Journeys

About the Artist
My name is Chris Booth. I am 19 and have released my first CD "Journeys". All the songs are original compositions. I have played the piano for 12 years. This has been a great expierence for me

Journeys,Chris Booth

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Average customer rating: The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma Not for the average listener A thoroughly enjoyable trip through Central Asia and a few other places. Silk Road Journey A Detailed Review From A Non-expert Music Lover

Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet Yo-Yo Ma , and Silk Road Ensemble Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon The Silk Road: A Musical Caravan Obrigado Brazil Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone ASIN: B0000641CG Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

1. Mongolian Traditional longsong
2. Legend of Herlen (Byambasuren Sharav)
3. "Blue Little Flower" (Chinese Traditional)
4. "Mido Mountain" (Chinese Traditional)
5. Moon over Guan Mountain (Zhao Jiping)
6. "Miero vuotti uutta kuuta" from Five Finnish Folk Songs (Michio Mamiya)
7. "Joiku" from Five Finnish Folk Songs (Michio Mamiya)
8. Avaz-e Dashti (Persian Traditional)
9. Habil-Sayagy (In Habil's Style) for cello and prepared piano (Franghiz Ali-Zadeh)
10. Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur (Kayhan Kalhor)
11. Chi passa per'sta strada (Filippo Azzaiolo)
12. Desert Capriccio (Music from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon/Tan Dun) (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

This disc introduces Yo-Yo Ma's latest and most ambitious adventure, the Silk Road Project. It explores the cultures that flourished along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that for centuries connected Europe and the East. Founded by Ma in 1998, the project aims to create connections, mutual trust, and cultural interchange between people from different parts of the world through their only shared language: music.

This recording includes music from Mongolia, China, Persia, Japan, Iran, Azerbaijan, and an improvisation on an Italian Renaissance street song, performed by musicians from all those countries, as well as America, on both Eastern and Western instruments. Ma, who participates in every piece either as soloist or part of the ensemble, plays cello and a Mongolian "horse-head fiddle." There is also a Mongolian soprano, who sings a traditional song native to her region. For the uninitiated Western listener, the music requires some getting used to. Much of it is based on rhythmic ostinatos. The melodies use Oriental scales; the intonation is untempered; the music seems all color, texture, and atmosphere, without what might be called themes; and repetition takes the place of development. Contrast is achieved through sudden change, buildup by adding instruments. However, the music is often beautiful, delicate, dreamy, or peaceful; every listener will find his or her own favorite pieces. The playing is splendid, with much inventive improvisation. Inevitably, Ma's tone and personality stand out, but he never dominates in fact or spirit. The booklet offers essays by Ma and the project's musicologist, Theodore Levin, photographs of the players, and drawings of the Eastern instruments. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

The Versatile Yo-Yo Ma .......2007-07-24

Since returning from a trip to China, I have become very interested in the music and the entire culture and history of the Far East. To an American, it seems like such an exotic and mysterious world. Given the formidable languages and the vastness of it all, I can only say that I can only hope to acquire a superficial understanding.

As always, the versatile Yo-Yo Ma is quite soulful and technically brilliant in his musical exploration of the "Silk Road". The music, to me, captures the feeling of Asia. The liner notes are very educational in providing a context to the project.

I find Asian music to be very different from our "Western" traditions, but given time and an even chance, I think that you will find this CD to be very nice and enjoyable.

Not for the average listener.......2007-03-20

I was going to give it 2 stars, but then again i only listened to it once.
I was looking forward to this, but the music is plodding in many parts,
like a dreary symphony. There are fine moments, but I was looking for something a bit more accesible, rhymic, and lyrical. This is a mixed bag that seems to miss more often than hit.

A thoroughly enjoyable trip through Central Asia and a few other places........2007-03-15

I have just added this to my musical library and am enjoying it. From the first beat of the first note of Khongozurl's long song you are transported to central Asia - the land of horses and gers. Of all the pieces I was most interested in listening to the second piece - Legend of Herlen. This to me, was the real silk road. The morin khuur has a very rich and unusual tone that made we want to listen to the it over and over again. Each piece is different and reminds one of the many parts that make up the whole of central asia's culture be it music or diesel trucks competing for road space with camels. The music captures the variety that makes up the region. The Finnish Folksong tracks are a nice touch. I have a friend who was at a trade conference and met a man from Mongolia. Neither could talk to one another until they discovered a common language - Finnish! My friend's family is Finnish and his new Mongolian friend had lived for several years in Finland where he learned enough of the language to communicate. Listening to the Finnish Folksongs reminds me of the Finnish-Mongolian connection that my friend had described. It is a nice touch and complements the other pieces very well. Please don't neglect to read the information insert as this gives a wealth of information on the music and it's origins as well as some of the difficulties experienced by western players playing traditional middle Asian musical instruments. Ma's difficulties with his instrument are particularly interesing to read. The concludig track - Desert Capriccio is a very nice ending to a very rich musical experince. The music from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the perfect ending to this trip through central Asia. I highly recommend this CD to everyone.

