Search - Peter Himmelman :: Flown This Acid World

I can't put it back on the rack!

John D. Dooley | 03/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought it about two years ago, and I have yet to put it back on the rack. It's always one of the ten I always carry in my car just in case I'm stranded along the freeway, or if aliens zap me and my car to the planet Zoltar. I have to have it with me at all times. I am shocked that Himmelman is not a huge star. All the same, I prefer knowing that he isn't. His lyrics are the perfect combination of truth, wit, and compassion. Buy this CD and you'll wonder why you haven't heard of this guy. Just tell a few friends, though. I'd hate to have the whole world know how incredibly original and refreshing he is."

Blown away by himmelman again

Justin R. Juelich | BALDWIN, WISCONSIN United States | 03/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Himmelman is truely a pleasure to listen to.Not only are his songs an audio delight to hear, but his lyrics are fluid,topical,witty and intelligent (well, most the time) prose about things a lot of people care about. However, he was more of the critics darling with his releases, and the buying public didn't always get what he was about. Coming out of left field, or being a little left of center, might work for John Prine or John Hartford, but it didn't always mix well to the initiated, or those looking to get initiated to his work. (see "The Himmelvaults-vol.1). This being the strong release it is, it would be redundant to break down the tracks-they're all strong. Simply put:buy, listen, enjoy! Now I can only hope that Himmelman would get his music from his old Minneapolis band, SUSSMAN LAWRENCE, out on CD someday soon. They were a great party band,and their double album, "POP CITY", contains what I consider one of Pete's best songs, "The Strangest Emotion". The other 20 songs,(all written by Himmelman) are a great showcase of what was to come."

Quasi Judeo-Christian Buddhist Spiritual Insights

John D. Dooley | Southern California United States | 10/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why do I love music with Quasi Judeo-Christian Buddhist spiritual insights? The most famous in this category is Van Morrison, who you never know what spiritual path he maybe on at present. With his 1982 CD "Beautiful Vision" Van turns the words of Alice Bailey & the Tibetan into lyrics for 2 songs. Later in the 1989 CD "Avalon Sunset" Van sings total Gospel to Jesus Christ. Right after that in 1990 Van returns to an eastern perspective with "Enlightenment". Another musical artist Luka Bloom intermixes Christian & Buddhism with the right combination with his fantastic 2002 CD "Between the Mountain & the Moon". Even the ex-bass player from "Lone Justice" Marvin, who is Jewish yet his 1994 CD "Weapons of the Spirit" sounds very Christian while never saying the name Jesus. Peter Himmelman is also Jewish that carries these themes with songs about personal responsibility, free will, self sacrifice, & forgiveness. Maybe that's it; all the above musical artists write serious songs that deal with salvation as spiritual growth. Something that is always questioned but must always move forward or upward, by passing the standard classifications unto a near universal vision.



"Flown This Acid World", is what I feel to be Peter Himmelman's best CD. At this time he still holds onto his Judeo-Christian foundations but his next CD "Skin" tells a story about a self centered man being reincarnated into his opposite which gives an eastern expression bringing me to my main title for this review: "Quasi". Peter Himmelman's first two CD's "Germatria" & "Synesthesia" lack something or maybe I should give them another spin? His 3rd CD "From Strength to Strength", he finally came to his creative style with very strong songs both musically & poetically. This is a CD that you can play for years & always find something new. If you like "Flown This Acid World", try "From Strength to Strength".



Most of the songs on "Flown This Acid World" deal with the hardships of life, & the love & the will to over come, & to grow into a better human being.



Some of the songs highlighted:



"Raina" is about Peter Himmelman's daughter & how she has changed his life by being born. He writes & sings about how people view life so negative but by having a loving child brightens one hope for the future. Beautiful & masterful guitar work help the song along.



On this web site the last song is called a "Bonus Track" but on my CD it is called "Untitled" It is the best song Peter Himmelman ever wrote where he tells the story of when he flew to the mid-west to visit his brother. Once he got out of the airport he takes the 1st taxi he sees to drive to his brother's house. The night is cold & raining, the worst of all nights. The taxi driver asks where he has travelled to & Peter Himmelman answers "I have been to the USSR." The taxi driver replies "Isn't that where the Jews & commies are?" Peter Himmelman remains silent about his Jewishness & the taxi driver reveals that he is a Neo-Nazi. Near the end of the ride Peter Himmelman sings about the taxi driver; how can you talk to a man with "a hatred so naked & so pure?" He tips the taxi driver & hugs his brother who meets him at his door. The next day he meets a man with death camp marks on his arm who says "We must refute them that say it wasn't so."



Great writing, singing, & production. What more can you ask of a CD?"