By MaryEllen O'Brien
An interview with renowned World Music/New Age Jazz guitarist Eddie Benitez is never a one track conversation. Like the many intriguing tracks on his new CD, Visions of Angelss, a conversation will take off in many directions, always with passionate views and, well, the company of angels if we are to take Eddie at his word.
I was invited to interview Eddie at HGI Studios in Phoenix during the making of Visions of Angels, released on September 1st on NuGroove Records, and to watch Eddie in action as he created his music right there, in the studio. Eddie doesn't write songs in advance and then head to the studio. Instead, he goes to the studio and allows the melodies and layers of the songs to flow while he's there, ready to bring them into reality. The angels that Eddie has always claimed to be in communication with, are there inspiring melodies and giving him energy as he creates in way that might seem “on the fly" to others used to more conventional music making. For Eddie, this is business as usual. It's as if he sits down, opens the faucet, and the music flows like water from a spring. G-Man, Eddie's co-producer, engineer and keyboardist understands this flow and is able to make it happen in a nifty collaboration of music-speak in the studio. From there, the ideas for other musicians and vocalists to complete each track emerge and the phone calls fly for the sax player, the conga player, and on this album, the heartfelt vocals of R&B legend Howard Hewett on two tracks, and the sweet vocals of Joeleen, a European discovery of Eddie's. Watching Eddie at work is a thrill--from the exquisite guitar tracks to watching him back at Latin percussion and directing the musicians he brings in--it's all in his head and it flows out with ease.
There were times in the studio when I would notice Eddie's eyes wander to the corners of the ceiling in the room--sitting with his guitar, seemingly off having a conversation with someone. It was those times I came to recognize as his conversations with angels, who were both inspiring music directly, and giving him energy as the inevitable fatigue would set in during a long session or days of mixing. According to Eddie, there was even a visit from an archangel or two. If that sounds fantastic, well, let the music speak for itself. You can already hear sneak previews on Eddie's MySpace music page.
All this angels stuff in connection with Eddie's music first became public in March of 2004 when Eddie did a corporate show in Phoenix and numerous audience members began to see figures other than the musicians on stage. No tricks, no special effects, and Eddie was unaware of what was happening in the audience at the time. People in the audience were claiming they were seeing angels on the stage with Eddie and his band. Three people fainted, others became overwhelmed by what they saw and a buzz was rolling through the audience, according to reports that came out at the time. Later, some said they experienced healing of various kinds as a result of what they saw. Eddie was unaware of it until a security staffer called him to the side of the stage between songs to inform him. Then he says he was stunned, “Oh my God, what are they (the angels) doing?" They'd never been visible to others before in a public setting. And so a new phase of Eddie's life began with the “outing" of the angels and he began to speak freely about his life with angels since childhood, and how they influence his music.
In August of that same year a major paranormal experience struck at the heart of Eddie's family, thrusting them into turmoil. Eddie's eldest son, Eddie Jr., became possessed by an evil entity haunting a house the family had moved into in Tempe, Arizona. The possession was eventually cleared, not by any help they sought from church or ghostbusters, but whn Eddie himself turned to a ritual he had seen his mother perform numerous times as a child on those who came to her who were bothered by spirits. The exorcism worked, but the family did eventually move from that house.
On October 28, 2007, the Discovery Channel aired a re-enactment of this haunting and possession in Eddie's family on their series, A Haunting. The episode, called “Casa de los Muertos," was viewed in 37 countries and became the top rated episode of the series. The episode has aired many times since and continues to be aired, as well as viewable on YouTube.
When in the studio, our conversations would turn to everything from these events to current events that he is feeling passionate about. I asked Eddie to set the record straight as far as what kind of angelic activity is going on in his life right now. “Do you still see angels?" Eddie's response was, “It is all by way of faith. Angels see me, and I see angels. They are not demonic, as some have suggested. They are angels of God. They have never harmed me or anyone. Angels cannot do harm. My life has become more spiritual over time as I realize who I am."
