Freedom . . .

Somewhere in the Lot, France - 2012

The following poem was inspired while listening to the music of Van Syla: "Finally Free" .. .. 

the eyes of the dolphin
saw the wings of the 'gull
as she flew above mountains
which shadowed the sea . .

the heart of the dolphin
longed for those wings
to fly with the birds
across the great sky

and into the morning . . .
down through the night
the dreams of that fish
were always of flight .  .

mere flesh,

feather, scale, and fur
 the beasts of this earth
never fully share . . .

yet a heartbeat away
a breath taken deep
the warmth of the sun
a love that will keep

a world of water,
as the dolphin flies,
she leaps with a grace
reflected 

in a soaring bird's eyes . . .

the joy of rapture
the freedom to dream
take just one step
you'll have your wings . . 

************************************

This music is so beautiful . . it brings the tears to my eyes . . . it's perfect . . . the sweet strings dancing with the piano . . . it's a dream of a song . . . something to give wings to the listener . . . lift them up with gentle warm breezes . . . let them fly with the music . . . the heart is full of happiness as the soul finds freedom . . . a melody to savor . . .Thank you for the kind dedication!

On the Hill

Sunflower and friend . . . in France

the wind blew and
the branches with their clusters
of wet leaves
slapped my face . . .
rubbing their hairy undersides,
wet with fallen rain,
along my cheeks . .
stemming my voice with
dirty green;
I sensed annoyance
in their language . ..
the dripping of the woods . .
was hollow
as rivers melted  into the mosses
and rotten logs . .
every child of the undergrowth
slithered and chirped . .
winged icons fluttered where branches bent
as landing stages . ..
and the shadows so dark and heavy,
like fanged mouths of caves snarling. . .
gnarled roots crawled up through the loam
laying traps through this old avenue . . .
slicked with mud
drooling with the congealing blood of the wilderness  . . .
plastering my soles with wild lava
cold and tempered . .  slippery with birth . .
I flew through these woods . . 
my grief so unavenged,
yet like a greasy arrow
straight through my heart
branding its way through those barrens . . .
a frail vine
lifting boulders
succoring me with its fruits . . .
I dreamed, as I ran,
of voices calling . .. barren trees
and spirits of the ancients . .  
a balm of honey . . . golden in purity,
a shelter in the storm,
a twinkle of laughter;
my steps take me to the top of the hill,
the heights above the forest . . 
a rainbow's end from the city;
the storm having danced away,
finds a home across the mountains
and I find the stars blooming
across a velvety sky . . 

**************************************************
Some music for your enjoyment:

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

Something Died

 Something died
and nobody cared,
a shroud of flies gathered
and nothing washed the body.

It lay silently

 without sweet incense

rising like a prayer;

or flowers weeping tender

petals,

silently turning

into cries of desperation
it was an end of something

an era . . . or a dream . .
and hope flew away on
wings of steel blades . ..
each stroke a slash
on a stilling heart;

dark red were the skies

where

crystal drops

of silent tears 

were

falling, falling

 

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

The End of Summer Roses

Vampyres . . .

"Requiem" from Van Syla's album "Goodbye"

Original review by Orangeupurple for the album: 

As I walk along this lifeline
I see the shadowy beginnings
and I hear the tearful goodbyes . . .
The march of time
goes slowly by
rending what we hold most dear . . .
This temporal place
these bloody shreds
We cling to in despair . . .
Dance with me my beloved
for we soon must say
goodbye
Hold my hand my love
and look into my eyes
I see myself inside of you . . .
and you within my heart
you are forever there
although,
we must be apart …

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

 

"Beginning of a Journey" by Yumi Kurosawa on Magnatune
Original and creative . .  this work is exotic with unique placement of instruments and a creative expression of peace and sublimity . . 






    Beginning of a Journey by Yumi Kurosawa

Music . . .

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

A spark of life
a dance of hope
a dream floats in the breeze . . .
the heartbeat of the earth,
through the ocean surf,
gives peace to the soul
of the listener . . .

