The Minstral Show - (Episode 036)

World United Music presents episode 36 of “The Minstral Show” from Montreal, Quebec, Canada with your host Stewart Brennan.

The Best music from around the world on one program and in one place, “The Minstral Show” on World United Music.

If you are looking for the best music being created today, look no further and tune into “The Minstral Show” on World United Music.

Today’s episode contains nine great songs on 3 video segments in one playlist with Fort Atlantic, Admiral, Jack Simchak, The Steams, Dave Kerzner, Tiger Moth Tales, Cardinals, Sonic Dawn, and Southbound Snake Charmers.

Be sure to check out the artists websites and connect with them on their social media pages. (See Artists Links below)…and to the artists, don’t forget to share this post with your network of followers and friends, because that’s how we change the World of music together…we are all connected and in this way, we support each other. Have a great week!

The Minstral Show Episode 36 (Full)

Artist Links:

Fort Atlantic

Admiral

Jack Simchak

The Steams

Dave Kerzner

Tiger Moth Tales

Cardinals

The Sonic Dawn

Southbound Snake Charmers

SONGS on Episode 36

  

The Best Music of 2017 (Click or Tap to Stream)

NOTE: To view the playlist contents, click on the little striped box in the upper left hand corner of the YouTube TV. When it opens, you can scroll through the music and choose to stream the music from any track.

You can contact World United Music at the following LINKS:

YouTube

FaceBook

Twitter

Soundcloud

Bandcamp

John Sokoloff - Album Review - Hartland Street Echoes

Review by: Stewart Brennan ~ World United Music

My passion for good music compels me to write especially when good music moves me, and “Hartland Street Echoes” by John Sokoloff has certainly moved me in ways that I never expected, as I now, better understand, empathically, a small part of a displaced community after the 1917 Russian Revolution. One hundred years later, the spirit, culture and art of that community continue to grace our world in the most passionate of ways, expressed so profoundly in the music of Russian American composer and artist, John Sokoloff.

In many ways, the emotional expression present in John Sokoloff’s music mirrors that of my own Irish Community. There is a similarity in the depth of pain experienced by both communities through their tragedies as well as the euphoria of joy in their triumphs expressed through art, which, to me, is the soul of the people in all communities.

The strength of heart and character of the Russian people is as ever present today as it was yesterday and carries on from generation to generation through its preservation of culture, its artforms and its people.

“Hartland Street Echoes” is an empathic window to the life and experiences of not just one man, but of an entire community and perhaps a nation. History is said to be written by the victors, but it is also written by the vanquished through the empathy and artistic passion of its people.

“Hartland Street Echoes” by John Sokoloff contains the pulse of the Russian heart expressed brilliantly by John Sokoloff and band through a music that is thoroughly engaging, empathic and meaningful.

Be sure to subscribe to John Sokoloff’s Official website and / or his Facebook and YouTube channels here and here to keep up to date with music tours and everything else.

First, a little about John Sokoloff and what he’s been up to:

John Sokoloff's music comes from his Russian-American heritage. Melodic and soulful, John's piano-based songs are unique in their lyricism and passionate honesty. Combining a variety of instruments and styles seamlessly, The John Sokoloff Band has released five compact discs of compelling, instrumental music.

John served as composer for the critically acclaimed CBS Primetime "The Bonnie Hunt Show" for David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Productions. He composed and played on the theme and all incidental music for the show.

A song from his debut cd Vacation Beach, was the featured theme for Moscow’s 850th Birthday official documentary, produced by award winning director Tofik Shefardeev. Commissioned by Mayor Lushkov and sanctioned by the Moscow government,

DVD copies of the documentary were distributed to the gathered mayors of the world’s major cities.

Additionally, The John Sokoloff Band has been heard on radio and television in the United States and Russia.

The piano-based band also allows for eclectic instrument combinations and a variety of influences - from Blues and Classical to Russian Folk.

From congas to violin, electric guitar to balalaika - the common denominator is soul…

John’s influences include Rachmaninoff, Van Morrison, Tchaikovsky, Sting, JJ Cale, Neil Young, Roy Buchanan, The Band and Bulat Okoudzhave, among others.

