joi, 1 martie 2012

[Earthwise] Digest Number 2799

Messages In This Digest (3 Messages)

1.
CD REVIEW - The Witching Hour From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
2.
CD REVIEW - Queen of Earth and Sky From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
3.
CD REVIEW - Priestess of the Pentacle From: gleason.mike@comcast.net

Messages

1.

CD REVIEW - The Witching Hour

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net

Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:19 am (PST)





The Witching Hour CD by Lady Isadora © 1981, 2006, 2010 17 Tracks Total Running Time: 57:18 $22.00 (U.S.)

The Witching Hour 1:58 The Realm of Faerie 2:43

'Tis Halloween 4:49 The Pipes of Pan 3:36

Bittersweet 2:13 Come, Witches to the Dance 4:43

After the Death of Arthur 2:36 Doors of Wonder 2:45

The Knight and the Old Dame 3:00 Witches and Amazons 4:39

Tower of Winds 3:48 Beneath the Silvered Moon 2:54

The Effigy 4:11 The Goddess Sings 3:40

Heartbeat of Creation 1:43 Isis 6:28

The King of Hearts 1:32

This is a 25 th anniversary release of one of the early tapes from the formative years of the Pagan music

scene. There were a few other tapes beginning to be released at this time, but it wasn't anywhere near the industry it is today. Lady Isadora and Lord Pan created the original tape under a tight schedule with portable equipment which left much to be desired in terms of how polished the final product would appear. For all of that, it was popular at the time, and has continued to have a devoted following through the years.

There are, however, a lot of people who have never heard this collection of songs since it wasn't released on CD until recently. One of my goals this year is to introduce a new generation of Pagans to what we old-timers experienced at the dawning of the public Pagan movement in the U.S.

To be sure, a lot of the newer folks have grown up in an era of metal/grunge and won't find this style particularly appealing, but then again...if they haven't been exposed to it, they may find themselves surprised by what it has to say. There was a time when story-telling was considered to be vital to success as a recording artist. Although this is not the BEST example of the early days (there were a few tapes which had wider distribution), it is an very good example.

The songs range far and wide among topics dear to the Pagan heart, from Witches to Arthur, from the Pipes of Pan to Amazons, and beyond. If you can't find something here to appeal to you, I feel sorry for you – there must be something missing from your life, and I hope you find it.

Her liner notes are edited and excerpted from the original, which is unfortunate. Honestly, I don't remember the original notes, but I suspect they gave a bit more detail, and given the looming loss of our early history as the first couple of generations of public Pagans cross over to the Summerlands (since many have never committed their memories to more permanent forms of preservation), we can use all the history we can preserve.

Take the time to listen to this album in a variety of situations (mid-day, evening, calm, stormy) and see if it changes how you react to the various songs. I'm betting it will grow on you, and you will find yourself coming back to it.

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2.

CD REVIEW - Queen of Earth and Sky

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net

Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:40 am (PST)



Queen of Earth and Sky by Lady Isadora © 1990, 2010 13 Tracks Total Running Time: 47:34 $22.00 (U.S.)

Prologue 1:05 Three Carols for Yule
The Queen of Earth and Sky 3:16 Masters in the Halls 2:29
In the Beginning 4:02 The Holly King 2:54
Mistress of the Mysteries 4:35 Our Lady Greensleeves 1:48
Samhain Fires 1:28 Eternal Child 2:11
Witch 5:11 Lion-Hearted Woman 3:35
Ye Birds and Ye Beasts 2:37 The Pentacle and the Rose 7:01
La Figlia di Diana 2:26 Swan Song 2:56

This is another of the albums from the early days of Pagan music. There are those who would say that this album doesn't compare favorably with the previous release (The Witching Hour) since it lacks Lord Pan's musical accompaniment. It is carried much more simply by Lady Isadora's hauntingly beautiful voice. It is, to be sure, a very different kind of album. For one thing, it was recorded in an actual studio as opposed to an apartment. The liner notes give a feel for the chaos which was happening to the artist as she gave birth to this album and the next one (Priestess of the Pentacle) in less than a year. Knowing how long normally elapses between releases – especially for those without access to big company backing and resources – that frenetic pace is almost unbelievable.

Of the "Three Carols for Yule" probably the best-known is "Our Lady Greensleeves", yet each of them offers something which appeals.

Several of the songs on this album are dedicated to "big names" in the mainstream recording industry who inspired Lady Isadora (whether they knew it or not).

If the only song of note on this album was "Witch", it would still be worth adding to your library. I will leave it to you to determine which other ones make that cut, we all have differing criteria. I personally lean towards "Lion-Hearted Woman", but your choices may vary.

As I noted in my previous review, her liner notes are edited and excerpted from the original, which is unfortunate. Honestly, I don't remember the original notes, but I suspect they gave a bit more detail, and given the looming loss of our early history as the first couple of generations of public Pagans cross over to the Summerlands (since many have never committed their memories to more permanent forms of preservation), we can use all the history we can preserve.

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3.

CD REVIEW - Priestess of the Pentacle

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net

Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:45 am (PST)





Priestess of the Pentacle by Lady Isadora © 1990, 2010 12 Tracks Total Running Time: 48:10

$22.00 (U.S.)

Priestess of the Pentacle 6:31 Royal Green 6:29

The Inch Worm* 3:09 Witches' Brew Blues 3:49

O Freyja, Thou Lovely 2:03 The Pen is a Magic Wand 3:59

Table Round 4:06 Letter to Anne Frank 3:41

Maid Marian's Lament 3:52 Drawing Down the Moon 4:14

Twa Corbies 3:08 Wintry Skies 3:09

*from Hans Christian Anderson

This is the final album re-issued by Lady Isadora, although it probably won't be her last effort. If enough people show interest in her work, I'm sure she can be persuaded to bring forth another album or two.

Lady Isadora successfully brought a dream to fruition with "The Inch Worm" when she dueted with her young daughter (I have to admit that this is not my favorite song on the album). This album, however, is about much more than that song. From acknowledging her Danish ancestry (with a Swedish melody? Eh, it's Scandinavian!) on "O Freyja, Thou Lovely" to reminding us not to take freedom for granted with "Letter to Anne Frank" Lady Isadora shows a versatility and range which is impressive.

She touches on two themes which have endeared themselves to the Pagan community over the decades (Camelot and Sherwood Forest) with a couple of her songs. The stories she tells should resonate within each of us.

As I noted in my previous reviews, her liner notes are edited and excerpted from the original, which is unfortunate. Honestly, I don't remember the original notes, but I suspect they gave a bit more detail, and given the looming loss of our early history as the first couple of generations of public Pagans cross over to the Summerlands (since many have never committed their memories to more permanent forms of preservation), we can use all the history we can preserve.

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