Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 50
October 31, 2023
Odin's Raven
Just finished listening to "Odin's Raven" by Guy Sweens, released by MG Music.
Sweens' latest release for MG Music is a vivid exploration of Nordic myths interwoven with native language in the forms of prayers and invocations.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Prayer to Odin and Thor," "The Battle of York," "Raven," and "King of Asgard."
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://medwyngoodall.com/guy-sweens
Sweens' latest release for MG Music is a vivid exploration of Nordic myths interwoven with native language in the forms of prayers and invocations.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Prayer to Odin and Thor," "The Battle of York," "Raven," and "King of Asgard."
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://medwyngoodall.com/guy-sweens
Still Waters Run Deep
Just finished listening to "Still Waters Run Deep" by Medwyn Goodall, released by MG Music.
My first encounter with Medwyn Goodall's music was back in 2002 - the Dark Ages - when I saw "Snows of Kilimanjaro" - his latest release at the time - in the New Age New Release section of the listening station at the Barnes & Noble near where I live. Barnes & Noble does still sell music CDs, but no where near the selection they once did. I liked what I listened to and as I side note, I was intrigued by the back story of this CD, which was done as a tribute to a young man who was murdered by terrorists while trying to fulfill his ambition to climb Kilimanjaro and his father who turned tragedy into triumph when he and a group of climbers reached the mountain's summit and raised over $200,000 for the Children In Crisis Charity that the Duchess of York was the patron for at that time - I don't know if she still is.
I began purchasing all of Medwyn Goodall's CDs that were in the bookstore at the time, and even special ordered those that were not on the stands - which caused a bit of a brew-ha-ha with the staff in the Music Department at the time because they didn't like the fact that I was ordering CDs and kept cancelling the orders. I did get the issue resolved and when I learned that Goodall was starting his own label, I eagerly awaited his first release.
Also of note, a few years after MG Music started, one of my neighbors stole a package of CDs that I had ordered from my mailbox and gave them to the local branch office of the FBI because obviously anybody who ordered anything from England was a terrorist. The neighbor was arrested and my CDs were returned to me. [The neighbor got a permanent restraining order and probation. They moved away shortly after.]
"Still Waters Run Deep" is I believe what's called an EV - not quite a full album. Indeed, Goodall's latest release is only about 30 minutes long and has four new tracks along with the previously released online track "Elven."
My favorite tracks are: "Elven," The Age of Light, Parts One and Two," "Still Waters Run Deep," and "Carefree."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://medwyngoodall.com/medwyn-goodall
My first encounter with Medwyn Goodall's music was back in 2002 - the Dark Ages - when I saw "Snows of Kilimanjaro" - his latest release at the time - in the New Age New Release section of the listening station at the Barnes & Noble near where I live. Barnes & Noble does still sell music CDs, but no where near the selection they once did. I liked what I listened to and as I side note, I was intrigued by the back story of this CD, which was done as a tribute to a young man who was murdered by terrorists while trying to fulfill his ambition to climb Kilimanjaro and his father who turned tragedy into triumph when he and a group of climbers reached the mountain's summit and raised over $200,000 for the Children In Crisis Charity that the Duchess of York was the patron for at that time - I don't know if she still is.
I began purchasing all of Medwyn Goodall's CDs that were in the bookstore at the time, and even special ordered those that were not on the stands - which caused a bit of a brew-ha-ha with the staff in the Music Department at the time because they didn't like the fact that I was ordering CDs and kept cancelling the orders. I did get the issue resolved and when I learned that Goodall was starting his own label, I eagerly awaited his first release.
Also of note, a few years after MG Music started, one of my neighbors stole a package of CDs that I had ordered from my mailbox and gave them to the local branch office of the FBI because obviously anybody who ordered anything from England was a terrorist. The neighbor was arrested and my CDs were returned to me. [The neighbor got a permanent restraining order and probation. They moved away shortly after.]
