Taking its inspiration from the voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator, Navigatio is a continuation of Johnson’s distinctive musical and spiritual pilgrimage begun with Psalmus. Part of this CD was incorporated into the Hearts of Space release, Prayers of St. Brendan - The Journey Home. Yet, much of the material was not part of that release and is unique to this CD including the inspiring, "Ave Maria (Blessed Is She)" and the opening song, "Encompasser."
MP3 Samples
O Redemptor (Navigatio version)
Encompasser
Shall I? (Navigatio version)
Skellig
Sheol (Navigatio version)
Nothing Immortal (Navigatio version)
Navigatio (Navigatio version)
I Call To You (Navigatio version)
Shall I? (Reprise)
"We Follow A Star"
Journey Prayer
O Redemptor (Navigatio version)
Encompasser
Shall I? (Navigatio version)
Skellig
Sheol (Navigatio version)
Nothing Immortal (Navigatio version)
Navigatio (Navigatio version)
I Call To You (Navigatio version)
Shall I? (Reprise)
"We Follow A Star"
Journey Prayer
Musicians
Jeff Johnson
Keys & vocal
Janet Chvatal
Vocal
Brian Dunning
Flute & whistle
Tim Ellis
Guitars
Gregg Williams
Drums
Various musicians
Navigatio
Jeff Johnson with Janet Chavtal (ArkMusic/1997) $9.99
Total time: 43:49
An introduction by Jeff Johnson –
The Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis (The Voyage of Saint Brendan) tells how St. Brendan (AD 489? - 583?), along with a handful of other monks, journeyed to the Land of Promise and then returned to their home in Ireland. Recent discoveries by archeologists as well as demonstrations by adventurers such as Tim Severin have substantiated the claim that St. Brendan may have been one of the first Europeans to land in America.
Yet, St. Brendan's Navigatio portrays a voyage more concerned with the exploration of the spiritual world rather than the physical one. For him, the curtain that separated heaven and earth was constantly being drawn open. The Christian worldview of the Celtic monks only enhanced this way of looking at things. Thus, not unlike Odysseus sailing at a different time and on a different sea, St. Brendan and his companions saw, heard and experienced things that overwhelmed them with wonder, frightened them to near death and illuminated their hearts, minds and souls.
In my own navigatio, I have stood on the world's edge and can humbly say that it is a place of true perspective, yet extreme peril. I have lost my footing often, have heard the Siren's song, and the sheer beauty of the Creator's handiwork juxtaposed with my own wretchedness has caused my heart and soul to falter. But I would not wish to have experienced it any other way, for it is here that I have even recognized that I have a heart and soul and it is here that I have been given the grace to hope.
Jeff Johnson with Janet Chavtal (ArkMusic/1997) $9.99
Total time: 43:49
An introduction by Jeff Johnson –
The Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis (The Voyage of Saint Brendan) tells how St. Brendan (AD 489? - 583?), along with a handful of other monks, journeyed to the Land of Promise and then returned to their home in Ireland. Recent discoveries by archeologists as well as demonstrations by adventurers such as Tim Severin have substantiated the claim that St. Brendan may have been one of the first Europeans to land in America.
Yet, St. Brendan's Navigatio portrays a voyage more concerned with the exploration of the spiritual world rather than the physical one. For him, the curtain that separated heaven and earth was constantly being drawn open. The Christian worldview of the Celtic monks only enhanced this way of looking at things. Thus, not unlike Odysseus sailing at a different time and on a different sea, St. Brendan and his companions saw, heard and experienced things that overwhelmed them with wonder, frightened them to near death and illuminated their hearts, minds and souls.
In my own navigatio, I have stood on the world's edge and can humbly say that it is a place of true perspective, yet extreme peril. I have lost my footing often, have heard the Siren's song, and the sheer beauty of the Creator's handiwork juxtaposed with my own wretchedness has caused my heart and soul to falter. But I would not wish to have experienced it any other way, for it is here that I have even recognized that I have a heart and soul and it is here that I have been given the grace to hope.
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