Music for the Mind: Concentration, Vitalization, Relaxation by Kyoji Ohno.  JVC Musical Industries, 1996.  Three CD set.  Three stars.

With this skillfully-constructed set of three CDs, Kyoji Ohno brings us a collection of music designed to influence our state of mind.  The lush sounds and thoughtful strains open a new world of music therapy.  Want to unwind?  Play Relaxation, a gentle score set to a tempo of 60-80 beats per minute (about the rate of a calm human heartbeat) and blended with familiar natural sounds.  Need to focus?  Play Concentration, also set at 60-80 beats per minute but with progressive music overlying rhythmic ocean surf.  Time to rev up?  Play Vitalization; unlike the others it does not maintain the same beat but rather increases attitude and tempo as it goes along.  The mellow beginning rises to a sprightly course that will have you tapping your feet in no time.  Together these CDs let you choose your mood to suit your needs through the use of music.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Fire In The Head by Emerald Rose.  This is energetic Celtic folk/fusion music.

I’m currently reading Complete Guide to Game Care & Cookery by Sam Fadala.  This is a good resource for wild foods.

I’m currently rereading Sentenced to Prism.  It’s an edgy, satisfying science fiction story about exploring a crystalline planet.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Classical Egyptian Dance, Vol. 1 by Essam Rashad.  I enjoy bellydancing, and this is a good track for that.

I’m currently reading Complete Guide to Game Care & Cookery by Sam Fadala.  This is a good resource for wild foods.

I’m currently rereading Angel-Seeker: A Novel of Samaria by Sharon Shinn.  It’s a very silly science-fantasy romance, but I have fun with the Samaria novels.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Fire & Stone: Pagan Rock Volume 1 by various artists.  This is wild Pagan rock music.

I’m currently reading Spider’s Bite: An Elemental Assassin Book by Jennifer Estep.  This is gritty urban fantasy about magic and violence.  Interesting take on the elemental stuff, though.

I’m currently rereading Deprivers by Steven Elliot-Altman.  This is somewhere between urban fantasy and science fiction, about some very scary psychic powers.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Gaia Circles by Gaia Consort.  This is brisk album of Pagan music.

I’m currently reading Spider’s Bite: An Elemental Assassin Book by Jennifer Estep.  This is gritty urban fantasy about magic and violence.  Interesting take on the elemental stuff, though.

I’m currently rereading Divine Misdemeanors: A Novel (Meredith Gentry, Book by Laurell K. Hamilton.  This is dark fantasy with interludes of erotica, in which Merry Gentry attempts to find a murderer.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Second Chants by Reclaiming.  This is a very handy collection of Pagan chants and songs.

I’m currently reading Divine Misdemeanors: A Novel (Meredith Gentry, Book by Laurell K. Hamilton.  Merry Gentry is helping solve a rash of fey murders.

I’m currently rereading Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton.  This is dark fantasy with interludes of erotica, in which Merry Gentry gains the upper hand over some of her enemies.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Road to Santiago by Heather Dale.  This is lovely folk music.

I’m currently reading Divine Misdemeanors: A Novel (Meredith Gentry, Book by Laurell K. Hamilton.  Merry Gentry is helping solve a rash of fey murders.

I’m currently rereading Sword of Ice: And Other Tales of Valdemar (Daw Book Collectors) edited by Mercedes Lackey.  This is an anthology of Valdemar stories by various authors.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Once More, with Feeling.  The soundtrack from ‘musical’ episode of Buffy is hilarious.

I’m currently reading Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar edited by Mercedes Lackey. This new Valdemar anthology contains fantastic stories, some featuring characters introduced in previous anthologies.

I’m currently rereading Queen of the Darkness (Black Jewels, Book 3) by Anne Bishop.  This is dark fantasy in which a world is broken … and remade.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
by Jaiya.  The soundtrack from this movie is haunting and evocative.

I’m currently reading Women of Color Cookbook.  It features African, Cajun, and other ethnic recipes.

I’m currently rereading Heir to the Shadows (Black Jewels, Book 2) by Anne Bishop.  This is dark fantasy in which a young woman learns to wield her power to protect her friends.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Firedance: Songs for Winter Solstice by Jaiya.  This is beautiful holiday music, some Pagan and some traditional.

I’m currently reading The Shadow Queen (Black Jewels, Book 7) by Anne Bishop.  This novel picks up a couple years after the witchstorm destroyed the wicked members of the ruling caste and left the realms in disarray.   Now the people of Dene Nehele are trying to rebuild … but for that, they need a Queen.

I’m currently rereading Daughter of the Blood (Black Jewels, Book 1) by Anne Bishop.  This is dark fantasy about an odd young girl with a great deal of magical power.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to The Best of Pagan Song by various artists. This is a collection of songs that capture the spirit of Pagan beliefs … and history. If you are Pagan, this is music you need to hear.

I’m currently reading The Shadow Queen (Black Jewels, Book 7) by Anne Bishop.  This novel picks up a couple years after the witchstorm destroyed the wicked members of the ruling caste and left the realms in disarray.   Now the people of Dene Nehele are trying to rebuild … but for that, they need a Queen.

I’m currently rereading Daughter of Ancients (The Bridge of D’Arnath, Book 4) by Carol Berg.  This is dark fantasy, dealing with sorcery and how upbringing can shape a person for good or ill.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Firedance: Songs for Winter Solstice by Jaiya.  This is a splendid collection of Yule songs.

