Notes From the Dragonlair

I have been enjoying my Brocelïande CD so much that I am going to point you to a link for my favorite song, "Carol of the Birds."  This is actually the song that introduced me to the group.  There are apparently about three carols called that, and I was looking for another version when I happened on this video. I am trying to find some music for it now...  Happy first Sunday of Advent!

Cool Things--Brocelïande

First of all, 

Today I'm going to share group that I just found with you--I have their Christmas CD, but I want to get the rest of them!

  Brocelïande is a quartet on the west coast that plays medieval and celtic music on modern instruments.  One of the things that really stands out to me is that they have a cello in their group as well as a harp which adds A LOT to the overall sound.  Plus, they play and sing very well!  Here is one of my favorite Youtube videos of them--Tha Mi Sgith.  

Here are some interesting things lifted shamelessly off the groups website:

*"Brocelïande plays Celtic music from the British isles and the Medieval and Renaissance music of the European courts and countrysides, with an emphasis on music inspired by or traditionally performed during each of the four seasons. Featuring stellar vocal and instrumental harmonies, their entrancing sound is built on the interweaving of up to 4-part vocals with the lyrical music of the Celtic harp, octave mandolin, cello, guitar, flutes, whistles, percussion, harmonica, and melodeon."

*"Our mission: to use historical music in a socially progressive way, to depict mankind in a healthy relationship to the environment, and to seek the liberation of the human spirit, both present and primordial, in as much as can be accomplished by music and song. . . and to have too much fun doing it!

*Just what does Brocelïande mean, anyway? 

Brocelïande is a fabulous, mystical forest deep in the heart of Brittany, France. According to Arthurian legend, in this magical place the fairy Viviane (or Nimue, according to some) entrapped the sorcerer Merlin . . . and he remains enchanted there to this day.
 
*And how does one pronounce the word Brocelïande? 

It's easy...bro SAY lee ahnd.

*Does Brocelïande use historically accurate instruments? 

No, Broceliande primarily uses instruments from the classical and modern era, we use modern six and twelve steel string guitars, and modern German recorders.

Cool Things!

Here is a fun link for all you knitting types--Lime n Violet's Daily Chum. Here you will find daily articles on fiber, free knitting patterns, Etsy shops of AMAZINGNESS, pretty yarn, book reviews, and new techniques.  You all wanted another fun thing to look at every day right?

Notes From the Dragonlair

One of my family's oldest traditions is to watch "Riverdance" on St. Patrick's day after eating our corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes.  We are very proud of our Irish heratige, and we love the music and the skill shown by the dancers.  One of my favorite parts of Riverdance is the song played on the Uilleann pipes, "Cuchulainn's Lament."  This heartbreaking song captures beautifuly the anguish of the warrios who had to slay his best friend.

As an added treat, here are some increadible videos of the Ullian Pipes as played by Seamus Ennis.  These tug at my heart strings--I want to learn to do that!  Here is another one...Enjoy!

In case you didn't know, this is what the Ullian Pipes look like.

Cool Things...

Just in case any of you are as nuts as I am, here is THE definitive website on the Doctor Who scarf of Tom Baker fame.
Yes, Tom Baker was also Puddleglum in the wonderful BBC "The Silver Chair."  I now know why my mom laughs every time we watch that...

One of these days I am going to knit one of these, and I will wear it everywhere because a) Doctor Who! and b) scarves and coats are a stunning combination.

Jelly Baby anyone?

Quote of the Week-

In Memoriam A.H.H.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson

"Strong Son of God, immortal Love,
Whom we, that have not seen thy face,
By faith, and faith alone, embrace,
Believing where we cannot prove;

Thine are these orbs of light and shade;
Thou madest Life in man and brute;
Thou madest Death; and lo, thy foot
Is on the skull which thou hast made.

Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:
Thou madest man, he knows not why,
He thinks he was not made to die;
And thou hast made him: thou art just.

Thou seemest human and divine,
The highest, holiest manhood, thou:
Our wills are ours, we know not how;
Our wills are ours, to make them thine.

Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see;
And yet we trust it comes from thee,
A beam in darkness: let it grow."

This is just part of the very first part of In Memoriam which happens to be one of myu favorite bits of poetry.  It is amasing to read the song that God gave a man who was lost in grief.  Plus, it makes you think.  Enjoy!

Notes From the Dragonlair

Well, here is another Doctor Who song, Love Don't Roam.  I can't recommend the music video, but I love the song.  This is another "happy song" of mine, but be warned, it WILL get stuck in your head!  And, if you don't watch Doctor Who, WHY EVER NOT?

Cool Things

So, just in case you have time to waste, here is another fun game.  Flight of the Hamsters. Why is propelling small furry animals so much fun?

Notes from the Dragonlair

Sorry this is a day late--I had a busy weekend...



As many of you know, I became a Doctor Who fan this summer.  I have been enjoying the soundtrack for the first two seasons, but there is a song on there that I particularly love.  The Song For Ten comes at the end of the first Christmas special (right after the introduction of the tenth Doctor) and it is such a happy song that I listen to it all the time.  There are several music videos out there, but I am more interested in the song.  So, fellow Whovians enjoy, and those who have not yet experienced the wonderfulness that is Doctor Who, listen and get interested!

Quote of the Week...

