Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Amazing

  • Amazing Grace (Live at The Tank) – Single

    Amazing Grace (Live at The Tank) – Single

    One of the most requested songs asked of Sherry Finzer when she plays live, is the beautiful Amazing Grace written by John Newton in 1772 which is considered as the most sung and recorded hymn in history.

    Recorded earlier this year at the Tank in Rangely, Colorado, a space which has amazing acoustics, a place where one note can hang in the atmosphere, drifting effortlessly, the singular notes of Amazing Grace played on the alto–flute allow the song to develop an otherworldly feeling that is rich, and deeply spiritual.

    Offered as a song to be enjoyed there is a delightful YouTube clip that celebrates the simple, joyful moments in life we all cherish.

  • The Most Amazing Thing

    The Most Amazing Thing

    Henry was bored and went to speak to his Mum who was writing a chapter of her book. His Dad was polishing his telescope, and his sister was looking at her microscope. In desperation his mother told him to draw her something amazing. Henry had a blank piece of paper and no thoughts at all, even though some very funny pictures suggest otherwise.

    Finally, his sister told him to look through her microscope and marvel at the tiny living blobs. “Henry didn’t feel full of life. He didn’t feel very amazing.” Again, the full-page illustration suggests otherwise. The author then took us on a journey of the mind, with Simon suggesting that we know things and we know what we know and what we don’t know, and that is amazing.

    Henry visited his Dad and asked him about ‘amazing’. His father replied that the universe was amazing and showed him some sights which left Henry unmoved. When his Mum had a coffee break, Henry again mentioned that he couldn’t find anything amazing. His Mother told him that he was the most amazing thing. She said,” there is nobody in the world exactly like you.” Henry looked at himself and he felt …….”

    Once Henry started to think about his potential, his mind, and his universe he felt the need to explore and develop himself. The Most Amazing Thing is a great introduction to help children look at themselves as individuals. The illustrations tell a great deal more of the story than the words convey.

  • Lead Me Home

    Lead Me Home

    Camille Nelson has created a wonderfully relaxing and absolutely enjoyable collection of favourite and new pieces, which reflect on the many traditional and much loved hymns of generations, through to some delightfully new compositions in the same style or genre.

    The first two pieces are the much played, sung  and loved Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art which have been given serious consideration with the fine playing of the acoustic guitar, backed by a wonderful strings arrangement, to create arrangements which offer a return down memory lane, with modern soothing and enjoyable ambience.

    Nearer My God To Thee has been given a distinctive Country and Western feel with the use of the pedal steel guitar, adding a totally new feel and vibe to this much loved piece, which somehow or other, manages to bring with it a smile, as if finding itself as a C&W arrangement,  seems so incongruously right!

    In Be Thou My Vision Alex Sharpe, formerly of Celtic Woman, adds an exotic touch of vocals to the arrangement to create a style reminiscence of Japan and the clear melodies produced within their music style. Almost unnoticed, Adelia wanders softly and gently into the mix, with nothing more than pure acoustic guitar, played by Susie Brown Erni, to highlight the delicately beautiful notes of this lovely piece.

    The title piece Lead Me Home features Camille Nelson on guitar, backed with a beautiful string arrangement created by Shane Mickelsen, which gently leads you through this piece straight into the reflective and delightful Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing featuring the playing of fiddle and mandolin by Ryan Sharpe.

    Patterns of Light continues the reflective theme with the final piece, Count Your Many Blessings, the melody of which was written 1897 by Johnson Oatman, Jr.as a religious piece of music to go with the well-known words, and went on the mean so many different things to different people and is as popular today, as it was when it was first penned.

    As a first studio album from this a talented artist and arranger it would have to be considered, as the promo pieces states, as almost Angelic!

  • Sanctuary III: Beyond the Dream

    Sanctuary III: Beyond the Dream

    Once again Sherry Finzer has produced an album which encapsulates the haunting, ethereal beauty of the flute in Sanctuary III: Beyond the Dream.

    In a far more reflective and almost introverted mood, somewhat different to her usual style, she taps into the depth of each of the pieces seeking the inner strength of the music, the soul and the heart of each of the pieces.

    Introducing us to the emotive series of works, The Way gently ushers in the reflective melodies which are to be the significant component of the album. It is almost as if Finzer is looking deep within to allowing that gentle spirituality to come forward, to form the notes which are perfection in themselves.

    Her offering of the beautiful Hallelujah, written by Leonard Cohen in 1984, is one to be enjoyed over and over again. This piece of music has, over the years, been treated to a wide range of performance styles, each one as different and varied as the performer or performance. In this rendition it is simple, subtle and all encompassing. Dare one say a classic interpretation?

    Amazing Grace is another much love hymn which has also seen a transformation in style; the rich tones of the flute have been enhance with the delicate touch of the guitar played by Darrin Mahoney, allowing a deep, almost dreamlike element to infuse the traditional and timeless rhythm of the composition.

    Another Time and Place continues what has become an almost seamless, dreamlike state, offering complete immersion into a peaceful place, a sanctuary, if you will, where you can simply be, let go, relax and enjoy.

    The American Gospel Folk song Wayfaring Stranger is introduced with the sound of waves breaking on the shore, the ebb and flow of the ocean, the notes of the flute rising above the elements to paint a soundscape, relating to the lyrics depicting a ‘poor wayfaring stranger, Traveling through this world of woe’ (sic)……………….´I am just going o’er Jordan I am just going o’er home’.

    The final piece ‘Song For Rex’ was written for her then unborn grandson, long awaited and much loved and is full of unspoken love, joy and hope for this new soul, yet to grace this earth. Light and perfect, the piece also returns you to this time and place, filled with love, refreshed and  in the knowledge that this place, this sanctuary, is there for you to return too as you will, as you desire.