Tag: life

Journey of Life

Composed, orchestrated and created for RipCue Music by the Enchantress of ambient music Kerani, her latest work Journey of Life showcases the wonderful range of music she creates for a wide and varied range of reasons and uses.

Life is indeed a journey and it is how we choose to travel the pathway that makes a difference. The music captured within the album takes a voyage through the stages of birth, challenge, grief and once again joy.

Commencing with the delicate and beautiful Lift Me Up, it is reminiscent of her previous albums with her trademark depth of sound and unlimited possibilities encapsulated within a song that seems to soar and dip over the clouds, flying through the ether in a glorious dreamscape of rich hues.

Slow, eloquent and reflective, the solemn notes of the piano are filled out with a soft backing of ambient sound, neither here nor there, simply present as a part of the delicate Let Them Go; soothing and cognisant of feelings that are delicate, easily shattered but in need of a soothing presence.

Dreams Falling Apart follows on from Let Them Go to form a delicate two song segment of pure, soothing harmonies which in so many ways offer a gentle reflection on life’s journey; a journey made of the many joys, sorrows and challenges that are present of the pathway well travelled.

The very gentle, soft and elegant Witness a New Life has captured the awe on witnessing the beginning of life for a babe at birth, the unfurling of a petal on a rose, the blossom of a tree after the cold winter months, a hatchling chick, feathers still wet. A divine if somewhat slightly serious song.

Short but fascinating is Waiting for Love, a perfect piece with so many applications wherever emotion is required via the medium of music; who is waiting for love, why are they waiting, are they dreaming, ever hopeful of the perfect moment in life to come along. Dreamy and peaceful, the feeling of joy and happiness is eventually discovered in the final notes of the song; Is love found; one believes it may have been!

Catchy and more up-tempo Always on your side is cinematic within its range of depth and feeling, the cheerful, crisp notes of the piano enhanced with full orchestration, which allows one to travel to a favourite place to rediscover a special memory to enjoy once again.

Richness of sound, sweeping movements and a happy message have been captured perfectly in true Kerani style, to bring this wonderful collection to a close with the delightful Spread Your Wings; a significant title which represents moving on, reaching out, facing the unknown and most definitely, enjoying the moment.

August 5, 2023
The Broken Places

Renowned mid twentieth century American author Ernest Hemmingway is not only remembered for his enduring novels, but also for his larger than life personality, however, little is known about his family.

Russell Franklin’s sensitively written debut novel The Broken Places explores the life of Gregory/Gigi/Gloria, Hemmingway’s third and often considered as his favourite child, but who lived in his father’s shadow; a child who struggled with a secret which his father just could not accept.

Although Gregory was endowed with good looks, good brains, athletic talent, his mother’s wealth and his father’s name, he lived with a secret which he found terrible and shameful; he liked to dress in women’s clothes.

In the middle of last century, this was considered abnormal and definitely not tolerated by his father. His father’s decision that there was something wrong with his son led to Gregory’s feelings of guilt, shame and his sense of failure, due to the inability to live up to his father’s impossible standards.

Spanning over seventy years, the narrative takes the reader from 1939 when Gregory was eight years old and living with his brother, Patrick between Key West USA, the home of their mother and Cuba, the home of Ernest and his assorted wives, to 2001 when she sadly died in jail.

Chronicling Gregory’s life and his relationship with his family while he struggles to live a ‘normal’ life, the author gives the reader insight into his courage and resilience to finally ‘come out of the closet’ and live his life in an era where there was no tolerance for his lifestyle.

Compassionate and eye-opening, the moving story of Gregory/Gigi/Gloria, who spent much of his life denying his gender dysphoria, gives the reader an insight into last century’s countless struggles of transgender people; many of these still exist today.

Although some readers many find the movement of timelines between early childhood memories and adulthood events disconcerting, I highly recommend this fascinating biographical account of a little known member of a well-known author. The Broken Places is an absorbing read.

