Elizabeth Gips was a wonderful and delightful person to know. My wife
Lisa J., my children and I enjoyed many a party and gathering in her
magical backyard. We would bring drums and always meet other drummers to
jam with (but not too late; the lady next door!) and there were always
dancers, and always children, and always the most interesting people.
When my son Julian (5) was born, she threw an I Ching and drew a
wonderfully artistic summary of that toss, addressed to Julian. We
framed it and it hangs it in our bedroom. I read it often, and I look
forward to the day that Julian can read it and understand it. (Right now
it is on the alter next to a candle which burns in memory of her love
and constructive and high point of view.)
About eight years ago Elizabeth gave me a stack of her lyrics to peruse
and pick from. About five years ago I found that stack of lyrics in a
box and re-read them, and wrote music for one. I tried to capture the
"Changes" Elizabeth in the arrangement ( I assumed she would be happiest
with something she could play on her show) and she said I could do
whatever I wanted with it, but it had to end with OMs. It is called "I
Am", and when I listen to the words, she becomes all the way live for
me.
An mp3 of the song (4.6M) can be downloaded at:
http://vocaleyes.com/I_Am.mp3
Enjoy. (You too, Elizabeth, wherever you are.)