Discography:

1993 - Vacation Beach

1996 - Valleys

1998 - Eastern Shadows

2000 - Bliss Misplaced

2004 - The Melancholy Way

2017 - Hartland Street Echoes

Hartland Street Echoes Album Review:

Band Members:

John Sokoloff – Piano / Synths

Tony Mandracchia – Electric, Acoustic and Slide Guitars

Denny Croy – Fender Base

Craig Fundyga – Congas, Vibes and Percussion

Willie McNeil – Drums

Guests on “Hartland Street Echoes”

Alexander “Lulu” Podresov – Acoustic Guitar and Balalaika on “Hartland Street Echoes”

Gee Rabe – Accordion on “Vanowen Girl”

Nikolai Kurganov – Violin on “Dom Veteranov”

SONGS:

Song # 01 - She Lives at 4 View Road

“She Lives at 4 View Road” begins the musical journey with youthful carefree ambiance, a delightful presence that moves into a natural build up with layers of comforting musical impressions as if thoughts and memories joined-in to greet a friend from youth. A pleasantly engaging song from beginning to end.

Song # 02 - Her Voice

“Her Voice” is a short departure from John Sokoloff’s traditional musical style but no less emotionally impacting through a combination of music and spoken word poetry of a young man talking over the phone with an old girlfriend in hopes of reuniting, only to find that her heart belongs to another. A song and poem about a true-life experience of sinking heartbreak.

POEM: HER VOICE

Her voice, it sounded happy

I listened selfishly

Three years I haven’t seen her

But she is still in me.

Our talk was small, by standards

I didn’t really care

Since on this night of empty words –

It’s feelings I would share

She told me of her college days

While work wore out the nights

Why she “hasn’t done a social thing”

Her time has been so tight.

I closed my eyes

And thanked the clock

for playing kindly thief

No mention of another -

I blew the sigh relief

Euphoria begins

with quivers in the soul -

And how do you stop a rock

that’s begun it’s downhill roll

Aching was my heart –

At hearing that voice again

Take this letter now –

to heaven my feelings send..

It came without much warning

A shower in summertime

She mentioned it in passing –

The truth so hard to find.

“My boyfriend can’t communicate

but treats me really nice.

Our future is together..

John...can you lend me some advice..”

Sometimes we expect

the blue sky to turn green

Sometimes we can’t face,

what we have always seen..

But tell me how to stop,

what has begun to roll

This rock has stopped its tumble –

It’s resting on my soul…

Song # 03 - Vanowen Girl

The more I listen to “Vanowen Girl”, the more blown away I am. Not only is it infectious, it's truly a modern day classic that I'm sure, would have been loved and envied by all the great classical composers. The music is so delightfully simple yet also very complicated in its structure, its essence and its emotional reflection...

”Vanowen Girl” is a modern day classical masterpiece… a waltze made by a master that will grace all of our communities to the end of time…this is simply a brilliant piece! Here is a musical composition that needs to be heard by the world as much as an André Rieu Orchestral Dance and performance is viewed by millions throughout Europe.

Song # 04 - Chasing Hara

I view an album as a life journey or story told through music and so “Chasing Hara” continues the story of a youthful composer, lost in the emotions of love, chasing yet never capturing the elusive dream.

Song # 05 - Covello

“Covello” is a cheery upbeat composition that is seemingly filled with the hustle and bustle of life that builds and builds with infectious instrumental hooks telling of youthful experiences; a piano instrumental piece that lifts the spirits and energy level.

Song # 06 - Coronado Terrace

“Coronado Terrace” is a very reflective piece as if looking back through time at the experiences and roots to what life was like in the Russian American community with all the stories that drift to mind in old silent black and white news reels complete with a hint of melancholy and longing. A wonderfully engaging and artistically inspiring composition.

Song # 07 - Waltz for Anastasia

“Waltz for Anastasia” is another brilliant composition and expression brimming with emotional reflection that tells through its melancholy ambience, the catastrophic loss of innocence and the tragedy that befell the Romonov family, and indeed the entire Russian nation during the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Anastasia was one of the Romanov children and so this composition brings emotional reality to the loss of innocence and the tragic death of a child through an empathic expression of music by John Sokoloff.

Song # 08 - Hartland Street Echoes

The title track of the CD, “Hartland Street Echoes”, encompasses a period of time in the composers life where he lived in a small house isolated from the hustle of the world but was intimate with nature which influenced the artists creativity. The composition profoundly resonates the comfortable feelings and memories of home and could easily be a soundtrack to an academy award winning movie.

