Just watched your video, excellent!
Thank you for sharing your deep insights on life and beyond and opening your soul to us with sincerity, your quest for spiritual knowledge and the different roads that it led you to was inspirational, and thought provoking, the aspects of blending in music with the higher spheres to create higher forms of conciousness was fasinating. your new songs were also great!
Keep up the great work!
-Wajid
I had a chance to watch Dave Davies' Mystical Journey DVD a couple of weeks ago, because I was preparing a radio program on the younger Davies brother. Since I am very interested in spirituality (being born into a Zoroastrian family, being exposed to Hindu, Buddhist and Zen philosophies and going to a Protestant school did help) rather than "religion" I have had the chance to understand and experience a lot of what Dave talks about in the film. It is refreshing to see a true musical legend take such an interst in exploring subjects as diverse and controversial as "kundalini", the "occult", yoga and meditation and Davies is an absolutey engaging guide to all these fascinating subjects. He never comes across as being pretentious and it is obvious that even if others may question these philosophies and practices, he has his own opinions that are strong - no matter what sceptics may say. I also love the fact that unlike many spiritually inclined individuals, Dave Davies has a sense of humour - he is fully aware that the viewer may think he is a bit crazy, but he accepts it with a shrug and a smile! This DVD could have very easily turned into a self-righteous, indulgent film about how a rock legend "finds" himself and finds the true meaning of life and the universe. Instead, it manages to stay informative, balanced and true to its subject matter. Of course any fan of The Kinks will enjoy the rare footage from Dave's childhood and his reminiscences about the band, his brother Ray and his family (though none of this is gushing or sentimental). One extremely touching moment is when Dave is walking around North London and showing us the streets he grew up in, and his childhood haunts. There is something very serene about the whole thing. Here is Dave Davies, founder and lead guitarist of a legendary band just walking around the streets of London like any other person. To me, it would be as significant as Claude Debussy walking in Paris, or Frederic Chopin revisiting his childhood haunts in Poland.
In many ways Dave Davies comes across as someone who has seen it all, and despite some fairly unbelievable life experiences, has managed to find a sense of inner calm - as though he is not out to prove anything. If Ray Davies will be remembered as the "poet laureate" of The Kinks, then Dave should be remembered as the "underrated, underachieving mystic". Even when I was a teenager growing up in Pune, with no background knowledge of any western pop or rock band (who wrote what song, who came up with what riff - I was mainly obsessed with classical music) my two favourite Kinks songs were Waterloo Sunset and Strangers! After watching Dave Davies' Mystical Journey film, I felt deeply moved, extremely intruiged, and fairly calm - all in equal measure! So while a forthcoming Kinks biopic will focus on the already well documented volatile relationship between the Davies brothers, "Mystical Journey" takes a different road. The road less travelled - and that, I think, makes all the difference.
-Karishmeh Felfeli
I’ve had several viewings since Mystical Journey arrived. I’ll tell you one thing Dave, you've done something in it I've hoped to see for a long time, which is your focus on and discussion of the feminine, and kundalini, and those who guided the way. Those in the Golden Dawn who lived and wrote of what had been hidden away for so long. This theme is so very unusual and so needed now. In particular it was wonderful to hear Dion Fortune mentioned so prominently, as she has been someone I’ve admired for a long time.
I feel honored to be among the first to view MJ. It’s very exciting to see you tell the real story of your spiritual life. In a way, it seems that you’re drawing your line in the sand, that you are ready to be perfectly clear about your thought and direction, not just on your website, but in reaching out to the world with this documentary.
I loved all the playing with color, form, the fades and all, and Martin deserves a huge accolade for his part in filming and editing. As you said that you and Martin collaborated on all the visuals and effects, it’s quite wonderful to realise that it’s the work of just the two of you. Beautifully conceived, designed, executed.
It was so fine to see how you and Martin have shown such a strong presence of style through cinematic choices.... such wonders as the whole wind-screen “magic theater” bit, but also the views and locations chosen, and to mention just one recurring theme, the “lone man in the street” footage throughout, that was so very effectively hinting that a spiritual journey is essentially a lone one. I hope you’ll put an interview with Martin and yourself in the final release in the extras telling about the process, and conditions to filming etc.
