Jonny Lipford’s new project, Discover the Warrior Within, is beyond impressive. The music and the accompanying book take the listener on an inspiring journey of discovery and growth, strength and determination, while supported and encouraged with beautiful original music played mostly on Native American flutes. I don’t have the details on instrumentation or other artists - if any - but I assume that Jonny also plays the accompanying instruments, as he has done on the previous albums of his that I’ve reviewed. The primary instruments on all fifteen tracks are a variety of Native American flutes, backed by an assortment of hand percussion instruments, ambient background washes, piano, sax, keyboards and much more. The accompanying book is beautifully illustrated and takes the listener on a guided journey, track by track, to finding inner strength, a deep appreciation for the world around us, and inner peace.

Quoting Jonny Lipford from the introductory page of the book:
“Every life has its journey - a winding path marked by peaks and valleys, moments of light and shadows that stretch long. We grow up trying to understand who we are, only to break those beliefs and begin again….We wrestle with faith when it falters, we shatter at rock bottom, and somehow, we rise - soaring higher than we thought possible, discovering within ourselves the quiet strength to persevere….These songs are not answers, but companions. They are not destinations, but markers along the way…. And above all, they are here to remind you of this: you are not alone, and within you, there is always a warrior - resilient, radiant, ready to rise again.”

I assume the accompanying book will be downloadable with the purchase of the album. It is titled An Accompaniment Guide To: Discover the Warrior Within and is in three sections. Part 1 is called “Departure, The Call of the Horizon” and includes the first five tracks: “Golden Horizon,” “Wisdom’s Whisper,” “The Call Beyond,” “Echoes of Illusion,” and “The Secret You Seek.” All five are somewhat mysterious and feel solitary and searching. Part 2 is called “Initiation: Trials of Transformation” and includes the next eight tracks: “Shimmering Mirage,” “The Turning Point,” “Guardian’s Gift,” “Together, They Rise,” “The Skyward Trail,” “Inward Reflections,” “Fire & Fury,” and “Through Sorrow, Strength.” Part 3 is called “Return - The Warrior’s Homecoming” and includes the last two tracks: “Dancing in the Light” and “Returning Home.”

Discover the Warrior Within is a journey and exploration well worth taking both musically and spiritually! I find it to be soulful, relaxing, hopeful and inspiring - and who couldn’t use a good-sized dose of all of those in these stressful, confusing times! Don’t miss it!

Discover the Warrior Within is available to stream or download on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. Check it out!