he looks deeper and farther – to the age of myth, the kingdom of nature and sky. Stephen Davis of New Age Magazine called this album “lovely and heartfelt, holding a torch for mythic romance and a child’s reverence for the earth.”

In 1981 we invited Buddy to join us for a special concert-on-the-air. His performance that day was so fine that we found we had captured six of the songs on this album. The rest were carefully recorded in our studio and Buddy Comfort, Mythical Beauty is the result, a tender combination of sensitive lyrics with acoustic guitar, viola, flute, and soprano sax.

If you loved early Joni Mitchell or Judy Collins albums and mourned their “progress” you will find a kindred spirit in Buddy Comfort.

Galadriel, Everybody Loves the Sky, All the Seasons of Your Heart, Spring Song, Moon Over Valley House, Angels in Embryo, Any Tree With a Bird in It, If I Were a Bird, Swallow, Keepers of the Garden."

 - Anna Turner and Stephen Hill - Music From the Hearts of Space Catalog - 1984

 

"The only way we can hope to describe Buddy is to wax somewhat poetic.  

He is a paradox ... an alchemical balladeer whose voice glows with the golden warmth of the sun and silver serenity of moonlight.

His vision embraces the majesty of the Earth and the mystery of the Cosmos.  He weaves Inner and Outerspace into a tapestry of Unity.

With the magic of mythical Merlin he heralds the dawn of a new age,

touching and healing body, mind, and spirit with love and reverence for all Creation.  

With sublime lyrical sound he reminds us of that which we truly know in the depths of silence."   

 - Wil Noffke - New Horizons Radio / Shared Visions - Berkeley, CA 

 

"This beautiful collection of original ballads and soothing songs is a real treat for folk music fans.  Buddy sings softly, intimately, 

and with subtlety. His rich voice along with gentle background music and sensitive lyrics, creates a sense of being nurtured and healed.  

It is music to wrap around yourself like a warm blanket.  The subtitle describes it well; Heartsongs, mythical beauty, deep love for the Earth."   

It embraces a universal spiritual focus, with a bit of Christian imagery. 

Angels in Embryo is like a lullaby, spiced with a little saxophone jazz, sending us a sweet blessing: "We are angels in embryo with our love wings will 

grow ... May the Christ child within your heart show his love through you.

“If I Were A Bird” is a sweet song of love, with quiet guitar and flute: "if I were a cloud I'd lift up your eyes to a sky full of rainbows...

“Keepers of the Garden” is a flowing chant: "we are here, we are here Keepers of the Garden we are here...

“Galadriel” is particularly haunting, evoking mythic images of a maiden Goddess: "Galadriel glides on moonwings across the Light ... 

The wind carries her, heart kindled..." 

Buddy Comfort lives up to his name.  If you've always wanted someone to sing you a lullaby, try Buddy. 

Sure to appeal to fans of early Donovan and Simon and Garfunkel.   

Recommended.   

 - Wahaba Heartsun - Heartsong Review - 1987

 

REVIEWS: IN THE HEART OF ALL

"Your album is spectacular! I love the harmony parts which you added - and the arrangements are all super beautiful. Congratulations! I love your new version of LET THERE BE PEACE. The songs all came together - and you should be proud of this accomplishment."

--Dan Paulos, NM--

 

"I wanted to thank you for the beautiful CD, I have been listening to it for weeks and it is so lovely. 

--Crystal Stromer-Digman-- 

 

"For centuries, yogis have understood and taught the importance of breath work.  Today, science has shown us exactly how we can use breath work to switch over from a highly aroused "fight or flight" state to a harmonious "rest and digest" state. This new art and science of neuroregulation is now being taught widely throughout our schools, hospitals, and communities.   And it is my sincere prayer that Buddy Comfort's superb CD "In the Heart of All" will be the soundtrack to our collective healing. As a yoga teacher, I have never come across a more useful—or stunningly beautiful—song to encourage deep and slow breathing as the title track of "In the Heart of All."  With its inviting lyrics of "breathing in and breathing out" the listener is led into that magical relaxed sense of wellbeing we are all striving for.  Taking the time to listen to the entire CD is like taking a spiritual retreat. Each song harmoniously blends into the next all with rich but gentle musical accompaniment—featuring the cello, violin, flugelhorn, mandolin, and more.  The CD ends in an exquisite piano solo that will have you floating on a love cloud.  

I highly recommend this CD!"  

--Elsa Weber--

REVIEWS: BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON

Grace Notes: On his newest release, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Buddy Comfort plumbs the depths of his heart to touch ours. In the true troubadour tradition he tells a tale. This is not a tale of mundane events or sentimental romance, but a story of the yearning of a soul seeking to consciously know itself. This is an ode to the spirit of St. Francis, to simplicity of lifestyle, compassion for humanity, and union with nature. The inclusion of three seldom heard songs composed by Donovan for Franco Zeffirelli’s transcendent film is cause for celebration in itself, but the great gift is that these gems are impeccably set and matched by stunning original jewels, creating a total work of art expressing the theme of unconditional love. This album takes you beyond concerns of the moment and into the infinite quietude, alone with the beloved.” - Will Noffke

— Shared Visions - New Dimensions Radio

I am enjoying Brother Sun Sister Moon a great deal and on many levels. There is a quality of being very present and yet an out of time feeling about it. What a wonderful talent you have and we are fortunate you share it.” - Rev. June Radicchi
We carry your BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON cd at our gift shop and we are all in awe of its beauty. We play it daily. In fact, I have to reorder! We sold out the first day we started playing the disk. It is a remarkably inspiring work of art. Again, I wish to thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. You beautify our planet through your great talents. I salute you for being courageous. It is not easy to be a religious artist. Your bravery will be blessed in the other world!!! Blessings with respect, Dan Paulos Director St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art 11509 Indian School Road NE Albuquerque NM 87112-3163” - Dan Paulos

The Shrine Gift Shop

Dedicated to the vision and reverence for all life inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON is a collection of positive, life-affirming songs, some prayer-like in quality, led by Buddy Comfort's warm, gentle baritone in mostly classic folk style, accompanied on keyboard (Warren Dennis Kahn), violin (Alasdair Fraser), cello (David Darling), Celtic harp (Margie Butler), soprano sax (Marcia Miget), and English hand bells (Kathie Fink). Opening songs composed by Donovan Leitch, are accessible, and uplifting. ˜St. Francis and the Eagle", one of several original compositions, is one of a number of jewels on this album, with beautiful heartfelt words and music, beautifully set. ˜Love is the Night", is one of the most tender love songs you will ever hear. It gave me chills! A Tibetan monk chant-like setting of a Shaker hymn "What Wondrous Love is This" is absolutely entrancing. A talented songwriter, I look forward to hearing more from this artist.Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer in New York City” - Mark Maxwell Abushady

Creations Magazine december/january 2010

Actually discovered and downloaded your wonderful recording of "Brother Sun" after I read that Donovan has released his own 2005 version. Saw both on I-Tunes and between you and me, I prefer your versions :) I'm truly touched by your music and it's been very helpfull getting me through some rough time. Thanks!” - Charles - Montreal, Canada