Verite filming seemed to give such a charming, on-the-spot sense, whether it was watching you read a book, cross the street or in the car trying to find the turn to get to the church - so funny. And the various peerings through doors, windows, mail slot!! I’m really sorry you didn’t use that mail slot bit from the trip to Denmark Terrace we were treated to in your early clips. That was so poignant and funny. Anyone could relate!
This is a wonderfully dense documentary in so many ways; it’s thick with image and thoughts and ideas. It’s funny and rich and warm, and spiritually and intellectually stretching. And TRIPPY!
Thanks for showing so many corners of your world.
I found that I digressed in my head a hundred times as you carried on through... being led to many memories and musings about my own “spiritual journey”. On the whole, it’s unlike anything I've ever watched. I expected a great piece from you and this never let me down.
Did I forget to mention the music? "New Dawn-New Day" is so good! Please let a companion CD fly soon with all the soundtrack goodies.
I cheered when I saw your mention of Part 2. Thanks for the incredible ride!
-Margaret Schermerhorn
I've just finished watching your documentary film last week and wanted to thank you for sharing your personal "mystical journey". Your stories, words, and music were deeply touching (there were moments where I actually shed tears), and all I can mention right now is that the whole experience was very good for my soul and precisely what I needed in that moment in time as well. (Life is funny like that sometimes, isn't it?) Thank you so much for the beautiful "gift", Mr. Davies...I hope I get to thank you in person someday soon.
I also look forward to learning more about the spiritual teachings you've covered in the film, and would love to know more about your thoughts and beliefs, as well as your music projects.
-Maiko Overton
Dave Davies Mystical Journey is a wonderful DVD full of love, music and enlightenment, a must see for everyone! Dave shares his deep knowledge of both Eastern and Western philosophy with the gift for making the abstruse concepts of Indian religion accessible to the Western mindset.
The behind the scenes video shot by the band and friends is priceless. I loved all the pictures of early childhood and Dave’s descriptions of the loving and supportive family who inspired his incredible journey. The song “Come Dancing” has a deeper meaning to me after hearing about the time spent with his older sisters.
Because Dave started his spiritual journey with a strong focus at such a young age the amount of spiritual knowledge he has to share is amazing! Like living in the moment without fear or judgment, Mystical Journey is beyond description and something that must be experienced.
Thank you Dave for sharing the most precious gift you can give.
Love to all,
-Mark Hartzer
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Dave Davies’
Mystical Journey. The huge Kinks fan in me hoped for Dave’s
personal insights on the band, how this powerful force in music came about.
My own spiritual journey is on an accelerated path - Dave’s musings,
observations and teachings always resonate deeply with me so I knew I was
in for something that would spark my interest, at the very least. Being a
music and video producer I wondered if it would all mesh together, if this
DVD could capture the entire magic that is Dave in a cohesive manner. From
the moment it started, I was blown away.
Dave narrates and takes us on a journey back to London, growing up with Ray
and six sisters who sparked his spiritual quest. Dave and Ray’s personal
relationship is candidly talked about, how the Kinks music evolved into this
innovative mad vehicle driven by these two quite different British brothers
with a volatile relationship, both geniuses in their own right, strugglin
g with their own demons like the rest of us, wondering what it’s all
about anyway.
We get an intimate glimpse into the spiritual side of London decades ago,
as Dave takes us back and we peek through the looking glass at spiritual masters
and teachers that laid the groundwork for the awakening of the masses and
spiritual revolution that Madame Blavatsky predicted, the age of Aquarius
that is upon us now. But the brilliant part of it all is how Dave realizes
his gift of inspired music can heal and raise vibrations at this time of critical
mass. And so he does.
The cinematography is rich with stark landscapes and dramatic camera angles
expertly cut and topped off with Dave s soothing and at times humorous narrative
and inspired music, all coming together in an audio visual treat for the senses
- a feast for the mind, body and soul.
Can you tell I liked it? What the world needs now is more of Dave and god
speed with the distribution of Mystical Journey. Kudos to him, Martin, Kate
and the entire production team. You rocked it.
-Nancy Patterson Bragin
The beginning of the film is similar to the "Kink
Memoirs" Dave published a few months ago, it starts with Dave talking
about his memories as a child and how some things he experienced in his early
days (like the loss of his sister Rene) affected him and made him ask himself
some questions nobody seemed to be able to answer. So he decided to search
for the answers himself. Through all the film both Spiritual and musical experiences
are combined making it very entertaining and easy to watch.
