Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: melody

  • The Ballad of Melodie Rose

    The Ballad of Melodie Rose

    The Ballad of Melodie Rose moves into a different time at Direleaf Hall, a different group of girls and of course a different challenge to be solved to when we first met the somewhat unusual residents that formed the captivating story of The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn.

    Melodie Rose arrives at Direleaf Hall with a note pinned to her duffle coat. She realized she was dead about that time, but somehow she was not afraid, she was very peaceful, not happy, just peaceful. A lovely woman came to answer the door and she felt she knew this woman who said she was her grandmother.

    She meets the other three girls who also live the otherworld of Direleaf Hall, all different all left somewhere in between, all ghosts all curious about the current events unfolding. She also gets to meet the few girls who still live at Direleaf Hall, those whose parents see the benefits of this fresh, outdoor but traditional school.

    A woman dressed all in white keeps coming to the Hall wanting of buy it, but Ms Gallow will not sell the Hall to her. Time is running out thought and the four girls understand that all they hold dear, and all the other girls that live at Direleaf Hall love, is going to end. Forever.

    What can be done to change the flow of events could be up the girls and of course the grumpy but loveable crow Hollowbeak, who is none to happy about being returned and separated from his beloved Wonder Quinn.

    But things are not all they seem and as the time passes Melodie Rose, who once was noted for the beautiful voice, begins to realise perhaps she is not a ghost at all, but someone who was sent to help. Beautifully wrapped in longing and desire, Melody Rose learns what it means to understand what belonging, bravery and facing your fears is all about; courage.

    Once again Kate Gordon has written a story that while slightly complex is beautifully worded to tell a tale that charms, enchants and intrigues in The Ballad of Melodie Rose.

  • Shunia

    Shunia

    Sa Re Sa Sa Sa Re Sa SaSa Re Sa Sa Sa RungHar Re Har HarHar Re Har HarHar Re Har Har Har Rung Translation: That Infinite Totality is here, everywhere, and so begins a most rich and energetic collection of divine mantras offered by Shunia, aka  Lisa Reagan and Suzanne Jackson.

    Their love of chant and the power of the vibration to encourage relaxation drew them together in their more than twenty years with the Washington National Opera. They choose the Sanskrit word Shunia for its meaning: stillness and receptivity as their collective name and as the title of their second album.

    Hassan Hakmoun’s rich voice ushers in the first mantra Sa re Sa Sa underpinned with a melodic base beat before joining with Reagan and Jackson to create melody that lifts the spirit and the soul, before segueing gently into the wonderful poem from Persian poet Rumi, The Breeze At Dawn whose words, written so many years ago are as prophetic and profound today as they were when first written.

    Using their voices as finely tuned instruments, the protective mantra Akal wraps around to protect, to offer comfort and solace during difficult times. A range of eastern instruments threads throughout the melody giving an almost monotone chant a freshness which has great appeal, especially to those who are seeking to enjoy ‘chant’ music for the first time.

    Lest one become too comfortable, the upbeat melody to accompany Har Hare Han Wahe Guru is snappy, featuring the voice of Hassan Hakmoun adding a rich vibrancy to the once again well known and loved mantra. Used as a cleansing to move on from unpleasant situations, the vibration is powerful as one would expect.

    In a mix of Persian melodies and chants the all-enveloping Alleluia is based on the poetry of David, who was later to become King David. Shunia has created a glorious transition from canticle to chant with the incredible mix and range of harmonies which form as one voice, before dividing into two, soaring and flowing individually before returning to one voice, creating an immensely beautiful, modern sound for the beloved hymn Psalm 23.

    No matter how you enjoy this music, track by track or one endless loop of divine chanting , as meditation or simply to usher in change, the immense feeling of calm, of tranquillity and well-being,  a ‘garden of wellbeing’ , is forged. These words used by Lisa Reagan and Suzanne Jackson to describe their work, fit the music perfectly.

    Sa Ta Na Ma is also based on elegant words from Ecclesiastes, symbolic of the circle of life, of beginnings and endings: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (chapt 3v1). These very elements have been captured in a delicate, carefully constructed and immensely devotional series of harmonies, enriched with gentle instrumentation perfect for refreshing, healing meditation offering the absolutely perfect conclusion to a divine journey.

    Alive, vibrant and yet containing the very elements of a deeper, healing power, Shunia awakens the very soul to encourage an understanding of the interconnections of all things in life.

  • Home Again

    Home Again

    A lovely almost blues beat, introduces Home Again from acclaimed pianist Loren Evarts in his first solo piano album, which includes a touch of bodhran occasionally, that follows on from his previous highly acclaimed Water and Light, released in 2015 . The music is moody, ever-changing, pleasing and refreshing as if another presence is sitting beside Evarts on the piano stool as he is composing, adding a little here and a bit more there, to create a dreamy, relaxing and delightfully peaceful sound.

    Over the years Evarts has performed across a range of genres, from jazz to rock, disco, and for change of style a Portuguese band, all of which is influential in his music. As a highly sought after musician he has performed with some of the greats such as Dave Weckl (Chick Corea) Mike Davis (Rolling Stones) and many, many more. He is also noted for his Chamber Music compositions, one of which was a finalist in the prestigious London Chamber Music Ensemble competition.

    A Day on the Concord River introduces this melodic and pleasurable album as it meanders along with a delicious blues feel; drifting, mediative, and gentle with Dugong Dance a lovely continuance of this piece. Dancing along is Far and Away, a piece full of hope and joy, with a light and airy timbre.

