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Frodo at Desk
Dec. 14th, 2019 11:03 pm
A pretty good reflection of my own mood right now.
I'm currently working on some Yule hobbits. ^_^
A pretty good reflection of my own mood right now.
I'm currently working on some Yule hobbits. ^_^
West of the Moon is Down :(
Mar. 21st, 2018 11:42 amFortunately, this beautiful fanfic site is backed up on the Internet Archive here.
What a vivid reminder of the cardinal rule of computing: Always Have a Backup!! :)
What a vivid reminder of the cardinal rule of computing: Always Have a Backup!! :)
Music Review-- "The Hidden Door" CD by Ted Nasmith
For some reason the title isn't showing on this entry, so I've pasted it into the text. Anyway... Ted Nasmith is best known as one of the most famous Tolkien illustrators of all time, but it's not at all uncommon for artists to practice across disciplines. On his first CD he demonstrates an uncommon musical talent and gives us an intimate look into a beautiful soul. "The Hidden Door" is a collection of 11 songs, some Tolkien-related, some not, but most having to do with some aspect of Faerie. Nasmith skilfully plays the acoustic guitar as he sings his own delightful compositions!
For some reason the title isn't showing on this entry, so I've pasted it into the text. Anyway... Ted Nasmith is best known as one of the most famous Tolkien illustrators of all time, but it's not at all uncommon for artists to practice across disciplines. On his first CD he demonstrates an uncommon musical talent and gives us an intimate look into a beautiful soul. "The Hidden Door" is a collection of 11 songs, some Tolkien-related, some not, but most having to do with some aspect of Faerie. Nasmith skilfully plays the acoustic guitar as he sings his own delightful compositions!
1. "Leaving the Shire" is a piece that evokes Frodo and his friends on their autumn journey into adventure. Featuring guitars and recorders played by Ted's musical brother Bruce.
2. "Where Beauty Dwells" is a lovely reverie with a gorgeous floating melody played on guitar and harp, with chirping recorders mimicking the songs of birds. It's about walking in the woods and fields and finding beauty to refresh the spirit. This one feels quite personal, and could easily be Frodo on one of his long hikes. An incredibly beautiful composition, worth the entire price of the album.
3. "To the Sea" is a composition built to showcase the Professor's poem of the same name. Lovely and accompanied by the sounds of surf and sea-bells.
4. "A King There Was" is about the elf king Thingol and his daughter Luthien. This is a solid composition, but it is the only one on the disc which consistently fails to hold my attention. No doubt a failing of mine rather than the music's!
5. "River Daughter" is of course about Goldberry; it is Frodo's poem to her. I've always found Frodo's reaction to her rather endearing, as he himself is confused by it! This composition is lovely, very much a reverie in line with "Where Beauty Dwells," and the arrangement is quite sophisticated.
6. "When Evening in the Shire was Grey:" I am thrilled viscerally any time good actors or musicians manage to give Frodo and Sam a convincing voice, and this sweet and plaintive song is very convincing indeed. In this piece my two favorite hobbits are brought vividly to life as they sing their little songs about Gandalf in Lothlorien. It moved me and choked me up. The melody sounds a little amateurish in places, but it just adds to the charm as this is deliberate. Sam and Frodo are not musicians, after all. :) Another song worth the price of the whole album.
7. "Rainbows in the Sun" is a heartfelt tribute to a lovely "elf" Ted once met in Sedona, Arizona. A bright and cheerful song, skilfully arranged.
8. "To the Woody End" is a slightly darker reverie about "a musical journey into the imagination and bliss." A nice and somewhat unusual piece, but it does not captivate me the way his previous reveries do.
9. "Dying Embers" is the only piece on this disc I would call depressing. It is an authentic lament about losing one's faculties to age and time. It's still worth listening to.
10. "Beruthiel." Queen Beruthiel, as Tolkien aficionados know, is the ultimate 'crazy cat lady.' Queen of Osgiliath long ago, she is a dark, shadowy figure always accompanied by her cat collection-- 'nine black and one of white' which act as spies for her. This outstanding ballad with its rich chords and lyrics vividly recounts Tolkien's cautionary tale. A must-listen.
11. "The Hidden Door" is another one I love-- Nasmith calls it an 'inspirational song' and I agree. It uplifts the heart and acknowledges that not everyone has eyes to see enchantment, or the wisdom to appreciate it. It is gorgeous, and leaves me with a smile every time.
Overall, this is an outstanding first album from an already well-known artist, and a must-have for any Tolkien addict. May he record many, many more!
Currently available as a signed copy on eBay for 9.99 GBP (And no, I wasn't put up to this!)
"Queen of the Mermaids"
Jan. 14th, 2018 10:35 amIt's not hobbits, so whether it belongs on this page is questionable, but it's inspired by my recent discovery of Tolkien's mermaids. I was perusing 'The Book of Lost Tales, vol. 1" and there she was-- Ui Oarista, Queen of the Mermaids!
I didn't know Arda had mermaids! ^_^;
Done on DAZ Studio and GIMP, with extensive use of Ron's wave and water brushes.
(Sitting here miserable with what I really hope is just a cold)
I didn't know Arda had mermaids! ^_^;
Done on DAZ Studio and GIMP, with extensive use of Ron's wave and water brushes.
(Sitting here miserable with what I really hope is just a cold)