July 19, 2023
A Blueprint For Life

Mellow and enjoyable A Blueprint for Life is a small collection of songs from acclaimed guitarist Michelle Qureshi which charm and even though the time is short, such is the calibre of the music it feels as if time has simply stopped to create a moment of pure enjoyment.

Each of the five songs complement each other as do the titles which are, as always, left open to the interpretation of the listener, the journeyman. Commencing with the delightful Open Window, previously released as a single, the carefully contrived notes of the guitar entice you to peek in through the Open Window to see what is inside.

Hidden Lines is a slower, far softer song that appears to wander across the soundscape, seeking its own direction. The fingers on the strings find their own melodic and romantic direction. A beautiful, gentle and very subtle song.

More up tempo than the previous piece Spiral Staircase intrigues with its many layers, tempting and inviting to seek what is just around the next corner. Uplifting and captivating this is a joyful, happy song that teases the mind as does in reality the spiral staircase of life.

Relaxing and enjoyable Hearth captures those perfect moments when the world seems to come to rights; a warm fire, a comfy chair, a home and happiness to share creating a time of tranquillity to be savoured.

Strong, emphatic Elevations changes the mood to a sharper, more specific emotion that is softened slightly with the introduction of a definitive ambient overlay, which makes a very interesting finale to a wonderfully enjoyable moment in time. A Blueprint for Life: maybe, possibly!

July 5, 2023
How Did Life End Up With Us?

How Did Life End Up With Us is a leap of faith into a mass of carefully researched and presented information, which at times makes you begin to wonder what really is the purpose of life.

In his passion for tracing the evolution of mankind, SS O’Connor takes a fascinating look at the very real fact that we have all evolved from the one single point – that of a self-replicating cell and by taking what he calls the long view, he pondered on whether this, if carefully studied could perhaps explain how ‘our complicated world had come about’.

A tall order to himself for sure, as he is not a scientist, just a man who found he was intensely curious about where this journey could lead and what wonders he could unearth on the way; his findings have resulted in a four book series written for the many people who are fascinated by the Science of what is behind life’s apparent many secrets!

Each chapter commences with a question, or occasionally more than one question, which creates the hook to get into reading what comes next, as it tantalises the mind with such thoughts as The Secrets of Life? How can one claim anything so simplistic when there is such a bewildering variety of organisms on Earth? If they are all so different, how can they share the same secret? How could you resist finding out what comes next?

Perhaps this is the secret to the book, as it is densely packed with information that needs to be read carefully, pondered upon and dare one say, digested in full, therefore chapter by chapter is the slow and steady way forward, unless of course you have a seriously scientific mind and then it will be a real page turner.

Twenty-one chapters if carefully read and considered, indicate that in reality life is just one huge circle that no matter what, which will keep on regenerating; not quickly just in a slow, steady and very intricate manner, as it has done since the very first self-replicating cell came into existence.

This very intriguing line of though leads onto further questions with answers to be sought as so many scientists, such as Charles Darwin, Sir Ronald Fisher, Alfred Russel Wallace and more modern day evolutionists such as George Price, Maynard Smith and John Haldane discovered, which encouraged them to keep on searching to find the truth they sought.

Is this a book that will depress with its fascinating look at the miniature that is humanity, or is it a book that is full of hope for the continuation of life in one evolutionary form or another. Quite the contrary as it is a bit like reading a book full of mystery and you are the detective seeking answers.

The final chapter is filled with life lessons and hope, offered by a very wise Hermit Guru as he gives to the Seeker one single thought: Think of life as an ocean………………….

An excellent conclusion to the first book, leaving much more to be discovered in book two, How Did We get To Be so Different.

April 1, 2023
My Sporting Life: Memories, moments and declarations

At 87, legendary broadcaster, very successful sports’ columnist for The Sunday Times and Telegraph, Sir Michael Parkinson hasn’t lost his touch with his ninth book. With the assistance of his son Mike, he has created his engaging, insightful sixth book on sport by presenting previously published articles in an imaginative and meaningful way; such that they are still relevant today.

The author, a passionate advocate of the importance of sport in the curriculum, believes that children who grow up with access to sport have a much better chance of fulfilling themselves than those who don’t.

