A dream is a wish your heart makes

March 3, 2008 | 2 Comments

I thought I’d so something just a little different in The Music Space this month. Since we’re talking about Dreams, I thought it would be fun to share some songs about dreams… until I did a search! It seems that a whole lot of songs are written about dreams. Somehow music and dreaming go together.

So instead, a small smattering of songs, artists, and movies that all bring dreams to mind.

Dreamgirls

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Running Down a Dream

Katherine Jenkins - Living a Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

And, last but by no means least - this beautiful song from Disney’s Cinderella:

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When your fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for you keep

A base in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When your feeling small
Alone in the night you whisper
Thinking no one can hear you at all
You wait for the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don’t let your heart be full of sorrow
For all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true

When you can dream, then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart
When you can dream, then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When your fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for you keep
You wait for the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don’t let your heart be full of sorrow
For all you know tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

When you can dream, then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart
When you can dream, then you can start
A dream is a wish you make with your heart

Posted by karen | Filed Under March 08, Music Space

The music of heartstrings

February 1, 2008 | 2 Comments

Since we’re talking about love and heart and romance this month, it seemed obvious to choose smooshy songs to lurve by…

Only, we’re really not into them in a big way.

So, in the spirit of each of the spaces in Calm Space this month, we’ve chosen music that says Heart… music that lifts us up… music that fills our soul with love. (OK, yes, that was a little smooshy, but I couldn’t resist…)

Two wildly different music genres. Two beautiful voices. Two amazing women.

Deva Premal - Love is Space

Deva Premal’s second solo album, contains six sacred mantras, including Gatè Gatè, the heart sutra of Buddha, and Om Mani Padme Hum, the ancient Tibetan invocation. Also included is the exquisitely performed West African chant, Idè Werê Werê. The sound texture is rich and expansive, with Deva’s beautiful voice calling us all on to higher ground, and into the sanctuary of our own hearts.

Celine Dion - Taking Chances

Celine Dion’s first studio album in four years… with a voice like an angel, Celine lifts us with her new ‘rock flavoured pop record’. This includes songs written by Linda Perry, N-Yo and Delta Goodrem. Even if you’ve not liked her style before, you may be surprised by this!

Posted by karen | Filed Under February08, Music Space

New Year Music

January 1, 2008 | 1 Comment

My children have been filling the house with the sounds of their music. And as we’re smack dab in the middle of summer holidays it pays to allow them to let their hair down every now and again. I also find their music (mostly) preferable to the bang bang of a shooting game or the yells of kids bickering… and since it has been raining (near cyclonic conditions) here, there is very little opportunity for me to shoo them out of the house.

So my ears have been ~~assulted~~ bombarded with the sounds of Maroon 5 (these, I like); Yellowcard (hmmm…) and other names I cannot remember (especially true of the 17-year-olds choice of music).

What to do? I bought them good earphones for Christmas, and I am sure these will be used in days to come. But right now, they’re hanging loose.

So today, I’m dreaming of peaceful, calming music. Music that doesn’t change the rhythm of your heartbeat or make your head pound out a beat of it’s own… I’m dreaming of playing beautiful classics - loud - and enjoying the feeling of it filling my heart and soul as it fills my home.

Here’s a selection of what I am looking forward to:

Mendelssohn - Hebrides Overture

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 Op 73 - The Emperor Concerto

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 1 in F Sharp Minor

and for sheer delight at the breadth of this work - Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker Suite

Posted by karen | Filed Under January 08, Music Space

The Sounds of Celebration

December 2, 2007 | 7 Comments

There is nothing better than hearing the sound of laughter and happy conversation when in the company of those we love.

And during the festive season, we’re bound to have a few moments of time with our family and dear friends. Maybe even large dollops of time to spend in laughter and happy conversation.

I have realised that often the other sounds when we’re celebrating are sometimes a last minute, that-will-do sort of thing. I’m talking about the music - whether it is in the background or ramped up real loud and inviting us to get up a move.