It was clear to me in the studio that something of a very spiritual nature was evolving and that Eddie was receiving inspiration and strength from beyond himself. The cd will speak for itself and is aptly titled, Visions of Angels.
But about those current events that are tweaking Eddie? He wanted to go on record with the latest round of what he considers to be nonsense from those folks that he enjoys debunking--psychic mediums. What has the angel-man's ire up is the all too--predictable rash of mediums claiming to be in contact with the spirit of Michael Jackson. These people are quick to spot a money-making opportunity, proving Eddie's long held point that these fake psychic mediums are all about exploitation and greed. Michael's body is barely in the grave and the psychic vultures have gathered to pick at him and get their names in the news and make some money. The worst offender is Eddie's nemesis, James Von Praagh, who has rushed into the psychic frenzy claiming a comforting message from Michael--the usual drivel of missing those he left behind and blaming no one for his death. One needn't be psychic to come up with these Hallmark Greeting Card “messages" from beyond. And it's especially offensive to Eddie to see these folks gather round their cauldrons dreaming up ways to profit from a fellow entertainer's death. They prey on people, when they ought to pray. According to Eddie, and his long time communications and teachings from the heavens, from angels--Michael is gone, he has not lingered. He is not communicating with anyone. Ever since Barbara Walters proved Van Praagh to be a fraud on The View, says Eddie, the psychic has been desperately trying to resurrect his career. Now we see Van Praagh jumping on the death of Michael Jackson as a way to try to do that and put himself back in the media's eye. Eddie applauded Barbara Walter's for publicly exposing “Dr." Van Praagh as she jokingly referred to him, as a fake after he mis-diagnosed Barbara with a health problem. When she went to her doctor at the psychic's dire urging, she was assured the health problem did not exist. Eddie has consistently issued a challenge to James Van Praagh to prove his claims in a forum with Eddie, to which Van Praagh has never responded.
Another disturbing story had come out in the news during the last week of recording that riled Eddie as well. It was the story of the so-called “blasphemy law" passed in Ireland, tacked onto the defamation law, which now prohibits the criticism of religion, any religion, in Ireland if it “offends" folks. So much for free speech. Eddie minced no words on this development, he called this a victory of no less than Lucifer himself. Eddie is constantly preaching a message of spirituality, not religion, and pointing out the work of religion as something that does nothing but divide God's children. The angels pointed this out to him long ago when he asked them what was the true religion. They told him, he says, that religion was the creation of the evil one, for it does nothing but divide. It is about power and control and greed. Regarding this new law in Ireland Eddie went on to say, “Ireland has renewed itself as a stronghold of religion with this law. Ireland hides under a sheet, a cloak of religion. No defamation, no libel, no slander is equal to what has been accomplished here with this censorship. Lucifer has done a great job, and this will spread religious chaos to London and beyond. This can spread like a plague around the world. It is time for people to become spiritual. Now those in religion are left with fear--fear to speak, to hear. Those outside of religion are being silenced."
The finale for Eddie, regarding religion in Ireland, is that the Catholic Church is still convinced that Paul was the 13th apostle when this man had no credibility. To Eddie, Paul the so-called apostle was not much different than people like James Van Praagh or Sylvia Browne, who say what people want to hear, and making a profit doing so.
Strong words, as eyes turn to a nation that had been breaking free of its old religious hold.
Meanwhile, Eddie produces a new cd with music that elevates, moves the body and soul with guitar that alternately soars and blasts through the speakers and in turn, gently moves the soul with acoustic brilliance making the complexities of his playing come through with ease and brilliance. The music is sophisticated and catchy all at once, with rhythms ranging from Latin to African and other world stops along the way. Hear the previews now on and take with you these words of Eddie's:
“Seek spirituality. Gain faith in God, in Christ. Be free and enjoy life."
