Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 58
July 21, 2023
A King For Tomorrow
Just finished listening to "A King For Tomorrow" by Midori an Tim Rock, released by Medwyn Goodall Music.
For those who came in late, Midori is the non-de-plume of Medwyn Goodall, and it's not unusual for New Age Musicians to release CDs under another name - David Arkenstone is an example of a New Age Artist who released several CDs under various "pen names." New Age Artists can get away with this because their CDs are usually filled with instrumental music and/or credited vocals. Remember the firestorm Garth Brooks ignited back in 1999 when he took on the persona of "Chris Gaines", a fictitious rock-and-roll musician and released a "Chris Gaines" CD and movie that both failed? And not, it's not the same thing as "The Artist Formally Known As Prince."
"A King For Tomorrow" is the third CD release in Midori's and Rock's ongoing "King Arthur Reborn" series which explores what happens after the King Arthur returns as prophecy of the Camelot Legend promises.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "The Uprising," "True Bloodlines," "Peacemaker," and "Aeternum."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://medwyngoodall.com/tim-rock
For those who came in late, Midori is the non-de-plume of Medwyn Goodall, and it's not unusual for New Age Musicians to release CDs under another name - David Arkenstone is an example of a New Age Artist who released several CDs under various "pen names." New Age Artists can get away with this because their CDs are usually filled with instrumental music and/or credited vocals. Remember the firestorm Garth Brooks ignited back in 1999 when he took on the persona of "Chris Gaines", a fictitious rock-and-roll musician and released a "Chris Gaines" CD and movie that both failed? And not, it's not the same thing as "The Artist Formally Known As Prince."
"A King For Tomorrow" is the third CD release in Midori's and Rock's ongoing "King Arthur Reborn" series which explores what happens after the King Arthur returns as prophecy of the Camelot Legend promises.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "The Uprising," "True Bloodlines," "Peacemaker," and "Aeternum."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://medwyngoodall.com/tim-rock
July 20, 2023
The Temple Of Hathor
Just finished listening to "The Temple Of Hathor" by Wychazel, released by Medwyn Goodall Music.
Wychazel is the recording and production alias used by Chris Green, who irst appeared on the new age music scene as part of Runestone and has since established himself as an award winning solo artist.
Wychazel brings the listener back to the sands of Ancient Egypt with Santur, Oud, Duduk, Middle Eastern percussion, synths & samples.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Pillars of Eternity," "At The Threshold of Forever," and "Hieroglyphs and Mysteries"
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://wychazel.net/middle-east-asia
Wychazel is the recording and production alias used by Chris Green, who irst appeared on the new age music scene as part of Runestone and has since established himself as an award winning solo artist.
Wychazel brings the listener back to the sands of Ancient Egypt with Santur, Oud, Duduk, Middle Eastern percussion, synths & samples.
My favorite tracks on this CD are: "Pillars of Eternity," "At The Threshold of Forever," and "Hieroglyphs and Mysteries"
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://wychazel.net/middle-east-asia
Norfolk Landscapes
Just finished listening to "Norfolk Landscapes" by Kevin Kendle, released by Eventide Music.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites may recall, I always am forthcoming whenever I know an artist. Although Kevin Kendle and I are friends here on Facebook and have exchanged a few emails in the past, we have never met and/or talked with each other.
"Norfolk Landscapes" features the return of Ian Cameron Smith on guitar, who has previously played on Kendle's Flowers and Butterflies albums.
Kendle pays homage to Norfolk's pastoral landscapes with this latest release.
My favorite tracks are: "Big Sky," "Sand Patterns," "The Mill," "Saltmarsh Creek," "Woodhenge," and "Glaven Twilight."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-norfolk...
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites may recall, I always am forthcoming whenever I know an artist. Although Kevin Kendle and I are friends here on Facebook and have exchanged a few emails in the past, we have never met and/or talked with each other.
"Norfolk Landscapes" features the return of Ian Cameron Smith on guitar, who has previously played on Kendle's Flowers and Butterflies albums.
Kendle pays homage to Norfolk's pastoral landscapes with this latest release.
My favorite tracks are: "Big Sky," "Sand Patterns," "The Mill," "Saltmarsh Creek," "Woodhenge," and "Glaven Twilight."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-norfolk...
Insight
Just finished listening to "Insight" by Kevin Kendle, released by Eventide Music.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites may recall, I always am forthcoming whenever I know an artist. Although Kevin Kendle and I are friends here on Facebook and have exchanged a few emails in the past, we have never met and/or talked with each other.
