REVIEWS BY ALICIA KAREN ELKINS
[ Kairos the Book ] [ Kairos the Music ] [ Heart Song ] [ Friend of Voices ]
 [ Good Medicine the Music]  [ Good Medicine the Book  ]

Title: Kairos: The Past, Present, and Future
Review Written by Alicia Karen Elkins, www.geocities.com/aliciakarenelkins

Author: TerryLee WHETSTONe

Compilation by: Teresa Edwards

Publisher: TerryLee WHETSTONe, www.terrywhetstone.com

Format: paperback, 66 pages, $15.00

Kairos: The Past, Present, and Future is an independent chapbook self-published by TerryLee WHETSTONe. It is a compilation of his poetry, stories, flute philosophy, flute lessons, some Native teachings, and 10 black and white illustrations. It includes a forward by Teresa Edwards and three statements to or about TerryLee by Jim Williams and Dana Wallace.

TerryLee’s work comes straight from his heart and he admits being guided in all his art by his Spiritual connection with Creator, or "Grandfather." His targeted audience is the group of people that refuse to accept or believe in the things that they cannot see or touch. He hopes to touch their lives with his message of the Spiritual oneness of all living things and the need for connecting yourself with the Great Spirit.

I live TerryLee’s poetry! He pens straight forward, in your face, pull-no-punches Native poetry. Native poetry does not get better than this.

Many critics say we lack the skill or poetic vision to create work that incorporates "poetic device." Yet, true Native poetry is some of the most powerful writing to be found. We do not need poetic device – we speak from our hearts and let the Creator guide our pens. This is very much true with TerrLee’s works! His poems are simple enough for anyone to comprehend, yet they reach deep within the reader to touch their heart and soul. These poems are the teachings of a Native Spiritual Elder. They should be heeded as such!

WHETSTONe has done a remarkable job of matching his poems with artwork. An example is the poem, "Listen to Their Song," about how every living thing, "whether it has two legs or four," seeks a mate for eternity. He selected artwork that has a silhouette of him playing a flute, dotted with stars, with a luminescent overlay of a wolf howling. A more ideal piece of artwork could not have been selected.

As you read these works, you will feel a stirring deep within. This man has a gift of power to reach hearts and open minds. His story is included, in brief, at the beginning of the book. You will learn that this gift came to him after a near death experience. This is a birthmark of most true prophets and Spiritual teachers. I urge you to order a copy of this book.

Take it to a quit spot somewhere in nature, far removed from the hectic pace of everyday life, and allow the messages of TerryLee’s works to flow through you. Spend some time meditating on these passages. You will feel the power of this true Native Spiritual teacher prompting a transformation within you. You will not regret purchasing this book.

TerryLee WHETSTONe is a multi-medium mixed-blood Cherokee artist. He is most well known as a flutist with three CDs on the market, Friends of Voices, Kairos, and Heart Song, and another coming out in the near future, Good Medicine. He produces gorgeous artwork and specializes in creating commissioned works that record special events in a person’s life. He creates and sells Native American flutes. He is available to do concerts, appearances, and teachings. And, of course, he is a poet. You may sample his work at his web site: www.terrywhetstone.com.

Alicia Karen Elkins, GWN Reviewer, Native American Column Editor

1-14-03

Title: Heart Song
Review Written by Alicia Karen Elkins, www.geocities.com/aliciakarenelkins

Artist: TerryLee WHETSTONe

Released by: Perfect Lady Music, Eufaula, OK, 2000

TerryLee WHETSTONe demonstrates his extreme musical skill in Heart Song by playing the vocals, flute, bass flute, drums, concert flute, rain stick, eagle bone whistle, wind chimes, and doing fire sound effects. James Seal accompanies him on rattles, wind chimes, acoustic guitar, rain stick, sticks, drum, and water drum. This CD features 11 different flutes, ranging from four to six holes and traditionally hand made from various woods, including red cedar, water reed, walnut, poplar, and aspen pine.

