The Eyes of the World by J. P. Taylor

(Features Gail Keel on concertina.)

Get Along: Money doesn’t solve every problem, but cooperation will allow us to find the path toward a healthier and more peaceful planet. “I wish for people to care, about what’s happening here. I wish the world would come together and get along.” (Features Charlie Klarsfield on flute.)

The Difference We Can Make: Dr. Jane Goodall’s work and her book Reason for Hope played a big part in inspiring the writing of this song. With all that’s wrong in the world it’s easy to feel that things are hopeless and give up trying. It’s my hope that this tune can help rekindle hope and the notion that we can make a difference and save our planet.

The Eyes of the World: An article in the Global Response newsletter inspired me to write this song. It read, “YEA letters ‘Shake’ for Venezuelan Forest.” YEA is Young Environmentalist’s Action, a student letter writing project sponsored by Global Response. The story described how a Venezuelan government official shook the letters he had received from YEA members in the air as he pleaded with the Environmental Ministry to protect Venezuela’s Imataca Forest Reserve. It was, and still is, a powerful image for me.

Ivory: The sale of elephant ivory is certainly the focus of this song, but the whole issue of trading in animal parts is really the concept behind it, whether it be bears, seals, whales, sharks, turtles, tigers, or countless other species. (Features Bruce Gosey on didgeridoo and Nate Dyke on talking drum and djembe.)

Tell Me Why: We’ve all seen the images of the suffering in Africa – the faces of both children and adults. We’ve also seen how the rainforests continue to be devastated, despite widespread understanding of how vitally important they are to all life on Earth. Yet it all continues.

I Wonder Who: I was really thinking of those “wise use” folks when I wrote this tune. You know, the ones who say there’s no global warming, no need to be concerned about clear-cutting, polluters, etc. I wonder who “will they say is to blame, at the end of the game?” (Features Michael Tomaselli on classical guitar)

Once Upon a Time: Kind of a nostalgic look back at the way things used to be in our world – cleaner air, more green spaces. Can we find a way to bring them back?

When You Look at the World: A song about sharing and caring. With all the “things” many of us have, it’s amazing how different life can be for others not so fortunate. But this is a song about caring enough to share whatever you can to make the world a better place for all living things.

Today J.P. is hard at work on his latest cd of eco-tunes, which is scheduled for release later in 2008.

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