An old magic book can be best described as a treasure trove. It holds within its pages secret knowledge and ancient incantations that have been passed down through generations. Each book may be unique, filled with spells and rituals that have been carefully recorded over time. The allure of an old magic book lies in its mysterious nature. It whispers of forgotten powers and promises to unlock the hidden potential within the reader. The pages are often yellowed and tattered, showing signs of the passage of time.
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It s known as the Funeral March prelude in classical music and because it entered the public domain decades ago, Manilow was able to compose a song around it without fear of copyright infringement. Here is Russian pianist Daniel Trifonov btw, his new album of the Paganini Rhapsody, which includes the Chopin Variations, is extraordinary performing the Chopin prelude advance to 22 57 for it And, finally, Charlie Haden s beautiful song, Silence featuring Chet Baker.
The pages are often yellowed and tattered, showing signs of the passage of time. Yet, within these worn pages lie the keys to a world hidden from view. When one opens an old magic book, they are transported to a realm of possibilities.
The Very Best of The DUBS - Could This Be Magic - Singles As & Bs 1956-1962
Although The Dubs are considered one of the major Doo Wop groups of the 1960s and Richard Blandon one of the most revered lead singers of the genre, their fame was pretty much confined to the New York area where they were immensely popular.
Many of these tracks are making their first appearance on CD in this collection. Includes their only charting hits 'Don't Ask Me (To Be Lonely)', 'Chapel Of Dreams' and of course 'Could This Be Magic'.
There is no doubt that The Dubs were very high on the list of notable vocal groups to come out of the R&B melting pot of New York and this is a must have for Doo Wop fans around the world.
Track Listing
1. I WON'T HAVE YOU BREAKING MY HEART - THE MARVELS
2. JUMP ROCK AND ROLL - THE MARVELS
3. DON'T ASK ME (To Be Lonely)
4. DARLING
5. COULD THIS BE MAGIC
6. SUCH LOVIN'
7. BESIDE MY LOVE
8. GONNA MAKE A CHANGE
9. BE SURE (My Love)
10. SONG IN MY HEART
11. CHAPEL OF DREAMS
12. IS THERE A LOVE FOR ME
13. NO ONE
14. EARLY IN THE EVENING
15. DON'T LAUGH AT ME
16. YOU'LL NEVER BELONG TO ME
17. FOR THE FIRST TIME
18. AIN'T THAT SO
19. IF I ONLY HAD MAGIC
20. JOOGIE BOOGIE
21 DOWN, DOWN, DOWN I GO
22. LULLABY
23. THIS TO ME IS LOVE
24. NOW THAT WE BROKE UP
25. YOU'RE FREE TO GO
Format CD Price Code A Release Date May 4th, 2020 UPC Bar Code No 604988105520
It's hard for some people to admit that they like Barry Manilow's music, and I am no exception. In my high school, Barry Manilow was considered the lamest singer you could ever idolize, and that was exacerbated by the fact that the nerdiest kid in our school did just that.
But I think the cold, harsh truth most of us must face at one time or another is confessing to loving at least one Manilow song. Heck, even Peter and his buddies from Family Guy admitted to it.
And for me, that song is "Could It Be Magic" (OK, I also love "Copacabana", too.) I think "Could It Be Magic" is one of the most beautiful, lush, love songs written. Ever. In the entire history of love song making.
I heard the song for the first in many years in my car on the Sirius '70s on 7 channel and had to sit in a parking lot until it finished (and wholeheartedly admit to wiping away a tear when that last piano key was struck.) When I learned that it wasn't a hit at first for Barry Manilow, I knew I had to select it for the A Song's Story series.
As most of you probably know, Manilow got his start in music writing advertising jingles ("I am stuck on Band-Aid brand 'cause Band-Aid's stuck on me" and "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" are among his credits as well as McDonald's trademark "You deserve a break today.")
"Could It Be Magic" was written in 1970 or 1971 with lyrics by Adrienne Anderson. Because Manilow was unknown yet as a pop singer in the early '70s, he initially teamed up with session musicians under Tony Orlando's guidance in a pseudo-group with an awful name: Featherbed.
