Haunted by Waters is a group of Bay Area musicians and artists who created an exciting and powerful blend of music that is truly cross-cultural. Fusing together sensual Middle Eastern melodies, Celtic vocals, driving rhythms and soaring synth sounds, their music celebrates spirit, unity and diversity.
Built on a primal and infectious rhythmic background of Middle Eastern, African, and Celtic rhythms and percussion — weaving in lush vocals, rich melodies and harmonies, and sensuous electronic textures — they create a progressive, entrancing world sound. At once ancient and futuristic, Haunted by Waters seamlessly combine a galaxy of diverse influences into a cohesive and moving soundscape.
Their instrumentation spans the globe: fretless electric bass, textural and distorted electric guitars, acoustic guitar, synth and sampled sounds, didgeridoo, tin whistle, conch shell, electric violin, flute, tabla, dumbec, udu drums and more.
"...when the occasional gem comes along, it's reason to rejoice...the instrumental sound is impressive...intelligent, humane, artistic songwriting is the key to Haunted by Waters."
— BAM Magazine
"...multi-textured, pop/world beat. A kinder, mellower Height for the '90s: incubation over revolution, musical instruction over wigged-out improvisation..."
— Option Magazine
The Band
Each member is a musician of international caliber on the cutting edge of world music
David Hannibal
Guitars, Keys, Didgeridoo, Programming
Co-founder. Has worked with E-mu Systems, Oberheim, Q-up Arts. Sampling work heard on recordings by XTC and Fishbone; in major motion pictures including Batman and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Cait McWhir
Lead Vocals, Tin Whistle, Percussion
Co-founder. Born and raised in Ireland, steeped in Celtic folk music and theater. "Ireland is full of music. Everywhere you go you hear it. Even the lakes, the valleys, the trees and the wind sing loudly in Ireland."
Gerry Bassermann
Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
Graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Worked for EMU Systems (7 years) and Opcode Systems (6 years). Writer for Electronic Musician magazine. Currently at Propellerhead Software.
Tina "Bean" Blaine
Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Founder of the multimedia ensemble D'CuCKOO. Studied with master Senegalese and Congolese drummers. Recorded with Brian Eno and Mickey Hart. Composed music for television and video games (Sega/Genesis).
Rhan Wilson
Percussion
Santa Cruz multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and creator who has spent five decades exploring how we hear and interpret music. Creator of the acclaimed "Altared" concert series and a 2012 Gail Rich Award honoree; has worked with Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone), Joe Craven, and Grammy nominee Tammi Brown.
Greg Stone
Bass
Bassist for Haunted by Waters, present from the band's earliest demo recordings through their live performances. His bass work also appears on Phast Phreddie & Thee Precisions' "Limbo" (1984) and Rodney Bingenheimer's "All Year Party!" compilation.
Stephen Schultz
Baroque Flute
Acclaimed Baroque flutist — “among the most flawless artists on the Baroque flute” (San Jose Mercury News) — and principal flute with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Musica Angelica. With Haunted by Waters he plays an electronically processed Baroque flute.
Haunted by Waters Reunion Performance — Ashavahishta CD Release Party at Cloud 9, Berkeley, California · January 2014
A discovery from deep in the archives — never-before-released songs crafted during the band's most creative years, lovingly completed in the present. David Hannibal added new edits, additional instrumentation, remixes and mastering.
1. Stars in My Soul 6:39
2. Invincible 7:24
3. Nemesis 6:27
4. Light of Day 6:21
5. Many Roads 6:41
6. Dreamtime 3:30
7. Flame 5:15
8. Falling Through Again 6:16
Genre: World Fusion / Rock Cover Art: Harry Hrair Tanielian (Raven) Mastering: David Hannibal
♦ In memory of Jeff Obee (bass), who passed away in 2024. His legacy lives on in this release.
The debut album — a unique collection celebrating spirit, unity and diversity. Featuring an extraordinary array of world instruments from didgeridoo to tin whistle, conch shell to tabla.