This CD is healing music to journey by. The peaceful combination of flute, percussion, and light strumming of the guitar will release your soul to explore the universe. This is the traditional Native American flute music without modernization effects, such as synthesizers or orchestral accompaniment. This is the real thing.

I always tell you which selection was my favorite, but I cannot do that with this CD. They are all outstanding! Each is a superb blend of percussion sounds with mastery of the Native flute. This is the best traditional Native flute CD I have found. The effects WHETSTONe can produce are astounding! He surpasses the standard trills, slurs, rips, and breathe through notes. He excels at effects that are not even named and can produce an echoed trill that will floor you!

Heart Song includes the following selections: "Come Join Us," "Prelude To The Journey," "The Journey," "Speaking Winds," "The New Land," "Searching Of The Soul," "Our Ancestor’s Story," "Fire People," "Peaceful World," "We Come Together As One," "Heart Song," "Return Of The Little People," "Let Your Spirits Soar," and Hummingbird Song."

This is a top-of-the-line music collection that you must hear! Order your copy today and see where it takes your soul. Start it playing, get comfortable, close your eyes, and let TerryLee’s flute carry away your stress. If you have a nervous condition or high blood pressure, you need this CD. You will experience dramatic results after playing it just one time. For relaxation therapy, it is a must have!

TerryLee WHETSTONe is a multi-medium mixed-blood Cherokee artist. He is most well known as a flutist. Two of his other seven CDs are Friend of Voices and Kairos. Another CD is coming out in the near future, Good Medicine. There will be an accompanying book by the same title. He produces gorgeous artwork and specializes in creating commissioned works that record special events in a person’s life. He creates and sells Native American flutes, sculptures, egg carvings, and jewelry. He is available to do concerts, appearances, and teachings. And, of course, he is a poet. Read my review of his chapbook, Kairos, here in the Native American column. You may sample his work at his web site: www.terrywhetstone.com.

Alicia Karen Elkins, GWN Reviewer, Native American Column Editor

2-14-03

Title: Heart Song - 2006 - Whispering Wind Magazine
Audio Review by Gene Bates
"Heart Song": TerryLee Whetstone
Category: Instrumental - Native American Flute
PLUMB Music
www.terrywhetstone.com
Compact Disc/ Copyright 2005
          TerryLee Whetstone's  flute playing is pure artistry! Playing
eleven flutes of differing size and wood species, the Cherokee flutist
treats us to some of his best melodies to date. Backed by James Seal, who
accompanies him on acoustic guitar, drums and percussion, Whetstone takes
us on a fascinating musical journey. A rich blend of  soothing song and
sophisticated backgrounds, the music is well written and the arrangements
are 'tasty'. As the liner notes state, this is truly, "Music that soothes
the soul and comes from the heart". This music is so good, it has been
selected to be sold in the Smithsonian's gift shop! What more can I say?
Recommended selections are, "The New Land",  "Fire People", "Hummingbird
Song" and , of course, the title track, "Heart Song".
         If ever there was a candidate for a Nammy nomination, TerryLee
Whetstone's, "Heart Song" is it!

Title: Friend of Voices
Review Written by Alicia Karen Elkins, www.geocities.com/aliciakarenelkins

Artists: Terry & Chad Whetstone

Released by: WHETSTONe, Neosho Falls, KS, www.terrywhetstone.com

Released date: 1996

Friend of Voices is a CD of Native American worship through flute and prayers. TerryLee WHETSTONe alternates playing the flute with speaking. He delivers powerful Native teachings to the listener and assists them in journeying and opening to the Spiritual realm of the universe.

