The Power of Thirteen: The Legend of the Thirteenth Witch

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"The Thirteenth Witch" is a captivating story that combines fantasy, adventure, and magic. It tells the tale of a young girl named Amanda who discovers that she has inherited a unique ability – she is the thirteenth witch in her family lineage. As Amanda embraces her powers, she quickly learns that being a witch comes with a great responsibility. She must use her abilities for good and protect the world from dark forces that seek to harm it. Alongside her loyal companions, a talking cat named Luna and a wise old wizard, Amanda sets off on a thrilling journey to master her powers and defeat the evil that threatens their land. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to a cast of fascinating characters, each with their own distinct personality and role in Amanda's journey.

Stanley jordam magic touch

Throughout the book, readers are introduced to a cast of fascinating characters, each with their own distinct personality and role in Amanda's journey. From mischievous fairies to mystical creatures, the world of "The Thirteenth Witch" is full of enchanting surprises. But the story is not just about magic and adventure.

Stanley jordam magic touch

STANLEY JORDAN

Magic Touch /
Standards Volume 1 /
Flying Home

BGO Records BGOCD 1070

CD1
Magic Touch
1. Eleanor Rigby
2. Freddie Freeloader
3. 'Round Midnight
4. All The Children
5. The Lady In My Life
6. Angel
7. Fundance
8. Return Expedition
9. A Child Is Born

Stanley Jordan - Guitar
Wayne Brathwaite - Electric Bass (track 5)
Peter Erskine - Drums (track 2)
Sammy Figueroa - Percussion (tracks 1, 8)
Onoje Allan Gumbs - Keyboards (track 5)
Omar Hakim - Drums (track 5)
Charnett Moffett - Acoustic Bass (tracks 2, 8)
Bugsy Moore - Percussion (track 8)
AI Di Meola - Cymbals (track 8)

Standards Volume 1
10. The Sound 0f Silence
11. Sunny
12. Georgia On My Mind
13. Send One Your Love
14. Moon River

CD2
I. Guitar Man
2. One Less Bell To Answer
3. Because
4. My Favorite Things
5. Silent Night

Stanley Jordan - Guitar

Flying Home
6. Street Talk
7. Tropical Storm
8. When Julia Smiles
9. Can't Sit Down
10. Stairway To Heaven
11. Brooklyn At Midnight
12. The Music's Gonna Change
13. The Time Is Now
14. Flying Home

Collective personnel
Stanley Jordan - Guitars, digital programming, additional keyboards, bass
Preston Glass - Keyboards, drum programming, bass
Noel Klosson, David "Pic" Conley - Keyboards, drum programming
Larry Graham - Drum programming, bass, keyboards
Joshua Thompson, Arthur McAllister - Keyboards
Anthony Jackson - Bass
Steve Reid - Percussion
Codaryl "Cody" Moffett - Percussion, drums


I well remember the sensation that Stanley Jordan caused when he burst on the scene in the 1980s. He had invented a method of playing the guitar which enabled him to play notes with both hands at the same time. It was called a hammer-on effect because it involved hammering or tapping a string against the fretboard. This allowed him to play chords and bass lines at the same time as the melody. He was signed by Blue Note Records and Magic Touch (1985) was his first album with that company. It was followed in close succession by Standards Volume 1 (1986) and Flying Home (1988).

From the very first track, one can understand the excitement that Jordan aroused. His version of Eleanor Rigby keeps several strands of melody and accompaniment moving at the same time. Freddie Freeloader is a calmer piece of swing, illustrating his allegiance to jazz. Stanley's high notes remind me of Les Paul's similar style, although much of Les's work was created by double-tracking, whereas Jordan is playing every line simultaneously.

Stanley's versatilty is shown by the wide range of material he plays on Magic Touch, including the jazz-rock of Rod Temperton's The Lady In My Life; Jimmy Hendrix's Angel (a tribute to one of Jordan's influences); and three tunes (tracks 4, 7 and 8) that Stanley composed.

In several tracks on Magic Touch, Stanley is assisted by other musicians, but Standards Volume 1 consists entirely of Jordan playing solo. This is virtuosity of the highest standard. Take, for example, Stevie Wonder's Send One Your Love, where Stanley creates his own counterpoint, weaving together different lines which he decorates with dextrous runs and chords.

Flying Home, the last of these three albums, holds a clue as to why Jordan's profile dropped from public awareness almost as quickly as it had burst into life. He quite quickly became disenchanted with the demands of the studio bosses, who seemed determined to turn him from a jazz virtuoso into a mass-market guitarist (although the sleeve-notes suggest that Stanley agreed with this change of emphasis). The guitarist was surrounded with heavy jazz-funk beats, leaving him little room to display his originality. Instead he sounds like just another guitarist, playing single lines above unsubtle accompaniments. Stanley's unique qualities were submerged by the desire to transfer him to the musical mainstream. He is only allowed to display his unique sound on two tracks (Stairway to Heaven and Flying Home). Small wonder that he soon relinquished recordings, preferring to train in music therapy and then teaching as a music therapist.

It is good to have these three albums (especially the first two) collected together on this double CD. The originals have been skilfully remastered to obtain a bright, clear sound. Although in later years Stanley seemed to have vanished from making recordings, he reappeared with a new album which I reviewed here in 2008. But Stanley Jordan's career is an object-lesson in the dangers posed by trying to go "commercial".

Tony Augarde
www.augardebooks.co.uk

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CD1
Magic Touch
1. Eleanor Rigby
2. Freddie Freeloader
3. 'Round Midnight
4. All The Children
5. The Lady In My Life
6. Angel
7. Fundance
8. Return Expedition
9. A Child Is Born
The thirteenth vitch

It also explores important themes such as friendship, courage, and the power of believing in oneself. Amanda's character development is particularly noteworthy, as she grows from a timid young girl unsure of her abilities into a confident and fearless witch. The author's writing style is both descriptive and engaging, drawing readers into a world brimming with vivid imagery. The plot moves at a fast pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seat as they eagerly follow Amanda's journey. The book is also sprinkled with humor, which adds a light and enjoyable tone to the overall story. Overall, "The Thirteenth Witch" is a captivating and magical read that will appeal to readers of all ages. The book's compelling characters, exciting plot, and underlying themes make it a delightful and meaningful tale. Whether you're a fan of fantasy or simply enjoy a good adventure, this book is sure to cast its spell on you..

Reviews for "The Witch Trials: Examining the Role of the Thirteenth Witch"

1. Jane Doe - 2/5
I was really excited to read "The Thirteenth Vitch" after hearing so many great things about it, but I was sorely disappointed. The story seemed promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The characters lacked depth and I didn't feel connected to any of them. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and struggled to even finish it.
2. John Smith - 3/5
"The Thirteenth Vitch" had an interesting concept, but the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. While it had its moments of intrigue, the book failed to fully capture my attention and left me wanting more.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5
I had high hopes for "The Thirteenth Vitch" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The writing style was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to understand what was happening in certain scenes. The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I found the book to be disappointing and wouldn't recommend it to others.

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