Beautiful piano . . . moves me
to tears . . . tender to the ears
it also makes me smile . .. .

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

 

YUMMMMMM . . . easy-listening jazz . . . warms the soul and mind with the flowing sound of jazzy instruments . . .slow dancing in the heart . .. wrapping the listener in mellowness . . soothing and full of lazy dreams . . . Excellent sounds, pure and divine!

 

 

 

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

 

Warm and bright . .  a lovely acoustic guitar lights up the night with a mellow mood . . . enjoy! 

 

All pictures were taken at the Oregon Coast, Yachats . . . a beautiful place and one of my favorite destinations . . . July 2012

Barbara Wolfsong : Walk With Me

Video by Barbara Wolfsong
Photography by Barbara Wolfsong
Vers, France
Music by Van Syla, "In Your Eyes"
from the album, "Death of a Star"
http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/633586/in-your-eyes

Memories

The shadow of your cape

would twirl 

past my window

as you crunch through the gravel,

hurrying to meet your lover . . . 

where we were

enfolded in the dirt of youth,

flower children watching for adventure,

full of expectations

and quickened desires

a ship has sailed

at the brink of dawn

and sundered in the dead of night

she disappears with out a whisper

a ghost, an after image

of a bright light that yet lingers

what is memory,

but that which 

we cannot let go,

like treasure stored up

in the dragon's lair,

a cave so dark,

yet for this faint shimmer

pressed against

the burning heart

of that great winged serpent

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

After Jamendo

Lincoln City, Oregon

So many of us are distressed about the loss of the "old Jamendo" and its friendly playgrounds, viable community, and easy to follow layout.

For me, the biggest loss is the review feature. I made so many friends through the reviews and the dialogue in the forums and elsewhere. It's a huge loss but these issues will need to be covered elsewhere and in other ways . . .

So, I have decided to write my reviews here on my blog with a widget or link to the music in question . . .   

So here is a problem . . .  When musicians remove their music from a site, the widget becomes useless .. .. When I come upon these, here in my blog, I remove them and usually I remove the words, also .. . . (I just removed a widget and review)
*************************************************************

Another site I've been enjoying exploring is : http://archive.org/
which is a vast repository of web sites, books, texts, videos, audio . . . etc.
including all of Jamendo: http://archive.org/details/jamendo-albums

I found this little song by another Jamendo favorite of mine, posted here on her own little pages . . . Van Syla's "Rain Moon" . . . uniquely her, yet in a new style.

Stunning!
Beautiful and ethereal . .
graceful is this dream song . . .
the gauzy skirts of the clouds
drift over the shining face of the moon . . .
flirting and dancing
to the drumming rain . . .
a sentimental wistfulness . . .
and for a moment our vision expands
to witness a passion, between
a lonely rock and a serene blue planet . .
and then we follow the tracks
of the rain . . . upon the black pavement . .
our hearts . . . that much lighter . . .

********************************************************

So There you have it ... my latest recommendations and reviews . . . .. ...

Enjoy the music . . . where ever it may be, and however it finds you . . . it is there to fill you with emotion, joy, and passion . . . 

Enjoy it while you can . . . 

 

18th Century Chinese Vase

You were my universe . . . turmoil seethed in me
like star fires and billowing clouds of darkness,
bright with light reflected
from the unknown gods . . .
a small bubble of blue; a magnet
for lost souls and questing angels . .
do you know what I feared more than
anything else? Not being loved . .
and yet I managed to survive for a time . .
without another soul to comfort me . . .
Alone, I was, on the green meadow . .
still trying to cross the river that seems
to be but a trickle . . a mere wisp
dangled like a carrot before me . . teasing
with offerings of bones full of helium  . . .
and gifts of grace to float away . . .
sailing up a sunbeam . . . I always felt they were ladders for souls . . .
for angels .  . . and I would gaze at them until
the spots before my eyes transformed
into winged creatures coming and going . ..
gold dripping off the tips like honey from a spoon
held over a warm cup of tea . ..
my hands warming in the steam . . . I would take a deep breath
and make a wish as if I were looking over the genie's brightless lamp . .
and I in a soot darkened cavern . . . lost for all eternity,
could dream with eyes wide open
while listening to the song of water
crashing against crystal walls . ..
the hollow caves of me .  ..  dark and empty
the things that rattle around there,
a wayward mouse . .  dusty and gray,
a frayed ribbon, green and blue,
a crust of toast, stale and moldy,
and a few odd bones, discarded long ago . ..
with the stench of rancid grease clinging to the breaks.
I know the heartache of loneliness,
it comes with a terror
and a deep knowledge . . . that I am unworthy
of being loved . .. 
that no one will ever be there to hold out a hand . .
to help me over the river,
and through the misty valley . . .