"Still Waters Run Deep" is I believe what's called an EV - not quite a full album. Indeed, Goodall's latest release is only about 30 minutes long and has four new tracks along with the previously released online track "Elven."
My favorite tracks are: "Elven," The Age of Light, Parts One and Two," "Still Waters Run Deep," and "Carefree."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://medwyngoodall.com/medwyn-goodall
Oracle
Just finished listening to "Oracle" by David Wright & Carys, released by A.D. Music.
"Oracle" consists of two suites; The first suite is ‘The Temple Suite’ and the second suite is ‘The Orion Suite’. The combination of both suites is an epic synth and choral symphony. Carys provides the evocative and sublime vocal textures while Wright provides strong synth and electronic sequences.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Dreams of Orion," "Castalian Fountain," "Return to Orion," "Prophecy," "Athenian Sunfall," and "The Hunter."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.admusicshop.com/product/d...
"Oracle" consists of two suites; The first suite is ‘The Temple Suite’ and the second suite is ‘The Orion Suite’. The combination of both suites is an epic synth and choral symphony. Carys provides the evocative and sublime vocal textures while Wright provides strong synth and electronic sequences.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Dreams of Orion," "Castalian Fountain," "Return to Orion," "Prophecy," "Athenian Sunfall," and "The Hunter."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.admusicshop.com/product/d...
October 30, 2023
Sharing Dreams
Just finished "Sharing Dreams" by Steve Orchard, released by A.D. Music.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I am always forthcoming when I have a connection to an artist, musician, performer, writer, and/or creator of a book, movie, music CD, and or artwork.
Though we have never met in person, Steve and I are friends and we have exchanged emails over the years and I was recently honored when Steve asked me to provide the "vocals" for the track "Space Travel Expands The Mind" on his "The Third Alien" album. (Don't forget to buy your copy Zack. Jeff H. already bought his!)
While Steve always pushes the boundaries of the realms he explores with his music, as evidenced by his previous release "Macabre;" he returns to his more traditional style of instrumental compositions playing acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards that celebrate and explore nature.
My favorite tracks on "Sharing Dreams" are: "Strawberry Moon," "Rain," Wildfire Meadow," "Pearl Divers," Featherdown," and "Perimeters of Slumber."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.admusicshop.com/product/n...
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I am always forthcoming when I have a connection to an artist, musician, performer, writer, and/or creator of a book, movie, music CD, and or artwork.
Though we have never met in person, Steve and I are friends and we have exchanged emails over the years and I was recently honored when Steve asked me to provide the "vocals" for the track "Space Travel Expands The Mind" on his "The Third Alien" album. (Don't forget to buy your copy Zack. Jeff H. already bought his!)
While Steve always pushes the boundaries of the realms he explores with his music, as evidenced by his previous release "Macabre;" he returns to his more traditional style of instrumental compositions playing acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards that celebrate and explore nature.
My favorite tracks on "Sharing Dreams" are: "Strawberry Moon," "Rain," Wildfire Meadow," "Pearl Divers," Featherdown," and "Perimeters of Slumber."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.admusicshop.com/product/n...
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz" by Garth Nix
Just finished reading "Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz" by Garth Nix, published by Harper.
"Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz" collect the eight original stories Nix has previously published about this duo along with the one new story especially written for this collection.
Sir Hereward is a fine, swashbuckling hero who possesses unexpected intelligence and acute judgement) who is straight out of the Dumas and Lieber traditions.
Mister Fitz is a self-motivated, sorcerous puppet; long-lived, honest and honorable, didactic, and oddly, pleasantly WEIRD.
Together, these two very different yet inseparable companions follow with their separate skills a most unusual calling: "retiring" inimical and dangerous gods that infest their multi-mooned world. Such practice requires loyalty, tenacity, courage, ability--and the pursuit of often wild adventures and the occasional attractively tough, scarred beauty by Sir Herward . Also Mister Fitz has unexpected sewing skills.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Sir-Hereward-M...
"Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz" collect the eight original stories Nix has previously published about this duo along with the one new story especially written for this collection.
