Acoustic Garden [Limited Edition] [Special Edition]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
About five years ago, the duo of Tingstad & Rumbel dropped the ersatz jazz rhythm section they'd been using and went back to what they did best, evocative and pastoral duets for guitar and oboe. It brought a new freshness to their compositions and playing. With Acoustic Garden, the rhythm section returns, and it conspires again to make their music stiff and metronomic. They bring in several pianists, including David Lanz, to flesh out the harmonic landscape. But they only help on a few tracks, notably Tom Kellock enlivening the Celtic-tinged "Shamrock." Some lovely songs, including Rumbel's arrangement of a Chinese lullaby, "Clear Moon, Quiet Winds," and their co-composed "Prairie Schooner," emerge, but they push through a haze of kudzu, pretty on the surface, but choking the life out of every place it invades. --John Diliberto

Acoustic Garden,Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel,Narada,Chamber Jazz,Neo-Classical,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Acoustic Garden [Limited Edition] [Special Edition]

Earthsongs
Average customer rating:

get the imported version

Wonders from Wonderful Musicians

Sorry I put off buying

Great musical CD

beautiful

Earthsongs
Secret Garden
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Once in a Red Moon

Songs from a Secret Garden

Dreamcatcher

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Dawn of a New Century

Accessories:

The Journey to Wild Divine Biofeedback Software & Hardware for PC & Mac: The Passage

ASIN: B0007GAEVC
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

Sometimes When It Rains
Fields Of Fortune
The Reel
Always There
When Darkness Falls
Sleepsong
Lotus
Searching For The Past
Daughters Of Erin
Half A World Away
Grace
Raise Your Voices

Amazon.com

Earthsongs is a curious title for an album that is unrooted in the firmament and seems far removed from any traditions therein. Instead, the duo of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland make music lost in a gauzy haze of nostalgia and sentimentality. On Earthsongs, they move further from the safely exotic, Celtic-meets-New-Age sound in which they forged their early successes and float down an easy-listening path. Celtic flavors do turn up on a pair of sanitized jigs: "Reel" and "Daughters of Erin," but they have the authenticity of a theme restaurant. Bringing in pop-classical tenor Russell Watson for the maudlin ballad "Always There" doesn't help. With this album, Secret Garden takes a seat in the faux-classical lounge, a room occupied by artists like Percy Faith, Bert Kaempfert, 101 Strings, and other forgotten meisters of orchestral pop who were washed aside by the breaking waves of rock in the early '60s. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

get the imported version.......2007-04-01

Potential buyer should, like so many had said, get the imported version that has "Silence Speaks". In my opinion, "Silence Speaks" and "Searching For The Past" are two of the most beautiful song tracks on this CD (they balance each other well too - being one heavy on violin and the other on keyboard).

Overall, I found this to be a great music CD. Tracks are well balanced between Secret Garden's signature melodies and other, for lack of words, new age styles/fusion(i.e. Celtic). I do wish their future releases include more of their signature melodies though.

Wonders from Wonderful Musicians.......2006-11-27

If you're new to Secret Garden, you'll discover the depths of sensitive creators. If you're not, you won't be disappointed!!! Their sound gets even better with the passing of time!!!

Sorry I put off buying.......2006-09-10

I am a long-time fan of Secret Garden and eagerly awaited the release of this CD. After reading the reviews, though, I was hesitant to spend the money. I just received this CD and I'm sorry I put off buying it for so long. Yes, the music is different from their previous releases, but it shows their growth and willingness to try different things. If you listen to all their albums in order, Earthsongs provides a refreshing change, and you will hear how they have grown over the years. Whether they continue to explore and evolve on the path they have started with Earthsongs, or go back to their previous sound, I will still buy and continue to be a fan. I will always love their music!! (I gave this CD 4 stars because White Stones and Once in a Red Moon are still my favorites)

Great musical CD.......2006-07-01

How can anyone go wrong with Secret Garden? If their music resonates with your soul - this CD continues a legacy and musical tradition. Sleepsong is wonderful (near perfect) and contains the spiritual messages that resonate with my soul which makes Secret Garden truly special.