Song # 09 - Solo Ari

Solo Ari is the deepest and most complex song on the album as it seemingly plays out the emotional thoughts of one waiting with a candlelit dinner for someone that does not show up. A very engaging song that builds musically and emotionally to a climactic finally and then peacefully closes a chapter.

Song # 10 - Dom Veteranov

Song Background: “Dom Veteranov” “Dom” meaning house in Russian, was a society started in 1926 by Veterans who fought against the Bolsheviks. They had lost their country and lived their entire lives in suitcases and died without being able to return home... The house where they met for decades was filled with their memorabilia .....and their Spirit. The composition, “Dom Veteranov” was composed within those walls.

“Dom Veteranov” is an emotionally empathic and moving tribute to the lives and spirits of the many veterans who passed through the halls of “Dom Veteranov” in the tiny California Russian community.

In my mind, “Dom Veteranov” represents the sorrows of the entire Russian community, many of whom were the families and descendants of those veterans and while I write this album review just after “Remembrance Day” November 11^th, 2017, one hundred years after the 1917 Russian revolution, I find a common understanding of sorrow, loss and respect for those that gave their lives for the greater good.

Song # 11 - Balloons of Matilija

John Sokoloff ends his “Heartland Street Echoes” album with “The Balloons of Matilija”, a spoken word poem and music holding deep reflection of a once vibrant Russian community long since gone but still thriving in the hopes, dreams and artforms of its descendants. A wonderful creation and fitting end to a wonderful reflective album.

Poem: The Balloons of Matilija

The balloons have

long since drifted,

The tinsel swept away...

The din of voices...silenced,

It's just another day.

Where laughter once had reigned

And cheer had once resided

Where music once was heard

And utopia - sighted.

But vertical, the hands of time became

And icy gusts blew candles dry

The mighty steed had turned up lame:

Truth transformed into a lie.

Where once you passed

you now must fail

Life's lesson early learned -

Time is not for sale.

The balloon does drift

through clouds and haze

It drifts, serenely

thru the days

It drifts the nights

o'er plain and hill

and thru

the early morning chill

Drifting to a place beyond

where rainbows smile

and sunsets yawn.

Where misty shrouds

of yesteryear -

elude the desperate

grasp of fear

It floats the fields

and grassy knolls

where fawn-like creatures

bare their souls.

Where perfumed flowers

reach the sky

and hands are held

in manner shy

It sees it all

from up above:

the common branch

of hawk and dove,

A bison sipping

lion's tea,

a cats embrace

of canary..

the boisterous bull

and matador:

sharing vintage, Spanish lore...

Wafting by the balloon foresees:

an end

to all life's agony

The scene shifts

to a dark abyss

A cruel, forbidding

precipice -

from which

a gust escapes

the void,

Motivation - to destroy...

It thrusts balloon

on jagged edge -

a pointed branch

or rocky ledge

A hiss is heard,

then a cry -

The lone balloon

begins to die

It sinks past clouds

and through

the trees

clutching, grasping

for a breeze...

while down below

the rocks await -

harsh practitioners

of Fate...

The balloon quivers,

begins to toss

It's life air

all but lost.

And with what proves

it's final gasp

from balloon -

a wish is cast..

And with that

he fights no more

and succumbs

to canyon floor..

Rainclouds gather

and skies do bleed

drenching ground -

devoid of seed.

The distance darkens

while winds moan dry

up above

the barren sky

But somewhere, somewhere

way beyond -

Rainbows smile

and sunsets yawn,

and misty shrouds

of Yesteryear

elude

the desperate grasp of fear.

The balloons have long since drifted

The tinsel, swept away...

The din of voices....silenced,

It's just another day.

--------------------------

Last Word:

If I had the vocabulary to describe my inner feelings, my poems would rain in music. If I possessed the musical ability of expression, my music would be filled with empathy for life and that is what I get from John Sokoloff’s 2017 CD “Hartland Street Echoes” an album I treasure, which is now a part of me.

John Sokoloff LINKS:

Official Website

Soundcloud

Facebook

Artist Profile on World United Music

YouTube

YouTube 2

BUY MUSIC

iTunes

Amazon

The Mistral Show - (Episode 35)

World United Music presents episode 35 of “The Minstral Show” from Montreal, Quebec, Canada with your host Stewart Brennan.

If you are looking for the best music being created today, look no further and tune into “The Minstral Show” on World United Music.