1. The Coming of Lugh 6:33
2. Winds of Love 5:56
3. Hideaway 6:02
4. Like the Dust 6:20
5. Shasta the Wanderer 7:08
6. Drowning in the Waters 7:06
7. M'Bayata 4:19
8. Jalne Jalne 7:03
9. Impassioné 6:00
10. Pray 6:56
11. Camille 4:20
Genre: World / Ambient / Celtic Executive Producer: X DOT 25 Music Mastered by: Michael Romanowski, Rocket Lab SF Mixing: Mesa Recording, Sebastopol, CA Cover Art: Harry Hrair Tanielian (Raven)
Also: Samsara's Edge
Inner and outer worlds collide in this collaboration between multi-instrumentalist David Hannibal & Irish vocalist Cait McWhir — co-founders of Haunted by Waters. A strong electronic-ambient flavor drives this multi-textured and eclectic collection of tracks. Cait's other-worldly vocals add a hypnotic feel alongside David's psychedelically edgy guitar. Guest artist and Oakland poet, the late Juan Domingo, rounds it out with trip-hop flavored spoken word.
Press & Reviews
"...when the occasional gem comes along, it's reason to rejoice...the instrumental sound is impressive...intelligent, humane, artistic songwriting is the key to Haunted by Waters."
BAM Magazine
"...multi-textured, pop/world beat. A kinder, mellower Height for the '90s: incubation over revolution, musical instruction over wigged-out improvisation..."
Option Magazine
"Inner and outer worlds collide in the intriguing debut album from Samsara's Edge... Cait's other-worldly and globally influenced vocals add a hypnotic feel to the work alongside David's psychedelically edgy guitar."
Rambles.net
Lyrics — Like the Dust
All 11 songs from the debut album
1. The Coming of Lugh
Like the Dust · Hannibal/Bassermann/McWhir/Blaine
(Based on Irish mythology — the great Celtic warrior Lugh Lauve Fauda)
(Gaelic — Tadhbhas De Lugh)
(Vocals with Bodhran, Electric Guitar, Keyboard Sequencing, Drums)
(Based on Irish mythology — the great Celtic warrior Lugh Lauve Fauda)
(Gaelic — Tadhbhas De Lugh)
(Vocals with Bodhran, Electric Guitar, Keyboard Sequencing, Drums)
2. Winds of Love
Like the Dust · Traditional, arr. Haunted by Waters
The Winds of Love are blowing at us
They're standing at the crossroads of the valley
Oh you winds of love help me
Will you take me to my homeland
If I wasn't so afraid to go there
I'm so afraid that I would grow
Old in this land of exile
Take me to the land of my beloved
The Winds of Love are blowing at us
They're standing at the crossroads of the valley
Oh you winds of love help me
Will you take me to my homeland
If I wasn't so afraid to go there
I'm so afraid that I would grow
Old in this land of exile
Take me to the land of my beloved
3. Hideaway
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
Used to be easy to hide my feelings away from you
Bury my feelings away
Inside....
And do you know how I wanna try
To make it easier to understand
That something's different now
It's gonna be different now
Gotta' be real about it
Throw caution to the wind this time
Used to be easy to hide my feelings away from you
Bury my feelings away
Inside....
And do you know how I wanna try
To make it easier to understand
That something's different now
It's gonna be different now
Gotta' be real about it
Throw caution to the wind this time
You don't know how hard I've been trying
To turning my back and walkaway
From love, from love
It's natural for me to want to be with you
To be your friend
All the reasons besides
Just a man and a woman
And I can see myself in you
A part of me that's holding on
Do you wanna let go
Let go of the past....
Gotta' be real about it
Throw caution to the wind this time
You don't know how hard I've been trying
To turning my back and walkaway
I never wanted to lie to you
And if I separate myself from you
Will you understand why I can't turn my back
And hideaway from love
From love, from love
Gotta' be real about it
Throw caution to the wind this time
You don't know how hard I've been trying
To turning my back and walkaway
I never wanted to lie to you
And if I separate myself from you
Will you understand why I can't turn my back
And hideaway from love
From love, from love
4. Like the Dust
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
On a train goin' nowhere
It's an empty road ahead
If you wanna get out of the desert
Forests are burning into the night
Green fields are going brown, everywhere
Earth is scorched by the sun
And we're killing the sacred land
We live on
We live on our heart
On a train goin' nowhere
It's an empty road ahead
If you wanna get out of the desert
Forests are burning into the night
Green fields are going brown, everywhere
Earth is scorched by the sun
And we're killing the sacred land
We live on
We live on our heart
If you wanna see, wanna feel,
Wanna try and make any change
Before its too late
You've gotta' let
Gotta' let go of the past
Gotta' change the way we think about our lives
We don't have a choice anymore
We don't have a choice anymore
Anymore....
