Spirit Rain

Spirit Rain

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
On Spirit Rain, Bill Miller's 11th album, the Mohican-German singer-songwriter pulls together various pieces to provide a solid overview of who he is and what he's capable of. Miller's themes of spirituality reveal the mind of a deep thinker, but he also covers more earthly issues such as family, the environment, and love. His most telling moment comes on a rough-and-tumble blues tune called "Face the Blues." Here, the 47-year-old Miller (who's had some rough patches in his life) starkly sums up his philosophy--it's better to take life's lumps than to walk away from them. Mostly backed by a small band of friends, Miller's yearning voice and folksy acoustic guitar bring these stories to life. It's his well-crafted songwriting, however, which incorporates folk, blues, rock, and traditional Native American music in various degrees, that makes each of the 14 songs stand on their own, even as they combine to give the album a cohesive identity. This is a fine follow-up to 1999's award-winning Ghostdance. --Tad Hendrickson

Tracks:

Waterfall
Path of the Jaguar
Sunbeams
The Hidden Temple
Two Rivers
Sanctuary
Heartbeat of the Forest
Shaman's Grove
Rainshower

Album Description

Journey deep into the heart of nature as the rhythms of life become an atmospheric musical tribute to the breathtaking beauty of the rainforest. Best-selling New Age artist David Arkenstone immerses you into another exotic soundscape, featuring authentic native instrumentation and keyboards.

Customer Reviews:

a soothing and relaxing CD.......2005-09-15

This CD is great. It helps my child sleep at rest time and at bedtime. I also use it at rest time at my day care center for the children.

Spirit or Spirits not much difference.......2005-04-26

I could not tell much difference between Spirit Of The Rainforest and Spirits of the Rainforest. Different packaging, different song titles, different time lengths on the songs, but basically the same music on both. Both have Diane and David, but both are put out on different labels. I love Spirits, which is why I bought Spirit of the Rainforest. I thought it might be a little more different than it is. Either one is fine and the other is not necessary unless you are an avid fan and want to see the difference.

Average customer rating:

Let It Rain
Geron Davis & Kindred Spirit
Manufacturer: Vital Communications
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Amen

ASIN: B00009VU1O
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

Let It Rain
There's a Light On
Flow
Fill the Air
Go
Nothing But the Blood
Evermore
Freedom
Undenying Love
Don't Be Afraid
Holy Ground

Average customer rating:

Spirit of the Healing Waters
Shockey
Manufacturer: Digital Sound Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001O23LY
Release Date: 2004-03-01

Tracks:

Seashore Drive
Quiet Waters
Ocean Rhapsody
Karen's Song
Indian Springs
Mediterranean Shore
Dream Essence

Album Description

Spirit of the Healing Waters - On the edge of the earth where the land meets the sea, we can embrace the power of the healing waters. And from a hidden source that pours up through the surface of the land - from the bellows below - bringing forth nourishment of minerals and other healing properties for those who drink and bath. Water is the purity and nourishment that covers three quarters of this earth. It is the grace and presence, the power of the origin - as it said that life itself originated in the seas. Even the Romans understood the power of the healing waters from deep within the mountains, long before the era of wellness and beauty. Because the people were unable to understand the effects of the thermal water, it was long said to have mystic powers.

The Spirit Cries: Music Of The Rain Forests Of South America & The Caribbean

Average customer rating:

An Excellent CD
The voices of our planet
The music is haunting, accessible, and soulful.

The Spirit Cries: Music Of The Rain Forests Of South America & The Caribbean
Garifuna , Ashaninka , Aluku , and Wayana
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Sound Effects | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Environmental | New Age | Styles | Music

Sound Effects | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Environmental | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Music For The Gods: The Fahnestock South Sea Expedition, Indonesia
Smithsonian Folkways World Music Collection
L. H. Correa De Azevedo: Music Of Ceara And Minas Gerais
Sarangi: The Music of India
Mbuti Pygmies of Ituri Rainforest

ASIN: B0000009ON
Release Date: 1993-03-02

Tracks:

Music Of The Garifuna: Abelagudahani
Music Of The Garifuna: Grating Song
Music Of The Garifuna: Abaimahani
Music Of The Garifuna: Abaimahani
Music Of The Garifuna: Abaimahani
Music Of The Garifuna: Arumahani
Music Of The Garifuna: Paranda
Music Of The Garifuna: Combination
Music Of The Garifuna: Punta
Music Of The Garifuna: Dugu Song
Music Of The Choco Indians: Healing Song
Music Of The Shipibo And Ashaninka: Shipibo Song
Music Of The Shipibo And Ashaninka: Ashaninka Songs
Music Of The Aluku: Aleke
Music Of The Aluku: Songe
Music Of The Aluku: Lonsei
Music Of The Aluku: Mato
Music Of The Aluku: Mato
Music Of The Aluku: Awasa
Music Of The Aluku: Kumanti
Music Of The Aluku: Kumanti
Music Of The Aluku: Agwado Song
Music Of The Aluku: Susa
Music Of The Wayana: Dance Song
Music Of The Wayana: Love Song
Music Of The Jamaican Moroons: Papa
Music Of The Jamaican Moroons: Tambu