Today’s episode contains nine great songs on 3 video segments in one playlist with Ruby the Hatchet, Yuri Gagarin, Orsak Oslo, Green Seagull, Gavin Coetzee, Sacred Shrines, Oliver John-Rodgers, Alan Reed and Bjorn Riis.

Be sure to check out the artists websites and connect with them on their social media pages. (See Artists Links below)…and to the artists, don’t forget to share this post with your network of followers and friends, because that’s how we change the World of music together…we are all connected and in this way, we support each other. Have a great week!

The Mistral Show Episode 35 (Full)

Artist LINKS:

Ruby the Hatchet

Yuri Gagarin

Orsak Oslo

Green Seagull

Gavin Coetzee

Sacred Shrines

Oliver John-Rodgers

Alan Reed

Bjorn Riis

SONGS:

To find out more of what you've been missing, check out the Best Music of 2017 on the playlist below.

The Best Music of 2017 (Click or Tap to Stream)

NOTE: If you would like to view the playlist contents, click on the little striped box in the upper left hand corner of the YouTube TV. When it opens, you can scroll through the music and choose to stream the music from any track. Enjoy the Music!

For any inquiries, you can contact World United Music at the following LINKS:

YouTube

FaceBook

Twitter

Soundcloud

Bandcamp

Robert Plant - Album Review - Carry Fire

Robert Plant: Album Review - "Carry Fire"

The voice that launched ten million singers, carries a wiser man that still sings with the spirit of youth. Robert Plant just released his new album called “Carry Fire” on Oct 13^th, 2017 on Nonesuch/Warner Bros. Records…and indeed, the fire still burns in Robert Plant’s poetically passionate lyrics delivered perfectly by a cast of great musicians and the wide range of Plant’s creative voice.

Robert Plant has created a very memorable Album, as “Carry Fire” will do just that, and for a very long time. A solid high five from the Minstral Show!

My passion for good music compelled me to write a review of Robert Plant’s new album “Carry Fire”, but also because I love poetry, and I have to say the depth of the lyrics on this album really struck me, so I just had to do it.

The lyrics are provided after each song with a full playlist of the album at the end of the review for streaming purposes. Be sure to subscribe to Robert Plants Official website and / or his Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages to keep up to date with music, tours and everything else.

First, a little about Robert Plant and what he’s been up to:

Robert Plant made his first commercial recordings in 1966. In 1967, he had also formed a group called the Band of Joy, with drummer John Bonham. Soon, Bonham, Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bassist John Paul Jones assembled to become The New Yardbirds which became Led Zeppelin. The Led Zeppelin era ended in 1980 when John Bonham died. Since that time, Plant has put his wide-ranging musical fascination to good use on solo albums, with Jimmy Page, and in recordings with bands like The Honeydrippers, Priory of Brion, and Strange Sensation. His performances have reflected his embrace of West Coast psychedelic rock, roots blues, African music, and traditional folk.

Before his recent projects in Nashville with Alison Krauss and Band of Joy, Plant worked alongside the very interesting force, “Strange Sensation”, recording the critically acclaimed, multi-Grammy nominated albums – “Dreamland” and “Mighty Rearranger”. From this platform, Sensational Space Shifters has developed. Now together these confederates and conspirators dig deeper and more intensely, always twisting and turning, bringing the past into a brilliant technicolour present. It is impressive company:

Band Members:

Robert Plant – Vocals, Production

John Baggott - Keyboards, Moog, Loops, Percussion, Drums, Bass arrangement, T’Bal, Snare Drum, Slide Guitar, Piano, Electric Piano, Bendir

Justin Adams – Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Oud, E-Bow Quartet, percussion, Snare Drum, Tambourine

Billy Fuller – Bass, Keyboards, Drum Programming

Liam “Skin” Tyson – Dobro, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, 12 String

Dave Smith – Bendir, Tambourine, Djembe, Drum Kit

Guests on “Carry Fire”

Richard ashton – Drums on “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”

Redi Hasa – Cello on “A Way with Words”, “Carry Fire”, “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”

Chrissie Hynde – Vocals on “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”

Seth Lakeman – Viola on “The May Queen”, “Carry Fire”, “Bluebirds Over the Mountain”

Robert Plant – “Carry Fire” - Album Review

SONGS                         

01 The May Queen

02 New World...

03 Season's Song

04 Dance With You Tonight

05 Carving Up the World Again...a wall and not a fence

06 A Way With Words

07 Carry Fire

08 Bones of Saints

09 Keep It Hid

10 Bluebirds Over the Mountain

11 Heaven Sent

Song # 01: The May Queen:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller Tyson)

“The May Queen” starts off with a tease and then the royal show begins with an acoustic wall of sound carried by a beat that then turns into a golden voice from the past. The opening track of the “Carry Fire” album “The May Queen” is an energetic and captivating song from the first note to the last. A song well received that is unmistakably a classic tune that reminds of earlier days with Led Zeppelin. “The May Queen” is a Fantastic song, long anticipated by fans around the World.