Drowning ourselves in a sea of confusion
Overloaded senses too many illusions
Everyday living's a poison
That can settle on you like a dust....
If you wanna see, wanna feel,
Wanna try and make any change
Before its too late
You've gotta' let
Gotta' let go of the past
Gotta' change the way we think about our lives
We don't have a choice anymore
We don't have a choice anymore
Anymore....
5. Shasta the Wanderer
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
Don't know how to tell you
Now you're gone
Don't know how to say
What's right or wrong
Could have been different
Who's to say
Why we go so far away?
Ya, Ya, Ya, Ya, Far away
Don't know how to tell you
Now you're gone
Don't know how to say
What's right or wrong
Could have been different
Who's to say
Why we go so far away?
Ya, Ya, Ya, Ya, Far away
Something you believe in
All our dreams
Nothing ever is the way it seems
Tried to make you change your mind
Easier for us to leave behind
Ya, Ya, Ya, Ya, Far behind
If there is a reason
Let it go
If there is an answer
Let it show
Could have been different
Who's to say
Why we go so far away
Ya, Ya, Ya, Ya, Far away
6. Drowning in the Waters
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
You wait
I wait...
Waiting for the love
To reveal itself again
Last night I called your name
Softly to the wind for her to carry
This seems so easy to believe
Or is it only for our souls to dream?
You wait
I wait...
Waiting for the love
To reveal itself again
Last night I called your name
Softly to the wind for her to carry
This seems so easy to believe
Or is it only for our souls to dream?
Unfolding moments of your destiny
Another knowing of your soul
Recognition of your heart's desire
Love within is never cold.....
Drown me in the waters
Drown me in the waters
Drown me in the waters of your soul.......
Unspeakable like destiny
Surrender to uncertainty
To let it go
Let it unfold is heaven's way
The path that leads me to this place
Is tangled up in love's desire
To satisfy some of the hunger in my soul
To laugh to love to breathe again
To fall in love with life again
To let it go
Let it unfold
Is heaven's way
Unfolding moments of your destiny
Another knowing of your soul
Recognition of your heart's desire
Love within is never cold.....
Drown me in the waters
Drown me in the waters
Drown me in the waters of your soul.......
7. M'Bayata
Like the Dust · Hannibal/Bassermann/McWhir/Blaine
(World Beat — Vocals, Djembe, Keyboards, Classical Guitar)
(Chant and percussion — inspired by West African traditions)
(World Beat — Vocals, Djembe, Keyboards, Classical Guitar)
(Chant and percussion — inspired by West African traditions)
8. Jalne Jalne
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
inspired by the Macedonian folksong "Se Vradse Vradse Jalno Sonce"
There's something calling out to you
That seeks to pierce the ignorance
Deliverance to understand
The Knowledge that you bring
Infinite a wisdom forced
To seek eventuality
Rebirth all is life and death
I see it circle round
inspired by the Macedonian folksong "Se Vradse Vradse Jalno Sonce"
There's something calling out to you
That seeks to pierce the ignorance
Deliverance to understand
The Knowledge that you bring
Infinite a wisdom forced
To seek eventuality
Rebirth all is life and death
I see it circle round
Around, around
Around, around
Around
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir (inspired by Nelson Mandela)
Now we can begin
The time has come at last
Let go of all the hate
Surrender of the past
Pray for the other
Wait for the change
Love never leaves you
Hope stays the same
Now we can begin
The time has come at last
Let go of all the hate
Surrender of the past
Pray for the other
Wait for the change
Love never leaves you
Hope stays the same
Time to come together
We can make the change
If faith never leaves you
The world's not the same
Pray for the other
Help make the change
Life never leaves you
Hope will remain
Someone that you
Know someone you can't see
Someone you will know
Time to set them free
Someone speaks his mind
Someone looks for truth
Someone to believe
So much faith in you
11. Camille
Like the Dust · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
You didn't know why you were the one
The deal you struck with fate
Signed sealed delivered in your hands
Trying hard to forget the one whose sympathy you wrought
Betrayed by the visions from your mind
And all the work you did demanded compromise from men
A woman's genius left out in the cold
And no-one really cared about the soul who lived inside
And freedom stolen from the wings of love
You didn't know why you were the one
The deal you struck with fate
Signed sealed delivered in your hands
Trying hard to forget the one whose sympathy you wrought
Betrayed by the visions from your mind
And all the work you did demanded compromise from men
A woman's genius left out in the cold
And no-one really cared about the soul who lived inside
And freedom stolen from the wings of love
All the worlds afraid of you
So terrified of questioning
Unable to protect the fragile beast
Incarcerated for your power and driven mad by love
Struck wounded fear like statues in your heart
All you ever needed was the recognition you deserved
And not to be betrayed by one who saw
The jealousy
His jaded soul
That brought you to your knees
The passion in your hands that needed clay
Your hands.....