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent CD.......2002-01-08

This CD, part of the Library of Congress' Endangered Music Project, is one of the greatest wolrd music CDs anyone could get their hands on. I strongly recommend this CD to anyone interested in the Native Americans of Latin America, or the traditional African-American music of that region.
The music includes songs from the Garifuna ("Black Caribs" of Belize), Choco Indians of Panama and Colombia, Shipibo of Peru, Ashaninka of Peru, Aluku of French Guiana, Wayana of Suriname and Maroons of Jamaica. Quite a diversity of cultures, ranging from Native Americans to the free descendants of African slaves brought over by the colonists. However, all these cultures have similar, and yet distinctly different, musical stylings.
Almost all the music on this CD is "traditional", or at least in the sense that the influence from western culture is minimal to no-existant, so it will please purists. Alot of it cosists of drumming, especially with the Aluku and Maroons, who were influenced heavily by the African music of their ancestors. However, some of the more interesting songs on here include a shamanic healing song and a Garifuna grating song! This is a great CD. I've had mine for over a year and still listen to it frequently.
Anyone interested in anthropology, musical history or Native American/Afro-Carribean culture should definately own a copy. Trust me you'll love it.

The voices of our planet.......2000-04-30

The depth of feeling and pure musical emotion on this cd is astounding. The musicians and singers on this cd are, for me, the voices who speak from and for our earth. This music isn't played as a concert, it isn't played to make money, it isn't played for any of the reasons that we in 21st Century Western Culture usually equate music with being "about". It is played just to express the core of human emotion and experience.

One of my favorite songs (#11) is performed by a Choco shaman as a way to cure a man's fever. The liner notes say that he shakes a palm frond to exorcise the fever-causing evil spirit out of the man. The palm frond also happens to create a rhythmic sound that comes across beautifully on cd along with the shaman's voice.

There are indeed a couple tracks on here that don't do much for me musically but that doesn't matter. The tracks that I love (which are almost all of them) are well worth the cost of this cd.

The music on this cd is mostly voice and percusssion oriented. Sometimes they are work songs, used to break up the monotony of jobs like grating cassava root. Sometimes they are healing songs, and sometimes they are ceremonial dance songs, etc... They are always important and give us a deeper understanding of the beauty that exists in the ancient way in which humans used to (and sometimes still do) live.

The music is haunting, accessible, and soulful........1999-06-24

Music from indigenous musicians from Peru to Jamaica. The selections are digitally remastered field recordings from the Library of Congress's Archive of Folk Culture. All this music cataloged and preserved, but the people left to fend for their own. Their music speaks for itself. It lingers. It inspires us to remember that we -- the users of earth's resources -- are not the only beings on the planet.

Average customer rating:

From Solo Piano Publications
Very enjoyable

The Story Garden
Thomas Cunningham
Manufacturer: Spirit Rain Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NJWIMQ
Release Date: 2006-12-04

Tracks:

Autumn
Nanette
Clay Moon
Dancing with Maria
Because
Summer Pond
Lady So Fair
Midnight Hesitation
It's a Boy
Somewhere Within
And When She Smiles
Red Pony

Product Description

Intimate stories told in the language of the piano. The Story Garden has a somewhat domestic focus lending rich yet soft shades of color, subtly channeling the composer's far and wide wandering spirit.

Customer Reviews:

From Solo Piano Publications.......2007-03-30

"The Story Garden" is the follow-up to Thomas Cunningham's 1998 release, "The Exiled Heart." The twelve original piano solos are varied in style and approach - some quiet and gentle while others are bigger, bolder, and occasionally discordant to add some spice to the mix. Most of the themes involve family and other loved ones, so the music is personal and heartfelt without becoming overly sentimental. A self-taught pianist, Cunningham has impressive playing chops that express his stories well. Quite a bit of the music sounds somewhat improvised, making the "stories" fresh and new.

"The Story Garden" opens with "Autumn," a colorful piece that conveys the many changing moods of the fall. Sudden bursts of energy are followed with flowing rubato lines that are tinged with a feeling of mystery. Many themes are woven together to create a fascinating portrait of the season. "Nanette" is a graceful musical depiction of the composer's wife that again expresses a variety of moods from gentle to quite turbulent - "Nanette" is no shrinking violet! "Clay Moon" is full of playful innocence and could be a sweet lullaby for a little one. Sections have a music box quality that is light and carefree. "Summer Pond" is peaceful with a gentle sparkle that suggests light dancing on water. Ponds tend to be full of life during the summer, and some of the more energetic themes suggest this - a very evocative piece. One of my favorites is "It's A Boy." Buoyant and spilling over with joy, it's a delight for the ears. I also really like "Somewhere Within," which is reflective and a bit darker, moving along on a changing rhythmic pattern. "And When She Smiles" is a more structured love song - passionate yet tender. The closing track, "Red Pony," returns to childlike innocence and wonder - a lovely finish to a fascinating musical journey. Recommended for those who enjoy solo piano with some complexity, not just simple "pretty," melodies to fall asleep to.