Lyrics: The May Queen

Lay down in sweet surrender

Your love so warm and tender

Oh, sweet surrender, now

So warm and tender, now

Oh-oh-oh

Ohhh

Inside my waves are breaking

Oh! Light of my salvation

Oh, my waves are breaking now

Ooh, sweet salvation now

Oh-oh-oh

Ohhh

I'm seeking love and glory just like I always do

The bosom of the freedom I very rarely choose

Out here the fire's still burning

So long into my night...

Still captive and still yearning

Surrender to your light...

A heart that never falters

A love that never dies

I linger in the shadows

The dimming of my light...

(Oh!)

The dimming of my light...

The dimming of my light...

The dimming of my light...

The dimming of my light...

SONG # 02: New World:

(Plant, Baggott, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

“New World” is a cleverly worded song about hypocrisy and conflict…A very important song with a sobering conscious message. Both my thumbs are up for this song in its lyrical meaning and its musical content.

Lyrics: New World

With songs of praise

A happy landing

On yet another virgin shore

Escape the old world

Embrace the new world

Out here the immigrant takes all

Across the plains and over mountains

Put flight to all who came before

they're barely human, It's time to move them

Let them kneel before the sword

Educate the "noble savage"

The great white father's word is law

Subjugate them to liberate them

The poison pen the bloody sword.

SONG # 03: Season’s Song:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller Tyson)

A very poetic song that speaks of life and love; written and sung with a longing passion and empathy for one lost, and yet held immortal within.

Lyrics: Season’s Song

Oh my love, what is there left to do

The youth that slept inside me

ran away when I found you…

Oh my love, what is there to be done

My senses have escaped me,

My mind is on the run…

Oh my love…Oh my love…

The nights grow long,

There’s snow upon the hill…

The taste upon your lips

of summer’s slow farewell…

No time my love

The bird is on the wing…

Who stole the pretty songbird/

Who no longer for me sings…

Oh my love…Oh my love…

Crazy Love

Ah-ah oh season’s song

To dream my love,

The desert in my soul…

Of peace along the wayside

On this solitary road…

Oh my love when all is said and done…

I hear the sounds of heaven in

your wondrous season’s song…

Oh my love, Oh my love

Oh crazy, crazy love

SONG # 04: Dance with You Tonight:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith Tyson)

The love and spotlight of days gone by will never truly be gone while memory is sung from the heart. “Dance with You Tonight” is a poetic dance with youth, love and memory, in eternity. Simply wonderful.

Lyrics: Dance with You Tonight

And now the carnival is over

Someone turned out the light

Our fields of plenty filled with clover

So long ago and out of sight

This little light that keeps on shining

All through the darkness through the night

That ever more will keep reminding

The road is long the flame is bright

And if there's one more time I can dance with you

Let me dance with you tonight

Maybe the last chance our hearts

Will dance into the lovers night

Out in the land of never ending

The rich parade the roar of life

We shared a world forever changing

Through dancing days and wondrous nights

I offered up the secret places

Reveal the magic of the land

All bound by blood and lipstick traces

Till time conspired to steal our crown

And if there's one more time I can dance with you

Let me dance with you tonight

Maybe the last chance our hearts

Will dance into the lovers night

And if there's one more time I can dance with you

Let me dance with you tonight

Maybe the last chance our hearts

Will dance into the lovers night

Come on and dance another mile

Come on and wear your late, late smile

The flame still burning bright

Across the days. Across the years

If there's one more, only one more

Only one more night

Come, come, come on and dance with

Me baby make me feel alright

If there's one more, only one more

Only one more night

Come, come, come on and dance with

Me baby make me feel alright

SONG # 05: Carving Up the World Again...a wall and not a fence: (Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith)