beautiful.......2006-02-25

I've read other reviews touting the CD as to pat and not up to snuff. I've found it otherwise--the music is varied--not all Celtic, but that is refreshing to me, as are the vocals. Sometimes in this world, some soothing uplifting lyrics are just what the doctor ordered. Some are even hummable! Some of the Celtic instrumentals are toe-tappers and others are haunting. I'll keep buying Secret Garden, despite the naysayersI

Average customer rating:

Music to love to
best band ever
awesome band
Yes.
HIGH SCHOOL ALBUM

Savage Garden
Savage Garden
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Affirmation
Spin
Truly, Madly, Completely- The Best of Savage Garden
The Tension And The Spark
Millennium

ASIN: B000002BUH
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

To The Moon & Back
I Want You
Truly Madly Deeply
Tears Of Pearls
Universe
Carry On Dancing
Violet
Break Me Shake Me
A Thousand Words
Promises
Santa Monica

Amazon.com

As these two boys from Brisbane, Australia, know, it doesn't hurt to be endorsed by Rosie O'Donnell. When the Queen of Nice sang the words to "I Want You" and the praises of the duo behind it, the song catapulted up the charts. Largely ignored by the serious music press, Savage Garden have cultivated a vast fan base on the strength of their music--and airplay--alone. As formulaic as it may appear, the ballad "Truly Madly Deeply" was lodged at No. 1 for week after week for a reason--it's damn catchy and a welcome reprieve from overdone rock ballads. Lead singer Darren Hayes lends the same yearning vocal style to the third--and best--single from the album, "To the Moon & Back," a slice of synth-pop genius that culminates in a dramatic crescendo of strings, courtesy of coleader Daniel Jones. --Rebecca Wallwork

Customer Reviews:

Music to love to.......2007-05-13

Nostalgia got me one afternoon and I had to listen to the songs I use to listen to when I was younger. I used to swoon at the sound of Darren Hayes' voice and suddenly craved that sound again. I'd given my CD to a friend as a gift though, so I had to buy it again. I'm so glad I did.

The debut album of Savage Garden is by far their best. From "I Want You", a great song to dance to, to "Tears of Pearls" a song that may pull on your heart strings. They cover every emotion and pull some new ones from you.

If you haven't heard this CD yet, you need to.

best band ever.......2006-10-03

I love both albums from Savage Garden. They are definitely my favourite group ever. Now I can only listen to their songs. I don't think I could go back to *NSYNC or Backstreet Boys. Savage Garden were always on the radio in Australia (I'm from Australia) and on TV. I think Daniel Jones is so talented (and HOT!!) and Darren Hayes' voice is just so amazing. I love how their songs have a deep meaning and are not just some jingle. My absolute favourite song from this album is "To The Moon And Back" because it's so catchy and my other favourites are "Break Me Shake Me" "I Want You" "Truly Madly Deeply" and "Santa Monica". Put all their albums in your shopping cart NOW!!!

awesome band.......2006-10-03

i think Savage Garden are the best band ever. I would rather listen to them than Backstreet Boys or *NSYNC anyday. Daniel Jones is so hot and can play every instrument imaginable... and Darren Hayes' voice is heaven.

Yes........2006-04-09

Savage Garden is just about the greatest pop band ever, and that's all you need to know. They are a masterpiece.

HIGH SCHOOL ALBUM.......2006-02-02

This band could have been so MEGABIG right now if they hadn't disbanded. The lead singer Darren has a voice that is hauntingly angelic and the songs they sang was a mix of alternative/r&b/pop/rock/dance...such a great group. I bought this CD because I had heard three of their singles and they all were phenomenal. Buy this CD if you must because it is definitely not a bore. It is great for those high school events like the Senior Prom (Truly Madly Deeply and Universe), the Halloween dance (To the Moon and Back, I Want You, Carry On Dancing), and your first date and kiss (Santa Monica), hee-hee.
I miss this group. I wish that they could have stayed together for long because their second album was also a total smash like this one. Something about Darren's vocals, the instruments, their look, the lyrics, and their aura is compelling. Even now that I am older and experienced, I would slip into nostalgia and think about the good ol' days when music wasn't so angry and competitive and recyclable. Buy this CD because it is the debut of the ones that may have influenced Hoobastank, Coldplay, and Maroon 5. Cheerios!

