Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: sacred

  • Sacred Gift

    Sacred Gift

    ‘Music is the language of the soul, the bridge between the world of material and ethereal, a universal tool to create beauty on earth. And beauty points the attention to the source’.

    These words are the key to Sacred Gift, the debut album from energy medicine practitioner, musician and businessman Nader Vasseghi, as he offers an ethereal and deeply spiritual healing vibration to touch the soul.

    Based loosely around the ancient and yet modern still very relevant poetry of the great masters Rumi and Hafiz, Persian poets of great note, both in their time and modern day, his work contains much of the mystique of the days when the poets were considered as a great men, their words much awaited, remembered, revered and studied. Performed on a range of instruments the blend is delightfully refreshing, as well as deeply spiritual.

    Fragments of a Dream, formed from the inspiration that came to Vasseghi in a dream, fragments captured here and there, originally played on the on the piano, eventually to be formed into a piece featuring the divine vocals of Silvia Nakkach and skilful performance of Hans Christian on bow and cello, make this the centrepiece of the collection.

    The first section if you like, features a slower, more mystical tempo that seduces and relaxes, whereas the second section is slightly more traditional in intent, featuring piano, ‘cello and viola; a lighter happier and freer vibe being captured and offered for enjoyment.

    Sacred Gift is gentle, catchy and as with all things based in ancient times, mysterious, teasing and intriguing whereas Dance of Waves bounces along, alive and full of life, capturing the light dancing of the ever moving sea, to form patterns of timeless fragmentation.

    First Creek begins the work with a deep brooding and entrancing sound, Flow completes the cycle with once again a mediative piece full of gentle beauty.

  • Sacrament

    Sacrament

    Divine emotion is summoned forth in the first few notes of the latest collaboration from Byron Metcalf and Jennifer Grais, Sacrament, the perfect vehicle to encourage healing and exploration which can be drawn from the bounty of Mother Earth. Both Metcalf and Grais are Shamanic practitioners and healers, both acclaimed musicians who enjoy exploring the realms of sacrament and ritual as a musical journey.

    Sacrament emerges as a complex, reverential balance and blend of vocals, drums, flutes, nature sounds, rattles, spirit winds, and synthesiser to create a transformative work which will resonate with the searcher; the seeker of peace and truth.

    Grais voice reaches out, encouraging the commencement of the journey, the first step on the pathway to light and healing. Listening carefully the sounds of the digeridoo, long used as a means of sound healing by the ancient indigenous tribes of Australia, can be felt and heard softly in the background. Gentle and yet persuasive drumming from Metcalf underpins the haunting vocals, grounding the energy, binding to Mother Earth in homage and reverence.

    Shamanism is a religious practise often associated with tribal societies that believe the ‘holy man’ or Sharman, has the power and connections to the spirit world required to bring forth healing and transformation. In the modern world it is relative to the practice of deep meditation, self-healing, transformation and is often considered as a direct line contact with the spiritual realms.

    Sacrament offers a wonderful peace, a delicate choice of healing regardless of the purpose for which the music is utilised. Deep, dreamy, meditative and traditional, Sacrament offers a sacred ceremony which is infinitely transportable, available to utilise the immense benefits of sound healing as and when required.

  • Sacred Lullabies

    Sacred Lullabies

    Simply magical, this gloriously delicate, deeply spiritual collection of Sacred Lullabies from Camille Nelson demonstrates the depth of her amazing talent. Created with the sole intent of offering to those who choose to listen, the same sense of peace and oneness woven around her by her mother, as she sung these beautiful pieces to her children, she has succeeded in every respect.

    While the work is diverse, it holds the same thread through all the many tracks, that of peace, worship, thankfulness and joy, coming together through voices and instruments in such a way that the more the work is enjoyed the more the layers within the layers are revealed.

    Commencing with the well-loved I Am A Child Of Jesus she has woven pure magic by transposing this to violin and guitar, adding a rich element to a beautiful piece written by Naomi Randall in 1957 with Mildred Tanner adding the music.

    The voices of Kimberley Knighton and Britney Holman add a country feel to the contemporary hymn Trying To Be Like Jesus written by American Gospel singer Andraé Edward Crouch (July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015), a piece which will hold wide appeal.

    Guitar is the solo instrument used with craftmanship in Redeemer of Israel a lovely, gentle piece with almost a haunting, lonesome quality. A Childs Prayer a little further on once again holds a reflective element with solo guitar once again with a distinct traditional bluegrass style.

    Stephanie Madsen beautiful voice blends seamlessly with guitar on Not For A Moment, offering a mellow folk sound to this contemporary gospel piece written by Meredith Andrews in 2012.