I’m currently reading Making the Most of Your Deer by Dennis Walrod.  He explains how to make butchering decisions for best enjoyment of your venison, plus suggestions for crafts using other parts of the deer.

I’m currently rereading Guardians Of The Keep (The Bridge of D’Arnath, Book 2) by Carol Berg.  This is dark fantasy, dealing with sorcery and memory and what makes an individual who he is.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to An AfFaire of the Heart by Queen’s Gambit. These folks perform at Renaissance Faires; this album gathers a lot of romantic songs.

I’m currently reading The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay. This is urban fantasy with a dark twist, featuring creatures of heaven and hell.

I’m currently rereading Son of Avonar (The Bridge of D’Arnath, Book 1) by Carol Berg.  This is fantasy, leaning towards the dark side, although it has a fascinating description of sorcery.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to En Passant by Queen’s Gambit. These folks perform at Renaissance Faires, and this collection is rich in traditional Celtic folk songs.

I’m currently reading Bitter Night: A Horngate Witches Book by Diana Pharaoh Francis. This is the first of the series, urban fantasy dark enough to border on horror, about the end of the world and the return of magic.

I’m currently rereading Introduction to Pagan Studies by Barbara Jane Davy.  This is, indeed, a good introduction to Paganism in general and the academic side of it in particular.

Amazon.com has some special deals for the holiday season, beginning this week in preparation for Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year.  Drop by and look for books, music, video games, and other goodies for folks on your gift list — or treat yourself!

Opening Move – Take Two by Queen’s Gambit.  Queen’s Gambit, 2004.  Four stars.  Pawn to King Four by Queen’s Gambit.  Queen’s Gambit, 2005.  Four stars.

Queen’s Gambit specializes in historic and folk music, performing at Renaissance Faires.  They deliver a combination of charming voices and instruments, including some traditional instruments not often heard in modern times.  The performers are: Bruce Cannon (Bruce the Bruce) on guitar, vocals, and tambourine; Susi Matthews (Rowan Golightly) on vocals, tambourine, and bowed psaltery; and Amber Cannon (Desahra) on pennywhistle and vocals.

On Opening Move – Take Two they do a lively version of “Star of the County Down,” one of my favorite Celtic songs.  I was particularly amused by “The Scotsman” followed by a matching bit of satire, “The Blue Ribbon.”  To my delight, there is also a dulcet recording of “The Queen of Argyll,” a song popular in the Society for Creative Anachronism, which I first heard from a friend.  The other songs on this album are: “Step It Out Mary,” “Banks of the Lee,” “I’ll Tell My Ma,” “Loch Lomond/Red Is the Rose,” “Rocky Road to Dublin,” “Streets of London,” “Ramblin’ Rover,” “Lass of the Low Countrie,” “The Water Is Wide,” “Kilkelly,” and “Wild Mountain Thyme.”

Pawn to King Four covers a couple of songs written by old friends: “Grania” by Brian ‘Tinker’ Leo and “Threes” by Mercedes Lackey.  Favorites from the folk tradition include a hauntingly sweet version of “Foggy Dew” and a glorious rendition of “Minstrel Boy.”  New to me was the song “Black and Tans,” a wild Irish freedom song.  This album’s remaining tracks are: “Rambles of Spring,” “P for Paddy,” “Blackbird,” “One I Love,” “Spanish Lady,” “Fields of Athenry,” “Clare to Here,” “Spancilhill,” “Where Are You Tonight,” “Irish Lullabye,” “Johnny Jump Up,” “The Sandman,” “Dat Du Min Leeusten Buest,” and “Health to the Company.”

If you’re looking for a way to bring the Faire home for the winter, Queen’s Gambit is a good choice.  They play a lively selection of historic and contemporary music with rich folk flavor.  Highly recommended.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to OFF THE BOARD! by Queen’s Gambit. These folks perform at Renaissance Faires, and this is a collection of their sassy and dingy songs.

I’m currently reading After the Bomb: A Complete Role-Playing Game by Erick Wugcik.  This is an anthropomorphic game featuring mutated animal characters, rather well designed.  I’d like to see the supplemental volumes for this.

I’m currently rereading Lost In Translation by Edward Willett.  It’s linguistic science fiction, very intense, dealing with a severe culture gap.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Opening Move – Take two by Queen’s Gambit. These folks perform at Renaissance Faires, singing beautiful folk music.

I’m currently reading A Time To… Volume 3: The Best of The Lorelei Signal 2008 edited by Carol Hightshoe. This is a speculative fiction anthology and I have some material in it.

I’m currently rereading Tamshi’s Imp by Jonathan Fesmire. This is intense dark fantasy about a mage and her familiar.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to Pawn to King Four by Queen’s Gambit.  They perform Renaissance and other historic song with instrumental accompaniment.

I’m currently reading Making the Most of Your Deer by Dennis Walrod. This book explains how to use the parts of a deer for food and crafts; the advice on butchering is especially precise and valuable.

I’m currently rereading Amber in the Over World by Jonathan Fesmire.  Here a young girl meets with a dragon princess.

This is a weekly opportunity to talk about books, music, and other things you enjoy.

• What are some of your favorite books?
• What are you currently reading?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What are you listening to now?
• What else is on your mind?

I’m currently listening to  by .  This is percussion, flute, and synthesizer music.

I’m currently reading Besm D20 Anime Role-Player’s Handbook.  The d20 gaming system is good; the original BESM game was good; but sadly, they don’t merge well.

I’m currently rereading Gaia Girls Way of Water by Lee Welles.  In this book, a girl with elemental power over Water fights to save nature from careless humans.