Now "Insight," is specifically tuned to the naturally resonating, healing frequency of A=432 Hz (as opposed to the usual tuning of A=440 Hz,) with the goal of promoting healing, and is the first release in his "Ambient Healing" series. It is an hour long piece that combines piano, synthesizer and glissando guitar played by Brian Abbott.
A very enjoyable work.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-insight...
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites may recall, I always am forthcoming whenever I know an artist. Although Kevin Kendle and I are friends here on Facebook and have exchanged a few emails in the past, we have never met and/or talked with each other.
Now "Insight," is specifically tuned to the naturally resonating, healing frequency of A=432 Hz (as opposed to the usual tuning of A=440 Hz,) with the goal of promoting healing, and is the first release in his "Ambient Healing" series. It is an hour long piece that combines piano, synthesizer and glissando guitar played by Brian Abbott.
A very enjoyable work.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
http://www.kevinkendle.com/cd-insight...
inner voices
Just finished listening to 'inner voices" by R. Carlos Nakai released by Canyon Records.
Nakai revisits some familiar ground with new renditions of previously recorded material. Here the Native American flautist-composer's deeply resonant tones are countered and buoyed by Billy Williams's gently majestic arrangements consisting of violin, viola, cello, and bass. The title cut comes from 1998's Mythic Dreamer yet here takes on a more classic feel. The orchestra employs restrained and thoughtful strings, which in turn echo the melody line, play opposite Nakai for a grounded effect, and embolden the composition with gorgeously understated flourishes such as a low cello rumble or a slightly dissonant violin fill making the music hauntingly quiet and peaceful.
My favorite tracks on this CD, which I purchased at Monster Music in Charleston, South Carolina, are: "Daybreak Vision," "Kokopelli Wind," "Songs for the Morning Star," "Woodsong C," and "Winter Solstice."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Voices-R...
Nakai revisits some familiar ground with new renditions of previously recorded material. Here the Native American flautist-composer's deeply resonant tones are countered and buoyed by Billy Williams's gently majestic arrangements consisting of violin, viola, cello, and bass. The title cut comes from 1998's Mythic Dreamer yet here takes on a more classic feel. The orchestra employs restrained and thoughtful strings, which in turn echo the melody line, play opposite Nakai for a grounded effect, and embolden the composition with gorgeously understated flourishes such as a low cello rumble or a slightly dissonant violin fill making the music hauntingly quiet and peaceful.
My favorite tracks on this CD, which I purchased at Monster Music in Charleston, South Carolina, are: "Daybreak Vision," "Kokopelli Wind," "Songs for the Morning Star," "Woodsong C," and "Winter Solstice."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Voices-R...
The Road To Roswell
Just finished reading "The Road To Roswell - A Novel" by Connie Willis, published by Del Rey.
Connie Willis is best know for her situational comedy of manners and misadventures in science fictional settings, and "The Road To Roswell," well not her best novel, is fun, but it takes a while for the adventure to pick up steam and go off the rails.
Francie Driscoll is on her way to Roswell, New Mexico to attend her best roommate Serena’s wedding. She’s been down this road before and is planning on talking her out of it. Especially when she finds out Serena’s new beau is a UFO enthusiast, the wedding is at the UFO museum and there’s a UFO festival happening at the same time!
By the time Francie gets to Roswell, Serena needs so much help prepping for the wedding because her fiance is raving about a new UFO sighting in the area. Being the best roommate she is, Francie goes out to Serena’s car to pick up decorations but she runs into an alien! A tumbleweed tentacle creature that pins her to the car seat and just points ‘drive’. It’s a close encounter of the fourth kind - abduction!
Now Francie is stuck being a driver for an E.T. and picking up various characters along the way like Wade, a UFO abduction insurance selling conman, Lyle the UFO nut, Eula Mae the gambling granny and Joseph the owner of an RV (“Western wagon”). They get to know and care for the little alien they dubbed Indy and will protect him at all cost from the government and other extraterrestrials. Only all is not what it seems and in order to save Indy, Francie must take a leap of faith with the very man she loves, despite being betrayed by him.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Roswell-N...
Connie Willis is best know for her situational comedy of manners and misadventures in science fictional settings, and "The Road To Roswell," well not her best novel, is fun, but it takes a while for the adventure to pick up steam and go off the rails.
Francie Driscoll is on her way to Roswell, New Mexico to attend her best roommate Serena’s wedding. She’s been down this road before and is planning on talking her out of it. Especially when she finds out Serena’s new beau is a UFO enthusiast, the wedding is at the UFO museum and there’s a UFO festival happening at the same time!
