Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: breakout

  • The Journey

    The Journey

    There is absolutely no doubt about it; David J Pena and his music are, simply put, becoming better, richer and deeper as the years unfold. Perhaps this is in part to the vastly different perspective on life we gain as we mature, or simply like a good wine, his talent has matured over the years.

    Whatever the reason may be, this latest album The Journey from Pena is gorgeous, carrying with it a wide audience appeal and as each track tells a very relatable story, the album is totally enjoyable from beginning to end.

    The sienna shades of The Journey cover show a GI walking down a long road towards a cloud filled sky, which at first glance makes you wonder about the contents of the album to come; where does the image fit in, what is the significance. Listen carefully to The Journey, immerse yourself in the sound, paint your own picture of strength, joy, sorrow and reflection as a soldier begins the long, long, journey back.

    Commencing with the very upbeat The Sun Will Rise Again it is the perfect piece to lift the spirits and tantalises for what is to follow, namely the catchy Kaleidoscope which bounces off the keys with a distinct attitude, filled out nicely with a rich orchestral background.

    Pena lets go with the fabulously up-tempo Good Feeling which will have the feet tapping and the body swinging to the beat in the first few bars. Full of life, rhythm and pulsating sound makes this the stand out track of the album, at least for me. By the end of the piece a feeling of absolute enjoyment is left in its wake. 

    In compete contrast to the previous track the dreamy Stargazing catches Pena in a romantic mood, as once again, a rich orchestral background blends seamlessly with the notes of the piano. A beautiful piece that is gentle and yet robust, offering time to simply be in the moment, to enjoy the beauty of the night sky; to simply dream.

    Breakout draws a wonderful album to a close with a rich, sweeping, powerful orchestral body of sound, with a distinctive drum beat and some serious guitar riffs, that create so many differing images in the mind. Escape, change, excitement, fresh frontiers and new beginnings. An unusual choice for a final piece but one that is once again full of life and vitality and concludes a wonderful album in a very flamboyant style.

    The Journey is a beautiful album which in many ways depicts the life journey we all undertake.

  • The Banksia House Breakout

    The Banksia House Breakout

    For Ruth Moris, the sale of her home was the end of the line. Moving into Banksia House was the equivalent of abandonment for her. She had lost her husband, best friend Gladys had moved to Brisbane, and her workaholic son felt, for her own safety, she should move. He arranged the sale of the house and the placement into the Home. At eighty-one years young, Ruth could find no bright spot in the future.

    Her first few days in the strange house brought unpleasant dealings with a nasty employee who stole her watch and laughed as she threatened to report it. But Ruth’s situation changed abruptly when she met some other residents. They had lively minds and a great sense of justice.

    They set out to even the odds a bit and her newfound friends help her make a daring move she would never have attempted on her own. In fact, stealing a car, helping a burial, winning a meat tray, and evading detection, are just a few of the amusing things the three runaways from Banksia House get up to.

    As the story progresses, Ruth and her companions move slowly towards their ultimate goal and leave the reader chewing nails, hoping that they succeed before they are detected. Some of the situations the group find themselves in are cleverly thought out, and credible. As such this is a most enjoyable read.

    Set in Queensland, the reader can follow the trail of the escapees towards Brisbane. Ruth’s son, Michael, has the Police looking for his missing mother. He is also trying to make a connection with his children. He hasn’t worked out that they want his time and love, and not his judgement.

    The Banksia House Breakout will entertain and promote the maturity and wisdom, along with a good dose of fun, that age can bring.

  • Baby’s First Jailbreak

    Baby’s First Jailbreak

    We first met Baby, aka Frank, when he staged his Bank Heist, not all that long ago, narrowly missing going to jail by agreeing to pay back all the money he stole, at least his parent do, by opening a Zoo at their house, because Frank could not stop buying pets.

    Meercats, rhinoceros and so many more animals came to live at their house, that soon they were famous and lots of people came to visit Franks Zoo. But before long, the crowds of people were not coming to Franks Zoo any more, but going further down the road to spoilt Baby Bruce’s place, where he had more animals than Frank. But they were not happy animals, as they were not loved and cared for like Franks were.

    One night a penguin from Baby Bruce’s Zoo escaped and came to Franks bedroom asking for help, but what was he to do; stage break out of course! And make a very cunning and clever plan as well.

    Helping all the animals escape from Bruce’s Zoo is somewhat of a huge task which, as in the first slightly madcap adventure from Jim Whaley and Stephen Collins, takes on a life of its own until all the animals are rescued in Baby’s First jail Break.

    Flowing across the pages in gentle rhyming text, Baby’s latest adventure into the world of almost terribly naughty, is full of fun, laughter, wonderful illustrations, along with hilarious antics and will be one of those books that are read over, and over, and over and over again. And that’s just before the lights are put out for the night.

    Great fun!