    Camille Nelson’s brother John joins her on violin on New World, once again a hauntingly beautiful rendition of a hymn based loosely on Dvorak’s New World Symphony adding a perfect classical touch to an absolutely delightful album.

    Pie Jesu, a piece covered by many over its lifetime has been lifted to a completely new level of beauty with the angelic, make no mistake, voice of Catherine Bohman (Nelson) once again a member of this talented group of six.

    The final piece Where Can I Turn To For Peace is a slightly melancholy, deeply reflective piece, asking the time old question of who and where do you go or look towards, when life simply gets too much, drawing to a conclusion an absolutely joyful album, packed full of richness, which also pays tribute to family, to God and to the spirituality that lies within everyone.

     

  • Simple Soulful Sacred: A Woman’s Guide to Clarity, Comfort and Coming Home to Herself

    Simple Soulful Sacred: A Woman’s Guide to Clarity, Comfort and Coming Home to Herself

    Simple Soulful Sacred describes this beautiful book perfectly as the words are just that, designed and carefully selected to appeal to women everywhere, their inner selves, that sacred place that is there within us all, often hidden, forgotten and in need of refreshing, rejuvenating, allowed to be an integral component of who we are: Woman.

    ‘I Am Woman’ became a mantra for women in the 1970’s; a time of emancipation, freedom and a time when women everywhere looked to a brighter future. Somewhere along the journey the shine has tarnished, many women drowning in exhaustion, overworked, frazzled beyond tolerable levels with far too much expected from them in their daily lives.

    Burnt out is now the mantra of the modern women of the 2000’s, many beginning to want to feel whole, vibrant, healthy and happy in their daily lives. But in all the madness, they have no idea how to achieve what they truly desire.

    Over many years carrying out research with a diverse cross section of women, Megan Dalla-Camina has discovered the main points women want in their lives. A feeling of sacredness, peacefulness, comfort, well-being, simplicity, liveliness, womanhood and sovereignty, simply some of the words used, words she has taken and expounded upon, that can and will help guide you onto a fresh new pathway to discovering who you are as you emerge into your own sacredness and power.

    Dalla-Camina has allowed the work to be gentle, full of love and personal experience which can be read from cover to cover, taking each affirmation and subject area as it is set out, or after reading the Introduction it can be used to pose questions to ponder upon, as a daily affirmation, another perspective or simply as a way to reach out and know there is love and understanding simply waiting to be accepted.

    Divided into Ten sections there truly is an answer there to be found about the questions needing to be asked in and about your life, all couched in love and understanding of the same journey travelled.

    Each of the sub-titles automatically bring a with them a gentle smile, sometimes admittedly a little wry, a few words of wisdom from many wise, wonderful people such as Hellen Keller, Abraham Lincoln, T.S. Elliot, Simone De Beauvoir, Buddha, and more, followed with a lovely explanation to what is being offered before concluding with a heart-warming affirmation.

    Full of wisdom, inspiration and in so many ways healing, this is a perfect guide into a fresh, new awakening of feminine power that will make a massive difference in the lives of not just women but all the people who are a part of their very existence.

    Should permission be needed to begin the journey, Simple Soulful Sacred could be considered as just that!

  • Dark Sacred Night A Ballard and Bosch Novel

    Dark Sacred Night A Ballard and Bosch Novel

    There are many features that lead to writing a superb Crime Thriller, and it seems that Mr Connelly has them all covered. His research shows us his intense knowledge of Police procedures and practices, as well as the natural responses that may be expected from Senior Detectives. His characters are interesting and to begin with, a little understated, but we soon learn that Renee Ballard is a quiet, unassuming woman who is fixated with her Police work. She meets an older detective, (Harry Bosch), whose thinking matches and enhances hers.

    Renee has been moved to the Hollywood division and is working the night shift. She meets Harry who has quietly come into the room not knowing she was there. Eventually, they talk about the cold case that has Harry so focussed. A fifteen-year-old girl, who was a run away, was found murdered ten years ago. No one has been found who may have committed the crime. Harry has met Daisy’s mother who has taken to drugs to cope with her grief. He has now become obsessed with this case. Renee is horrified by the gruesome details and when, times are quiet, she helps Harry to search through old records held in card form, for possible suspects.

    The chapters are headed Bosch or Ballard, and we follow their progress, not only of Daisy’s case, but other call outs for Renee.  Harry is also investigating the execution of a 52-year-old gang leader. He had a witness from that time, but Bosch made the mistake of leaving his card for the witness, in case he needed to call the detective. When the man was found dead with Bosch’s card between his teeth, the tension begins to build, and inevitably a confrontation occurs.

