Thanks for your kind words. Rhino, that's Chuck Oken Jr's place isnt it? I have been there a few times. Across the street there was a folk music store. Some of the Noah bells on my CD were purchased there, as well as my first ney. Now that I think of it, that ney was used on 'Low Barometer'. It is a non traditional 'large bore' ney and it has a very airy 1st register. It took me 3 months just to get a peep out of it!
When I heard the track 'Dissolve' by Robert Rich, I said "I dont know what that instrument is, but I am going to find one and play it". That was before I had a computer or internet. So I went searching and asking, folk music store after store. Many folks told me it would take years to become proficient or to even get a note out of it. I said "I have plenty of time and I have a knack for busting through learning curves". Anyway, I finally found my first ney. Could not get any sound out of until I saw a photo of Nick Parkin (Tuu) playing one. It was then that I realized the embouchure was very different from transverse flutes. 3 months later, I got my first note...
Wow, did I digress....
Anyway, thanks Robert, for delivering all the gems of inspiration. I miss LA...