and a Chinese vase, deserted on someone's driveway,
holds the ashes I left behind . .

***********************************************

Royalty Free Music - Stock Music Library | Jamendo PRO

I have to agree that album cover pops right out at you, it stands out amongst the crowd .. .. and does justice to the music . . . 'tis a beautiful choice . . .

. . . and the music . . . how gorgeous . . . a little different from Van Syla's usual beautiful musical excursions . . . this one (even more gorgeous) takes us to medieval times . . . and so romantic . . . a Shakespearian choice for sure . . .

Delicate and tender . .
like old lace and lavender . .
a romance choses to bloom
against a robin's eggshell blue sky . . .
'Twas Spring dancing in the meadow. . .
her hair flying in the breezes
and dreams of love's gentle song . .
where only sunshine could exist
and nothing could go wrong . . .

or could it . . . . .

"For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." - W.S.

but in the end the story gives us
exceptionally beautiful music . .
so we forgive the tears. . . .
and listen to the tale told twice
and then -
again and again . . .

And such a wonderful Jamendoan reviewer as our Carybe, who exists in our lovely Jamando kingdom, is one to deserve a gracious dedication . . through such a romantic and well made music . . . the sound so perfect and the love so deep . . .

Thank you, Van Syla, for sharing . . .
*********************************************************

The Women at the Garden Gate

Home

 AT THE GARDEN GATE

two women are suspended, in time, for a moment,
facing each other over a garden gate. . .
each is wearied of her life
each is wondering, reflectively
about the garden . . . the road beyond,
and the unknown life of the other . .. 

The Woman of the Garden:

"Who is this fool who
stands by my garden gate
staring at the dirt
as if it were some horror
left on her plate?
She leans her knotty old
walking stick, in a familiar manner 
against my fence .  . .
her dark eyes reflect my garden . . .
like confetti thrown down
in a black pool . . .

my tender roses
dance beneath the breeze,
their crimson petals are like the wings
of books,
wafting scented memories . .
look . .  the stranger bends down
to pet the family dog . .
what has she seen . . .
why does she not see me?

The curve of the old gnarled pine
is bent and withered
like a woman past her prime . . .
she is reaching out,
not so high, for the sun,
as she used to . . .
that golden orb
has gone before her;
now she merely reaches
out trembling in her greediness for love. . .
she is lost in her reverie .. .
dark green dreams. . .
she wishes she could move her limbs
and journey far . .
she has missed that walk
down that long road
that road that shines beneath the sun . . 

the daisy is like a table,
a breakfast nook for bees,
a bed for butterflies. . .
these things rest in the shadows
and quiver in the breeze
yet I often wonder where they go
when they leave me . . .
and why I cannot follow them . . .

why is the stranger's fingers tracing
each point of my gate . . ?
is she following a mental map of her travels?
her adventures . . . her face is warmed
by the memories of her trail . . .but
perhaps she wants to enter here?
the lock keeps her away . .
who is she. . .?
from what bed does she arise?

she glances at me and smiles . . .
her eyes flashing like
a strike of white lightning. . .
the shadows of the leaves
are stroking her face with
glances of golden light;
as the friendly squirrel dances
down the sunny vine. . .
a green road suspended
across time . . "

The Woman of the Road:

