Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: stars

  • Message from the Stars

    Message from the Stars

    The story goes that sitting quietly one night under the stars, a gentle and yet persistent melody was heard until it became a rich, entrancing harmony, captured to perfection by Monica Williams on flute and Dave Clark on guitar, in Message from the Stars.

    Rich in layers of sound translated into a romantic, dreamy, almost lullaby with the deep, throaty notes of the flute in perfect harmony with the higher plucked notes of the guitar, this divine music forms a song that not only soothes, but offers a singular moment of enchantment.

    Heaven sent, the message in this delicate song is one of reflection, introspection and pure relaxation which will refresh the soul with a gentle touch.

    Perfection.

  • Pleiades

    Pleiades

    Ethereal and immensely soothing and restful the enchanted vocals of Christel Veraart reach out offering solace, relaxation and absolute mindless rest; time away from the stress of the everyday world.

    Pleiades a star cluster prominent in the night skies comes with more than just celestial origins; the group has prominence in many cultures, often known as the ‘Sisters’ or the ‘Seven Sisters’, it features large in Middle Eastern Cultures; the Tuareg Berber know the group as the ‘daughters of the night’, Greek mythology call them the ‘Seven Sisters’ with many European legends referring to the group as variations of the ’Hen and Chickens’.

    Christel Veraart, a classically trained vocalist and pianist has, over her career and life travels created music of a more classical style. It is only over the past few years she has become drawn to the immensely textured world of space music; a genre that allows and openly seeks out the variation, change and difference that can be achieved by simply allowing the mind to venture into realms that seek, tease, tantalise, offering the gift of divine blessings to be discovered through the medium of sound; of music.

    Pleiades is the result of allowing the soul to reach out, to ‘connect’ to the whispering to be discovered when allowing the mind to traversing the depths of space. Veraart sought out and discovered the magic of Pleiades calling to her and has used her vast background in vocal creativity to sing in ‘tongues’ recognisable to all who choose to listen, telling in a wonderfully rich and bewitching dreamscape the stories of the Seven Sisters.

    Seven tracks make up this glorious work, each one dedicated to one of the ‘sisters’ filled with divine presence, mystery and mystique. Theosophy considers the ‘Seven Sisters’ focuses on the spiritual energy of  Seven Rays which, through a journey across the heavens eventually comes to us, which fits perfectly with the divine music created by Christel Veraart on Pleiades.

    The Star cluster is also considered as the ‘throne of God’, or the ‘Angels from Heaven’.  Veraart’s elegant vocals, accompanied by a range of instruments softly played, certainly creates a space that is suitable for Angels to come to this earth to offer divine blessings and healing. The Stars and Heavens have guided travellers safely for centuries; Pleiades via the beautiful voice of Christel Veraart will guide and offer solace in these changing and challenging times, courtesy of the Angels.

    Allow the soothing call of Pleiades to reach deep into your soul, to discover the immense and pure feeling of peace, love and joy, the feeling of burdens lifted, the turbulent mind soothed, to return feeling and knowing you have been truly blessed by the Angels.

  • Cosmic Chronicles: A user’s guide to the Universe

    Cosmic Chronicles: A user’s guide to the Universe

    Readers who are familiar with the likes of Douglas Adam or H.P Lovecraft will have some idea of how truly small we humans are. Well, Fred Watson, asks you to please disregard your previous ideas, so he can explain to you truly, how small and insignificant we actually are.

    Or rather, how incomprehensibly huge the universe is.

    Watson, current astronomer and former pioneer, is more than qualified to talk to us on the subject of the universe, though he never relies on the reader having a scientific background and incorporates explanations, where necessary, well throughout the pages. Cosmic Chronicles never crosses the threshold where leisure reading turns into a lecture session and remains as it claims; a user’s guide.

    And guidance is a good word to use for this book, as the writing style is that of a friendly and charismatic tour guide who takes you through space at light speed, making various pit-stops to point out one or another notable feature. Though the universe may be incomprehensibly big and empty, you certainly don’t feel alone while reading this book.

    Astrology, geology and biology might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Watson seems to understand this, and it feels like the material has been through a few ‘enjoyment’ filters. As the majority of the content inspires ‘wow that’s cool’ moments instead of making your eyes glass over. Topics range from everyday ideas like meteors, stars and nightfall, while the more obscure sections go over interstellar property and space bugs (yes, space-bugs).

    Fred Watson has an asteroid named after him, but he explicitly claims no responsibility if it ever hits the earth. Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone outer-space minded, and any age from young adult upwards. The chapters make it easy to learn and become familiar with a new idea in one sitting. Be prepared to look up and see the sky in a whole new way.

  • The Girl and the Dinosaur

    The Girl and the Dinosaur

    Large format and wonderfully created The Girl and the Dinosaur is an absolute treasure, as well as somewhat unusual,l as Holly Hughes has created a very descriptive and enjoyable piece of poetry enhanced by the wonderful illustrations from Sarah Massini, to delight a wide age range of readers who love something a little different.

    The story revolves around a little girl called Marianne who loves the beach, but for a very different reason. She loves to dig up the sand to try and discover dinosaur bones she knows are buried just below the surface.