Sir Hereward is a fine, swashbuckling hero who possesses unexpected intelligence and acute judgement) who is straight out of the Dumas and Lieber traditions.
Mister Fitz is a self-motivated, sorcerous puppet; long-lived, honest and honorable, didactic, and oddly, pleasantly WEIRD.
Together, these two very different yet inseparable companions follow with their separate skills a most unusual calling: "retiring" inimical and dangerous gods that infest their multi-mooned world. Such practice requires loyalty, tenacity, courage, ability--and the pursuit of often wild adventures and the occasional attractively tough, scarred beauty by Sir Herward . Also Mister Fitz has unexpected sewing skills.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Sir-Hereward-M...
"Of Time And Turtles - Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell" by Sy Montgomery
Just finished reading "Of Time And Turtles - Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell" by Sy Montgomery, published by Mariner.
Sy Montgomery has written a warm, often touching memoir of turtle conservation.
It's often a stark reminder that turtles, who literally roamed the earth with the dinosaurs, are threatened, and many are on the brink of extinction, simply because of habitat loss and encounters with humans and vehicles.
The people who are desperately trying to ameliorate, protect, heal, and often repatriate wild animals are fighting a constant uphill desperate battle to save animals from predation and loss (mostly because in any encounter with humans, the animal tends to lose). Some of the veterinary techniques and treatment developments are amazing and creative. It's impressive to read about the engagement and passion of the people who are doing their best for the turtles.
Wildlife artist Matt Patterson provides beautifully rendered line drawings for "Of Time And Turtles."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Turtles-M...
Sy Montgomery has written a warm, often touching memoir of turtle conservation.
It's often a stark reminder that turtles, who literally roamed the earth with the dinosaurs, are threatened, and many are on the brink of extinction, simply because of habitat loss and encounters with humans and vehicles.
The people who are desperately trying to ameliorate, protect, heal, and often repatriate wild animals are fighting a constant uphill desperate battle to save animals from predation and loss (mostly because in any encounter with humans, the animal tends to lose). Some of the veterinary techniques and treatment developments are amazing and creative. It's impressive to read about the engagement and passion of the people who are doing their best for the turtles.
Wildlife artist Matt Patterson provides beautifully rendered line drawings for "Of Time And Turtles."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Turtles-M...
"Artillerymen - Devil's Battle" by Taylor Anderson
Just finished reading , published by ACE Books.
The third book in Anderson's Artillerymen series - the prequel to his widely popular alternate world/history Destroyermen series - picks up with General Agon renouncing his allegiance to the Dominion and being baptized as a Christian to show that he is fully cutting his ties to the blood priests who rule this alternative Earth's Yucatan peninsula region and joint forces with Colonel Lewis Cayce and his forces as they march towards Dominion with the ultimate goal of crushing it, though they may settle for containing it if they can.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Battle-...
The third book in Anderson's Artillerymen series - the prequel to his widely popular alternate world/history Destroyermen series - picks up with General Agon renouncing his allegiance to the Dominion and being baptized as a Christian to show that he is fully cutting his ties to the blood priests who rule this alternative Earth's Yucatan peninsula region and joint forces with Colonel Lewis Cayce and his forces as they march towards Dominion with the ultimate goal of crushing it, though they may settle for containing it if they can.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Battle-...
"Agatha Raisin - Series Four"
Just finished watching "Agatha Raisin - Series Four" released by Acorn.
Based on the original Agatha Raisin mystery novels by the late M.C. Beaton, also known by her pen name of Marion Chesney, Series Four adapts the following novels: "Kissing Christmas Goodbye," "Love, Lies, & Liquor," "Spoonful Of Poison," and "There Goes The Bride."
Central to the theme of Series Four is the upcoming marriage of James - Agatha's ex - and how she copes it between solving murders.
It's worth pointing out that while M.C. Beaton liked Ashely Jensen's performance in the role of Agatha Raisin, she thought that the actress didn't really accurately embody her fictional creation. She believed that Penelope Keith, who portrayed Agatha Raisin in the BBC radio adaptation as the ideal actor in the role.