"I am but this empty wind
that blows through so cold,
like the eye of winter that rambles
across the valleys and roads . .
I am but a wandering sorrow
of grief for a life so lost
in pursuit of that which does not exist. . .
walking away from love's great risk

I want to paint a picture of this rainbow of
a garden . . . so thick with fleshy flowers
cuddled up like children against
this cozy cottage . . . warm in the
orange rays of a setting sun  . ..

but this woman looks at me
as if I am possessed
perhaps she wants the stink of me
to pass on down that road . . .
that long dark, crooked road. . .

the bumblebee is nestled
in the cup of that orange flower
like a baby held in its cozy bed . .
the shadow of the  hawk hunting
one last time before the night
has startled me . .
even she has a home
to rest her head . . .

what is my destiny but to wander . . .
look . . . the lady of the garden
is smiling at me . . .
she has a dream too . . . she looks
as if she is sailing on a mighty sea of flowers . .
the golden poppies are singing
to her . .. of sunshine and daydreams . . .
oh why can't I be
that hummingbird drinking nectar
from the side of the eaves . . ."


The Woman of the Garden:


"Here, I will offer this woman at my gate
my rose with its tale of my life . .. 
it will last for a day but perhaps
give her comfort in that time . . ."

The Woman of the Road:


"My walking stick; a gift to the
gardener, the goddess of such
a land of dreams . . .. perhaps she
will dream of my travels . . ."



















*********************************

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

  Update with the music and poetry from Jamendo . . .

Perspective in Beauty and Madness . . .

 

from day to day my life transforms . . .
am i in love? or do i rejoice?
as the sun rises .. .. to shine on me . .
or the rain begins to fall . . . and
you move me to despair;
the colors of my day . . are as
whimsical as the gods .  ..
and leave me floundering in my shell . . .
i am lost in my universe . . . as i look
for a foundation . . .
i am but a wild star
flinging itself through the blackness . . .
longing for an anchor
with the fortitude . .
to hold me still
against the solar winds . . .
that hurl me hither and yon . . .
and as I bounce among the others
feeling the flame and the scorn
I see in the eyes the terror
the anger
against my existence. . .
and my sorrow returns
where I find myself hiding in the
darkness .. .. away from the radiant beams
of others . . .
**********************************************************************************

Emotional and beautiful . . . a smooth flow of thought and creativity . ..  this album shines with the energy and talent of this artist. The poem above was inspired by his music: 

Bipolarity
by Dave Imbernön

 

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

 ***********************************************************************************

 

So Beautiful and so Touching . . .

an extraordinarily lovely pop song . . .
Gorgeous voice . . .
did you write the lyrics too ???
Beautiful and so emotional . . . it made me cry . . .
I know how you feel . . .
that deep ache inside that just won't leave . . .
though you be in a crowd . . .
you feel like you are missing something . .
and you have an emptiness . . .
a soul hunger . . .
yes . . . that desire to be seen . .. and loved . . .
yes, its unmistakable when others express it . . .
lonely for love or seeking god . .
its hard to know for sure but its a big part of the human condition . . .
we are all right on the brink of suffering . . .
such fragile creatures we are . .
so helpless and so full of need for each other . ..
like a bit of sunshine, warm cup of tea, a melody, a vision . . .
it all comes to an end so quickly and there again . .
that empty feeling . . that need to find something to fill that hollowness . . .

the song ends so abruptly though . .. like something dangling
over an edge . . . and then falls . .

 

Far Behind
by Abhishek vasu

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

 

***********************************************************

Unworld
by Onjinn

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

what are dreams made of
but the flight of the heartbeat,
the soul's recognition . .
and the simple sound of passion's music . . .
these are the shapes that lead us
to this world of dreams . . .
through
our imaginations . . our hope and
our love . . .
the colors of my world
have yet to be conceived .. ..
yet I see them dripping through my
outstretched fingers . .
as I hold them out to you . .
like a rainbow's arc . . .
ephemeral and evasive
yet true . . .
how quickly we learn to run
with the flow . . .
how quickly we learn to dance . . .
I remember the day that I died . . .
so very long ago . . .
and here is where I came . . .
by chance . . .
so I look for you through the furrows of life . ..
as I stumble blindly in the dark
I look for you . . . my love . . my light . ..
and I find in you the harmonics of mystery
and the melody of
this music. . .

