Music is a powerful tool for healing and environmental enhancement. However, a lot of good things get lost in today's shuffle of hype and overpromotion. Many music reviewers seem dedicated to trying to be funny by viciously slamming as much music as possible. As a practicing musician, performer, and recording artist, I know what goes into the process, and have always felt someone with this knowledge ought to be letting people know what's going on in the music world. Here you will find music of timeless value for your collection. These music reviews are provided for informational and entertainment purposes. Although health conditions may be mentioned, any recommendation along those lines must be confirmed by a legally constituted health professional.
CLICK HERE to read selections from the first series of reviews, from 1988 to 1999.
Please contact the addresses listed with the reviews to order the selections. If you find that something listed here is no longer available, please let me know right away. Also, if you have any other comments, feel free to email me at: mriversong@earthlink.net
Most of the albums reviewed here fit into the category called "Extended Classical". Some music industry people had created a label called "New Age" for this music, but it never has fit well. A big part of the problem is that people creating Extended Classical music all over the world come from a variety of religious backgrounds. The term "New Age" has been associated with a certain spiritual movement, which is somewhat incompatible with the doctrines of many specific groups. To apply a label to music which was intended for a particular spiritual movement has done a disservice to the artists involved. That's why this new label has come up, since people must have labels for their music.
You won't find negative reviews in this series. If I don't like something, it simply isn't reviewed. If an album is nice, but doesn't seem to particularly do anything for people, it will usually be skipped. You will find things here by both well-known and unknown artists. It is my hope that you will find the albums reviewed here useful additions to your environment.
Highest Praise
highestpraise.com
This
group was found by accident while cruising the MP3.com site. It was truly
amazing to find such a variety of material in one place. Highest Praise has a
large catalog of CDs, enough to fit almost any need. Yes, it is all gospel
music. Whether or not you are a Christian, explore this site. Some of the
music has the old-timey Southern feel that so many associate with the term "Gospel".
Then there are vocal albums which could be described as "easy listening".
A few instrumental albums are solidly in the Extended Classical style, and give
great comfort to any listener. And a few of the albums on this site are unique
in the world. They are live worship services where these Georgia-based
musicians spontanesously create a whole new form of music, which is some of the
most energetic, hopeful, and inspiring stuff you will ever hear. 01/01
The Raga Guide -- a Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas
Various Artists
Nimbus Records with Rotterdam Conservatory
of Music
P.O. Box 7746
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22906
Most
visitors to my site will eventually run across the "7 Keys to Health"
material. In it, I mention that in India, a full system of over 80,000
possibilities was developed over about 4,000 years. Now, you can research this
for yourself, in what I consider an essential volume for every music student.
This is a package of a book and 4 CDs. There really are 74 different ragas
presented, each one unique, and each one presented in a standardized format
which includes printed information and a sample performance. Musical selections
are done in a variety of styles, each one ideally suited to the raga being
demonstrated. This includes vocals, flute, and other lesser-known instruments
from India. Each sample is between 3 and 5 minutes long, which is of course
much shorter than a usual performance -- but a fully functional demonstration
and pleasant listening as well. Obviously, years of research went into this.
If you want to find out what is possible with music in many different modes and
formats, each one set up for a special purpose, get this set.
The only small
objection I had to this, was that they put the ragas in alphabetical order. I
personally would have liked to have had them grouped by time of day and season.
But then, that's what tapes and MP3s are for. And in the process of extracting
the ragas you want for a particular purpose, you will learn a lot. All of my
Advanced Music students in the future are going to be required to obtain this
set! 01/01
Deuter and Annette Cantor
Garden of the Gods
New Earth Records
P.O.
Box 2368
Boulder, Colorado 80306
nearthrec@aol.com
Deuter
is already one of the most respected Extended Classical musicians on Earth. He
was behind a lot of the great "Rajneesh Music" of the mid-80's. While
all of his material is good, with this album he has created a truly timeless
masterpiece. The vocals by Annette Cantor soar over the basic accompaniment,
giving "Garden of the Gods" a unique flavor. After using this album
in many situations, it has become evident that it is especially good, as is a
lot of Deuter's music, for reducing anger. It also can be used as a background
for relaxed work, like what is described in "The Zone". This is truly
an album that would be a great benefit to any household.
Marcel Peelen
GEARlust Studios
Marcel
calls his material, "Music for the Future". This is an apt
description. When you hear his music, you will be transported to a future that
few have even attempted to imagine. I'm more familiar with Marcel as a live
performer than as a recording artist. But what recordings I have heard from his
vast collection, very much reflect the astonishing variety and character of what
he does when allowed to cut loose in person. He has an
MP3 Station where you
can hear his most recent material. 01/01
Shao Rong
Orchid
Pacific Moon
www.pacificmoon.com
Blending Chinese
and American music is a difficult task. This is due in large part to technical
challenges, since Chinese music uses different scales and harmonies which
basically don't integrate well with anything from the Euro-American system.
Pacific Moon is a record label which has been diligently releasing many works
which blend these principles flawlessly. Of all their releases, "Orchid"
is one of the most exciting ever in this field. Shao Rong plays an ancient
Chinese instrument called Pipa which was, oddly enough, the original basis for
the banjo over 150 years ago. On this album, you will find melodies and
harmonies that seem familiar, but with an overlay of Chinese characteristics
that will make it extremely interesting all the way through. But what is
especially noteworthy about this album, is the way that Shao Rong adds an
individualism and an intensity that you rarely hear from anyone these days.
This is something one would not expect from a Chinese artist, since political
considerations tend to go against individualism these days. But when you listen
to her music, you will find her personality communicated through everything.
The feeling of this work is reminiscent of Ayn Rand's descriptions of her ideal
music in "Atlas Shrugged". That's ultimately what Shao Rong
communicates -- an idealism based on individual personality and creativity that
transcends all politics and musical labels.
Eri Sugai
Mai
Pacific Moon
www.pacificmoon.com
Eri
Sugai has attained great success in Japan as a commercial singer. But this
album shows she stands far above anyone else in the field, and has amply earned
recognition as one of this world's great composers. We listen to this a lot.
Influences from all over the world are present, from American synthesizer riffs
to Javanese traditional choruses. The wide range of influences makes this an
excellent musical education in itself. Even the album notes are delightfully
informative.
Golana' AWO
Feather on the Wind
Oginali Productions
4924 Balboa
Blvd PMB # 298
Encino, California 91316
www.oginali.com
When
producing gentle music, a balancing act between being melodic and just plain
relaxing always takes place. Melodies that are too strong can detract from the
gentleness of the music. But when melodies are not strong enough, everything
sounds the same -- a problem that is plaguing many Easy Listening and Extended
Classical albums released in the past year. Golana has managed to create a
perfect melodic balance. This is an album that should be welcome in any home or
office. Nothing about the music is distracting, and yet it feels unique as you
listen. Another noteworthy achievement in this album, is the perfect blending
of Native American flute and orchestral/synthesizer sounds. This is technically
difficult, and Golana has managed to work it out beautifully.
For a special article on using music as an anesthetic, click here.
Material in these reviews is copyright by Michael D. Riversong. You may quote from these reviews provided that you always include the author's name and email address with any quotes.
If you have music commercially available that you would like reviewed, feel
free to send it to:
Michael Riversong
P.O. Box 1891
Ft. Collins, Colorado 80522
CLICK HERE to read selections from the first series of reviews, from 1988 to 1999.