By the time Francie gets to Roswell, Serena needs so much help prepping for the wedding because her fiance is raving about a new UFO sighting in the area. Being the best roommate she is, Francie goes out to Serena’s car to pick up decorations but she runs into an alien! A tumbleweed tentacle creature that pins her to the car seat and just points ‘drive’. It’s a close encounter of the fourth kind - abduction!
Now Francie is stuck being a driver for an E.T. and picking up various characters along the way like Wade, a UFO abduction insurance selling conman, Lyle the UFO nut, Eula Mae the gambling granny and Joseph the owner of an RV (“Western wagon”). They get to know and care for the little alien they dubbed Indy and will protect him at all cost from the government and other extraterrestrials. Only all is not what it seems and in order to save Indy, Francie must take a leap of faith with the very man she loves, despite being betrayed by him.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Roswell-N...
"The Avengers - Steed And Tara King - The Comic Strip Adaptations - Volume Seven"
Just finished listening to "The Avengers - Steed And Tara King - The Comic Strip Adaptations - Volume Seven" released by Big Finish Productions.
Based on the Classic TV Comic Strips that featured the adventures of Steed and Tara King during and after the run of the original Avengers television series, these audio adventures capture all the high stakes drama and zaniness of the original television series.
This collection adapts the following Classic TV Comic Strips: "The Fabulous Sky Beam Dilemma," "A Tale In Tartan," and "This Train Terminates Here."
Now keep in mind that the writers who adapted the original Classic TV Comic Strips did add more to the audio drama in order to the flesh out the original stories.
Steed Scottish Cousin - McSteed- does make his debut in "A Tale In Tartan," where Tara goes on a solo outing to recover a formula that increases an athlete's performance; and "This Train Terminates Here" is a great old fashioned bank robbery tale that involves classic steam trains.
Great Classic Avengers Fun!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.doctorwhostore.com/the-av...
Based on the Classic TV Comic Strips that featured the adventures of Steed and Tara King during and after the run of the original Avengers television series, these audio adventures capture all the high stakes drama and zaniness of the original television series.
This collection adapts the following Classic TV Comic Strips: "The Fabulous Sky Beam Dilemma," "A Tale In Tartan," and "This Train Terminates Here."
Now keep in mind that the writers who adapted the original Classic TV Comic Strips did add more to the audio drama in order to the flesh out the original stories.
Steed Scottish Cousin - McSteed- does make his debut in "A Tale In Tartan," where Tara goes on a solo outing to recover a formula that increases an athlete's performance; and "This Train Terminates Here" is a great old fashioned bank robbery tale that involves classic steam trains.
Great Classic Avengers Fun!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.doctorwhostore.com/the-av...
"Duck Dodgers - The Complete Series"
Just finished watching "Duck Dodgers - The Complete Series" released by Warner Brothers
Based on the original Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies "Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century" directed by legendary animation director Chuck Jones back in 1953.
"Duck Dodgers" run for three seasons on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and has great fun taking on many classic and popular science fiction motifs, television shows and movies - Back to the Future, Alien, Predator, and of course Buck Rodgers. In fact the opening sequence pays homage the the original live action television show.
The continuing adventures of incompetent hero Duck Dodgers with his Young Eager Space Cadet (Porky Pig) sidekick is great fun and adheres to the vibe of the original cartoon and does a great job of building a universe that embraces the Earth-Martian conflict while introducing new characters like the Martian Queen.
There is even a unique series finale that pays homage to the voice actors who brought Duck Dodgers and the Young Eager Space Cadet to life.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Dodgers-C...
Based on the original Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies "Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century" directed by legendary animation director Chuck Jones back in 1953.
"Duck Dodgers" run for three seasons on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and has great fun taking on many classic and popular science fiction motifs, television shows and movies - Back to the Future, Alien, Predator, and of course Buck Rodgers. In fact the opening sequence pays homage the the original live action television show.
The continuing adventures of incompetent hero Duck Dodgers with his Young Eager Space Cadet (Porky Pig) sidekick is great fun and adheres to the vibe of the original cartoon and does a great job of building a universe that embraces the Earth-Martian conflict while introducing new characters like the Martian Queen.
There is even a unique series finale that pays homage to the voice actors who brought Duck Dodgers and the Young Eager Space Cadet to life.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Dodgers-C...
July 16, 2023
Canyon Trilogy
Just finished listening to "Canyon Trilogy" by R. Carlos Nakai, released by Canyon Records Productions back in 1989.