Average customer rating:

Too Few Songs, Too Much Money
Buy it!
Heartbreaking and beautiful
Nice debut record
Cary is amazing!

All The Rage
Cary Brothers
Manufacturer: Procrastination Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Waiting for Your Letter
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ASIN: B0002PU59Y
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Tracks:

Blue Eyes
Something
Supposed To Be
Honestly

Album Description

"All The Rage" is the debut release from LA-based singer/songwriter Cary Brothers. These four tracks, produced by Chad Fischer (Alexi Murdoch), run the gamut from power pop ("Supposed To Be") to acoustic folk ("Honestly"), but they all share one thing in common - as Cary says, "They're all pretty much straight from the heart, whether it's being broken or put back together."

Cary's song "Blue Eyes" is also featured alongside tracks from Coldplay, The Shins, and Simon & Garfunkel on the soundtrack of the Fox Searchlight film GARDEN STATE, starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, and Peter Sarsgaard.

Customer Reviews:

Too Few Songs, Too Much Money .......2006-03-20

I Paid $9 for this CD, and while it is a good cd, there are only 3 songs on it for a total of 14 minutes of listening pleasure. I find this to be a rip off. Do yourself a favor and buy a longer CD for the money.

Buy it!.......2005-09-08

Excellent mini album that includes some music from Scrubs and Garden State. Well worth buying and Cary has another album out this month as well. (If you like this album try Lucky Jim - Our Troubles End Tonight) No need to try before you buy - all 4 songs get 5 stars from me, excellent voice and each song has a different feel to it.

Heartbreaking and beautiful.......2005-08-11

Cary Brothers is an excellent musician and songwriter, and in "All the Rage", he really showcases his talent. I saw him play live in a small indie record store before I even got to hear the EP. I wasn't all that familiar with him but I really like his song, "Blue Eyes" from Garden State. So to say the least, when I saw him perform a mini-concert for the 10 or so people in the store, I was more than impressed, and from that point on I became a fan. I also got to meet him for a few minutes after the show. He was very down-to-earth and seemed humble. For the most part, his songs sound mello and dreamy. A few of his songs boast heartwrenching melodies, especially "Something" which is particulary haunting, and is comparable to "Blue Eyes" if not better. I can't wait until the LP comes out, which he said should come out in this month of August.

Nice debut record.......2005-07-28

Cary Brothers is something of an engima for me-- a folky, rootsy singer-songwriter type, this is pretty far outside the domain of my usual listening, and yet there's something about his music that worked pretty well for me.

What I think it is may be that there's a sense of honesty without pretention that circulates through his record-- when he sings about trying to put a past romance out of his mind and quietly mumbles "I wish your love away", you feel like he does. Brothers' vocals feel like they come from the midwest-- a sort of road weary sound. But he adds to that a good range and roundness of tone that I think is often missing in these forms.

This EP, consisting of four songs, is his debut. Three of the songs are folky pop pieces and one ("Supposed to Be") is a driving alt-pop piece. Although its a decent number, it doesn't quite fit in on the record, and its electric guitars sit somewhat uncomfortably amongst the rest of the pieces on here.

But the rest is all this kind of bluesy, folky pop stuff-- smokey ("Blue Eyes", also featured on the "Garden State" soundtrack), bubbling and delicate ("Something") and wistful and brilliant ("Honesty"). One thing the record definitely indicates, we can expect big things from Brothers. Recommended.

Cary is amazing!.......2005-06-08

Cary Brothers has a wonderful, soothing voice and all the songs on this EP are great! He is one of the best emerging arists right now and I can't wait for him to release a full length album!