Chad Whetstone joins his father on this CD. Their overlays of melodies are incredible. They utilize all the techniques found in great flute playing: rips, trills, puff notes, breathe through notes, slurs, and more. This collection of music will move you! Perhaps they are so excellent together because TerryLee trained Chad on the flute. Or perhaps it is the father-son click. Or perhaps it is the Great Spirit guiding them. I believe it is a combination of all three. Regardless, these two combine to bring the most fascinating traditional Native flute duets to be found!

What you will not find in this music is modernizations, such as synthesizer backgrounds. It is straight traditional Native flute at its finest! There are nature sounds, bird sounds, eagle screams, and rattles. But there is no fancy accompaniment or orchestral support. These two flutists rely upon their own skills and talents to fulfill the listener’s needs. They achieve their objective and surpass all expectations.

Friend of Voices is highly unusual because it does not contain multiple selections. It is only one full-length selection of worship. The artists carry the listener through a series of stages from initial relaxation to journeying to a final relaxed stasis. Another unusual feature is the cover. There is a lack of information about the CD. Instead, the artist provides two beautifully moving prayers and a explanation of the logo, "One People." Is it not amazing that a poet can reduce the lessons of life into six simple sentences and provide all the instruction you will ever need to succeed at anything you attempt? TerryLee has managed to do so and you will find this one-paragraph poem inside the cover of this CD.

This is the third piece of TerryLee’s work that I have reviewed. I have tried to be critical and can only find one fault with any of these pieces: he used a synonym in one of his poems. He meant to write "hear" but, instead, he used "here." For a person who teaches poetry and is trained in both, English composition and music, I certainly cannot find much to gig this man on. His playing is the absolute best I have found in traditional Native music and this is the only actual Native worship CD that I have found. I urge you to order this CD. This is one that you do not want to miss.

TerryLee WHETSTONe is a multi-medium mixed-blood Cherokee artist. He is most well known as a flutist. Two of his other seven CDs are Heart Song and Kairos. Another CD is coming out in the near future, Good Medicine. There will be an accompanying book by the same title. He produces gorgeous artwork and specializes in creating commissioned works that record special events in a person’s life. He creates and sells Native American flutes, sculptures, egg carvings, and jewelry. He is available to do concerts, appearances, and teachings. And, of course, he is a poet. Read my review of his chapbook, Kairos, here in the Native American column. You may sample his work at his web site: www.terrywhetstone.com.

Alicia Karen Elkins, GWN Reviewer, Native American Column Editor

2-14-03

Good Medicine
Review Written by Alicia Karen Elkins, www.geocities.com/aliciakarenelkins

Good Medicine is an audio book of a different kind. Opening with a wolf howl; moving through a foreword by Jim Williams read by Teresa Edwards and an artist’s statement; this two-CD set quickly moves into deep spiritual teachings.

TerryLee states the purpose of this audio book as the desire to help others discover their purpose in this world and what they are supposed to do with the time that they have been given. He teaches us that our spirituality is already within us, even though we may have been ignoring it. To choose the proper path, or Red Road, in this world, we must turn inward and seek the answers that lie dormant within us.

In the first chapter, TerryLee speaks to the hearts and minds of every mixed-blood Native American in the world with a message that generates self-acceptance. He tells about his past and his struggles along his own spiritual journey. He makes it very plain that he has produced this book for all life in this world, not just Native Americans or humans, and focusing on becoming one with all things.

TerryLee gradually moves the listener deeper into the realm of spirituality, beginning with the colors, numbers, and directions of his Medicine Wheel and most of the Native American cultures. He speaks of the symbolism of Native American culture.

The teachings of the rule of opposites and the need to find balance between these opposites is crucial for all beings. These teachings apply to every human, regardless of race, gender, or belief system. It applies to each of us. This is true of the entire book, from beginning to end.

TerryLee has included three Native American flute songs in the traditional style to help the listener open up to the teachings and absorb them. These are beautiful melodies that reach inside you and awaken your soul.

If you do not get anything else from this book, you should absorb and digest the prayer TerryLee gives you. He teaches us how to pray to God, the Father, Grandfather, Creator, or whatever name you choose to use. He explains why this is the only effective prayer.

