Got this note from Dr Wayne Dyer about my new CD/video and I was so excited about the possibility of deepening my relationship with him in the future. Then about one week later I hear the sad news that he died in his sleep. He is such a loss for all of us but his lectures are preserved for future generations. He left a healing footprint everywhere he went.
Thank you Dr Dyer, and with gratitude,
Johnny Blackburn
Reviews of “Echoes Of Love's Reality”
"Most would probably agree that this is one of the very best psych-style LPs from the 1980s. Not retro at all but (like Bobb Trimble) a piece of the late 1960s preserved from time's rust. Male/female vocals lament and serenade "the quest for knowledge of love and beauty" in an appealing soundscape, with lyrical guitar leads throughout, good use of mellotron, occasional tablas, flute and bells. The recording has a definite 1981 sound but (again like Bobb) this somehow becomes an advantage. The vocal blend is superb and may recall Anonymous and Bermuda Triangle, while the wistful mood and beautiful melodies is a bit like British band Ithaca or the melodic sides of Seventh Dawn. Moments such as "Beautiful Dreamer" go truly deep and there's not a questionable song on it. Obviously superior to "collectable" 1970s hippie couple albums like Susan & Richard Thomas, this is recommended to anyone open for a folk/psych trip inside the melancholy and bliss of romance; starry-eyed as a Valentine Day card written on LSD. Thats what the Acid Archives has to say about this incredible record. I love both Bobb Trimble lp's and the Jeff Eubank record but I like this album even more than those. This album is just sublime and very dreamy sounding."
-Patrick Lundborg, The Acid Archives
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Wistful psych-folk from early 1980s preserving a classic tradition of melancholy '60s songwriting. Fluid and luscious acoustic lead guitar is at the core of the album, complemented by male and female vocals and romantic backdrop of mellotron, flute and tender percussion.
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"Johnny Blackburn and Mary Lauren's Echoes of Love's Reality is instantly pleasing in its warm, lucid beauty. This is folk, but it's also deserving of the "rock" descriptor, especially considering the varied and layered instrumentation. All in all, though, the vocals are what make this record: Blackburn and Lauren's respective tones come together in perfect harmony, song after song."
-Jacob Kaplan (January 18, 2010)
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"Fantastic late date private press acid/folk jewel that has quickly become hugely in demand. Easily in the same realm as BOBB TRIMBLE, JEFF EUBANK, T KAIL, etc., but equally in its own bag musically...... Gentle hallucinogenic psychedelia with gorgeous dreamy male/female duo vocals, lush guitars, flute, synth, bongos, 12-string, electric bass, plenty of reverb, etc. total acid love-nest euphoric vibe..."
-Unknown reviewer
An email correspondence with Jimi Hey:
I appreciate your reply very much. Your sentiments are healing. I guess I do have some lingering questions. I would just like to know some general background as to how this album came about. For instance how did it come to pass that you were able to make an album that sounds like a decent amount of money was backing it? It is so perfectly realized and perfectly executed and not a note or sounds out of place. Like I said before I think it is a masterpiece. It's rare that an independent artist is able to pull off something like this without the aid of a major label or some benefactor. So I wonder how you did it. And also what your musical background is? What inspired you musically in general? And did you arrive at your spiritual awareness through the use of psychedelics like a lot of people or were you searching and searching and just discovered this? The music feels like the work of somebody who is very sensitive and feels things very deeply. Deeper than the average person I'd say. Was there a specific experience or impetus or catalyst that drove you to create it or was it a culmination of experiences? I just wonder how, why, where, what? You must have been in a particularly inspired zone. When I come across an album of this nature it's natural for me to want to do some detective work and find out about the musicians behind it and what went into to the music for it to turn out so special. It is timeless and I feel very strongly that this record has a much wider audience than it previously made it's way to when it was originally released. It has wide appeal. It is healing. In my opinion it could be played to terminally ill people and help them relax and potentially make their peace with the death process or for people who have just lost a loved one. Any elaboration would be greatly appreciated. Take good care.
- Jimi Hey
Reviews of “On The Road To The Garden”
“On The Road To The Garden is the first electronic CD from InThe Wind's Eye Music by Johnny Blackburn. His music has a jazzy, sophisticated innocence with a melodic brilliance which shines and enchants. The trumpets, flutes, oboes, and other synth sounds dance on the celestial textures of voices and soothing percussion like light on a vast ocean. His use of Timpani evokes the feeling of being on the threshold of a wonderful and transcendent discovery. This CD will lift your spirits and inspire you to bloom in the garden of your own heart.”
- Michael Moryc – Matrix Promotions
"I get a lot of CD's sent to me , and I've heard a lot of great music but this guy's music is the most originally refreshing in a long time. Hypnotically a hit. I have played the song entitled “Child On Forest Road” a hundred times to satisfy my listeners”.
- Chuck Workman WTPI – Indianapolis
“Blackburn's use of multiple melodies which intertwine, and play with each other, are lullabys' for the soul”.
-Tom Eskine – Best Music Reviews – London
“Wonderful blends of synth sounds and melody abound. Just give a listen and discover yourself in a garden of your own imagination.”
- Jason Bernard – New Age Voices Magazine – Boulder, CO.