Reviews.....

"There’s much to say about this album … but to be short – just buy it, okay! This is music, yes, and it is also so much more.

Firstly the music though. Chris Ellis’s full hearted ‘Friend to the Earth’ says it all to start; the heroic Seize the Day follow, always full of power, meaning, and inspiration; and Sure’s earthy power is … well, very sure! The Nepali permaculturists bring a beautiful touch of the ‘Real World’ feel and take us to a different world of Himalayan permaculture.

Beautiful songs are abundant, with Natalie, Tom Kerswill, Celeste Lovick and the deep and rooted James Hollingsworh. All are to be listened to, and many can be read as poetry (lyrics can be viewed from the CD on a Pc or on the permaculture musicians website).

Pete Cow is perhaps my personal favourite – “here’s to grass roots sustainable practical futures, yeah!” – sing it with kids, yours or anyone else’s, as well as friends and family – just sing it – it’s the spirit of permaculture.

And ‘ABBA’ bring a shovel full of permaculture blues, and a good dash of humour.

The elegant music of Dragonsfly and Richard Cousins / Comic Life lead us to the simple, sparse beauty of Aranya’s voice (with bird song backing), singing us to a meaningful close.

Beyond the music, this album a great achievement and a skilled piece of design by Aranya, its producer. It stacks music in with inspiration, fund-raising, education, information (the CD also includes info on the musicians and their projects, website links and so on to view on your pc) and ethical income generation for the Permaculture Association (about £8 per CD goes to PAB). It makes new connections … and the relative location (track order) works superbly.

This album marks a transition, where the ‘culture’ in permaculture is maturing. This is so important - culture is the glue, it is what shapes any society’s thinking and actions. Fundamentally it is the culture that is sustainable or unsustainable. With this album ‘the culture of change’ is emerging stongly.

Earth Stars sows a seed which will grow and bear much fruit. Permaculture short-stories, story-telling and theatre please step forward and walk this way.

Earth Stars gives joy and inspiration, education and connection - it sings out a heart-felt vision of a sustainable and compassionate world.

Follow these twinkling Earth Stars and celebrate the present and the pregnant power and potential of the future. Listening and singing, we continue our next steps to a sane, humane sustainable world.

It’s only rock and roll, but you’ll like it! So please buy it."

Steve Charter