And so this year I decided to be a little more proactive about what will be playing during Christmas Day in this house, and during all those other moments when music is vitally necessary (in my book).

You know the times. When you’re cleaning house, it’s great to have some music to get you moving, something to sing along to so the chores don’t seem like chores. When you’re faced with a pile of gifts to wrap, or a house to decorate, it’s nice to have music to put you in the mood for generosity and the spirit of the season.

There’s the music you put on right before the doorbell rings with the arrival of your dinner party guests. Loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to discourage conversation and conviviality.

And then, of course, there is also the music you put on right before you collapse on the lounge after a long day fighting Christmas shopping crowds. That music definitely won’t be Christmas Carols - you’ve heard enough of the tinny tunes at the mall, haven’t you?

This month I’d like to offer you a few ideas, a couple of my favourites and a couple of CDs I’d like to see in my stocking this year… and then I’d like YOUR input! Share with us your favourite celebration music - tell us who you love to listen to and why. Help us spread the word about the importance of music to the mood you set in your home, in your car, in your ears.

After a long day at the office or shopping, try Pachebel’s Cannon for a soothing flow of sound to wash over you and calm your jangled nerves.

Il Divo Christmas Collection For wrapping gifts, decorating the tree and baking Christmas goodies (and certainly for when you’re writing your Christmas cards), I’m putting Il Divo’s Christmas Collection on. There is something about their voices that stirs my blood and makes my heart soar with joy. (This one may also work for the first half of the Christmas Day celebrations, I know it won’t last past lunch in this house - sadly, the kids will make sure of that!)

For dinner parties, a crooner or two - Michael Buble’s latest is one I’d like to find under the tree on December 25 (hint hint). The newly released 2CD version of Call Me Irresponsible includes a couple of Christmas songs for good measure… what’s not to like?

For when the temperature heats up, you need to move, you need to groove… I’ve gone for two recommendations from father and son… both now on my wishlist.

David Campbell - gotta love that swing in Swing Sessions 2.

Jimmy Barnes ‘ latest - Out In The Blue released last weekend.

Posted by karen | Filed Under December 07, Music Space

The Soundtrack of Your Life

November 1, 2007 | 2 Comments

If we were to make a recording of the soundtrack of our lives, what would yours sound like?

Would it have long silences? Would it be full of car horns, and screetching brakes, and engines revving? Would it be full of the laughter and happy questions of contented children? Would there be a background of calm, or a flurry of constant activity? Would there be phones ringing, doors slamming and the clacking of keyboards?

What if you could edit the soundtrack for your life - adding just the right combination of noise and silence. Music and laughter. Loud and soft. Passionate and gentle. Presto and largo.

I think, if I had to chose a soundtrack for my life, it would have the voices of my three children, always asking such amazing questions! It would have my husband’s voice, whispering things for my ears only. It would have glorious, uplifting music to inspire me. It would have the purr of a contented cat, and the lazy yawn of my dogs. It would contain the voices of my family - my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews… and, most of all, it would have the sound of my dear friends - laughing and conversing and relaxing together. The chink of glasse, the rattle of plates, the crunch of food… ahhh.

Listen to that…!

For glorious, uplifting music this month, I am paying tribute to a brilliant man. His voice makes my skin prickle and brings a tear to my eye. Rest in Peace, Luciano Pavarotti.

Posted by karen | Filed Under Music Space, November07

April 07 - Music Space

July 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Medicine Woman

Medicine Woman -
Medwyn Goodall

I’m going to recommend one of my favourite ‘new age’ music performers this month to help Create Sanctuary. Medwyn Goodall has a huge range of CDs, but this is one I consistently turn to when I need a little serenity in my busy life. I love this music.

Medwyn uses traditional instruments and rhythms to celebrate the power of the Feminine. Through this balance we can achieve a greater harmony with the expansive, nurturing side of our nature. A lively, authentic performance of traditional South American instruments.

Posted by leah | Filed Under April07, Music Space

A dream is a wish your heart makes