Average customer rating:

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome
Lush, peaceful, dreamy.
Rest and Relaxation
To keep & treasure; a joy & relief
"Prayer" lyrics

Dawn of a New Century
Secret Garden
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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White Stones
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Dreamcatcher

ASIN: B00000I609
Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

Moongate
Prayer
Elan
Dreamcatcher
Sona
In Our Tears
Children Of The River
Evensong
Lore Of The Loom
Aria
Divertimento
Aquabell
Dawn Of A New Century

Amazon.com

Secret Garden's formula is plain to hear. They have the lush string orchestrations of Yanni, the layered vocals of Clannad and Enya, and the stage-show Celtica of Riverdance. In the past these elements have weighed down the music of Irish violinist Fionuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland with a sweetness that would make tiramisu taste like poi. On Dawn of a New Century, they finally dance closer to the line that divides schlock from serenity, beauty from the banal. Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson gives a haunting vocal performance on "Prayer," surrounded by Clannad-like harmonies. "Children of the River" is a cinematic expanse with Asian overtones, while "Lore of the Loom" swoops through orchestral landscapes that could be Ireland or Norway. But there's also the hokey faux-Baroque of "Divertimento" and the title piece, which could stand in for "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.......2007-05-23

The music on this is haunting and delicious. Out of the vocal selections, "Prayer" is just fabulous. I cannot stop playing it. I have four CDs from Secret Garden and this one rivals their first.

Lush, peaceful, dreamy........2007-01-30

"Once in a Red Moon" is how I discovered the sounds of Secret Garden. Immediately I fell in love with the lush, peaceful and dreamy sounds this duo has become so famous for. The only reason I don't give this CD 5 stars is purely for subjective reasons - I don't think it's their best, but I still think it is definitely worth owning. You'll enjoy it, I'm certain. Every time we play any of Secret Garden's music in our radio broadcast, they are one of the very few groups that stay in our programming as long as they do, because listeners love them so much. A good buy for your collection. Jon

Rest and Relaxation.......2006-11-02

Normally I do not go for New Age music, but when it is combined with Celtic and other such elements I love it. I fall asleep to this music because it is so beautiful!

To keep & treasure; a joy & relief.......2006-03-23

I'm exceedingly picky when it comes to my music; I don't want to waste my time listening to just anything. With that said, I can definitely recommend anything by Secret Garden. I ADORE Secret Garden.

Secret Garden has flat-out shocked me (in a very, very good way). When I discovered them, I felt as if I had finally found the style of music I had been looking for. I say this solemnly: Secret Garden is a rare jewel of which the kind does not seem to exist anymore.

The sound is a rich violin-and-piano mix (with other instruments, too). It's beautiful and unbelievable; you have to hear it for yourself.

The song "Children of the River" is gorgeous; it's a wonderful Asian/Celtic fusion and one of my favorite songs of all time!

On this album, I highly recommend "Elan," "Dreamcatcher," "Sona," "In Our Tears," "Children of the River" (!!!!!!!), "Evensong," "Aria," "Divertimento" (!!!!!), "Aquarell," & "Dawn of a New Century!" As you can see, that's practically the entire CD...so you know what my suggestion is!

"Prayer" lyrics.......2005-10-12

Prayer Lyrics by F. Sherry / R. Lovland
Hush - lay down your troubled mind
The day has vanished and left us behind
And the wind-whispering soft lullabies
Will soothe - so close your eyes
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Sleep - angels will watch over you
And soon beautiful dreams will come true
Can you feel spirits embracing your soul
So dream while secrets of darkness unfold....

I use this song when I am depressed, unhappy, or just sleepy :) I adore their new vocals, and am looking forward to collecting all of their albums.