An interview with renowned World Music/New Age Jazz guitarist Eddie Benitez is never a one track conversation. Like the many intriguing tracks on his new CD, Visions of Angelss, a conversation will take off in many directions, always with passionate views and, well, the company of angels if we are to take Eddie at his word.
I was invited to interview Eddie at HGI Studios in Phoenix during the making of Visions of Angels, released on September 1st on NuGroove Records, and to watch Eddie in action as he created his music right there, in the studio. Eddie doesn't write songs in advance and then head to the studio. Instead, he goes to the studio and allows the melodies and layers of the songs to flow while he's there, ready to bring them into reality. The angels that Eddie has always claimed to be in communication with, are there inspiring melodies and giving him energy as he creates in way that might seem “on the fly" to others used to more conventional music making. For Eddie, this is business as usual. It's as if he sits down, opens the faucet, and the music flows like water from a spring. G-Man, Eddie's co-producer, engineer and keyboardist understands this flow and is able to make it happen in a nifty collaboration of music-speak in the studio. From there, the ideas for other musicians and vocalists to complete each track emerge and the phone calls fly for the sax player, the conga player, and on this album, the heartfelt vocals of R&B legend Howard Hewett on two tracks, and the sweet vocals of Joeleen, a European discovery of Eddie's. Watching Eddie at work is a thrill--from the exquisite guitar tracks to watching him back at Latin percussion and directing the musicians he brings in--it's all in his head and it flows out with ease.
There were times in the studio when I would notice Eddie's eyes wander to the corners of the ceiling in the room--sitting with his guitar, seemingly off having a conversation with someone. It was those times I came to recognize as his conversations with angels, who were both inspiring music directly, and giving him energy as the inevitable fatigue would set in during a long session or days of mixing. According to Eddie, there was even a visit from an archangel or two. If that sounds fantastic, well, let the music speak for itself. You can already hear sneak previews on Eddie's MySpace music page.
All this angels stuff in connection with Eddie's music first became public in March of 2004 when Eddie did a corporate show in Phoenix and numerous audience members began to see figures other than the musicians on stage. No tricks, no special effects, and Eddie was unaware of what was happening in the audience at the time. People in the audience were claiming they were seeing angels on the stage with Eddie and his band. Three people fainted, others became overwhelmed by what they saw and a buzz was rolling through the audience, according to reports that came out at the time. Later, some said they experienced healing of various kinds as a result of what they saw. Eddie was unaware of it until a security staffer called him to the side of the stage between songs to inform him. Then he says he was stunned, “Oh my God, what are they (the angels) doing?" They'd never been visible to others before in a public setting. And so a new phase of Eddie's life began with the “outing" of the angels and he began to speak freely about his life with angels since childhood, and how they influence his music.
In August of that same year a major paranormal experience struck at the heart of Eddie's family, thrusting them into turmoil. Eddie's eldest son, Eddie Jr., became possessed by an evil entity haunting a house the family had moved into in Tempe, Arizona. The possession was eventually cleared, not by any help they sought from church or ghostbusters, but whn Eddie himself turned to a ritual he had seen his mother perform numerous times as a child on those who came to her who were bothered by spirits. The exorcism worked, but the family did eventually move from that house.
On October 28, 2007, the Discovery Channel aired a re-enactment of this haunting and possession in Eddie's family on their series, A Haunting. The episode, called “Casa de los Muertos," was viewed in 37 countries and became the top rated episode of the series. The episode has aired many times since and continues to be aired, as well as viewable on YouTube.
When in the studio, our conversations would turn to everything from these events to current events that he is feeling passionate about. I asked Eddie to set the record straight as far as what kind of angelic activity is going on in his life right now. “Do you still see angels?" Eddie's response was, “It is all by way of faith. Angels see me, and I see angels. They are not demonic, as some have suggested. They are angels of God. They have never harmed me or anyone. Angels cannot do harm. My life has become more spiritual over time as I realize who I am."