"He [Inigo] hated it there [the theives quarter]...
He looked like a skinny Spanish guy it might
be fun to rob. You couldn't walk around with a
sign saying, "Be careful, this is the greatest
fencer since the death of the Wizard of Corsica.
Do not burgle."--The Princess Bride--William Goldman


You heard him--do not burgle!

Cool Things!

Today I went to the local yarn store with Brandy, and there I finally caved and bought some Cascade 220 (so called 'cause it has 220 yards).   Check out the color card--I have been coveting color #4009 for months.  One of these days I'll make a sweater out of it...  This is lovely, soft wool that is fairly reasonably priced--all the colors is of course an added bonus!  I bought 8400 and 8585 to make a secret present for some dear Canadians...  I can't wait to see how these turn out!

Notes from the Dragonlair

Note:  Sorry for the delay--unexpected friends meant that I was not able to publish this yesterday as expected.  I apologize for any withdrawal symptoms this may have caused you. ; )


This week I have been enjoying my new CD, "Angel Voices, Libera in Concert."  I first heard Libera in the car on the way down from Englhart to Toronto last month.  I was entranced by the clear, lovely sound and by the way some of their songs were based on classical pieces.  Here is one of my favorite songs they do, "Sancus".  This is an older video, but it sounds better than the newer live one.  While I know that many people find boys choirs 'creepy,' they have long been an integral part of worship and I for one think it is wonderful that boys are still getting this wonderful training in classical singing.  Browse their other videos--enjoy!

Cool Things...

This is one of those strangly compelling on-line games--a game that involves art, luck, and skill, and gives you a new perspective into the lives of the humble spider.  Go check out Arachnophilia on Digyourowngrave, and enjoy the subtle yet functional beauty of a spiderweb.  Watch out for the Stag Beetles!

Quote of the Week

"Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once."
--Neil Gaiman, "Neverwhere"

Neverwhere is the BEST Gaiman novel, and one of my favorite books.  VERY scary, very clever, very exciting, very well told, and not long enough.  

Also, the above quote is TOTALLY TRUE.

Music From the Dragonlair

Today I've been listening to a lot of music (purely instrumental 'cause my poor brain can't do music with words while I'm studying) as I have been working on a project for PACT, and I thought I would share a favorite 'study CD' with you!



I have a great love of soundtracks, and one of my favorite almost-all-instrumental soundtracks is from the movie "Miss Potter."  As most of you who know me know, "Miss Potter" is one of my favorite obscure movies.  Ever since I saw it last spring it has captured a place in my heart as one of the sweetest love stories ever as well as managing to capture all the restrictivness of Edwardian England and all the magic and imagination of Beatrix Potter.  



At the end of the wonderful soundtrack, is a track that is worth buying the CD just for that one song.  The simple guitar accompanyment and beautiful voice of Katie Melua combine to make a song that is tug-on-your-heart-strings beautiful.  Go listen to "When You Taught Me How to Dance" and see what I mean!  It makes me want to go pull out that movie again...

Cool Things...

I would argue any of you who are crafty or handy with pointy sticks to consider participating in the Red Scarf Project this year.  As a recent college grad, ministering to college students in a woolly way is close to my heart.  Check out the website here for details of scarf dimensions, styles, and recommended patterns.  If you like doing things like this in groups, head over to Ravelry or Facebook to plug into a group of people who are also playing with red yarn.  The deadline is October 31--that is plenty of time to churn out a scarf or two for deserving students!  I've already started--how about you?

Quote for the Week

"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." Redd Foxx

Ha, maybe I SHOULD go eat a whole chocholate bar...

Music from the Dragonlair...

Of all the music I remember from my childhood, one of my very favorites is the music of Roger Whittaker.  Perhaps listening to him all those years in Daddy's woodshop explains my love of folk tunes, ballades, and Irish music.  There was this one tape of his that had most of my favorites--"The Foggy, Foggy Dew," "The Star of the County Down," and my all time favorite rendition of "Oh my Love is Like a Red, Red Rose."  I have been searching for a copy of that tape on the Internet for a few years now; it was never made into a CD.  



Roger Whittaker is a British singer/songwriter who was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1936.  He mainly sings folk songs and easy listening, but he has a few songs that reveal his African background.  He is still singing, whistling, and recording, and there are a number of his CD's and individual tracks available on Amazon.com for your listening enjoyment.



As I have gotten older, I have found that I love some of Roger's original songs as much as those three favorites, if not more.  One that has been going through my head a lot this last week or so is,
I Don't Believe in If Anymore
I love the tune, and the pensive words have been very true in my life as I deal with the emotional drain that was my former job.



As well as having a wonderful, rich voice, Roger Whittaker has an amazing whistle.  His haunting version of the Sky Boat Song is refreshingly different, yet the same dear tune that we know and love.  If only I could whistle like that!  



This one is just fun--Roger demonstrates "African Whistling" and plays a catchy African tune.
Human Whistle



Finally, in closing, I want to share one last favorite song, New World in the Morning.

I hope this inspires you to go look up some more of Roger's music on Youtube or Amazon.com--more people aught to know about this wonderful artist.  I just hope that I will still be making music when I'm in my 80's!

Thoughts...

Quote of the Week- "It matters enormously if I alienate anyone from the truth."
--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

*sheepish look*

Ha, I had sort of forgotten that this existed. I don't think anyone even reads it anyway... However, I'm glad that I have it to leave comments on other people's bloggers. I graduate in three weeks!?!?!?!