    If she is very, very patient and keeps on digging she will hopefully find all the bones that once were a dinosaur. Slowly, ever so slowly, she does find piece after piece until she puts together the skeleton of ‘Bony’ on the sand.

    When she goes to bed that night, she makes a very special wish that she and Bony can have some adventures together; to be able to travel the skies like the stars, to make special magic and perhaps even to go to a party place for children.

    Nothing fun and exciting is off limits with her special friend Bony.

    The Girl and the Dinosaur is a joyous and absorbing tale told through the metre of poetry, which is delightful to enjoy regardless of your age and one that will be fun to read time and time again, as you too can be just like Marianne and go on an adventure with Bony filled with wonderful, imaginary magic.

  • We See the Stars

    We See the Stars

    Simon is an eleven year old boy and like most kids his age he is struggling to make sense of the world he lives in, and the life and people around him. He has Mental Health issues, which make things even harder to sort out. As Simon is the narrator of this story we spend time seeing things from inside his thoughts and ideas.

    Kate has set this story in rural Australia in a small town. It is after the Vietnam War in the 1970’s. The story begins with Simon and follows his life for a stretch of time. We discover his family, his local neighbourhood, and his school. The family are not affluent, and sacrifices have to be made. Dad, Grandma, and his brother Dave all live together. Not much is mentioned about Mum, but there is tension in the family which Simon internalizes.

    Quickly we learn that Simon is able to express his inner emotions differently. He reacts by imagining a honeycomb with bees building and moving honey inside his chest. Simon hasn’t spoken for a long time, and at school he is assumed to be weird by the other children and a source of annoyance by the teacher. However, a new teacher comes to the school and befriends him, and they become so close that Simon says, “I like your class.”  They share some secrets that will later save a life.

    One of the other children in the class is Cassie. She has a deformed hand and would be tormented by the other kids, but she is fearless and strong and would beat them up. When Simon shares some food with her they develop a slow friendship. Tragedy strikes the small community and, in his head, Simon is pretty sure he knows how to solve the problem. Being a very poor communicator, he sets off by himself, to do what no one else can.

    At times this narration by Simon is a little confusing. We must remember that he thinks differently and try to adjust to his wavelengths. His view of the world is puzzling and a little sad. He has Superman for comfort. We are reminded that the world is a confusing place for us when growing up but add in a family trauma and a health issue and suddenly it becomes unmanageable. The descriptive writing in this book shows the author’s compassion and understanding for children with difficulties.

  • Consider the Moon & Stars

    Consider the Moon & Stars

    This album opens with the immortal sound of Houston getting ready to launch the American spacecraft, carrying astronaut John Glenn, into space. He was to become the first American to orbit the earth and the fifth person to be sent into pace. The year was 1962.

    From this point on this album is one long, gloriously beautiful journey through space in, as the first track states, This Languid Motion.

    A richness of sound enters with Consider the moon and stars, where the imagination can see through the windows of the craft, to the true, glorious, yet to be discovered elements of a sparkling new world; fresh, mysterious and somehow infinitely magical.

    Avalon Nights introduces a different beat, with some serious work on the acoustic guitar, a dash of vocals and rather spacey element added with the careful use of the synth.

    The tantalising title of the fourth track, A Dream in Tangerine can only lead to a sense of wonderment, as the rhythm changes to once again return to the space like modality, where the rhythms are slightly faster, almost impulsive and adventurous, reflective of what element only the composer knows and the listener can interpret.

    Gentle and soft Beyond What I Know is the perfect vehicle to spend some little time in reflection of what may be out there in the deep darkness that surrounds the earth. It is perhaps a simplistically beautiful translation of what must flow through the minds of astronauts as they sit in contemplation of worlds unknown as they travel through space.

    Sirius rounds out very nicely a true musical journey which will become a favourite on the playlist, as it is many things, all of which come skilfully together to relax and remind that the world is full of charm, beauty and mystique simply waiting to be enjoyed and discovered.

    The next time you are outside in the night, far away from the lights of the city spend a moment to consider the moon and stars.

    Perfection.

  • Seventh Wave

    Seventh Wave

    Tripping daintily across the ether Shift is a delicate and light piece to introduce the latest album from the delightful Michelle Qureshi as she once again uses her imagination, as well as a varied collection of instruments to create a series of beautiful blends and harmonies created to sooth, heal and simply be enjoyed.

    Electronic introduction sifting into a rhythmic tapping and electronic range of sounds creates a slow, otherworldly piece in Velvet Rains, which both teases and enchants as it leaves the space open to interpretation – to dreamtime, to before the earth was formed, to a journey into the far reaches of space. Almost eight minutes in duration it makes a lovely piece for a quick meditation.

    Each Good Rain opens with plucking of guitar strings backed by a synth played in a gentle and almost unobtrusive manner, saying Yes, I am here but pay me no attention – focus on the guitar. Mellow and dreamy this is one for simply enjoying the delicate notes and overtures set to sooth and relax.