    As the pace of the story builds, gradually we learn more about the intense research that the two detectives have been doing. Little by little, a picture begins to build, but not before the gang captures Harry, and Renee bends the rules to save her friend. We begin to learn more about the characters and see their trust in each other develop. They are both rather quiet, dogged individuals, who have the ability to think laterally.

    As well as working towards solving Daisy’s murder, Renee is called out on other cases.  These again show her analytical thinking and confidence in her own ability to read the crime scene. This is a superb Crime thriller, and hopefully we will see more of these two characters working together.

  • Carpe Noctem

    Carpe Noctem

    Carpe Noctem is in a word beautiful. Magical and totally inspirational, this immense work from Peter Calandra is one that is fitting for any spiritual or religious venue, as it has captured the very essence of sacred music; music created to the glory of God, the divine. Simplistic and yet in its minimalistic style, perfection.

    Each of the tracks are titled in Latin, with the English translation, which will be useful should you wish to select one track, but as an album the music is such that it should be enjoyed without any desire to see what the various songs are titled.

    The flow of sound and vibration is a wonderous offering to calm, heal and cleanse the body, mind and soul, as it is a powerful creation of voice in chant, with the dulcet notes of the piano carefully added, wrapped around in orchestral melody.

    Running for 49 minutes the work moves from sublime in Angus Dei (Lamb of God) into an up-tempo, rich orchestral sound on Aurora Scandere (Dawn Rising). Piano softly stroked heralds in the delicate Illuminare (Illumination).

    Ethereal orchestral backing, with the singular notes of the piano welcome Luna Benedictus (Moon Prayer) creating a different perspective to the underlying motive of offering blessings for such a wonderous orb that lights the night skies.

    Scarum Spera (Sacred Trust) presents a complex chant threaded with the sound of orchestra, giving a rich and detailed element to this traditional form of stylised speech for worship and meditation, refined to an art form by the Gregorian Monks

    In the lovely gentle offering Spiritus Mundi (World Spirit) Peter Calandra draws this delightful album to a delicate and peaceful finale, allowing the spirit to return to the world of everyday, refreshed and renewed.

    Calandra “composed, orchestrated, sequenced, engineered”, had some mixing and mastering help from Ken Freeman, and then “designed the cover for this wholly-original body of work” which was inspired by his time in college choir, where they sang many of their pieces, composed by the great classical masters, with the text in Latin.

    Carpe Noctem is a special collection perfect for meditation, reflection and renewal.

     

  • Rowing In Eden

    Rowing In Eden

    When you combine the talents of songstress Rebekah Eden, with the timeless lyrics of the poetry of Emily Dickenson, William Butler Yeates and Arthur Earl Jones, Led Zepplin’s “Ramble On’ as a ballad, and the Capellen Orchestra of the Czech Republic you have something very special, something unique and beautiful to enjoy, relate and contemplate in Rowing in Eden.

    Eden began her vocal career as a student at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio where she trained as a classical singer, singing the arts songs of Germany and France, as well as Italian opera and contemporary classical scores. She completed an internship with the Dusseldorf Opera in Germany where she had to learn and perform a different Opera each evening.

    Eventually returning to the United States to study for her Masters in voice performance, she was hired by the San Francisco Symphony Chorus to perform Adam’s composition ‘Harmonium’. Sacred Music was also sung, as during her studies she became acquainted with the music of St Hildegard of Bingen, recording three of her sacred chants over her past two albums.

    This eclectic background has come together to create, in this third album, a wonderful pot-pourrie of music that will enchant the listener and take them on a magical journey filled with sacred vibration, laments in the almost traditional manner of the song style, a journey into the world of classical music and a soupçon of contemporary  story telling.

    Woven throughout each composition is her firm belief that the concept of ‘Heaven on earth is not so much a place, as a state of mind, that is created from love, sacredness, heart and purpose(sic)’, all of which has been combined within this work to express, through the medium of music, that ’Life is a sacred adventure’

    Each piece tells its own story with the compilation beginning and ending with the delicately beautiful piece A Message from the Stars, which both introduces and concludes this amazingly fantastical journey into otherworldly matters, created by a lifetime love of music and enjoyment of the many wonderful aspects that literature brings into the world.

    Let your imagination take flight and enjoy the mystical journey throughout the hills and valleys, the fantastical and real, the sacredness of 12th century religion, knights and dragons. Couple this with divine music from the stars, as well as allowing your psyche to travel where it will and you will feel all the better for trip into the wonderful world of make-believe, courtesy of Rebekah Eden!

    Fantastical!