Silk Road Journey.......2007-02-19

I saw a performance of the Silk Road Ensemble and was absolutely enthralled. So I bought the CD. But it was a big disappointment. It's not the type of music you can comfortably listen to in your living room - I'm sure it would be much more enjoyable in a concert hall. There was far too much that just sounded like "screeching" to me. However, some of the pieces that were much like what we heard at the performance were beautiful. So - a mixed review, but I disliked more than I liked.

A Detailed Review From A Non-expert Music Lover.......2007-01-12

In this review I will give my opinion on each of the 12 selections in this CD, and will also talk about some general themes related to the title "The Silk Road Project".

To anyone who has heard of the Silk Road in Ancient China, the title of this CD immediately brings up images of exotic peoples and their cultures in your mind. I think Yo-Yo Ma's efforts in creating such a culturally diversified recording are definitely welcomed in this era of globalization.

But after listening through this CD I felt that something was missing from the selections. One of the most important areas on the Silk Road is the Uyghur region in northwestern China. Their music is quite unique. Inclusion of their music in this CD would be really interesting. Also in this CD not all of the selections are chosen from those regions directly related to the Silk Road. So I guess the title is just a metaphor of "when strangers meet", but is not directly about the cultures along the Silk Road.

Now I will review each of the selections.

1. Mongolian Traditional Long Song

I am somewhat familiar with their culture and land. So to me this song is very beautiful and enchanting. One of the most important factors in conducting any cross-cultural communications is context! You really cannot take it out of context. The Mongolian Long Song might sound monotonous and drawling to a person who is more used to the Western tradition of chant, choral, or opera music. Yet if you know the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Mongolian people on the vast rolling greens of the Mongolian grassland embellished with winding creeks and rivers, you would probably hear such long-singing voices reverberating between the green of the grass and the blue of the sky. The Mongolian people have some of the most beautiful songs that I know of.

2. Legend of Herlen

There are probably two broad categories of non-western ethnic musics. One is the authentic folksong tradition of the people, the other is westernized works composed by westernized local musicians. I guess Legend of Herlen might fall into the second category. It has some interesting tunes in it. But the overall listening experience is too dramatic. I guess the dynamics used in this piece might even go beyond the ppp and fff. In the Mongolian traditional music, dynamics are sometimes used quite dramatically, with sharp difference between two adjacent notes or phrases. So this piece here is probably not very surprising. Nonetheless I find it a little too dramatic, sometimes even disturbing. Again I am not familiar with the background of this piece, so that might explain the unusual drama.

3. Blue Little Flower

I am not sure what fusion should really sound like. But in this piece it does seem to me that a lot of musical traditions are intertwined in it: western music, Chinese folksong from Shaanxi, and probably Iranian or Indian drums. Somehow the only part of this song that I liked is the beginning line. It's very beautiful and delicate, reminding me of the theme music from the Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. But it is westernized, not authentic Chinese folksong. If this is still not a problem, then the drum used in this piece does cause a lot of funny effects. The drum sounds so distinctive and it represents some of the central or western Asia cultures. The images such drum beats conjure up are very incompatible with this northwestern Chinese folksong. So in this piece there are at least three threads: western, Chinese, and Iranian/Indian (I am not sure which one). But they do not converge. There is also the funny part of the singing included in this piece. It is out of place and unnecessary. The singing itself is just too frivolous to me.

4. Mido Mountain

I like this piece, especially the part played by the Sheng. Again there are some elements that sound a little bit too foreign to me, especially the percussion part. They use the same percussion/drum in this piece as in the previous one. But the overall effect of the arrangement does sound authentic and pleasant to me.

5. Moon Over Guan Mountains

If you know that Zhao Jiping is famous for his scores for films, you will probably understand this piece better. But of course understanding does not mean you will like it. This piece falls into the second category that I described above. For a lot of non-Western countries, the influence of western music is definitely immense. Many local composers are trained in both the western tradition and the local tradition. But there is probably a general feeling among composers in these countries that western music is richer in theory and methods. Many of these composers will use themes from folk songs to compose westernized music. I will give this piece a B+. It does include some themes from northwestern China, which sound really unique. As I said in this CD there is no selection from the Uyghur region in China, this piece might make up for that, since some of the themes seem to me to be from that region. But this piece is still too dramatic too, like a film score.

