Naamleela Free Jones: Reviews

"Eyes In Other Worlds is one of my favorite records. Naamleela did an amazing job writing and performing music to the ecstatic poetry of Adi Da Samraj. The production on the record was also done really well as are all the guest performances. There is so much heart felt feeling in the songs, that it always brings me to a place I want to be. "What Will You Do If You Love Me?" is one of the most heart moving songs to listen to. I really love it. It will be in my regular listening stack for a long time. I hope, one day, you'll do another and I can be part of it. Thank you."

"Naamleela's music is a new inspiration.  Artful play, prayerful art, her sound reveals an honest, heart-felt expression rooted in her formidable devotional training of both Eastern and Western music.  "Eyes In Other Worlds" is a seamless and fused musical orchestration.  The clear bell-like tone of her voice and the architectural structure of her composition create a musical space to hold Adi Da Samraj's ecstatic words drawing the listener in, and thus out of mere sentimentality.  Here there is a depth of soul, a pervasive and unifying heart in Naamleela's music.  Damian Taylor's production well serves this sense of created space that the listener can enter into and let go."

(Referring to "No Ordinary Eyes"by Fraser Gregory) "The splendid and enchanting title track, No Ordinary Eyes...also features the angelic, serene voice of singer, songwriter and pianist Naamleela Free Jones"

“Eyes In Other Worlds is one of my favorite albums. An exquisitely talented singer songwriter and pianist, Naamleela captures and portrays a beauty and innocence in her music that soothes the mind & heart.... that is an extremely rare achievement"

"Eyes In Other Worlds is a celebration of love, in a musical setting----the love between Naamleela Free Jones and her father and Sat-Guru Adi Da Samraj. On this recording Naamleela shows great sensitivity and musical taste in setting the Words of Adi Da Samraj to music---not an easy feat. But for this writer/listener she has succeeded in giving the profound Words of Adi Da a beautiful musical backdrop and support while at the same time communicating her own love and heart. Who could ask more of a musician?"

"It is fitting that Naamleela Free Jones resides in Fiji, between East and West because she effortlessly draws from many world influences. Her music always evokes a straight forward spiritual depth whether she is playing classical Western piano, Indian music influenced melodies or her own unique compositions that draw on contemporary influences. Some of my favorites are the simple chanting on "Ishta Da" and the "Ruchira Avatara Gita"- these recordings I can hear over and over and they remain fresh and true to the Indian Bhakti tradition even though they are not strictly and only Indian. On "Eyes in Other Worlds" at times I feel I am hearing shades of transcendental pop like we heard from the Beatles on "St. Pepper's" or "Magical Mystery Tour". The melodies are haunting but very accessible and throughout the recording her varied influences come through, but never in a forced way. Her classical piano playing is also beautifully done and serves to demonstrate that Naamleela is a remarkable talent at home in many styles and playing the song of bliss without any other agenda."

"Eyes In Other Worlds - beautiful,and heart-opening, one of my favorite CD's from Naamleela Free Jones. Every song is a gem... timeless, original and full. A true sacred artist indeed. Her simplicity and understanding of the music transforms and brightens as it fills your heart... leaving you wanting for more..."

"Naamleela Free Jones has developed her characteristics as a musician in a pristine environment, and that quality is evident in her style of performance. As a pianist, what is most striking is her complete bodily relaxation, the entire lack of egoic “flourish”, the minimal movement of her hands and body, a straightforward simplicity in how she combines with the instrument. Having taught her in her early years of keyboard studies, and heard her first recital of the complete Goldberg variations when she was in her mid teens, I have always been astonished by how she has never been a slave to technical exercises, and yet always masters enough technique to allow the music to speak freely. Frequently when one attends a concert, one feels, and admires, the years and years of intensive practice that lies behind a virtuoso performance. In the case of Naamleela, I often feel that she has simply sat down and effortlessly invoked the music down from some subtle realm into the medium of the piano. Her intuitive judgement and natural musicianship are of a rare order."

Eyes In Other Worlds is a delightful journey into the Poetic Words of Adi Da Samraj, adorned with the inviting melodies, the warm piano, and the soothing pure voice of Naamleela Free Jones. The sacred art of devotion to the Spiritual Master through music is one of the oldest and most spontaneous gifts, given to the Master and to all beings, when that most sacred of relationships between the Master and the devotee exist. In this CD, Naamleela is attracting us beyond ourselves by means of our participation in that most ancient and most sacred of relationships.
This music has a suspenseful and mysterious quality to it. The sounds are rich. The arrangements of the songs are trustworthy and dependable. The motion of the drums is reassuring. The instrumentation is supportive and economical. Listening to and participating in Eyes In Other Worlds is like sitting comfortably in front of a beautiful ocean without having to do anything for a long while.