Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: bella

  • Bella

    Bella

    Bella is a song which captures in soft gentle melodies, the journey taken by Neil Tatar when he read a book ‘We Were The Lucky Ones’ by Georgia Hunter, which tells the story of the Kurk family as they fled from Poland during World War II and were trying to survive in Nazi Germany.

    Some of the stories resonated with many of the stories told to him during his childhood, and particularly those of his grandfather Fred; Bella was his cousin. She came to America after the War, she and her family being sponsored by Fred, who was already living there.

    With the careful blending of Premik Russell Tubbs on soprano sax, Tom Eaton on bass and Jeff Haynes on Percussion, Neil Tatar has created a most beautiful, deeply emotional tribute to his forbearers and by association, those who travelled a similar road.   

    Bella – a stand out single straight from the heart of a romantic poet.

    In a clip from the promotional material: “By the end of the Holocaust, 90 percent of Poland’s three million Jews were annihilated; of the thirty thousand Jews who lived in Radom, fewer than three hundred survived”.

    We can never take our freedom for granted.

    Lest We Forget.

  • Bella

    Bella

    Gentle and soothing this latest release from Rick Sparks portrays in delicate tones the emotions and pure beauty of the child, known as Bella at prayer on the cover of the album painted by 19th century artist Roberto Ferruzzi. Who she was is lost deep in history but the purity of her intent is timeless, as is the music that forms Bella.

    Melodic and immensely peaceful the title song Bella introduces forty minutes of peace and tranquility with the gentle beauty of ‘vocals’ softly portraying an angelic ambience. The haunting beauty of the flute ushering in the lullaby Twilight Dreams, a rich and immensely soothing piece, perfect for allowing the mind and emotions to drift into timeless space.

    Autumn Rain floats across the keyboard with a delicate precision that is also gentle, unobtrusive but carries the delicate emotion of peaceful rest, once again overlaid with the sound of angelic vocals.

    Completely different, but still carrying that sense of slumber is the almost medieval sound of Highland Dreams, Pan flute leads in the piece, vocals once again filling in the background before the gentle wash of a more panoramic sound leads in the piano. Enchanting.

    Two pieces that compliment are Going Home and the Last Goodbye, both written to offer solace to those who have sadly had to say the last goodbye. Gentle, introspective, then light and floating the melody portrays the souls journey as it travels safely to another home.

    Completing a beautiful work is the tribute to Bella, Her Prayer, with the purity of a child’s prayer captured in delicate melody which brings to memory the words of the traditional and beloved of many child’s prayer, ‘And now I lay me down to sleep’.

    Words do not do justice to this softly emotional and gentle work which is absolutely perfect to simply take time out to listen, refresh, relax and replenish.

  • Trouble on the Farm

    Trouble on the Farm

    As an easy reading story, this book is great example of a cleverly crafted plot and problems that can be overcome. Friendship is not always plain sailing and there are times when quiet children will be called upon to sort out issues. Such is the case with Bella, who with her family has just moved to the country. They live next door to a dairy farm and the boy who lives there; Tom, is in her class at school.

    Tom’s parents have been over to meet Bella’s family and have invited the city girl to spend a day on the farm with them. She is very excited but just as she is leaving after breakfast, Magda, a new arrival from next door visits and invites herself to come along as well. The newcomer is a vivacious, impulsive, young lady who manages to turn things into total confusion. She is determined to drive the old tractor, with disastrous results.

    The chain of events is told in a humorous and original way. Problem solving has to be often and comprehensive. The reader is involved in the story and the tale is fast paced. Along with solving the issues that occur from Magda’s enthusiasm, Bella has to work out just how to deal with such a forceful friend. There is a lot to think about.

    For beginning readers, this book is well set out. There are double spaces between the text, a good size font, and plenty of illustrations. Together with the humour in the story, and the creative solutions that make everyone happy, you will finish the book with a smile.