Visionary: The Ultimate Narada Collection

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone cites Yes, Sibelius, and even author J.R.R. Tolkien as influences on his approach to composing, and evidence of their impact is apparent throughout this two-disc retrospective of Arkenstone's output from 1987 to 2000 for the Narada label. Using tracks selected from nine releases (plus a pair of label collections), this two-hour compilation showcases an imaginative artist who typically works the softer side of the progressive spectrum, at times leaning too heavily on dollops of sweetness or wispy ethnic flourishes when a harder edge would be more compelling. Even so, numerous tracks here reaffirm Arkenstone's ability to craft arresting, made-for-headphones soundscapes: the rhythmic, enveloping glow of "The Magic Forest"; the sonic aurora exuded by "Ancient Legend"; the violin-fueled Middle Eastern tempest of "Inshallah"; the uplifting insistence of "The Southern Cross." Kudos are also due Arkenstone's longtime drummer and brother Dan Chase for his inventive input on many tracks. --Terry Wood

Visionary: The Ultimate Narada Collection,David Arkenstone,David Arkenstone,Narada,Adult Alternative,Ambient,Contemporary Instrumental,Film Music,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Progressive Electronic

Tracks:

Papillon
The Magic Forest
Night Wind
City In The Clouds
The Great Wall
Under The Canopy
A Thousand Small Gold Bells
Heartfire
Dark Dunes
Redezvous
The North Wind
Ride Into Midnight

Tracks:

The Journey Begins
Chosen Voices
Ballet
Ancient Legend
Inshallah
Trail Of Tears
Voices Of The Anasazi
Another Star In The Sky
Dance In The Desert
The Temple Of Vaal
Valley In The Clouds
Desert Ride
The Southern Cross

Amazon.com

Keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone cites Yes, Sibelius, and even author J.R.R. Tolkien as influences on his approach to composing, and evidence of their impact is apparent throughout this two-disc retrospective of Arkenstone's output from 1987 to 2000 for the Narada label. Using tracks selected from nine releases (plus a pair of label collections), this two-hour compilation showcases an imaginative artist who typically works the softer side of the progressive spectrum, at times leaning too heavily on dollops of sweetness or wispy ethnic flourishes when a harder edge would be more compelling. Even so, numerous tracks here reaffirm Arkenstone's ability to craft arresting, made-for-headphones soundscapes: the rhythmic, enveloping glow of "The Magic Forest"; the sonic aurora exuded by "Ancient Legend"; the violin-fueled Middle Eastern tempest of "Inshallah"; the uplifting insistence of "The Southern Cross." Kudos are also due Arkenstone's longtime drummer and brother Dan Chase for his inventive input on many tracks. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Love his music.......2007-04-17

This man and his music are simply
wonderful. Just pick any song
of his and listen--and you will
be moved. Fantastic music.
I highly recommend him.

Better Than "The Best of... ".......2006-03-28

This is David Arkenstone. My first Arkenstone was "Valley in the Clouds", which is still good even if a little dated. I loved "In the Wake of the Wind", and, while I panned "Caravan of Light", I am still an Arkenstone fan.

"Visionary" is a "best of" compilation type of album. But its two disks are a true "vision" of what David Arkenstone really is, IF you can forgive the obvious cherry picking of tracks designed to get you to buy his other efforts. Be careful about that, listen first if you can, and read the reviews!

"Visionary" is much better even than Arkenstone's own "Best of..." which is currently out. It approaches (but does not quite reach) "The Best of Chris Spheeris, 1990-2000", as a best of compilation. If it was possible to go through every one of his works, and pick the three best tracks from each (opinions obviously will always vary about which tracks are truly the "best") to put on a compilation, "Visionary" has come as close as it is possible to do just that!

"Visionary" is highly recommended by this 19-year Arkenstone vet.

Enter the World of David Arkenstone.......2003-10-26

If it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then it's equally true that artistry is in the ear of the listener. The new age stylings of multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, guitar, flute, cello, et. al.) David Arkenstone can be at times, majestic and haunting and, yes, even playful--but always magical. This two hour-plus collection of his work (which surplants 1993's CHRONICLES and duplicates seven of that collection's tracks) is a wonderful introduction into one of the genre's most powerful performers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

disappointing.......2002-09-01

Loved his Middle Earth CD. This two cd set of 25 tracks only had one that I enjoyed. Too pop rock and not enough zen sanctuary.

GREAT COLLECTION OF DAVID'S BEST................2002-02-26

THIS IS A VERY GOOD COLLECTION OF DAVID'S MUSIC. IT IS ESPECALLY
NICE TO HAVE IF YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED IN NEW AGE MUSIC.
WITH THIS COLLECTION YOU GET SOME OF THE BEST FROM THE MASTER.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD ALONG WITH ALL HIS OTHER CDS, ESPECIALLY MUSIC FROM MIDDLE EARTH. HE SHOULD HAVE DONE THE SOUNDTRACK TO THE FELLOWSHIP IF THE RINGS...

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