6. Five Finnish Folksongs No. 3

I love this one! The theme melody is so beautiful, and maybe a little bit nostalgic, and maybe a little bit romantic also? But this piece is straightly western music. There is nothing ethnic about it.

7. Five Finnish Folksongs No.5

This one is ok, but not very impressive. The overall structure of this piece sounds like very loose. There is not memorable melody either. But it does not have the maddening drama like in the two pieces I have just talked about. This is good.

8. Avaz-e Dashti
I am not familiar with Persian music. But there are indeed some very Persian melodies in this piece. The instruments used in this piece are all traditional Persian instruments. Maybe this is why it sounds so authentic to me. I like the haunting, floating tunes in this piece. They sound very ethereal to me.

9. Habil-Sayagy

Again this piece falls into the second category like the Legend of Herlen and Moon Over Guan Mountains. Such music is probably interesting to the performers, since they can let loose their inner floodgate of emotions and resort to pure artistic connections. But the problem for such music is that they are just too dramatic, and it's really hard to understand them without fairly good knowledge of the context and their unique cultural backgrounds. I am sure all these three pieces might sound profound, meaningful, and artistic once we know the cultural backgrounds better. But for the general listener, they are too abstract and too emotionally charged. Another problem for such western-traditional combination pure art form of music is that tradition might be distorted and represented in the wrong way.

10. Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur

I like this one better that the previous one, especially the middle part beginning at around 5 min 30 sec into the music. The melody is quite unique, and memorable. The bassline is very interesting too. It conjures up the image of merchants traveling on camel back through the desert. The pulse of the bass sounds like the steps of camels walking. One the instruments used, I am not sure which one, santur or kemancheh, is quite successful in bringing out the authenticity of the music style.

11. Chi passa per'sta strada

This one has the same problem as the Blue Little Flower: it does not sound like anything! It is not Italian, nor is it Iranian, nor Chinese, nor anything else. What is it? Who knows. The ethnicity of world music is tied to their unique musical instruments closely. I remember there was one year the Chinese traditional orchestra had a New Year's Concert at Vienna, and when they played the Radetzky March at the end of the concert, I was quite unimpressed.

12. Desert Capriccio

Tan Dun is similar to the composers I mentioned above like Zhao Jiping. Tan's music is unique and interesting to both western and Chinese audience, because of the same thing: they are both unfamiliar with Tan's music. To the Chinese audience, his music sounds western, but to the Western audience, his music sounds exotic. Nonetheless I still like some of this music, like the Couching Tiger and Hidden Dragon. Some of the melodies are really great. Again this piece makes up for the lack of Uyghur music in this album, since the "desert" in this piece is in the Uyghur region. But the music is not Uyghur at all.

There you have it. That's all for my detailed review of this CD. I would give it a B+ for its efforts and some of the really good tunes. As I am not an expert, I might be wrong in many of the points that I make in this review. So feel free to comment on my review.

Average customer rating: delightful experience Excellent Compilation with Marvelous Tracks Beyond the first Silk Road CD Excelent!!! One of the Best !

Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ma, Yo-Yo | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet The Silk Road: A Musical Caravan Obrigado Brazil Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone The Essential Yo-Yo Ma ASIN: B0007TFHEI Release Date: 2005-04-05

Tracks:

1. Mohini (Enchantment)
2. Oasis
3. Distant Green Valley
4. Akhalqalaqi Dance
5. Echoes Of A Lost City
6. Mountains Are Far Away
7. Yanzi (Swallow Song)
8. Battle Remembered
9. Summer In The High Grassland
10. Kor Arab (The Blind Arab)
11. Shikasta (Minstrel's Song)
12. Night At The Caravanserai
13. Gallop Of A Thousand Horses
14. Tarang (Currents)
15. Sacred Cloud Music

Amazon.com

It is a perilous proposition when genres clash--and no such collaboration is more potentially fraught than when improvisation-trained folk musicians sit in with Western classical instrumentalists, who are taught to interpret a printed score. The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma has devoted much of his professional life to such intercultural experiments. But the traditions of nations situated along the ancient Silk Road, which began in the Far East, meandered through Asia and terminated in Europe, are especially dear to him. These lushly arranged pieces range from moody scenic vistas to percussive Turkish hip-shakers and they make very pleasant listening. If they owe more to the European canon than the ethnic sources that inspired them, they are also the result of respectful give-and-take between a team of acknowledged masters. And nobody is more of a team player than Maestro Ma, an impassioned, fearless musical seeker and a gracious, deferential colleague. --Christina Roden

Interview with Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma speaks about his latest adventures involved in this new installment of the ongoing Silk Road Project--an epoch-making collaboration among musical colleagues. Read our special interview to learn more about Ma's musical philosophy.

