#hallowell

Hallowell

Song Review: Aoife O’Donovan, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Julie Fowlis - “Hallowell” (Transatlantic Sessions)

The pleasure of seeing and hearing Aoife O’Donovan, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Julie Fowlis singing “Hallowell” to Donald Shaw’s piano accompaniment was worth the 11-year wait.

Recorded in 2013 for BBC ALBA’s “Transatlantic Sessions” and just uploaded to YouTube, it’s a stunning contemplation of death written by Stephen Spitzer that O’Donovan first recorded with Sometymes Why.

She sings the verses and, standing in front of the piano, is joined by Carpenter and Fowlis to deliver the chorus:

The dead lift me up/in brightest sky, the clouds below me race/the dead lift me up/I see them face to face

It could’ve been morbid. But it is instead deeply moving and leaves the listener to wonder how these three have resisted the urge to collaborate in the intervening years.

Grade card: Aoife O’Donovan, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Julie Fowlis - “Hallowell” (Transatlantic Sessions) - A

So.....Charmed (2018-)

I’m not sure how I feel about it. But I know I don’t like it.

Growing up I was so in love with the original series and it even sparked my love of acting thanks to Holly Marie Combs. The original show showed me strength in family, strength in women, and showed me I can do anything I put my mind to. The dynamic between the sisters was also my favorite since the age gap between me and my own sister was too big for us to have a truly strong bond until I reached maybe 15 or 16. The show was even ahead of its time starting in the late 90′s when supernatural shows where starting all over the place but it brought something different. 

I don’t care if you like the new show better, or something else about the new show, all I know is it can’t live up to the original.

Like the cast of the spells. It shouldn’t have to be in some old dead ancient language that they somehow know in a matter of a day. Witchcraft changes with time just like everything else. Speaking in rhyme is also very powerful. Poems reveal truth and honesty. Allows anyone to understand the truth of what really happens in a person's head 

Then there's the white-lighter. I hate the way that he appears and disappears It’s just not....white-lighterly enough. If you know what I mean. If anything it reminds me of Harry Potter and the way they teleported places. It’s just weird. I loved the way Leo went back and forth because it was very white-lightery.

Cabbage: Hey Al, the actual literal boss just called, and she needs me and some higher ups to go collect samples from the desert??? Isn’t that what interns are for?