In ‘My Sporting Life’, he relates his remarkable journey from a pit village in Yorkshire, via his early involvement with Barnsley FC and a very short stint as a Yorkshire cricketer with an ambition to play for England, to earning his living watching and writing about his passion -sport. He vividly reminisces about his friendship with the great legends of sport and his admiration for their talent; e.g. Shane Warne, Keith Miller, ‘Dickie Bird’, Geoffrey Boycott, George Best to name but a few.

Through humorous anecdotes, he reflects on what he claims was a lucky, rewarding life. Although ‘My Sporting Life’ is primarily about cricket and football, which captivated his life, he touches on other sports, in order to demonstrate the important lessons learned from his involvement with sport.

December 8, 2022
Life at the Bottom of the Blender

Life at the Bottom of the Blender is an autobiography that is an entertaining, fun, and enjoyable to read. It moves at a swift pace, with humour and a sense of harmony, despite setbacks. We follow Naomi Hart as she departs Australia for New York. She has just won a part scholarship to study Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

The young woman has come from a loving and secure background and is phlegmatic and practical in the face of many hardships. From bed bugs to dead bodies in her very basic lodgings, Naomi continues to work as hard as she can to excel in her chosen career.

Working tirelessly, she eventually graduates and finds a performing role. After acting, moving from town to town and living out of a suitcase, Naomi realises this is not the dream life she once thought it was going to be as she works in a restaurant to finance her rent. This is where she meets her husband to be. Gregory is a chef, and together they travel America, then eventually return to Australia.

The way Naomi writes is so descriptive and inclusive you find yourself viewing her world and the interesting places she travels to through her eyes. As her family expands, she adapts to parenting, supporting her husband and retaining her love of life. Her humour and quick wit make this a polished piece of entertainment.

August 3, 2022
Friends Like These

MEG ROSOFF

New York City, 1983.” Remember this time.” This is what Beth tells herself as she arrives in the overwhelming heat, rubbish strewn, smelly streets of New York. She is dragging a suitcase and looking for her accommodation. You see Beth is doing an internship as a journalist and this is her first time in a big city. Everything is strange and oppressive, especially her small room.

Meg Rosoff has written a young adult novel which is fresh, interesting, and engaging in Friends Like These. Beth’s character is sensible and practical, but she will be dealing with a great many unknown situations. One of the many threads in this story deals with friendship.

Edie is another of the interns beginning work. She is smart, wealthy, and observant. She takes Beth under her wing and teaches her how to notice things, to seek out what is behind every door and how it relates to their job.

Beth has never met anyone like Edie, who is outwardly confident, but has been seeing a therapist for many years and has a bitter relationship with her mother. Edie is overawed by Beth’s good sense and uncomplicated thoughts. A deep friendship develops, but Beth is unused to the cunning and self-seeking attitude her friend gradually displays.

On so many levels this is almost a practical handbook for any young woman beginning a career and interacting with extremes of personalities. It is a rewarding read for any person interested in observing characters, and their development.

July 30, 2022
The Water of Life

Belgium born composer Kerani, has with her latest release Waters of Life created a classical world of dreams and hope, of rebirth, new life and cleansing which was inspired by a project she had been working on with her German based Publisher.

Her eighth concept album is once again exquisite in detail, seductive and beautiful, the music drawing you into a world that is based on the majesty and mystery that is water, the life giving force known to all.

Each of the ten tracks is subtle, rich and tempts the mind with seductive vibration into the world of majesty. The beautiful Sunset Lake sees her on piano backed by gentle layers of strings, once again creating an exquisitely delicate soundscape reminiscent of an evening spent watching the sun settle over a body of water; a time when magic touches the earth as painted by an angelic artist.

But water, while it can be a life giving force also has a stronger side in that, in a mere moment in time, it can change to a tumultuous force, magnificent in its power and clamorous decent before gentling once again, to continue on its journey; this capriciousness has been captured perfectly in Cascade.