For me the best thing about Mystical Journey is that in some way
it has changed the way I see subjects like Meditation, Healing or the Psyche
World. I thought some things would probably be hard to understand for those
who (like me) aren't too much inside Spirituality, but on the contrary it's
all very easy to get.
I was surprised at how much Dave knows about this matters, and I didn't know
it was such a big and complicated world, much more related to science and
music than I could even imagine. There's nothing dark or strange here (unlike
in the wrong view media often gives us), it's all very close to us and something
natural we're meant to explore. The film also talks about many important persons
in the world of Meditation and references a lot of books.
The soundtrack for the film is excellent and it features Dave songs from all
over his career, plus the brilliant "New Dawn, New Day". In addition
to the music, there are lots of rare images and videos that will please all
Dave and Kinks fans.
So we get exactly what promised, both the Dave Davies Kronikles and his Mystical
Journey. You can appreciate Dave and Martin (kudos to him too for all
the great job) have put A LOT of efforts into this project and it's something
Dave definitely wants to share with the world, something he wants everybody
to see. It's his baby, and the result is amazing. This film and the subjects
it covers would be very interesting if any person had done it, talking about
his own Journey through life, the fact that the person in question is Dave
makes it even better.
Dave, thank you very much for making us part of your Journey.
-Iñaki García Galera
I am almost speechless after viewing this film! I just ordered my DVD right before leaving for a month’s vacation, and after arriving home last night I just got the chance to see the DVD.
As I watched I was transfixed and transformed!
To see the incredibly beautiful videography, and to hear Dave’s music incorporated was moving to say the least. The spiritual information shared was also spellbinding! I stayed on the edge of my seat throughout the film and I loved all the old footage of family and old Kinks shows. Perfect! You guys did an awesome job!
Congrats to you Dave and Martin and Kate and everyone else who helped with this film! It far surpassed any expectations I had as it was so beautifully done, words can’t do it justice. I am very pleased with this DVD and will always cherish it.
Love,
-Teri LaBrecque
To meet someone, who has continually asked “why”
throughout his life, and grown from the knowledge…this is a blessing.
It’s been a wild, exciting journey all these years, starting in listening
to your music, to seeing you in shows, and then standing next to you on a
stage and feeling that loving energy c oming from you, to all those times
you were there in prayer and healing for me and my family. I’ve learned
so much from you, and am honored that I in return, was a tiny piece of inspiration
for you.
I love all the colors, and CGI work in the film. The images on the windshield
of your car…that was wild! The scenery was beautiful. I want to go to
that hill with all the rocks, where you were meditating.
You did a great job on that film, and recorded there forever is a piece of
your soul. That is the lovely gift you have shared with the world; the heavenly
light inside of you, that is your heavenly, ethereal essence. I sobbed at
the end, because all the emotion of my brother’s incarceration, your
stroke, my mom’s heart attack…it all came flooding back as the
words scrolled down the screen, and your voice sang along.
God bless you now and forever, Mr. Dave Davies, and thank you so much for
your love, healing and friendship.
With all my love and blessings,
-Ellen Botelho
Just had one of your DVD's. Really enjoyed it a lot and quite absorbing too.
Loved the old family footage on there as well. I noticed you were walking round Dartmoor, including Widecombe. I love that area and I'm on holiday around there next week. Very magical place.
Anyway, just wanted to thank you for making such a great DVD and giving an insight into your Interests. I'm into the paranormal and seen a few things over the years.
Take care though Dave and very best wishes.
-Tim (Burton, staffs UK)
Chrissie and I loved it! Thanks for sharing, and for leaving a lot of your Self there to inspire, uplift, and heal. Greatly appreciated Dave!
-Gary Blaze
When I watched Mystical Journey, I got the feeling that
Dave could go on for ten more volumes, as one gets the sense that he has so
much material to cover from his one short lifetime, a life that has obviously
been rich and very full on many levels. This film only just scratched the
surface. His family and his music alone would take up a couple more hours,
at least. But, this film is not so much about family, music or the Kinks,
but predominantly covers Dave's *inner*(mystical) journey, what drove him,
tracing the steps of his spiritual path since his early years. I am one who
always wants more details from Dave regarding his spiritual path, and I would
have loved more, but as it is, I am happy with this film (for now).