    A thoughtful and contemplative piece is discovered in Sunset Island, bringing in the mellow feelings of watching the sun sink gently below the horizon; the end of the day bathed in the glorious colours of the evening skies, a time of reflection and acceptance.

    Home Again as the signature track is a jaunty little piece that signifies journeys end, home safely once again. Wedding at Sunrise arrives with a wonderful warmth of familiarity that makes it an immediate favourite with a lovely, almost ‘old fashioned’ air surrounding the composition.

    Nine Mile Bridge is a slightly more sombre, introspective piece, measured and broody with intriguing highlights interspersed within the melody, almost the light dancing on the water under a bridge as it flows deep and intriguing.

    The lovely and final piece The Good Life could easily be considered as a tribute to a life which has been rich and full. This stylish and gratifying collection demonstrates the immense understanding and passion Evarts has for and with his music which equals if not surpasses his first release, Water and Light.

  • Yesterday Passing

    Yesterday Passing

    Award winning musician Jim Ottaway released his latest album Yesterday Passing in May to great acclaim. This work presents a more relaxed and gentle aspect of electronic music ranging across the e-music spectrum featuring a little chill, some orchestral compositions, one in particular Distant Friends which introduces the album.  Tucked away are a variety of refreshing sounds and mixes, sombre, reflective, joyful and celebratory.

    Created between the years of 2004 and 2018 the music spans a lifetime of memories, experiences and family gatherings: happy times and the sad, joyful occasions and the challenging, all of which when looking back comes to the mind as times less complex, more relaxed, almost simplistic, far more structured and enjoyable.

    Each of the tracks on the 14 track album, with Another Christmas Eve being the bonus track to complete the 14 pieces, showcases a very different aspect of Ottaway’s talent, as well as the ability of electronic music to present a wide range of not just ambient and relaxing music, but music that has a far wider appeal.

    A Moment in Time (Song for Joseph) is reflective of fond memories as it has a delicate beat, a dainty rhythm and could be considered as filled with happiness and sunshine.  A contemporary piece is New Suns Are Rising which comes in with a spacy, measured rhythm that is catchy, intriguing and definitely different.

    A captivating little song is What Darkness Hides; it teases the ear, almost bouncing along to its own rhythm, with shades and shapes hidden within the depths, just as the many shades of the night are there to be discovered, unfolded and accepted.

    The final track, Fun Times is a catchy little number reminiscent of the disco beat with a rather intriguing vibe as once again, it appears to have been created of its own violation and is out to do its very own ‘thing’; something very easily able to be related too as one looks back in reflection.

    Rounding out a very perceptive album is the  final, final track Another Christmas Eve, which once again is an enchanting piece with a fine thread of tantalising ‘Christmas’ familiarity woven throughout.

    Ottaway considers with this album that he is ‘out of his comfort zone’ but whatever has created the drive to give birth to this more reflective style, the change is as delightful as it is refreshing. Yesterday Passing is an album which each time it is enjoyed a  fresh aspect of this intriguing style becomes apparent, creating another layer to the music which keeps it endlessly enjoyable.

    At the recently held 14th annual Zone Music Reporter Awards in New Orleans, Ottaway was awarded “Best Ambient Album of 2017” for Deep Space Blue (which was also nominated for “2017 Album of the Year”) and “Best Electronic Album of 2017” for Timeless e-Motion by ZMR; Deep Space Blue also received the silver medal in the Ambient category from Global Music Awards.

  • Soundscapes

    Soundscapes

    This is indeed the Music of Deborah Offenhauser; it is eclectic, delightful, totally, enjoyable and an album that can simply be enjoyed for enjoyment sake; no more no less. The work is a compilation of various styles which is evident from the first track, Decidedly Joyful where the piano is underpinned with some serious Sax, a dash or two of flute, and a rhythmic percussion, creating a sort of jazz style but with a tonal influence of perhaps the South Sea Islands or similar, which is refreshing and delicious.

    Free Radical is just that – free and radical, combining piano with synth in a mix of tempos which offers another listening experience, almost space like in some aspects and in others, simply  a more formal and structured piece which offers a lovely contrast.

    Orchestra graces the notes of Irrational Exuberance which enters on the hoof beat of horses and then moves to the ever enjoyable plucked of violin strings to create a carefree joyfulness. When a cheeky flute is added, with some serious underpinning by the piano, you have got a piece that brings a feeling of exuberance, along with a smile, to the heart; an happy, happy piece.

    Evoking a different feeling is Through a Glass Darkly with bird song, the sound of the trees moving softly on the breeze and the slightly more sombre notes of the piano gently crafting a timeless space in which to spend a little time in reflection.

    Madrigals and medieval times comes to mind immediately with Air, a totally ‘olde worlde’ piece which is joyful, intriguing and encourages the imagination to visualise the people in their long gowns, performing the very measured dance steps of times long gone. Air is one of the pieces which will soon become one of the favourites amongst the many on the album.

    The final piece is the sombre The Wonderful Unfoldment of Blue which when considered in context to the rest of the album is indeed sombre and yet comforting.

    The music of Deborah Offenhauser is a little bit of New Age, Jazz, a dash of Blues, Neo-Classical, World and that special something considered as the magic of Deborah Offenhauser.

    Offenhausers’ music may be familiar to many who watch the shows ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘Madam Secretary’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and The Weather Channel, all of whom have used her pieces on a regular basis within their programming, which makes this album a little special as her gloriously enjoyable music can be listened to over and over again, as you so choose.