Tag: consciousness

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artist profiles Arts & Entertainment songwriting

The Hopeful Essence in Cat Stevens’ Lyrics

In this song, (Yusuf) Cat Stevens is singing to a woman he yearns for in a Human form. On another level, he may be singing, aware or unaware, to the Divine Feminine. In either case, the object of Stevens’ love is unattainable in the present. Yet, I believe, that the admirer (Stevens) continues to yearn for his beloved in the hope that he will, one day, meet his perfect love, in either or both Human and Divine forms. There are many interpretations of “How Can I Tell You.” In my view, the song is hopeful rather than despairing.

However one interprets “How Can I Tell you,” I feel that the song is filled with incredible beauty that cannot help but shine through.

And thank you, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), for your always beautiful, wise, and inspiring music.

Here’s my cover.

With Digital Instrumentation Enhancement

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artificial intelligence Arts and Entertainment Best Selling Science Fiction Inter-Dimensional Travel Nearly Human Androids Novels time travel

The AndroBiotica Adventures: A Sci-Fi Journey

Available Now on Amazon.com and Online Retailers Worldwide

An entertaining glimpse into the future of AI captured in a riveting story across space and time.

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Crime & Mystery

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Romance

The AndroBiotica Adventures chronicles the futuristic life and times of Derrick Faulk, an agent, investigator, and explorer surrounded by a rare breed of extraordinary friends and associates. Consider this your invitation to slip into enthralling, imaginary worlds and experience dangerous missions of the utmost importance. The novel combines the first two books in the series in an upgraded format to keep readers immersed from the beginning to the shattering climax. Start your journey today.

“Replete with engrossing subjects and considerations that make it highly recommended  for sci-fi readers.”

Diane Donovan—Senior eBook Editor—Midwest Book Review

“David Gittlin’s ANDROBIOTICA 2: Journey in Time offers an intriguing and timely tale of artificial intelligence and corporate intrigue. The novella  is a fun read with an interesting take on the mechanics of time travel—something very difficult to accomplish these days.”

Kara Dennison for IndieReader

“David Gittlin takes sci-fi to a new level!”

Courtnee Turner Hoyle—Readers’ Favorite

Categories
artificial intelligence Arts & Entertainment audiobooks Best Selling Science Fiction eBooks time travel

The AndroBiotica Adventures: A Sci-Fi Journey

Available Now on Amazon.com and Online Retailers Worldwide

An entertaining glimpse into the future of AI captured in a riveting story across space and time.

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Crime & Mystery

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Romance

The AndroBiotica Adventures chronicles the futuristic life and times of Derrick Faulk, an agent, investigator, and explorer surrounded by a rare breed of extraordinary friends and associates. Consider this your invitation to slip into enthralling, imaginary worlds and experience dangerous missions of the utmost importance. The novel combines the first two books in the series in an upgraded format to keep readers immersed from the beginning to the shattering climax. Start your journey today.

“Replete with engrossing subjects and considerations that make it highly recommended  for sci-fi readers.”

Diane Donovan—Senior eBook Editor—Midwest Book Review

“David Gittlin’s ANDROBIOTICA 2: Journey in Time offers an intriguing and timely tale of artificial intelligence and corporate intrigue. The novella  is a fun read with an interesting take on the mechanics of time travel—something very difficult to accomplish these days.”

Kara Dennison for IndieReader

“David Gittlin takes sci-fi to a new level!”

Courtnee Turner Hoyle—Readers’ Favorite

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Arts & Entertainment children climate crisis environment Folk Song Covers Music songwriting

Environmental Concerns In The Song ‘Where Do the Children Play?’

Many of Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ songs convey underlying messages about childhood and the relationships between children and adults, such as ‘Father & Son’ and ‘Oh Very Young,’ to name a few. “Where Do the Children Play?” is no exception. It becomes increasingly timely with each passing day, given the environmental crisis we are facing.

The song refers to the destruction of natural spaces caused by overdevelopment and industrialization. It asks a fundamental question: What future awaits our children when the spaces where they play are increasingly paved over and polluted? 

“Where Do The Children Play” prompts us to consider the inherent features of the ‘progress’ we are making, as well as Humanity’s impact on planet Earth. Essentially, this beautiful and simple song begs for a balanced relationship between Human Beings and nature.

Typical of a Cat Stevens song, the rhythm is quite unique. Here’s my cover.
 

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Arts & Entertainment Folk Guitar folk music Folk Song Covers songwriting

Exploring Life’s Meaning in Cat Stevens’ Lyrics

Far from old age, Cat Stevens wrote “Oh Very Young” when he was twenty-five. The wisdom in the song surpasses Stevens’ chronology with lines like, “You’re only dancin’ on this Earth for a short while.” Stevens contracted tuberculosis when he was nineteen, and it almost killed him. After that experience, Stevens kept an eye on the Big Picture.

Always the explorer, Stevens sought the meaning and purpose of life, as illustrated in his songs like “On the Road to Find Out.” He eventually converted to Islam in 1977. Around the same time, he permanently left the world stage as a singer and songwriter. In his relatively short career, Cat Stevens left us with a body of music that is still relevant today and, to millions around the world, extremely enjoyable.