It is esoteric in parts, but contains a message for All, that All can understand,
I believe.The film is jam-packed, and contains an intimate look at Dave, what
led him to his spiritual path, his thoughts, his ponderings, some stories,
as well as interviews with other interesting people who Dave has crossed paths
with. Lots of information here, words of wisdom too... and music, of course.
And, the music throughout the film is so nicely interwoven with the narration.
You are going to want to watch this dvd more than once, I think. There is just too much in there to take in on the first time around. It is filled with interest and interesting conversations with Dave. It was very inspiring to me.
Technically, it is very well done and most entertaining. Thumbs up to Dave's son, Martin Davies, and all who worked on this film with Dave. I give it an all around 5 stars...*****
Thank you for this lovely work, Dave.
-Barbara Hughes
I went to the Dave Davies website and purchased Dave's new DVD, Mystical Journey, and watched it the other night. I found it very interesting and enjoyable. The main subject of the film is on Dave's interest throughout his life in matters beyond the mundane. The film touches on meditation, the occult, astrology, and related topics. This interest in matters beyond the mundane has been a prime motivator for Dave throughout his life, and clearly helped him deal with his stroke and aftermath of the stroke.
In the film, Dave comes across as being very sincere about the subject of the spiritual life, and a serious student of writers who have dealt with these subjects. I realize some fans consider this aspect of Dave to be somewhat odd, but even for those who feel this way (maybe especially for those), I believe this movie will be interesting and enjoyable. The movie conveys a good feeling for Dave's sincere, almost scholarly interest in these matters. I don't think it's possible to understand what makes Dave tick without taking a look at this aspect of him.
It's also worth mentioning that there is plenty of content in the film about The Kinks and music. For example, there are vintage home movies of the Davies family, a really fun clip of David Nolte and Dave talking about music and recording music, and a clip of Dave performing "Creepin' Jean" which must have been from that last show he did in Europe shortly before the stroke (because the drummer is not Jim Laspesa ... who WAS the drummer for that gig? ... was it Dave's son?). That clip made me almost cry with nostalgia for the wonderful days of following Dave's solo tours.
Right now our Kinks kommunity is mourning the passing of several of our members. It's often at times like these that people turn to their religion or to their spirituality for comfort. And for this reason, I also think the timing of this film is appropriate.
-Joanne Corsano
I received my copy of Mystical Journey with great anticipation and found this film to be an inspiration that far exceeded my expectations.
With the feeling of intimacy, Dave draws you into his experiences with a style that is warm and at the same time informative.
The information contained in this film is astounding! It is packed with book suggestions, Universal Laws and Principles, and so much valuable information for the beginner to the advanced practitioner of spirituality . Each time I view the film, I find there was something new I had missed on a previous viewing.
The scenes are inspiring as is the soundtrack that is prominent within the film's entirety. Dave's music has always had an etheric quality unlike any other musician and this film gives one a gateway into the energy behind his music.
The film contains the perfect balance of interviews, historical knowledge, and intimate details of Dave's amazing Mystical Journey, from his childhood, The Kinks, and beyond.
As a lifelong metaphysical practitioner, I feel that this is an important work, a film not to be missed. I will enjoy it time and time again and with each viewing, gain some new knowledge or insight into the vast universe in which we live.
Thank you for sharing your life, music, beliefs, history, and truths with all of us!
Many blessings on this work and the new ones that are sure to follow!
-Rosina Mostardini
Overall, fans age and mature with their idols. However, most fans remain fairly adolescent in one respect: we never get over wanting to know details of our idols’ private lives. We want the facts and the anecdotes. We want to know about their pets and their pet peeves, and most of all, we want to know about the people they have lived with and loved.
More than a decade ago, Dave Davies went farther than any other rock star in sharing those facts and anecdotes: his autobiography, Kink, was detailed, frank, and often outrageously funny. But now Dave has outdistanced himself, inviting fans into his head for a look at the thoughts that have shaped his response to life’s joys and challenges.