 *********************************************************

 Goodbye
by Van Syla

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

   

As I walk along this lifeline
I see the shadowy beginnings
and I hear the tearful goodbyes . . .
The march of time
goes slowly by
rending what we hold most dear . . .
This temporal place
these bloody shreds
We cling to in despair . . .
Dance with me my beloved
for we soon must say
goodbye
Hold my hand my love
and look into my eyes
I see myself inside of you . . .
and you within my heart
you are forever there
although,
we must be apart … 

*************************************************************************************

 NATURAL
by Spisfire  

 

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

Review: This morning, during my walk, I pulled out an old favorite of mine on my iPod, Spisfire, and chose to listen to this album . . .and, although it has a powerful beat and percussion, I am intrigued by how smooth it is . . . like fine wine. The beats are consistent throughout the album and seem to be almost a signature of his . . . a wonderful walking companion. Yet I think this music is excellent for anytime . . . even relaxing as the the music is so smooth it could be considered ambient or newage.

I am moved by the bird song . . so clearly heard, that I thought I was surrounded by my little feathered friends serenading me; lifting my spirits and encouraging me as I nearly flew to my destination. I especially loved, "Somewhere in a deep forest" as I definitely got the feeling that I was walking in a rain forest of my area . . . damp and misty but very pleasant to walk through . . 

 

Spisfire's natural rhythm is that of the heartbeat . . . whether it is of the Earth or of his or mine . .. we are all touching each other through this music .. .. moving through our mother (Earth) as if swimming through her womb . . she contains us, nourishes us, and our heartbeats are as if one . . . even as we try to destroy her . .. we yearn for her . . for nature and its beauty.

Spisfire choses some very excellent sounds to accompany his music . . . mostly natural . . . always gentle sounds yet clear as crystal . . . and he composes with his excellent talent some very beautiful music . . .

************************************************************************************ 

Black and White_HD_WMV_

Music by Van Syla "Memories"

Video by jc3804700

************************

Memories by Van Syla (Jamendo)

pictures from my memories . . .
a gallery of black and white photos
of you and me
fading into the far distance
where on the mountaintop
I see a white bird flying
against a darkened sky,

imprisoned behind 

a scribbling of tree branches

reaching up
and higher yet . . . a
star tumbles down and
settles in my heart

healing an old wound there. . .
faded memories
passing through my dreams
like an old train steaming
down  that disappearing track

humming and calling me back

to where
I hear a melody we sang
as we danced together on that
scarred wooden floor
echoing our footsteps
as if our heartbeats were one . . .
I see you when there were yesterdays
old sepia photos
like fallen leaves
drifting by on the streams of time . . .

###

A Fun Contest :-D

Here are seven lovely songs to chose from . . . listen to the album and then pick one song which is your favorite.  Van Syla wants to enter a music contest and has a hard time choosing only one of her musical children.

If you wish to participate in the contest to pick the song, and you are a member of Jamendo:

http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/86195

If you are not a member of Jamendo (and why not?) - go here and become a member . . . it is free:

http://www.jamendo.com/en/

Then go to the album . . . write a message if you wish or just write the number of the song you like the best . . . hurry . .  only a few short days yet to participate.

Love and Passion

Van Syla 4 Dawn

The Age of Innocence

What can express the compassion of one human being, for another living soul, more than music . . .  borne from the creative dawning of an understanding that something is pounding away at the roots of the soul? What else could that be, but a heart full of love. Not even words can say "I love you" better than a song developed from the deep emotions of a creative and talented composer. 