Agatha has certainly come into her own as a private investigator in these episodes and is even willing to take a chance on acquiring new talent.
Great mystery cozies.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Agatha-Raisin-...
Based on the original Agatha Raisin mystery novels by the late M.C. Beaton, also known by her pen name of Marion Chesney, Series Four adapts the following novels: "Kissing Christmas Goodbye," "Love, Lies, & Liquor," "Spoonful Of Poison," and "There Goes The Bride."
Central to the theme of Series Four is the upcoming marriage of James - Agatha's ex - and how she copes it between solving murders.
It's worth pointing out that while M.C. Beaton liked Ashely Jensen's performance in the role of Agatha Raisin, she thought that the actress didn't really accurately embody her fictional creation. She believed that Penelope Keith, who portrayed Agatha Raisin in the BBC radio adaptation as the ideal actor in the role.
Agatha has certainly come into her own as a private investigator in these episodes and is even willing to take a chance on acquiring new talent.
Great mystery cozies.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Agatha-Raisin-...
"MEG 2 - The Trench"
Just finished watching "MEG 2 - The Trench" released by Warner Brothers.
"MEG 2" is a great popcorn sequel that pays homage to it's predecessor while being an intense thrill ride.
After the death of his wife, Jonas Tyler has taken on increasingly risky missions as an eco-warrior documenting illegal dumping activity in ocean, when he's rescued after gaining the evidence of illegal dumping of nuclear waste. His adopted daughter is happy to see him safe and sound, and to celebrate, she sneaks aboard a mission he's leading to the trench where the MEGS live. Yet an illegal mining operation in the trench blows a hole in the thermal barrier which kept the MEGS in, and the monster sharks escape and go on a eating spree off the waters of Fun Island. It's up to Jonas and company to kill all the MEGS and stop the plans of a billionaire to kill everyone on the team.
Great fun! And there is a set up for another sequel because a MEG did escape and the MEGS did mate and nobody knows where the offspring are.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Meg-2-Trench-B...
"MEG 2" is a great popcorn sequel that pays homage to it's predecessor while being an intense thrill ride.
After the death of his wife, Jonas Tyler has taken on increasingly risky missions as an eco-warrior documenting illegal dumping activity in ocean, when he's rescued after gaining the evidence of illegal dumping of nuclear waste. His adopted daughter is happy to see him safe and sound, and to celebrate, she sneaks aboard a mission he's leading to the trench where the MEGS live. Yet an illegal mining operation in the trench blows a hole in the thermal barrier which kept the MEGS in, and the monster sharks escape and go on a eating spree off the waters of Fun Island. It's up to Jonas and company to kill all the MEGS and stop the plans of a billionaire to kill everyone on the team.
Great fun! And there is a set up for another sequel because a MEG did escape and the MEGS did mate and nobody knows where the offspring are.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
FIVE STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Meg-2-Trench-B...
"Interview With The Vampire - Season 1"
Just finished watching "Interview With The Vampire - Season 1" released by AMC.
Reinventing a classic Gothic tale with modern twists that incorporate Woke ideology is never a great idea, and what makes this small screen version of Anne Rice's classic take on immortal vampires perplexing and infuriating to watch - especially since Anne Rice and her son Christopher Rice were executive producers for this first - and hopefully last season of "Interview With The Vampire."
Daniel Malloy - the interviewer - is dying from Parkinson's disease and is watching the ruins of his once thriving and great career as a journalist and bestselling author on television when he receives a package containing the cassette tapes of his original interview with the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac.
Louis is offering Daniel a second opportunity to interview him provided that he is willing to travel to Dubai.
Despite being seriously ill, Daniel doesn't have to think twice about reaching out for the brass ring again. Yet Daniel is not the naive young man and journalist he once was all those decades ago when he accepted Louis' invitation to go to his apartment to interview him and possibly for sex - which Daniel is down for.