This is a much needed book released during a time when so many people are seeking answers. TerryLee has provided those answers with solid explanations for each. He gives you solid reasons to accept these teachings and leaves no unanswered questions.

There is also a CD of traditional Native American flute music to support these teachings. It is titled the same: Good Medicine. See the review here at Rambles.

TerryLee Whetstone is a self-taught, multi-faceted artist. He does it all: music, poetry, writing, artwork, and jewelry. He has long specialized in custom wedding rings and his work always reveals something of his inner beliefs and spirituality. Visit with TerryLee Whetstone and learn more about his work at his web site: www.terrywhetstone.com.

This is one of the most moving spiritual books I have encountered. Regardless of your belief system, it will apply to you and the logical explanations are certain to make sense to you. I cannot imagine any person listening to this audio book and not being moved deeply

Please go and see what there is to see at ......
You can keep up Alicia Karen Elkins, GWN Reviewer, Native American Column Editor, with her latest news, read all about her new home and life, see lots of photos, or find plenty of reading material on her web site at:  www.geocities.com/aliciakarenelkins Drop by and visit with her today.

Rambles
Written by Alicia Karen Elkins, www.geocities.com/aliciakarenelkins
TerryLee Whetstone Good Medicine (Ahwatukee, 2003, www.terrywhetstone.com)

Good Medicine Tradtional Music CD

Good Medicine is the CD of traditional Native American flute music that accompanies the book by the same title. The two-CD audio book is also reviewed here on Rambles. The purpose of this CD is to assist the listener in joining as one with nature and becoming a part of the natural world.

The flutist is quick to explain on the cover that these are new songs in the traditional style simply because in his Native American culture, Cherokee, music is used as part of a sacred ceremony and the old traditional songs are all sacred and not meant for recreational purposes.

As you listen to TerryLee’s often haunting and always soulful flute melodies, your mind will be relieved of the thoughts and pressures of everyday life and you will find yourself focusing inward for answers and meditating on the messages brought by nature.

TerryLee has included the three selections from the audio book, with “Song of the Eagles” being expanded to more than 5 minutes. It is a remarkable piece.

For me, the easiest song to journey to is “Night Time Magic,” but “Twilight Spirits” is also an easy piece to send your soul on a flight. They seem to beckon your spirit to come out and seek a different view of the world.

The variety on this CD rather surprised me. I expected all the pieces to be laid back and serene, but it begins with two that are upbeat and awakening – energizing. Then, TerryLee does an abrupt change with the third piece. It took me three tries to get through it without going to sleep. I seldom relax to that point unless I am meditating or otherwise willfully attempting to relax and have only done it once before while trying to review a piece. However, “Gentle Breeze” is hypnotically relaxing. The flute seems to take on a life or energy form and massage my temples. I suspect that this two/one combination is meant to raise the energy level before directing it inward.

From this serene and tranquilizing piece, TerryLee moves to a staccato rhythm with rips and trills, although not of the magnitude of the first two. It is as if he is providing an emotional and psychic workout for the listener, engaging every emotion and moving you through all the energy stages from fully energized to absolutely relaxed.

There are 14 selections on this CD for just over an hour of music. I really liked the way it ends. The next to the last selections brings the energy level back up and the final one mellows you out to an even, peaceful feeling.

This is the kind of CD that will mean something unique to each listener and will often sound different according to your mood when you hear it. One time, you may focus on one selection while the next time, there will be another that really touches you in a special way. It is one of those music collections that you never tire of and always look forward to hearing again.

TerryLee Whetstone is an accomplished flutist, although he says that he is self-taught and that his music is given to him from a higher power. He is guided during his compositions. Perhaps this is what makes his music so special and unique. He is an artist, poet, and writer. You may visit with him on his web site at: www.terrywhetstone.com.