    The ting, tong of what can be easily envisioned as a xylophone leads onto the full-bodied synthesised sounds of Never Odd or Even leading you into a deeper relaxation which is followed by Angels a lovely, up-tempo piece that awakens the listener as it slowly, carefully, shifts dynamics into a more care-free minute or two.

    Drifting lightly into the final piece in this innovative and totally enjoyable collective, There Lightly wafts the peacefulness of the meditative state, into a slightly less deep element but also encourages a slow return to everyday life, with the introduction of higher, sharper notes of the flute wandering across the soundscape.

    The final piece Dreaming in Color is exactly that, as the colours of the spectrum are transcribed into music leaving it to the listener to select the colour, select the mood,  as well as the moment chosen to return from the Seventh Wave to the everyday world.

    As with all of her albums, this being the seventh album, she has created a wonderfully soothing blend tied together with love which will appeal to anyone seeking that special music for meditation, relaxation, yoga or background ambience.

    Once again the Qureshi has created a wonderful, heartfelt offering of love and pleasure to be shared.

  • Stardust

    Stardust

    All encompassing, far reaching, rich and full barely begin to describe Kerani’s latest project of incredible majesty, beauty and strength.  As always she has based her compositions about one of the many aspects of the earth, this time predominantly space and all the various aspects of discovery, gravity, timelessness and infinity that still evolve as each mission to space is launched, bringing back fresh information, presenting almost on a daily basis the awe inspiring beauty that is space.

    She has also paid tribute to the incredible Leonardo da Vinci whose curiosity and intelligence knew no bounds in the piece Perpetuum Mobile, reflecting on the 13th century when the search for perpetual motion began, and still continues with the thought that perpetual motion can truly only exist in space. Tubular bells make an eerie, futurist sound before they are joined by strings and the body of the orchestra creating a sense of space and timelessness to the song. There are subtle overtones reminiscent of Çlannard interwoven with the rhythms which completely changes the dimensions once again.

    In the beginning there was ‘Stardust’ or more prosaically cosmic dust, which scientists believe are the building blocks of life as we know it. The song commences with what could almost be termed a hesitant piano note which builds into a richness as the structures begin to form, stars begin to shine, the earth begins to evolve and life begins to grow.

    Cosmic Sunrise was inspired by the moment when the sun first peeps over the horizon, heralding the beginning of a new day. Astronauts in space see this from a completely differing aspect, being presented with a stunning kaleidoscope of coloured layers changing every 92 seconds.

    Upbeat and funky The Next Step completely changes the pace, moving into the more edgy, modern style of composition, still maintaining the rich tones of space, discovery and anticipation which could almost be inspired by Mike Oldfield’s ground breaking compositions of the 1970s and ‘80’s.

    Almost by default Infinity follows with the voices of a choir filling in the background to create a feeling of endlessness, time without structure, form or void. Diana van der Zee’s voice rises effortlessly over the body of work to take a journey into that deep mysteriousness known only as ‘deep space’.

    Refreshingly beautiful, each of the ‘songs’, as Kerani likes to refer to the pieces takes a step closer to a completion which, as always with her works, comes with a message, that of respect of the planet we have been given as our home and to remind us that we need to respect each other, as we all are star children, coming from the stars and eventually to return to whence we once lived.

    Her work  simply goes from strength to strength as she uses the medium of music and her incredible talent, to reach out to all people reminding them of the wonders we have in our universe, that we as the current custodians of this planet need to be more gracious and caring.

    Stardust is also in tribute to all the men and women who go into space in the name of science and humankind.

    Gloriously wonderful and totally immersing!

  • The Sloth Who Came to Stay

    The Sloth Who Came to Stay

    In this wonderful picture book from the talented Margaret Wild there is a little homily to be found in reflection of the fast pace of today’s world.

    What happens when Amy finds a Sloth hanging in a tree and decides to bring him home with her. Her family are the speediest family in the world, perhaps in the whole world. According to Amy everything they do is speedy, so speedy that there is never, ever any time to simply laugh, or play or just be lazy; there never seems to be any time to do anything except speedily rush about.

    Mum thinks the Sloth needs a bath and tells him to hurry. But as we all know Sloths don’t hurry, they love to do everything slowly, so slowly that everything he did he enjoyed. He enjoyed playing with the purple ducks and the red boat, looking in the mirror and combing his fur, very slowly of course.

    When the family tried to rush out for a quick walk, taking Sloth with them, he could only go slowly, so slowly that Amy and her dad had time to talk to the neighbours and look at the night sky, to enjoy the moment.

    Ever so slowly the family began to slow down, to enjoy relaxing, talking to each other and finding red stars in the night sky, something they had never, ever been able to do when everything they did was so very speedy!

    After about three weeks Sloth decided to move next door, to the new Speediest family in the world. I wonder why?

    Vivienne To, in her first picture book illustration has captured the very essence of the storyline with her clever characterisation of the word pictures created by Margaret Wild and gives young readers a lot to look on each page, as well as highlighting the many discussion points throughout the story.

    Ideal for young readers and their parents there is much to discover both within the written word and the illustrations, and certainly a lot be too discovered about the art of slowing down.

    A fabulously, fun, slow read to be enjoyed after bath time or anytime, come to that!