Your hands....
Your eyes......
Lyrics — Light of Day
All 8 songs from the album
1. Stars in My Soul
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
Our arms open wide to the sky
I see all the love in your eyes
Save me from hate
Save me from fear
Our arms open wide to the sky
I see all the love in your eyes
Save me from hate
Save me from fear
Save me from anger
The disease of despair
Who sees inside from the outside?
Who sees into the mystery?
I find you deep in the darkness
You showed me the stars in my soul
Save us from hate
Save us from fear
Save us from anger
The disease of despair
Who sees inside from the outside?
Who sees into the mystery?
I find you in the darkness
You showed me the stars in my soul
You showed me the stars in my soul
2. Invincible
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
In search of ways to tell me of the things that set us free
You say I spend my time in darkened shadows
Desire for the perfection
That wrests us from ourselves
In search of ways to tell me of the things that set us free
You say I spend my time in darkened shadows
Desire for the perfection
That wrests us from ourselves
And glimpses of a way beyond confusion
I see you walking on the sand
Emotions running wild
We learn to heal the places which are broken
I lived my life in circumstance
And dreamed of love that lasts
And finding ways to see into forever
Always the same
And ever and on
Never a day goes by
We're not half alone with our endless ourselves
Invincible ones that cry
We are not invincible
Enslaved to independence
We who have been seeking
For freedom for so long
Desire for the perfection
In search of love that lasts
The innocence has ended
The dream, the dance was all ayahya
The dance was all ayahya
Hey okinah
Hey okinah da
Heya okinahnah
Heya okinahnah
Heya okina
Heya okinahnah
Heya okina
I don't want this anymore
I don't need this anymore
I can't take this anymore
Ayahya
Eyah
Eyah
We try to make a brave new world
Without the threat of fear
A peaceful place of perfect understanding
Forgive the broken promises
And heal the wounds we wear
And not forsake the beauty we are given
Always the same
And ever and on
Never a day goes by
We're not half alone with our endless ourselves
Invincible ones that cry
We are not invincible
Never a day goes by
We are not invincible
Invincible ones that cry
Ayahya
Hey okinah
Hey okinah da
Heya okinahnah
Heya okinahnah
Heya okina
Heya okinahnah
Heya okina
3. Nemesis
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
Soul cries
Our lives
Hold on tightly
Long ago and far apart
Soul cries
Our lives
Hold on tightly
Long ago and far apart
Solemn prayers
Forsaken...
Easily
All gone
Soul strong
Fire burns
All around
Why do we believe?
All of this
Uncertain weave
All its lies
Desire that flies
Desire that flies
Our honesty that lies
Fear becomes the enemy
We're really running from
Our life...Our only love
Torn by
All around
Streams gone
Further in
Realize the Heart of her
Savage game
That we are in...
Try
Run...by...lies
Desire that flies
Our honesty that lies
Fear becomes the enemy
We're really running from
Our lives, our only love
4. Light of Day
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
It's a crazy hard to figure out world
If you let it get you down
If you give away your integrity
You run the risk of getting drowned
It's a crazy hard to figure out world
If you let it get you down
If you give away your integrity
You run the risk of getting drowned
If you do what you want
And not what you're told
You're really going to pay
If you tell somebody what you really mean
They tell you that you don't see
Light of Day…
Light of day
Build myself a beautiful fortress
Throw away the key
I can't get to anybody else
And they can't get to me
Bury my head in the silver sand
The illusion of the dark
I was looking for you
You were trying to tell me
That the key was inside me
All along,..