Amazon.com

It is a perilous proposition when genres clash--and no such collaboration is more potentially fraught than when improvisation-trained folk musicians sit in with Western classical instrumentalists, who are taught to interpret a printed score. The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma has devoted much of his professional life to such intercultural experiments. But the traditions of nations situated along the ancient Silk Road, which began in the Far East, meandered through Asia and terminated in Europe, are especially dear to him. These lushly arranged pieces range from moody scenic vistas to percussive Turkish hip-shakers and they make very pleasant listening. If they owe more to the European canon than the ethnic sources that inspired them, they are also the result of respectful give-and-take between a team of acknowledged masters. And nobody is more of a team player than Maestro Ma, an impassioned, fearless musical seeker and a gracious, deferential colleague. --Christina Roden

Interview with Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma speaks about his latest adventures involved in this new installment of the ongoing Silk Road Project--an epoch-making collaboration among musical colleagues. Read our special interview to learn more about Ma's musical philosophy.

Customer Reviews:

delightful experience.......2007-07-04

this collection of music is quite a cultural experience. I've been hooked since I opened the cover!

Excellent Compilation with Marvelous Tracks.......2007-01-20

I enjoyed this compilation of Silk Road music very much. It delivers a nice, diverse sample of music from the region. My favorite track of the CD is Shikasta, but I like the others as well.

Beyond the first Silk Road CD.......2006-11-23

Yo-Yo Ma went beyond indeed. The first CD with Silk Road ensemble (When Strangers Meet) was inconsistent and somewhat experimental. This one however, is superb. As if in the 5 years the musicians got to know each other (but in truth, only a few musicians are the same). 23 traditional Eastern instruments are listed plus a number of western strings and other percussion was used. So the music on this CD gets my full attention, and as the title of first track suggests, you (can) get enchanted.
The tracks are ordered into three parts: Enchantments (1-5), Origins (6-9) and New Beginnings. First track is strangely familiar (like it was used in some film, but there is no mention of this). In third track this theme gets Chinese interpretation. The style from one track to the other changes, so you can't get bored or overexcited. Second is simply very nice, the fourth great intro of Armenian wind instrument duduk (played by famous Gevorg Dabaghyan), accompanied by percussion mostly, albeit the piece is short. 5 is gentle with cello and xun (Chinese ocarina), 6 orchestral from slow to cool, 7 again gentle with cello and vocal, 8 starts with yearning duduk and turns into orchestral battle, 9 cello and percussion. Track 10 is the only one with prominent vocal (love song) and introduces us to the last part of CD, which are more like jam sessions of all instruments. 11 and 13 are very lively. The last one, track 15, brings us a new interpretation of very ancient Chinese melody played on pipa.

Some would probably say this CD is commercialized. Personally I don't see any wrongdoings in this as long the music stays a high quality one. For the more authentic Silk Road one can always buy The Silk Road: A Musical Caravan.

Excelent!!!.......2006-01-15

One of the best concerts I attended in my life (so far... :-)...)

One of the Best !.......2005-12-06

This album has captured the soul of the Silkroad. There is not a single track in this album I don't like. I've been listening to it over and over and over again since I first got it. I think it's much better than the first one.

Average customer rating: Two tracks I really like Quantity Over Quality Mediocre One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Pretty close to original recordings

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: All-Time Top 100 TV Themes TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes NBC: A Soundtrack of Must See TV Best of TV Quiz & Game Show Themes ASIN: B00005Y49F Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

1. The A-Team - Nic Raine
2. The Addams Family - Nic Raine
3. The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
4. Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
5. The Avengers - Mike Townend
6. Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
7. Batman - Nic Raine
8. Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
9. Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
10. Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
11. Bewitched - Nic Raine
12. Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
13. The Bill - Nic Raine
14. Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
16. Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
17. Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
18. Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
19. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
20. Casualty - Mark Ayres
21. Cheers - Mark Ayres
22. Dallas - Nic Raine
23. Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
24. Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
25. Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

1. Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
2. Dynasty - Nic Raine
3. The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
4. Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
5. Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
6. The Fugitive - Nic Raine
7. Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
9. The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
10. Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
11. Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
12. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
13. The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
14. Jason King - Mike Townend
15. Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
16. Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
17. Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
18. Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
19. Kojak - Mike Townend
20. L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
21. Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
22. Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
23. Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
24. Lost In Space - Nic Raine
25. Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

1. Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
2. A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
4. M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
5. Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
6. Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
7. Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
8. Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
9. The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
10. Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
11. Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
12. North And South - Derek Wadsworth
13. Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
14. NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
15. The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
16. Perry Mason - Mike Townend
17. The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
18. Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
19. Police Squad - Nic Raine
20. The Prisoner - Mike Townend
21. Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
22. Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
23. Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
24. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
25. Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

1. The Saint - Mike Townend
2. Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
3. Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
4. Star Trek - Mike Townend
5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
6. Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
7. St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
8. The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
9. Stingray - Barry Gray
10. Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
11. Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
12. Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
13. The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
14. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
16. Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
17. U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
18. The Virginian - Nic Raine
19. Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
20. Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
21. The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
22. The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
23. Young Riders - John Debney
24. Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
25. The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Two tracks I really like.......2007-07-21

The Mission Impossible theme is performed well.
The Fireball theme is actually much improved on this version. I prefer the orchestra and the vocals over the original.