Raymond Carlos Nakai is a Native American flutist of Navajo and Ute heritage. Nakai played brass instruments in high school and college, and auditioned for the Armed Forces School of Music after a two-year period in the United States Navy. He began playing a traditional Native American cedar flute after an accident left him unable to play the trumpet. Largely self-taught, he released his first album Changes in 1983, and afterward signed a contract with Canyon Records, who produced more than thirty of his albums in subsequent years. His music prominently features original compositions for the flute inspired by traditional Native American melodies.
I came across "Canyon Trilogy" in the New Age section of Monster Music in Charleston, South Carolina, and I decided that since I like Native American flute music to give it a try.
"Canyon Trilogy" is divided into three sections - "Dawn's Mirage," "Dreamscapes," and "Resonance."
My favorite tracks are: "Daybreak," "Echoes of Time," "Ancestral Home," 'Creation Chant," Turquoise World," "World of Rainbows," "Walking Song," Kokopelli Wind," and "Homage to the Ancient Ones."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Canyon-Trilogy...
Raymond Carlos Nakai is a Native American flutist of Navajo and Ute heritage. Nakai played brass instruments in high school and college, and auditioned for the Armed Forces School of Music after a two-year period in the United States Navy. He began playing a traditional Native American cedar flute after an accident left him unable to play the trumpet. Largely self-taught, he released his first album Changes in 1983, and afterward signed a contract with Canyon Records, who produced more than thirty of his albums in subsequent years. His music prominently features original compositions for the flute inspired by traditional Native American melodies.
I came across "Canyon Trilogy" in the New Age section of Monster Music in Charleston, South Carolina, and I decided that since I like Native American flute music to give it a try.
"Canyon Trilogy" is divided into three sections - "Dawn's Mirage," "Dreamscapes," and "Resonance."
My favorite tracks are: "Daybreak," "Echoes of Time," "Ancestral Home," 'Creation Chant," Turquoise World," "World of Rainbows," "Walking Song," Kokopelli Wind," and "Homage to the Ancient Ones."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Canyon-Trilogy...
Eighty Days - Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History Making Race Around the World
Just finished reading "Eighty Days - Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History Making Race Around the World" by Matthew Goodman, published by Ballantine Books back in 2013.
"Eighty Days" is another example of a book I bought over a decade ago and that I've just now gotten to reading. It's also an example of how social media of the day - print newspapers and magazines - were used to promote a frantic race to beat the imaginary record set by Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's novel "Around The World in Eighty Days.
Nellie Bly was the actually the pen name for Elizabeth Jane Cochran. In the early 1900s, women who wrote for newspapers did so under assumed names to protect their womanhood.
Cochran rose from difficult economic circumstances to be an investigative journalist for Joseph Pulitzer's "World" newspaper after successfully getting herself committed to an insane asylum in order to write about the conditions there. In November,1899 she boarded a ship, heading for England, in an attempt to beat the time set by Phileas Fogg for traveling around the world in Jules Verne's classic novel. On the same day, Elizabeth Bisland, a writer for Cosmopolitan Magazine, set off by train in the opposite direction with the same goal in mind. I enjoyed this story of these two women racing around the world as fast as trains and steamships could take them. Mr. Goodman has done an excellent job of making history a turn-the-page thrill. He also gives us a biography of both women before and after the amazing race.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Eighty-Days-El...
"Eighty Days" is another example of a book I bought over a decade ago and that I've just now gotten to reading. It's also an example of how social media of the day - print newspapers and magazines - were used to promote a frantic race to beat the imaginary record set by Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's novel "Around The World in Eighty Days.
Nellie Bly was the actually the pen name for Elizabeth Jane Cochran. In the early 1900s, women who wrote for newspapers did so under assumed names to protect their womanhood.
Cochran rose from difficult economic circumstances to be an investigative journalist for Joseph Pulitzer's "World" newspaper after successfully getting herself committed to an insane asylum in order to write about the conditions there. In November,1899 she boarded a ship, heading for England, in an attempt to beat the time set by Phileas Fogg for traveling around the world in Jules Verne's classic novel. On the same day, Elizabeth Bisland, a writer for Cosmopolitan Magazine, set off by train in the opposite direction with the same goal in mind. I enjoyed this story of these two women racing around the world as fast as trains and steamships could take them. Mr. Goodman has done an excellent job of making history a turn-the-page thrill. He also gives us a biography of both women before and after the amazing race.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Eighty-Days-El...