“Carving up the World Again…a Wall not a Fence” is Political poetry sung by the master. Robert Plant reaches down into the depths of political hubris and pulls out the truth in a heart beating rhythm that paints a picture of what drives our world. Two thumbs up from this humanitarian activist. 😉

Lyrics: Carving Up the World Again...a wall and not a fence

The Russians, the Americans, the British and the French

They're carving up the world again, it's getting kind of tense

A whole lotta posture and very little sense

It's no surprise they hide behind a wall and not a fence

The Irish and the English and the Scottish and the Welsh

A damp and misty history they keep it to themselves

All lost in dark antiquity and smouldering descent

Invisible divisions "behind a wall and not a fence"

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour

Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire

Call up the cavalry and double up the guard

Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

In China they got worried they built themselves a wall

They built it big and long and tall. To keep away the hoard

A hundred years of blood and toil. A million lives expend

The steely grip of dynasty "behind a wall and not a fence"

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour

Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire

Call up the cavalry and double up the guard

Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour

Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire

Call up the cavalry and double up the guard

Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

Emperors and Sultans, Kings and Presidents

Dictators and ambassadors engaged in our defence

A lifetime of great service, of selfless good intent

Guaranteed immunity "behind a wall and not a fence"

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour

Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire

Call up the cavalry and double up the guard

Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

Trouble at the border. In the eleventh hour

Ditch and wire and palisade in the line of fire

Call up the cavalry and double up the guard

Preparing for catastrophe inside the house of cards

SONG # 06: A Way With Words:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott)

Robert Plant delivers a Hauntingly Beautiful blues number of return, in his “A Way of Words”…it’s hard not to recognize the talented voice that graced the passionate Led Zeppelin songs from earlier days. A very well received song that holds reflection, forgiveness and understanding.

Lyrics: A Way With Words

Leave me here alone

For just as long as it takes

The seasons turn

Waiting for the weather to break

Blowing up a storm now

Many times I fell from grace

The seasons turn

Once again our world will change

Reaching out to find you

I put it all behind you

I'm back again, I know

Across the miles I find you

I put it all behind you

I'm back again, I know

Coming from the cold

Reaching for your sweet embrace

The seasons turn

Hit beyond your world I wait

Is your heart still warm?

A little flame, a special place

The seasons turn

And once again our world will change

Reaching out to find you

Put it all behind you

I'm back again, I know

Crossing miles to find you

Put it all behind you

I'm back again, I know

All we built but falling down

Holding you and hit the ground

I know

Blaming tears, the lonesome sound

Hopes and tears will burn the ground

I know

Reaching out to find you

I put it all behind you

I'm back again, I know

Across the miles I find you

I put it all behind you

I'm back again, back again

I've...

I'm reaching out to find you

I put it all behind you

'Cause I'm back, I'm back, I'm back, I'm back, I'm back

Reaching out to find you

I put it all behind you

I'm back again, I know

Back again, I know

(Mmmm, Mmmm, mmmm)

(Mmmm, Mmmm, mmmm)

Song # 07: Carry Fire:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

The vocals and music of the title track “Carry Fire” are simply brilliant! Robert Plant’s voice breaths life and passion into the song which carries an infectious Middle Eastern dream-like mystique. The song is very hypnotic that effortlessly gathers the imagination and consciousness into a Trance. “Carry Fire” does just that, like a voice calling from across the distance of time to launch a million poets. The vocals and music are simply brilliant!

Lyrics: Carry Fire

I sit and wait for you

Like so many others do

Just like they do for me

Well so I do for you

I'd carry fire for you

Here in my naked hands

I'd bare my heart to you

If you will understand

I was a stranger there

Inside your promised land

That turned me inside out

And turned me upside down

I'd carry fire for you

Here in my naked hands

I'd bare my heart to you

If you will understand

Just like

Just like

Just like I scarred you

Just like

Just like

Just like I scarred you

I'm reaching out for you

Across the broken gate

I feel the gathering years

Beyond these lonely wastes

I'd carry fire for you

Here in my naked hands

I'd bare my heart to you

If you will understand

Just like

Just like

Just like I scarred you

Just like

Just like

Just like I scarred you

SONG #08: Bones of Saints:

(Plant, Adams, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

Outspoken, poetic and not afraid to say how things are in the World, Robert Plant expresses the madness that has gripped the world, as it always has, on the “Bones of Saints”. I love the play on words here. There is so much depth and truth in the lyrics as so much is said in very few words. A solid rock tune through and through. Both thumbs up again. 😉

