Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: emerald

  • The Irish Inheritance

    The Irish Inheritance

    Reading the latest book from Daisy O’Shea, The Irish Inheritance, is akin to taking a visit to Ireland as her descriptive use of language and dialogue brings not only the people, but the landscape alive as well as the tragic past that even today, still influences so much of the culture.

    When Tara and her Mam, Aoife, make the decision to go to Bantry at the request of Solicitor Lorcan they have no idea what lays in wait for them, as what appears to be a straightforward inheritance, all– be-it a surprising one, that of Aoife inheriting Gate Cottage, a house in which she spent her young years, becomes so much more.

    The information Lorcan Byrne imparts rocks the very foundations of what Tara has always believed, as her Mam seems to have had a sister who died at a very young age, a mother who had become the Mother Superior of an order of Nuns and a father who had died in challenging circumstances.

    In 1950, Eithne is sent away from her home, classed as a troublesome child who needed special care and attention. Aoife was told she had died. The rules of society, especially those in the Roman Catholic dominated areas of Ireland were strict, patriarchal and formidable. The Priests and Nuns where dominant and domineering, influencing all avenues  of life.

    As Aoife struggles with her past, Tara is beginning to understand that there is far more to this missing sister Eithne’s life than is at first apparent, not only because it appears she did not die, but possibly had a child out of wedlock; a terrible sin during those very Catholic years.

    Where was she, what had become of her and possibly her child, must be discovered before the inheritance can be settled and they can return to their very structured life in Athlone, or will they. As each day passes little by little the dark and terrible history of the family comes to light telling a story of tragedy, horror and salvation which spans decades.

    Rich in the telling, heart wrenching in the history The Irish Inheritance transports you to a world so vastly different as Tara and Aoife move away from the shadows of the past into a fresh new world.

  • Emerald Waters

    Emerald Waters

    Beauty, power and our precious world were the driving emotions behind the creation of Emerald Waters, Hollan Holmes latest release, an album of pure synthesiser, the style reflective of the Berlin School created during the heady years of the 1960’s and ‘70’s, when electronic music was beginning to emerge as a specific influence within the “pop’ era.

    The eleven tracks shape and form into the many moods of water as it flows down river courses, turbulent at times, calm peaceful and reflective at other, laughing, dancing over tracks and obstacles in the way of the flow; allowing nothing to stop its journey ever onward.

    Hell or Highwater captures a range of influences that aptly reflects the tempestuous nature of the river in flux; dancing and charming all who see, but then with the hidden element of power that can and will make its own levels to create either hell, dependant on where you are at the time or simply high water, lapping at the banks very limit.

    A delicate and yet full bodied song The River captures once again the changing mood of water moving majestically along its given course, almost tranquil but moving ever onward. Mediative and reflective The Sublime Shimmer continues on in a similar style, subtle and yet with a stronger pulse, a more determined vibe to the melody that captures the vibrant nature of water when it is simply enjoying what it is destined to do; flow to the final point.

    Leviathan captures well the sheer force and magnitude of a river in full flood. Anyone who has lived near a mighty river after a huge rainfall can relate to the power, the force and voice of the water as it cascaded furiously downwards, taking all in it pathway, until it finally reaches its destination.

    Emerald Waters concludes a reflective, most enjoyable journey on the waterways of the world with a soft and gentle flow, a river serene, a lake gentle in the rising and setting of the day, an ocean peaceful and gentle and yet full of hidden power.

    Has Hollan Holmes achieved his aim, to present the importance of water to our world with this work, is for the listener to decide, but overall Emerald Waters is a work well worth indulging in and allowing the music to take you with the flow.

  • Secrets of the Sea

    Secrets of the Sea

    Drawing inspiration from the sea, Greg Maroney has delivered in his trademark style his first recording of 2019, a solo piano album Secrets of the Sea, in which he has to some degree experimented with his beautiful Steinway D concert grand piano, to see what other effects he could create to make the finished produced sound like he was performing on a stage in a large concert hall.

    As a talented and multi album musician, his exploration of ambient music has seen a completely different aspect of this his work unfold, with a softer, far more gentle approach being woven throughout his compositions. Having worked with flautist Sherry Finzer on several diverse works throughout 2018, the title track and introduction Secrets of the Sea contains much of this gentle diversion within a classical framework.

    As a metaphor the sea presents so many different emotions; from a rough and stormy majesty to the calm tranquillity to be found on very special days, the brooding greys of a rainy day, to the dancing, teasing nature of the choppy waves sparkling in the sunlight, as will this work resonate with the listener.

    Reverence is a reflective, almost hesitant piece, softly played with deep emotion which reaches out to gently sooth and refresh. Distant Shores beckons offering tempting scenery just over the sea, there but still undiscovered, a wishful desire to explore makes this composition very evocative.

    But When the Clock Strikes Nine it is time to move on, refreshed and relaxed to enjoy A Thousand Miles; a peaceful, soft and subtle song that simply floats, drifting gently along. Rippling Waters is the perfect musical incarnation of the lovely ripple effect created when the breeze blows gently over the water, a stone or object dropped into the water, the gentle ripples spreading out further and further before returning to a previous stillness.

    Standing in awe of the perfect colours of nature has been captured in Emerald Lake, a piece full of mystery and admiration, which if allowed will take the mind to a place seen before, the vibrant and pure colours of the waters admired and adored for that special moment in time.

    Guiding you on your way, or bringing you safely home, is the lovely piece The Lighthouse which is the quintessential piece to draw to a close, an album that has achieved Maroney’s goal when creating music, that of ‘speaking to the heart and soul of his listener’s.