All along
We're not alone
We're not alone
Not again
Don't stay long in insanity
It always feels so bad
There's nothing left in this whole wide world
That'll take you by surprise
If you fall to earth like a broken angel
Falling from the Tree
You'll lose the joy
You'll lose the feeling
Given you for free
You're not alone
You're not alone
5. Many Roads
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
In the shadows of each other
We are building our lives
In the shadows of each other
We continue to survive
In the shadows of each other
We are building our lives
In the shadows of each other
We continue to survive
Do you know how hard it's said out
To the children that leave
Looking for a better life
Than they knew before
And as the past surrounds us
And the future is uncertain
Time unfolds
Like the mirror of life
You touch the fire of deeper meaning
Break the chains of pain and hatred
Many roads, many roads go to the top of the mountain
There are many roads, many roads
Many roads, many roads go to the top of the mountain
You teach the children how to sing again
Teach the sinners how to love again
All the saints can listen
To an ever-changing world
When you find the truth that lies inside
Find the place where the shadows fall
Love that's written in the heavens above
Do you know what's given as your freedom?
Understanding, your salvation
Many roads, many roads go to the top of the mountain
There are many roads
There are many roads
There are many roads, many roads go to the top of the mountain
There are many roads
There are many roads
There are many roads, many roads go to the top of the mountain
Learn to love yourself
Learn to love another
See it all around
6. Dreamtime
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
Who are you?
What are you?
You watch you wait you wonder
If it's ever going to happen
Who are you?
What are you?
You watch you wait you wonder
If it's ever going to happen
They told you that it's easy
Dreams like hearts
Like hearts of lovers
Who are you?
The dreams are all that matters
Like prayers to the dying
Your life in you is waiting
La vie de mon amour
Je, Je veux
Tu, tu veut
Love where are you?
Love, I need you
Your spirit is in your belly
Like breath that you can touch
With time unlived in spirit
You'll die if you don't dream
Who are you?
What are you?
7. Flame
Light of Day · Lyrics: Cait McWhir
Two thousand, five thousand, ten thousand
So many years ago
Looking for the thread that runs through time
Man didn't know what he wasn't supposed to understand
Two thousand, five thousand, ten thousand
So many years ago
Looking for the thread that runs through time
Man didn't know what he wasn't supposed to understand
Is it a different heartbeat
That we are listening to?
If I could see
If I could see
Beyond it all
Beyond it all
If I could see
If I could see
Into myself
Into, into myself
If we could only understand
And pull back all the veils of me
What kind of Love is this
That we are always dreaming of?
You are the flame
You are, you are...the flame
You are the flame
You are, you are...the flame
All the love in the world
Everything that we are dreaming of
Too easy to forget
What it is that we need?
If we could only understand
And pull back all the veils of time
What kind of Love is this
That we are always dreaming of?
You are the flame
You are, you are...the flame
You are the flame
You are, you are...the flame
8. Falling Through Again
Light of Day · Lyrics: McWhir/Hannibal
Down down down down
Remembering
Down down down down
Can you see it?
Down down down down
Remembering
Down down down down
Can you see it?
Can you reach out for it?
It's here, right over here
Just try falling through again
Down down down down
Remembering
Down down down down
Remembering
Where you're going to
Don't look back
You might lose your way
If you can see it, you can touch it
You can reach out and hold it
Deep, deep in the heart
Of everything
Far, it seems so far away sometimes
There was a place where you can find
So easy to forget
No, it's like that
Not what you're thinking
Don't move
Don't speak
You might lose it
You and I together again
In the center, falling through again
Don't look backwards
I know where we're going to
Surrender all the fear
Just try falling through again
Down down down down
Remembering
Down down down down
Remembering…
Where we're going to
Don't look back
You might lose your way
If you can see it, you can touch it
you can reach out and hold it
Cold, falling into the cold water
Time, where time stands still forever
There's a place where we come from
So easy to forget
No it's not that way
Not where you're going
Don't move
Don't speak
You might lose it
You and I together again
In the center
Falling through again
In the center
Live in Concert
CD Release Concert · Cloud 9, Berkeley · January 18, 2014
Concert Credits
Cait McWhir — Vocals, Tin Whistle, Harmonium, Zills Tina “Bean” Blaine — Percussion, Djembe, Doumbek, Keys, Vocals Gerry Bassermann — Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Didgeridoo, Vocals Rhan Wilson — Percussion, Electric Guitar Stephen Schultz — Baroque Flute Greg Stone — Bass