Originally, I played this song using a picking method, and then I switched to strumming. I watched a video of Stevens performing the song with a strumming method. I thought, I’ll never be able to play it that fast. To my amazement, I wound up playing the song as fast as Stevens when I strummed it. Interesting. Here’s my cover.

In case you’re interested, here’s the finger-picked version.

Categories
artificial intelligence Arts and Entertainment Best AudioBooks Best eBooks Best Selling Science Fiction Inter-Dimensional Travel time travel

The AndroBiotica Adventures Are Coming Soon

An entertaining glimpse into the future of AI captured in a riveting story across space and time.

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Crime & Mystery

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Romance

The AndroBiotica Adventures chronicles the futuristic life and times of Derrick Faulk, an agent, investigator, and explorer surrounded by a rare breed of extraordinary friends and associates. Consider this your invitation to slip into enthralling, imaginary worlds and experience dangerous missions of the utmost importance. The novel combines the first two books in the series in an upgraded format to keep readers immersed from the beginning to the shattering climax. Start your journey today.

“Replete with engrossing subjects and considerations that make it highly recommended  for sci-fi readers.”

Diane Donovan—Senior eBook Editor—Midwest Book Review

“David Gittlin’s ANDROBIOTICA 2: Journey in Time offers an intriguing and timely tale of artificial intelligence and corporate intrigue. The novella  is a fun read with an interesting take on the mechanics of time travel—something very difficult to accomplish these days.”

Kara Dennison for IndieReader

“David Gittlin takes sci-fi to a new level!”

Courtnee Turner Hoyle—Readers’ Favorite

Available in eBook, Paperback, and AudioBook formats on or about August 25, 2025

Categories
artificial intelligence Arts & Entertainment Best Selling Science Fiction Interdimensional Travel time travel

The AndroBiotica Adventures Are Coming Soon

An entertaining glimpse into the future of AI captured in a riveting story across space and time.

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Crime & Mystery

World Book Awards Gold Medalist—Science Fiction: Romance

The AndroBiotica Adventures chronicles the futuristic life and times of Derrick Faulk, an agent, investigator, and explorer surrounded by a rare breed of extraordinary friends and associates. Consider this your invitation to slip into enthralling, imaginary worlds and experience dangerous missions of the utmost importance. The novel combines the first two books in the series in an upgraded format to keep readers immersed from the beginning to the shattering climax. Start your journey today.

“Replete with engrossing subjects and considerations that make it highly recommended  for sci-fi readers.”

Diane Donovan—Senior eBook Editor—Midwest Book Review

“David Gittlin’s ANDROBIOTICA 2: Journey in Time offers an intriguing and timely tale of artificial intelligence and corporate intrigue. The novella  is a fun read with an interesting take on the mechanics of time travel—something very difficult to accomplish these days.”

Kara Dennison for IndieReader

“David Gittlin takes sci-fi to a new level!”

Courtnee Turner Hoyle—Readers’ Favorite

Available in eBook, Paperback, and AudioBook formats on or about August 25, 2025

Categories
acoustic guitar Arts & Entertainment folk music inspiration Music

The Incredible String Band: Cover of “Painting Box”

The Incredible String Band burst onto the folk music scene in 1966 with the release of their first album, aptly named “The Incredible String Band.” As an avid lover and consumer of folk, I had never heard anything like their songs. The band started out as a trio composed of Clive Palmer, Robin Williamson, and Mike Heron. Williamson and Heron composed most of ISB’s music. Palmer eventually dropped out, replaced by other musicians and the girlfriends of Williamson and Heron.

Signed by Electra Records, the group produced seven albums for the label, most notably their first four, which included “The Five Hundred Spirits or the Layers of the Onion” and “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter.”

Through intermittent tours and appearances at prestigious venues like the Albert Hall, The Incredible String Band gained worldwide fans and international recognition from their humble beginnings in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Listen to Mike Heron’s lilting, whimsical “Painting Box” to get a sense of The Incredible String Band’s multifaceted musical range. Here’s my cover.

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inspiration life motivation philosophy

Make the Most of Your Time

Don’t waste time. Open to the divine sublime.

Thoughts intervene. Ignore them to achieve the dream.

The jewel is buried in the Heart. The journey awaits. It is never too late to start.

Travel on a Perilous Mission into the Unknown Carrying the Fate of the World on Your Shoulders.

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acoustic guitar Arts & Entertainment essays inspiration Music

A Story In Song

Cat Stevens’ song “The Boy With A Moon And Star On His Head” is a poetic and mystical tale that expresses themes of love, destiny, and the unknown and unexpected. 

The song’s lyrics are replete with metaphors and symbolism, for example, the “holy magnolia” and “naked earth,” which elicit a sense of purity and connection to the universe. Cat Stevens, known for his introspective and spiritual songwriting, uses this narrative to convey a deeper message about the power of love and the unpredictable ways in which destiny unfolds. It is a beautiful story in song, rendered in Stevens’ unique style. Here’s my cover.