And here's the problem with this version of "Interview With The Vampire" - it has the feel of being a "multi-verse" version of Rice's original novel, complete with a race change of primary characters and their motivations - instead of being a straight man who lost his wife and child due to illness, Louis is now a conflicted black man who hides his homosexuality from his family and looses them when they reject his relationship with Lestat de Lioncourt - the vampire who seduces and turns Louis into a vampire. Even Claudia is race swapped.
A role ideally should go to the best actor suited for the role and there are instances when changing the gender and/or race of an established character succeeds brilliantly - case in point, the character of Starbuck in the last Battlestar Galactica series.
Yet curiously, it's hinted that Louis is a liar all throughout the unfolding version of this new interview and Daniel is constantly proclaiming that there is no documentation to back up his story. And for some reason Anne Rice decided to throw out her established cannon by stating that older Vampires have the ability to walk in the sun - though Louis isn't old enough to have this trait yet. Oh yes, and Armand is now a Muslim who prays in the shadows but never in sunlight, but he toys with Daniel's perceptions by existing and thriving during daylight hours - curiously though Armand doesn't have typical vampire eyes.
The movie with Tom Cruise as Lestat is a more faithful adaptation of Anne Rice's original novel - though it ends with the interviewer discovering that he has a clue to Lestat's whereabouts in the modern day, unlike the movie where Lestat gives Daniel the choice he never had.
Sadly, I can not recommend this take on "Interview With The Vampire."
NOT RECOMMENDED!
ONE STAR!
https://www.amazon.com/Interview-Vamp...
Reinventing a classic Gothic tale with modern twists that incorporate Woke ideology is never a great idea, and what makes this small screen version of Anne Rice's classic take on immortal vampires perplexing and infuriating to watch - especially since Anne Rice and her son Christopher Rice were executive producers for this first - and hopefully last season of "Interview With The Vampire."
Daniel Malloy - the interviewer - is dying from Parkinson's disease and is watching the ruins of his once thriving and great career as a journalist and bestselling author on television when he receives a package containing the cassette tapes of his original interview with the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac.
Louis is offering Daniel a second opportunity to interview him provided that he is willing to travel to Dubai.
Despite being seriously ill, Daniel doesn't have to think twice about reaching out for the brass ring again. Yet Daniel is not the naive young man and journalist he once was all those decades ago when he accepted Louis' invitation to go to his apartment to interview him and possibly for sex - which Daniel is down for.
And here's the problem with this version of "Interview With The Vampire" - it has the feel of being a "multi-verse" version of Rice's original novel, complete with a race change of primary characters and their motivations - instead of being a straight man who lost his wife and child due to illness, Louis is now a conflicted black man who hides his homosexuality from his family and looses them when they reject his relationship with Lestat de Lioncourt - the vampire who seduces and turns Louis into a vampire. Even Claudia is race swapped.
A role ideally should go to the best actor suited for the role and there are instances when changing the gender and/or race of an established character succeeds brilliantly - case in point, the character of Starbuck in the last Battlestar Galactica series.
Yet curiously, it's hinted that Louis is a liar all throughout the unfolding version of this new interview and Daniel is constantly proclaiming that there is no documentation to back up his story. And for some reason Anne Rice decided to throw out her established cannon by stating that older Vampires have the ability to walk in the sun - though Louis isn't old enough to have this trait yet. Oh yes, and Armand is now a Muslim who prays in the shadows but never in sunlight, but he toys with Daniel's perceptions by existing and thriving during daylight hours - curiously though Armand doesn't have typical vampire eyes.
The movie with Tom Cruise as Lestat is a more faithful adaptation of Anne Rice's original novel - though it ends with the interviewer discovering that he has a clue to Lestat's whereabouts in the modern day, unlike the movie where Lestat gives Daniel the choice he never had.
Sadly, I can not recommend this take on "Interview With The Vampire."
NOT RECOMMENDED!
ONE STAR!
https://www.amazon.com/Interview-Vamp...