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Average customer rating: Sabla Tolo: journeys into Pure egyptian percussion Great percussionist, great CD Awesome!! WOW! wonderful!

Sabla Tolo: Journeys into Pure Egyptian Percussion Hossam Ramzy Manufacturer: Arc Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Immortal Egypt Sabla Tolo, Vol. 2: Further Journeys into Pure Egyptian Percussion Bellydance Superstars Tribal Fusion - Yoga Isolations & Drills for Bellydance Hayati : Best of Egyptian Belly Dance Music ASIN: B00004TRU5 Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

1. Naima's Hip
2. Taheyya's Anke
3. Serena's Step
4. Desert Princess
5. Katie's Cheeky Playfulness
6. Samya's Solo
7. Brazilian Pearls
8. Rough Or Cool?
9. Lucy, The Magnificent
10. The Coy, Spoiled One
11. We Baadin Ommaal
12. The Djinni
13. How Odd

Amazon.com

If you think belly-dancing music is simple, this CD from Cairo-born percussionist Hossam Ramzy, the leader of Pharaoh's Egyptian Ensemble (he also toured with Robert Plant and Debbie Harry), will correct that assumption. Ramzy is a master of the darbouka, the Egyptian version of the tabla; the title of this CD is actually an inverted play on words for "solo tabla." It contains about 45 minutes of intricate and ingenious pre-Islamic, Arabic, and world-beat-influenced solos and rhythms. With other percussion instruments supporting the darbouka, Ramzy creates a fresh, fertile crescent of sound stretching from the Nile to the Middle East, Morocco, and beyond. The track "Brazilian Pearls" features samba-fied grooves thrown in for good measure. An informative booklet details the rhythms of these Saharan syncopations, from "West Naima (Naima's Hip)" to "Samya's Solo." With stealth and skill, Hossam Ramzy shows us the legacy of his land through the belly dancer's hypnotic hips. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Sabla Tolo: journeys into Pure egyptian percussion.......2007-03-15

cant explain it!!! this is a great CD, i listen to it all the time, cleaning my home, driving in the car, every where, the beats pull you in and can help but to shimmy or do some hip drops w. the music!!! it's awesome!

Great percussionist, great CD.......2007-02-04

I am an unconditional fan of expert percussive playing, and Hossam Ramzy (along with Sayed Balaha amongst others) fits the bill.
If you're new to this type of music, please, indulge your ears with these sounds.
But first, push the furniture to the edges of the room, as the next thing you'll know, you'll be dancing around the room to your hearts content, riding on the rhythms!

Awesome!!.......2007-01-10

If you're a bellydancer, this CD is GREAT for practicing shimmy's. It's constantly upbeat & all percussion. You can follow along w/ your zils/finger cymbals pretty easily as well. All in all I thinks it's perfect for my practice sessions. :)

WOW! .......2007-01-04

This music is fabulous! If you don't know how to belly dance before you hear the music, you can't help but get up and learn when you do hear the music. It is almost hypnotic the way the drums beat their rythm. I definitely recommend this CD to anyone who likes exotic music.

wonderful!.......2006-11-05

I bought this for my step-daughter who belly dances and she uses it a lot.

Average customer rating: Definitely Music to Code By A New Wave of New Age Jackpot! The magnificent debut of 'Australis' A genius in New Age Music

Lifegiving Australis Manufacturer: Independent Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: From the Sky A Day Like No Other Everlasting Worlds Apart Tempting the Muse ASIN: B0009N4O3M Release Date: 2005-05-05

Tracks:

1. Lifegiving
2. Conciliation
3. Turning Point
4. The Sound of Hope
5. Fire Tamer
6. Forbidden Scents
7. The Enchantment
8. Between the Sun and the Moon
9. Barren Lands
10. Sacred Earth

Customer Reviews:

Definitely Music to Code By.......2007-07-17

I've always felt like, the best music is the kind that truly moves me without saying a single word. Music that gets me toe-tapping and head-nodding almost reflexively. Lifegiving is one such album.

The entire album sounds like it tells a story. One of my favorite tracks is the upbeat "Fire Tamer", which totally sounds like a slightly futuristic new-agey James Bond movie theme song, LOL!