Listen very carefully to Ocean Tides as the many layers paint well the depth of the ocean, the mystery of what lies beneath the surface, deep within the watery depth; the hint of sunshine over the dancing waves lightens the piece, before a more complex section creates the eternally capricious movement of the tides and waves well known to all who travel the oceans of the world.

Beginning with The Water of Life and ending with the The Waters of Life – epilogue, creates the perfect conclusion to a journey that has captured Kerani in a mellow, almost in some pieces, pensive mood, as she captures with her delicate trademark, the life giving force that is water.

March 10, 2022
How to Repaint a Life

YA award winning author Steven Herrick has once again written a superb novel How to Repaint a Life, which takes a gentle, but clear look at changing, choice and acceptance, with his very real to life characters Isaac and Sophie, two independent young people from vastly differing backgrounds, who both are facing lifestyle choice as to what next with their futures.

Isaac has come from an abusive, dysfunctional and distressing background: an alcoholic bully of a father and a mother who long ago gave up the battle, leaving Isaac to the mercy of his father. Isaac has had to learn to fend for himself since he was 12 years old, needing to keep a clean, tidy house and cook the meals for a father who was vicious in his actions.

Sophie has been wrapped in the warm embrace of a loving family since birth. A family with slightly differing views on life and a somewhat quirky way of managing their work, home life in a small country town, where a lot, but not a lot changes.

Sophie is mad on art, wondering whether going to Art College in Melbourne is the right choice, Isaac is keen on survival. Both of them are facing changing futures with uncertainly, but both in so many ways knowing that to make the right choice is the only way forward.

Isaac arrives in a small town where he finds a safe place to sleep at the race course and it is from this perspective the two lives of Sophie and Isaac begin to form the story based on the basic values in life of honesty, trust, kindness, compassion and most importantly, making the right choices.

Many years in the creation How to repaint your life has evolved from the many questions asked of Herrick when he has been touring schools speaking about his books, the characters and messages contained within the various storylines.

Poignant, charming and addressing the issue of bullying, choice and acceptance How to Repaint a Life is an excellent read for young people looking at values and beginning to understand the world outside of their immediate family life.

December 7, 2021
Travelling Companions

Travelling Companions is a beautiful study in people, capturing with a keen eye, life and the many disparate motivations that intermingle as we travel through life. Using the metaphor of a single traveler meeting people on a journey taken yearly, Antoni Jach treats us to a study in humanity and the kindness of strangers passing.

A lone traveler who enjoys his own company but likes to chat meets up with an American and his companion. A man who enjoys talking but is facing a crisis in his personal life, as is his female companion underpin the story; a man whose generosity is as much of his personality as is his garrulous nature. They meet, realize they are on a similar journey through Italy and agree to meet again, further down the track.

A train that fails to arrive introduces two more casual travelling companions, one a self-confessed teller of stories that are lengthy, always laced with a mixture of truth and fiction, a fable almost but not quite. They become part of the overall journey, all three agreeing to meet up again at another destination.

Three young Australian girls on a celebratory journey of Europe add to the travelers group of casual acquaintances; he is delighted to meet people from Australia, people who seem shallow on the surface, but have more depth to them. One in particular takes his interest. They agree to meet again so he can introduce her to the Museums and Art galleries of Venice.

Circular in intent, the story begins as the traveler arrives at this chosen destination, feeling somewhat in need of mixing with people, over his self-imposed solitude and concludes as he boards his flight, in less than desirable weather to return to Australia, not the same man who departed, but one who has changed much and has much upon which to reflect.

For those who travel the words will resonate; the time needed for peace and solitude, the time required to reach out, to enjoy another’s words and stories, as it will with everyone who has ever parted with information unable to be shared with close friends and family, to those who are ‘strangers, passing in the night’, chance met, who receive the unburdening stories of the stranger, whom are also ‘passing in the night’.

Travelling Companions is not your standard light read, it is a story of many stories, a kaleidoscope of emotion, energy and the wonders of discovery, ships passing, strangers telling stories, some true, others not, but coming together to form a small community bound by their common interest, Travelling.

A true joy to read and enjoy every word.

November 16, 2021