It was clear to me in the studio that something of a very spiritual nature was evolving and that Eddie was receiving inspiration and strength from beyond himself. The cd will speak for itself and is aptly titled, Visions of Angels.
But about those current events that are tweaking Eddie? He wanted to go on record with the latest round of what he considers to be nonsense from those folks that he enjoys debunking--psychic mediums. What has the angel-man's ire up is the all too--predictable rash of mediums claiming to be in contact with the spirit of Michael Jackson. These people are quick to spot a money-making opportunity, proving Eddie's long held point that these fake psychic mediums are all about exploitation and greed. Michael's body is barely in the grave and the psychic vultures have gathered to pick at him and get their names in the news and make some money. The worst offender is Eddie's nemesis, James Von Praagh, who has rushed into the psychic frenzy claiming a comforting message from Michael--the usual drivel of missing those he left behind and blaming no one for his death. One needn't be psychic to come up with these Hallmark Greeting Card “messages" from beyond. And it's especially offensive to Eddie to see these folks gather round their cauldrons dreaming up ways to profit from a fellow entertainer's death. They prey on people, when they ought to pray. According to Eddie, and his long time communications and teachings from the heavens, from angels--Michael is gone, he has not lingered. He is not communicating with anyone. Ever since Barbara Walters proved Van Praagh to be a fraud on The View, says Eddie, the psychic has been desperately trying to resurrect his career. Now we see Van Praagh jumping on the death of Michael Jackson as a way to try to do that and put himself back in the media's eye. Eddie applauded Barbara Walter's for publicly exposing “Dr." Van Praagh as she jokingly referred to him, as a fake after he mis-diagnosed Barbara with a health problem. When she went to her doctor at the psychic's dire urging, she was assured the health problem did not exist. Eddie has consistently issued a challenge to James Van Praagh to prove his claims in a forum with Eddie, to which Van Praagh has never responded.
Another disturbing story had come out in the news during the last week of recording that riled Eddie as well. It was the story of the so-called “blasphemy law" passed in Ireland, tacked onto the defamation law, which now prohibits the criticism of religion, any religion, in Ireland if it “offends" folks. So much for free speech. Eddie minced no words on this development, he called this a victory of no less than Lucifer himself. Eddie is constantly preaching a message of spirituality, not religion, and pointing out the work of religion as something that does nothing but divide God's children. The angels pointed this out to him long ago when he asked them what was the true religion. They told him, he says, that religion was the creation of the evil one, for it does nothing but divide. It is about power and control and greed. Regarding this new law in Ireland Eddie went on to say, “Ireland has renewed itself as a stronghold of religion with this law. Ireland hides under a sheet, a cloak of religion. No defamation, no libel, no slander is equal to what has been accomplished here with this censorship. Lucifer has done a great job, and this will spread religious chaos to London and beyond. This can spread like a plague around the world. It is time for people to become spiritual. Now those in religion are left with fear--fear to speak, to hear. Those outside of religion are being silenced."
The finale for Eddie, regarding religion in Ireland, is that the Catholic Church is still convinced that Paul was the 13th apostle when this man had no credibility. To Eddie, Paul the so-called apostle was not much different than people like James Van Praagh or Sylvia Browne, who say what people want to hear, and making a profit doing so.
Strong words, as eyes turn to a nation that had been breaking free of its old religious hold.
Meanwhile, Eddie produces a new cd with music that elevates, moves the body and soul with guitar that alternately soars and blasts through the speakers and in turn, gently moves the soul with acoustic brilliance making the complexities of his playing come through with ease and brilliance. The music is sophisticated and catchy all at once, with rhythms ranging from Latin to African and other world stops along the way. Hear the previews now on and take with you these words of Eddie's:
“Seek spirituality. Gain faith in God, in Christ. Be free and enjoy life."