My other favorite track is the breathtaking "Between the Sun and the Moon"... The woodwinds (or violin) in it are just marvelous. As a software developer I don't want to be distracted by words, or too much chanting... just give me some smooth crystal melodies to complement my "Flow" (all you other software developers know what I am talking about). Lifegiving is really music by which you can code and get work done.

Now for the not-so-great (my reasons for giving it 4 stars instead of 5). After several days of listening, I found that too many of the tracks used the same set of instruments at same timbre and pitch. A little overuse of the piano. There weren't (to me) enough "exotic" instruments. And also, there weren't enough tracks that made me go "wow".

Ok I'll tell the truth: I rarely give 5 stars :) This is simply a great album and would make a good addition to any New Age collection. I especially recommend it to people who are still new to the genre.

A New Wave of New Age.......2007-06-09

The hauntingly beautiful music of Australis caught my ear over and over on the various outlets. So, I purchased the CD and found a great new array of what seems to be a New Wave of New Age music. Similar to Amethystium or perhaps Ryan Farish but holding their own. I really enjoy this CD alot and would recommend it to all who are currently turned on by this fascinating new wave of new age. P.S. This is great driving or traveling music!

Jackpot!.......2007-02-23

I received an e-mail one day featuring Australis' latest CD. I have never heard of the artist; therefore, I decided to listen to it on Amazon. Much to my suprise, and after listening to 5 songs, I was convinced that Australis has alot to offer. The music is very relaxing, and very charistmatic.

The magnificent debut of 'Australis'.......2006-02-04

I am a big fan of New Age music and the genre in a big way and I am always looking to listen to new artists from this genre. I came across 'Australis' in a music search and decided to take a punt and purchased this album. I didn't know what to expect so having listened to this album 3 times already. I can say I am pleasantly surprised. This album was released midway through 2005 and the album is New Age with a ambient feel to it. Another great thing about this album is the artwork that shows the care and feeling that went into the production of this beautiful set of work. The front cover is of a butterfly on sanded back paper. The insides of the album on the left hand side is a Mayan symbol (mayan calender).

The music is performed and composed by a lone artist who goes by the name 'Australis'. There are 10 tracks to this album and everyone of the songs is well worth the listen. New Age fans will fall in love with the sensuous and ambient rhythms of this album and each song is a enigma unto itself. The first song is the album namesake 'Lifegiving' - that sets the tone and style of the rest of the album release. The best 2 songs of the album are 'Turning Point' that opens with a bravado of piano skill and 'The Sound of Hope' which brings together a soothing and hopeful sound with flutes, synths and keyboards.

But as I have said, all the songs are well worth a listen and the final song 'Sacred Earth' is a fine ending to what I hope to be Australis' first of several albums. This artist has the brilliant touches of Enigma's Michael Cretu and the flair of Era's Eric Levi. I look forward to more musical masterpieces from 'Australis'.

A genius in New Age Music.......2005-07-16

The first time I heard the song "Between the sun and the moon" I fell in love with it. Australis is a genius in new age music. All of his songs are great to listen to. The songs seem to have a very different yet extremely good beat and melody. You can almost feel your head nodding! I thank God I stumbled upon this album where its so rare to find excellent new age music knowing how easy it is to be carried when people listen exclusively to the most popular new age musicians and discard the rest. You should NOT discard this, its the BEST.

Average customer rating: journey...

Journeys of a Dervish Mercan Dede Manufacturer: Golden Horn Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music Turkey | Middle East | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sufi Dreams Sufi Traveler Su 3 Mystical Garden ASIN: B00000JGYB Release Date: 1999-07-27

Tracks:

1. Journeys of a Dervish
2. Healing Prayer
3. Fire Drums
4. Masnawi
5. Remember the Loveliness
6. Water Ceremony
7. Sunrise Zikr
8. Baraka

Customer Reviews:

journey..........2000-11-26

it is really a journey to somewhere mystical... a journey to somewhere deep inside of your heart... close your eyes, let the music get into your body from your ears first... than from all other senses... let it surround your mind... and, finally, let it reach to your heart!!. let mercan dede help you to see what is inside of you heart...