Very enjoyable.......2007-03-18

Tom composes piano music from his heart and every song has a different melodic theme that stays with you after you listen to the CD. I have even heard my husband humming some of the melodies, one of his favorites being "Lady So Fair." Tom is a friend and I know what a passion he has for the piano and for creating beautiful music. He works very hard and one of the amazing things is that he trained himself and doesn't write anything down. He plays from memory. Two of my favorites on this CD (his second) are "Autumn" and "Red Pony." One can close his/her eyes and imagine a beautiful wooded area in the fall and the nature that takes place during this magnificent season. "Red Pony" has a lighter feel. Very relaxing and calming music, but also thought-provoking as you listen for the melodies he incorporates into each piece. I highly recommend this CD for those who love to listen to piano and appreciate the beautiful music it can give us.

Average customer rating:

PRAYERscapes: Spirit Rain
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Butterfly (Navarre)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Piano In The Rain
Gentle Rain

Average customer rating:

Earth Ambience: Rain

Manufacturer: Second Sunset
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00007LB2F
Release Date: 2002-11-23

Tracks:

Float
Piano Meditations
Calm Space
Ghosts from the Past
Candlelight and Cabernet
Sofia
Rest
Piano Improvisations #3
Interlude
Private Spaces
Gray Skies
In the Company of Friends
Grounding
Piano Improvisations #2
Korimar

Album Description

Blending sounds of Rainfall with beautiful ambient music (piano, wooden flute, etherial textures, etc) "Rain" is crafted for stress reduction and renewal of spirit - an ideal background for massage, other wellness practices, or just personal relaxation.

Average customer rating:

Call the Rain
Spirit Creek
Manufacturer: EMO Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAEV8U
Release Date: 2003-07-15

Tracks:

Call the Rain
Is There Someone out There
Why Ask Why
...and Together
Never Close Your Eyes

Average customer rating:

A FANTASTIC RECORDING
Fantastic Avant Garde!

Rorem: Organ Works

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000006WZ
Release Date: 1992-12-11

Tracks:

A Quaker Reader: First-Day Thoughts
A Quaker Reader: Mary Dyer Did Hand As A Flag...
A Quaker Reader: Evidence Of Things Not Seen
A Quaker Reader: There Is A Spirit That Delights To Do No Evil
A Quaker Reader: The World Of Silence
A Quaker Reader: Bewitching Attire Of The Most Charming Simplicity...
A Quaker Reader: A Secret Power
A Quaker Reader: No Darkness At All...
A Quaker Reader: One Sigh Rightly Begotten
A Quaker Reader: Return Home To Within
A Quaker Reader: Ocean Of Light
Views From The Oldest House: Sunrise On Sunset Hill
Views From The Oldest House: Elms
Views From The Oldest House: The Nest In Old North Church
Views From The Oldest House: Spires
Views From The Oldest House: Rain Over The Quaker Graveyard
Views From The Oldest House: Sunday Night

Customer Reviews:

A FANTASTIC RECORDING.......2005-07-02

Top notch music played impeccably by one of the 20th century's greatest organists. Highly recommended to add to your Rorem collection, or as an introduction.

I would have to disagree with another reviewer who finds "Views from the Oldest House" inferior. It's just different. Unless slightly more accessible is inferior.

I would have to agree that the organ isn't all that satisfying. It's rather brittle to the point of not musical, in addition to what the other reviewer said. However, it certainly has clarity, if you want to study the score, and certainly Crozier does a good job overcoming the instrument's restraints.

I also would give the recording five stars, except for the organ. Five stars for the performance, though!

Fantastic Avant Garde!.......2004-03-08

This CD is such a delight!

Ned Rorem is one of America's foremost contemporary classical composers. This compact disc displays his most spiritual and mystical work: "A Quaker Reader," wich teaches us great lessons in the Anglo-American spirituality of the Quakers. The music though is not in Quaker style. It's in Ned Rorem style, that is to say a great and ellaborate world of sounds, simplistic as well as highly complex. Titles such as: "A Secret Power" and "Mary Dyer did hang as a flag" reveal to us that Rorem had something diffrent to tell than most other composers.
The latter is a very strange piece of music wich tells the story of a Quaker who is hung on the gallows. The tundering reverbs in the pedals illustrate the spastic shaking of the feet of Mary Dyer (what an idea!).

The second work that can be heard is "Views from the Eldest house". Though somewhat inferior in comparison to "A Quaker Reader", it are some nice paintings of the setting of the rural American country life.

Catherine Crozier has a great and almost perfect way of performing. Every note is hit with an exact ammount of precision. Although Crozier has long passed her seventies, she plays like a bazooka! There's not a passage that's to agressive for her, nor a passage where she laks in overall balance.

It would have rated this CD with 5 stars if it weren't for the lousy organ itself. The music gets much to flat, crushing the entire imagination of the listener. Sounds drown in themselves and other chords, chamades are to much on the foreground and don't even get me started about the Pedal-organ! it is way to soft to compete with the music on the manuals (no 32's!).