Dave Davies Kronikles: Mystical Journey covers the people, books, and ideas that shaped Dave’s thinking, music, and behavior. Early radio programs and movies give way to Dennis Wheatley novels of the supernatural and works of spiritualists, Jung and yogis, mediums and meditation. We ride or walk along with Dave, stopping at bookstores and visiting his friends, enjoying nature, and learning what he has learned.
Accustomed as we are to celebrities pitching something for us to buy, we come to the end of this DVD astonished. Dave hasn’t been selling anything. Mystical Journey is an expression of friendship, an act of kindness, and demonstration of trust. How much more could we fans want than to know what’s important to Dave?
Well, given the adolescent element we retain, I suppose we could want those facts and anecdotes mentioned earlier. Guess what? They, too, are part of Mystical Journey, beginning with a marvelous home movie clip of the Davies family matriarch, who, it appears, did not care to be filmed:
Mother Davies: “Is that thing on, David?”
Dave (lying): “No.”
Mother Davies: “Your light’s blinking.”
You have to wonder if Dave ever put anything over on her.
There are also wedding pictures of Dave’s beautiful sisters, glimpses of Dave on holiday with toddler sons, a story of telepathy between Dave and his brother, and a brief-but-powerful retrospective on the legendary Rasa and the role she played in The Kinks.
The quality of this work exceeded even the high expectations I had for it.
Bravo, Dave! And thanks.
-Rebecca J. Miller
I've just finished watching it and I feel very good after doing so. It sets quite a cheerful and positive mood.
Much of the DVD was concerned with spiritualism and, before I watched it, I'll admit I was a little concerned that it would be like preaching. However, I never realised that Dave was so affected by higher powers even in his childhood. This is an eye-opener. Having previously known little about spiritualism, Dave has now taught me more and I have great respect for it. I have nothing against people who practise organised religion, but I have never been a fan of it myself because of all the negativity that seems to go on between religions. Spiritualism makes a great point: all religions approach the same subject from a different angle, but do not reveal the whole truth. There is a need to change the consciousness of humanity. Watching this DVD, I realise that it has really shaped Dave in personality and career.
It was also of course interesting to see all of the archive footage away from the stage and, even better, early Kinks in glorious colour - a rare opportunity! It was a real insight to hear Dave talk of his experiences after Ray's suicide attempt, which I feel the Kinks Kommunity has not known much about, and also his own experiences after his stroke - reassuring in my case because my grandfather recently had a stroke and is no longer able to move or communicate well with us.
Overall, the DVD is presented well and the documentary itself is extremely varied. Dave has clearly researched well and produced the right balance of interviews, history, opinions, Kinks information, and footage. The soundtrack has a presence all the way through and is very much in tune with what is being shown. Indeed, learning of the impact of spiritualism really brings a new aspect to Dave's music.
-Sean Anderson
I recieved Mystical Journey and watched it last night. Thank you so much for such a wonderful look into your life and spiritual learning.
It really made me think and developed many interests of my own. I know that we can all make the world a better place as we change the way that we view our relationships with each other and our planet.
The film is incredible in so many ways and extremely well done - Bravo! I enjoyed it so much, thank you!!!
-Jim Scully
I remember reading Kink when it first came out and being really impressed with how honest and open Dave was in his stream-of-consciousness writing. Mystical Journey feels like a logical sequel or addition to Kink. Only this time, instead of reading Dave’s thoughts, it’s like you’re there with Dave as he talks about his youth, his life in general and his spiritual influences.
The way he talks about his life in Mystical Journey, with a frank honesty, very little self-consciousness and a sweet sense of humor thrown in, it’s hard not to feel like you are there sharing a cup of tea or a pint of beer while listening to Dave talk.
One scene takes place surrounded by some gorgeous scenery with Dave’s voice-over sounding almost like a musical sound track. Another takes place on a crowded street, yet, overall, the tone of Mystical Journey is peaceful yet thought provoking but in a non-challenging way.
The new song “New Dawn, New Day” that is featured on Mystical Journey has almost a meditative quality; it’s hopeful, positive and life-affirming.
Even if you are not into the “occult” or spiritualism at all, Mystical Journey is still an amazing DVD. The intimacy of it and the “you are there” feel to it is something that makes it worth watching. You will want to watch it more than once to appreciate all that it contains.
-Leslie Ohanian
If you would like to submit your own review of Mystical Journey, please email them to: bellydncr@gmail.com