Average customer rating: Two Journeys "Celebration of a Shared Heritage" A Trip Worth Taking

Two Journeys Tim O'Brien Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Crossing Fiddler's Green Traveler Red on Blonde Cornbread Nation ASIN: B000068UQP Release Date: 2002-07-09

Tracks:

1. Turning Around
2. Mic Ryan's Lament
3. For The Fallen
4. Paddy Fahey's/Garret Barry's/The Cliffs Of Moher
5. The Apple Press/The Apple Cart
6. Demon Lover
7. The Holy Well
8. Me And Dick's Trip To Ireland
9. The Lancer's Jig/Gusty's Frolicks
10. What Does The Deep Sea Say?
11. Two Journeys
12. The Tide Flows Into Miltown
13. Pear Tree/Muddy Roads/Ladies' Pantelettes
14. Norwegian Wood

Customer Reviews:

Two Journeys.......2003-10-24

Like a lot of us in recent years, Tim O'Brien got to be curious about his Irish heritage. And, being a musician, he got the opportunity to explore his heritage in tunes, melding the bluegrass he's been playing for years with the distincitive sounds of Ireland.

The two styles aren't wildly separate, but there's enough between them to make it pleasing to hear them together. From the slow philosophy of "Turning Around" to the playfulness of "Me & Dick's Trip to Ireland," from the antiquity of a ballad like "The Demon Lover" to a stirring new number like "The Holy Well," this album bridges the gaps and makes art out of the finished product.

Only in America could this sound have been created. But only in Ireland could it have been conceived. This is an album recommended for a broad spectrum of listeners, and maybe, just maybe, it will get fans of one kind of music to listen to another. One can only hope.

"Celebration of a Shared Heritage".......2002-10-15

This album picks up where 1999's The Crossing left off, with Tim O'Brien exploring his Celtic roots and melding it with the Appalachian and bluegrass music he's been making for the past quarter century. The album contains a mix of mostly original and traditional tunes, including a gorgeous reading of Lennon-McCartney's "Norwegian Wood"--the sitar being replaced by whistle, pipes and fiddle.

O'Brien has a stellar group of musicians, including Paul Brady, Kevin Burke, Paddy Keenan, Triona Dhomhnaill and Darrell Scott. [Note: O'Brien recorded a duet album, Real Time, with Scott in 2000 that is also well worth seeking out.]

In his liner notes, O'Brien says, "This recording represents an ongoing celebration of the shared heritage between the USA and Ireland." And what a joyful celebration it is. O'Brien has been making fine music since his days with Hot Rize and deserves to be heard by a wider audience. [O'Brien now records on his own small, independent label--check him out at www.howdyskies.com] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A Trip Worth Taking.......2002-08-06

To me, there is no greater musical talent than writing a good tune. And Tim O'Brien writes great ones. I'd tell you it's his finest talent, but the boy can sing and the boy can play! On Two Journeys, O'Brien continues his efforts towards Irish folk influenced songs and combines his own tunes with some classic Irish songs pulled from his bluegrass repetoir, the standout being "Demon Lover", often called "The House Carpenter". What makes this a truly unique CD for me is O'Brien's mandolin which adds something new, not to mention achingly beautiful, to the Irish folk sound.

If you're a fan of Irish folk or Tim O'Brien, this CD will offer you something that is both refreshing and familiar.

Average customer rating: Addicted!! :) If Sabla Tolo (1) didn't exist Sabla Tolo 2 would get 4 Stars

Sabla Tolo, Vol. 2: Further Journeys into Pure Egyptian Percussion Hossam Ramzy Manufacturer: Arc Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sabla Tolo: Journeys into Pure Egyptian Percussion Rhythms of the Nile Immortal Egypt The Best of Baladi and Saaidi The Heartbeat of Bellydance: Rhythms & Belly Dance combinations for Drum Solos ASIN: B00009MGRB Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

1. Wana Be-ied Annak (When I am not Near You)
2. Harrira & Basboosa
3. My Brazilian Pearl
4. El Esma Wel Ma-soom (Our Fate)
5. Amar El Sahara (The Moon of the Sahara)
6. Wady Samba Ala El Malfuf (Samba over Malfuf)
7. Halloween
8. Oyoun El Fallaha (The Eyes of a Fallaha)
9. Ya Gama-a (Calling all the Group)
10. Hawary Al Qahira (The Back Streets of Cairo)
11. La' Bel Hadawa (No, Cool and Gently, Please)
12. Ya Sha-eyya (You Naughty, Playful Girl)
13. Rakataka

Customer Reviews:

Addicted!! :).......2006-04-20

I love this CD! Haven't bought the first one yet, but I'm sure it's just as great if not better. I've had this one for over two years and never get tired of it. Great percussion. Highly recommended. It will definitely make you move!

If Sabla Tolo (1) didn't exist Sabla Tolo 2 would get 4 Stars.......2006-02-22

Definitely 3-4 stars, but Sabla Tolo #1 is much better. That's a 5-star percussion CD with great Dumbek playing (and other percussion). See my review on Sabla Tolo. Better yet, just buy Sabla Tolo #1 -- you won't be disappointed: whether you like percussion in general, the dumbek specifically, or like to bellydance.