And for the recipient, the listener, and the musician there is a deep connection. All humans have a hunger for love, to understand love, to be given love and to give love . . . all!  There are no exceptions. To be able to connect with music that is full of love, from the neighborly to the sublime, from the familial to the passionate . .  . love is love and moves us profoundly, whenever and wherever we may find it. And as we find it in this album, imbued with the melodious notes of a creative heart, we are subjected to that love and given the gift in turn.

[Carybe said it so beautifully, after looking into the heart and soul of this album: "If we love someone... why not say it, clearly. If we need someone... why not let them know of that."  ] 

For that lucky recipient, to always have the proof of being loved . . . and the knowledge that any listener can recognize that same love through the music: how much richer and fuller is life than that? Or for the musician who is able to express their hidden heart through melody. . .  a gift to the world .. ..

A question was asked . . . in one of these songs, composed for Dawn (who was Jamendo's favorite reviewer, but sadly needed to depart). . . "What is Love?" A question decidedly answered in this lovely album, created by Van Syla . . . one of Jamendo's up and coming stars.  Each song is more splendid than the other, yet all are so full of the passion Van Syla demonstrates so well in her powerful heartfelt compositions. 

True love is something that cannot be hidden . . it shines out like a neon ray even if hidden in the deepest darkest caves . . . and people who are able to love and people who are loved . . . are the luckiest people in the world.

Passion may disappear, fleeing before the storm .. .. but love abides forever throughout all time. . and a music composed out of a love like this, is as strong as the foundation of the universe. And as beautiful as all of creation.


M^^W

Some Music and a Game!

Album cover . . . for "Memories" by Van Syla

 Some Favorite Music of Mine:

I don't want to brag or anything, but a friend of mine used one of my sea pictures for her album . . . OH and the music is especially good . . .

My Review: I always look forward to a new album by Van Syla. Her music builds up my mood and I need her brand of musical sunshine in the depths of winter.

In this little album its hard to pick out a favorite because the songs are all so unique. I love "Memories" for its sentiment and drama . . . the strings are expressive and fulfilling . . . they give the wings to fly up and find the dream . . . this one is just plain beautiful . . . maybe this one is my favorite . . . hmmmm . . .

"Weekend" is a happy ride with a lilting guitar . . . just like I feel about the weekend coming up after a long hard week at work. Also, it has its contemplative moments . . . and makes me feel like not only is there happiness and anticipation . . . but planning and hope . . . lovely! Could be this is my favorite of the three . . . let me see . . ..

The beautiful piano in "Grandma's Song" seems simple . . . but has a complexity that tells a story . . . I hear a little of Van Syla's unique signature beat dancing through in this one . . . this one may be my favorite . . . I just can't seem to chose!

If I ever chose which one is my favorite . . . I will let you know . . . but I think they are all my favorites . . .
 

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

I have also been enjoying a couple of other lovely albums today:

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

And another artist I am especially fond of is Dom the Bear. Check out his offerings :

Royalty-free music for professional licensing 

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

A Favorite Game of Mine:

Wall paper from the game of "Drifts"

http://www.bobblebrook.com/games/drifts

Everyone needs to break away from the herd, now and then . . . and here is a way to do so, through relaxed and easy play . . . The game is called "Drifts," by bobblebrook and it is simply beautiful, a little challenging, and very relaxing . . . I like to play it with the sound turned off and listening to Jamendo music . . .

I love the way the administrators of the game gives everyone the chance

to be in the highscore list, as the high scorers are removed weekly . . . and the best part is the fact that the game uses my favorite color combination . . . even though the purple bubbles are the enemy. . . they don't chase your red/orange bubble . .. so they aren't that bad!  My only complaint is that there is no pause button .  .. but . . . oh well!

I was number 1 for a day!

OK - you ask: "What have games got to do with art? Isn't this a blog about art?" 

My answer: "ummmm . . . there is an "art" to creating the perfect game . . . and besides "drifts" is very artistic as the shadowy painting in the background is very eye appealing. OK?"

So . . . occasionally I will drop by to share a favorite Internet game of mine .  .  . and I will try to make sure that it is artistic . . .

##