Featherbed recorded four tracks, one of which was "Could It Be Magic." It sounds very little like the version that would make Manilow famous; recorded as an upbeat pop track, the lyrics have been changed and the song is missing its integral piano opening and closer which is Frederick Chopin's Prelude in C Minor. In fact, it sounds similar to the Orlando hit "Knock Three Times." For many years Manilow said he detested the record and was grateful it was a flop.
Manilow released the intended version in 1973 on his debut solo album Barry Manilow, where again it didn't go anywhere. Two years later, when he was now with Arista records, he released it again as a single where it finally became a well-deserving hit and made it to #6 on the U.S. charts.
Why do I love this song so much? I think it's way it's constructed. it has a really slow build-up (as one person on YouTube observed, it's a lot like making love.) The Chopin melody also gives me chills. It's known as the "Funeral March" prelude in classical music and because it entered the public domain decades ago, Manilow was able to compose a song around it without fear of copyright infringement. And it is a true 1970s' love song, incorporating imagery of "where the stallion meets the sun." ("Sweet Melissa", by the way, is a nod to singer Melissa Manchester who was also signed to Arista at the time.)
A year after Manilow's version became a hit, Donna Summer released her own disco-inspired cover which also did modestly well (Summer changed the lyrics of "sweet Melissa" to "sweet Peter" as an ode to her boyfriend at the time, Peter Mühldorfer.
In 1992, a British boy band named Take That recorded the song, which sounds a lot like the original Featherbed version. It is considered one of the worst covers ever recorded but if you're into cheesy '90s boy bands, you may just dig it:
Since then the song has been recorded in Dutch and French, by jazz arrangers and even as house music. But one of my favorite renditions is by The Puppini Sisters, a lovely group of ladies who sing covers of modern music in a style similar to The Andrews Sisters. Their version is stripped of the Chopin chords, but it's still just as lovely.
Whenever I hear songs such as "Could It Be Magic" it's a painful reminder that they just don't write love songs anymore like they used to. It's a thing of magic, indeed.
Each page holds the promise of discovering something new, of unraveling secrets that were meant to be kept hidden. The illustrations and symbols within the book are often intricate and beautifully detailed, drawing the reader deeper into its spellbinding lore. As one delves into the contents, they may find spells to summon spirits, potions to heal ailments, and rituals to protect against evil. The instructions are precise, requiring strict adherence to ensure success. These books act as a guide for those seeking to harness the mystical powers of the universe. But an old magic book is not just a tool for casting spells. It is also a window into the past. It offers a glimpse into the beliefs and practices of ancient cultures that revered magic. It tells stories of wizards and witches who walked the earth long before modern times. However, an old magic book is not without its dangers. The spells contained within its pages can be powerful and unpredictable. The reader must approach its contents with caution and respect. It is not a toy to be taken lightly. In today's world, where science and technology reign supreme, the old magic book holds a unique fascination. It taps into our innate desire for something beyond the rational, for a touch of the supernatural. It reminds us that there is still so much we do not understand about the world and the forces that govern it. In conclusion, an old magic book is more than just a collection of spells and rituals. It is a portal to another realm, a connection to our ancestors and their ancient wisdom. It is a tangible reminder of the mysteries that still surround us and a testament to the enduring allure of magic..
Reviews for "The Symbolism and Rituals of an Old Magic Book: Initiations and Ceremonies"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Old Magic Book", as I am a huge fan of fantasy novels. However, I was highly disappointed with this book. The plot was predictable and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also very basic and unimpressive. Overall, "Old Magic Book" failed to capture my imagination and I wouldn't recommend it to avid readers of the fantasy genre.
2. James - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. The story was poorly developed, and the pacing was all over the place. The author introduced too many subplots that didn't contribute anything meaningful to the overall narrative. The writing was also filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. I struggled to finish the book and found myself constantly rolling my eyes at the clichéd dialogue and lackluster descriptions. I would advise others to stay away from "Old Magic Book" if they're looking for a well-written and engaging fantasy novel.
3. Amanda - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Old Magic Book", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was weak, and I couldn't fully grasp the rules and dynamics of the magical system. The characters felt like cardboard cutouts with no depth or development. The romance subplot felt forced and lacked any real chemistry. The writing style was also repetitive and lacked any sort of poetic or captivating prose. Overall, "Old Magic Book" failed to leave an impact on me, and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.