Average customer rating:

Globe Trekker: Asian Journeys Various Artists Manufacturer: Pilot Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Globe Trekker: Latin America Globe Trekker: Earth Journeys Vol. 2 Globe Trekker Volume 1 Globe Trekker Vol. 2 Globe Trekker - Italy ASIN: B00096S476 Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

1. Hong Kong Hustle
2. Halong Calling
3. Bangkok Bells
4. Violin Blues
5. Bac Ha Girl
6. Passage to Bali
7. Porters Chant
8. Gunung Batur
9. Long Horn Miao
10. Lost Trackers
11. Goodbye Rautetayo
12. Kimbu Flute Song
13. Stand Up
14. Chilled Temple
15. Shamisen
16. Hair Dance

Product Description

Includes music from the popular series Globe Trekker which airs on PBS and the Travel Channel. The music is taken from the episodes of Tokyo City guide, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Bali and Sulawesi, South West China, Vietnam and the Beijing City Guide.

Average customer rating: oldie but goody Awesome CD for any Paul Oakenfold Fan It's the best-for all time! Still a solid intro Decent*but* Unspectacular

Journeys by Stadium DJ Paul Oakenfold Manufacturer: Moonshine Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Journeys by DJ Fluoro - Mixed By Paul Oakenfold [IMPORT] ASIN: B000005Q9O Release Date: 1994-07-22

Tracks:

1. Extasia - EXTASIA
2. Wow! Mr. Yogi - Overlords
3. Lemon - U2
4. Just Let It Go - PETRA & CO.
5. Hablando - Ramirez
6. Body Baby - Global
7. Now - CYB
8. Not Over Yet - State Of Grace
9. I Can't Take Your Love - B REAL
10. Timeless Land - Yothu Yindi
11. The Snake - Opal
12. Dreams - Quench
13. Little Bullet - Spooky
14. Possible Worlds - The Shamen
15. LSD - Hallucinogen

Customer Reviews:

oldie but goody.......2003-03-23

this disc is a prime example of why hes still one of the most popular DJs of our time. for some reason this disc is close to my heart. its a bit difficult to go to a store and ask for this item, at least where i live. if you like Paul dont hesitate to pick this one up. a classic indeed!!!!!!

Awesome CD for any Paul Oakenfold Fan.......2002-08-15

Perfect, Awesome, Brilliant, Only One like it, What do I have more to say.
This was my last CD of Oakenfold to my collection and I really love it.
I have all CDs os Oakenfold and this is one of my favorites including the JDJ Vol.5, and the JDJ Marathon.
Good Luck
Hildely

It's the best-for all time!.......2001-11-25

If you have to get just one album by Paul Pakenfold then get this one.Of all his remixes and albums this is right up there with Traveling as the very creme de la creme;it has all the most original songs as well as some that are still being played all over even though this cd is 7 years old already.The best are Dreams by Quench,Little Bullet by Spooky and of course Not Over Yet by State of Grace which is woven into the beginning and ending of each set.I first heard Not Over Yet in 97 when it started getting airplay in my area;I am in love with this song and Paul Oakenfold's music. (...)

Still a solid intro.......2001-06-16

This DJ mix disc is already 7 odd years old, but it's still a solid listen and will get you moving. Has some great tracks, including the fantastic Perfecto remix of U2's "Lemon", as well as "The Snake" by Opal and tracks from the Shamen and Grace. Definitely worth picking up, though this is either out of print or much more limited now, having been bumped aside for the rash of Oakenfold releases of late.

Decent*but* Unspectacular.......1998-12-30

Some fine tracks, some relatively dull ones, but lacking those few signature moments which, if live, would send you to that golden ball of honey deep inside where all is bliss.

*et que tout ait un nom nouveau*

Meditation Music:

1. Laughter at Dawn
2. Love Always Listens
3. Magnum Mysterium, Vol. 1: Sacred Music
4. Marta's Song [CD-single]
5. Marta's Song [CD-single]
6. Miramar Ten
7. Modern Mandolin Quartet
8. Moment by Moment
9. Month in the Brazilian Rainforest: Dawn Chorus
10. Month in the Brazilian Rainforest: Jungle Journey

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

United Souls [Import]

Clas Pehrsson

Catching Up With The Past

Music: Creatures of Prometheus

Color of Night [Soundtrack]

Check Yo Self [EP]

Behind the Sun [Import] [Limited Edition]

Check Your Head

Cores Do Brasil, Vol. 4: Samba Com Jazz [Import]

Borodin: String Quartet No2; Shostakovich: String Quartet No 3 Op73

Chotto Matte a Moment

Cancoes Dentro Da Noite Escura [Import]

Bass Is Loaded [Explicit Lyrics]

Lead Vocalist

Root Down