Lyrics: Bones of Saints

They're loading up the ships

They're loading up the planes

There's madness in the sky

Above the bones of saints

So much of me is broken

The servants of a lie

Now everything is burning

There's a fire up in the sky

And I said, no no no no no no no no no

We're up against the bench

While all the walls fall down

I hear the children scream

But then the fear abound

And that's the leading question

Where all the money comes

I'll say who makes the bullets

If you tell me who sells the guns

And I said, no no no no no no no no no

No no no no no no no no no

In the Garden of Eden

And the wheels go round and round

The sight of an angel

When the best fair deals come down

In the Garden of Eden

And the wheels go round and round

The sight of an angel

When the best fair deals come down

No no no no no no no no no

No no no no no no no no no

No...

No...

No...

No...

SONG # 09: Keep It Hid:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott)

“Keep it Hid” is an infectious funky electro Blues number driven by Robert Plants iconic voice, a percussion backdrop and buffet of tasty music pieces delivered in a nicely crafted package.  

Lyrics: Keep It Hid

What you gonna do when it's cold outside?

And who'll keep you warm when the sun won't shine?

And who you gonna call when the day is done?

And who you gonna rock when your man has gone?

Now baby take the wine from the loving cup

Mamma, take your time, don't you spill a drop

Fine little mamma, let me be your kid

Keep it to yourself, baby keep it hid

To yourself, baby keep it hid

Keep it to yourself, baby keep it hid

To yourself, baby keep it hid

Baby takes her time, likes to walk by the sea

She's got some trouble in mind, life in a minor key

At the end of the world when the sun comes up

There's a silver key and a golden cup

Silver key and a golden cup

Silver key and a golden cup

Silver key and a golden cup

Silver key and a golden cup

Silver key and a golden cup

SONG # 10: Bluebirds Over the Mountain:

(Ernest Hickey)

“Bluebirds Over the Mountain” is a remake of Rockabilly singer Ersel Hickey’s song featuring a feast of music delicacies to make your soul dance including the amazing Cello work of Redi Hasa, the drums of Richard Ashton and the vocals of Chrissie Hynde, and Seth Lakeman.

Lyrics: Bluebirds Over the Mountain

"Bluebirds Over The Mountain"

Bluebirds over the mountain, seagulls over the sea

Bluebirds over the mountain, bring my baby back to me

Boy and girl they fell in love, each was like the hands above

He looked in the eyes of blue, she vowed to him that she'd be true

Bluebirds over the mountain, seagulls over the sea

Bluebirds over the mountain, bring my baby back to me

(Well, well, well, well)

I miss you, oh, can't you see? You're the only one for me

Since you've gone, I'm all alone, c'mon, baby, come back home

Bluebirds over the mountain, seagulls over the sea

Bluebirds over the mountain, come on and bring my baby back to me

Bring my baby back to me

Bring my baby...

Bring her back to me

Bring her back to me

Bring her back to me

SONG # 11: Heaven Sent:

(Plant, Adams, Baggott, Fuller, Smith, Tyson)

“Heaven Sent” casts a mysterious ambience, held by the vision of an angel at the gates who’s lost his immortality. A very good experimental composition that borders on Progressive rock with a hint of psychedelia to enhance the mystique and ambience of the song. “Heaven sent” is another poetic reflection for all of us to ponder and was well chosen to close out a very poetic and reflective album that surely does “Carry Fire.” 

Carry Fire receives a 5 on 5, Full marks from the Minstral Show

Lyrics: Heaven Sent

There's an angel at the gate singing

A stolen kiss, a fall from grace, singing out

He's heaven sent, he feeds the flame of everlasting love

His empire falls, his spell will break

Once cast aside, his song awakes

He's heaven sent, he rides the waves of freedom's golden flood

Now shadows fall, the hour is late

Still hear your song, but time won't wait

Once heaven sent above the world

The eagle and the dove

All that's worth the doing

Is seldom easy done

All that's worth the winning

Is never easy won

All the long goodbyes

All the goodbye songs

All the love for giving

Never really gone

All that's worth the doing

Is seldom easy done

All that's worth the winning

Is never easy won

All the long goodbyes

All the goodbye songs

Spend the time forgiving

Never really done

Never really done

Carry Fire - Full Album:

Robert Plant LINKS:

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