Average customer rating:

Crystalline Beauty
I don't like it, but I admire it.
Masterful, soothing, flowing, virtuoso guitar playing!
Masterful, soothing, flowing, virtuoso guitar playing!
Music for Meditation

The Water Garden
Alex de Grassi
Manufacturer: Tropo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pure Alex De Grassi

ASIN: B00000A4Y2
Release Date: 1998-08-18

Tracks:

Prelude
The Zipper
The Water Garden
Lost In The Woods
Another Shore
Cumulus Rising
Ripple
Vanishing Point
Down Below
Endless Rain

Amazon.com

"Meditation and water are wedded forever," says New Acoustic progenitor Alex de Grassi, quoting Herman Melville in the liner notes to this 10-song cycle of solo steel-string guitar pieces "on the theme of water." There's a stillness at the heart of this Garden, but don't expect placid performances; de Grassi's stunning finger style exploits rapidslike torrents of open-tuned chords ("Prelude"), babbling brooks of uplifting hammer-on melodies ("The Zipper"), and buoyant themes floating over liquid counterpoint ("Another Shore"). Sure, the former Windham Hill mainstay, whose Turning: Turning Back and Slow Circle helped define that label's identity, is capable of brooding, contemplative work--the lovely title track is a good example--but he rarely gets stuck in meditative mud, preferring, as in "Cumulus Rising," to wring great emotion from even his quietest moments. The Water Garden suggests that de Grassi's vision has only gotten deeper and clearer over time; he's a jazz composer with a folkie's fingers and the Northern California coastline in his soul. --James Rotondi

Customer Reviews:

Crystalline Beauty.......2004-02-18

Alex de Grassi is one of the best contemporary acoustic guitarists, and this is one of his best albums. Nominated for a grammy award, the compositions, guitar technique, and production quality on this album are all superb.

This album creates an aura of meditative peacefulness and ordered perfection. Every note is exactly in place, and yet at times they cascade over the ear in rich profusion like a waterfall of sound. But this is a peaceful waterfall, not the niagra of a rock band, but the gentle trickling one would hear in a garden.

Many of de Grassi's albums are good, and it is hard for me to describe exactly why this one stands out as one of his best. There is something about the clarity and subtlety of the compositions that catches one's heart. Many of the songs on this album are beautiful, yet none of them are cloying. Some of the pieces are quite abstract, yet they never lack a clear structure and a few subtle themes to tie the composition together.

I recommend this album whole heartedly to anyone who enjoys acoustic guitar music with a peaceful and meditative side to it. Don't mistake this for background music. The meditative aspect comes from the rewards one gets from listening very closely and careful to a superb craftsman and artist at the height of his powers.

I don't like it, but I admire it........2003-01-24

I do think this album deserves 5 stars, although I personally don't like it. I don't like this style of ultra-precise, sharp, "plucky" guitar-playing in which every note sounds completely separate (I'm not a big fan of "New Acoustic" music, which seems to often sound this way); I like music that is fuller and "flows" together more. This album does make me think of water, but of thousands of individual drops, rather than waves or a waterfall. If you love very crisp-sounding solo classical/New Acoustic guitar music (with a hint of jazz) you will probably love this album. Just not my type of music.

Masterful, soothing, flowing, virtuoso guitar playing!.......2002-02-08

One of the reasons I picked this disc up is because it is encoded in HDCD, myself being an audiophile who enjoys great music and great QUALITY in a recording. That said, I always had heard of Alex, but never bought anything from him. Upon my first play, I was hooked. Alex's technique and sound is incredible! His guitar playing is so liquid and seemingly effortless, it truly does evoke being transported to one of the most tranquil, scenic, aromatic places that exist on earth! His is one of the most unique styles of acoustic guitar playing I have ever heard, and that is a compliment. Bliss= me, this disc, and my Magneplanars!!!

Masterful, soothing, flowing, virtuoso guitar playing!.......2002-02-08

Music for Meditation.......2001-12-04

Each note seduces you into wanting to hear more. The music flows from one solo guitar piece to the next. The notes almost drip into your mind and ripple outward sending vibrations through your soul to calm you and yet they awaken something deeper in you at the same time.

Just as being near water calms us, Alex De Grassi seems to want to lull you into a meditative state. While this is named The Water Garden, it is much more and is far from a submissive offering. Each note is filled with a vibrancy that can only be compared to floating on cloud nine and will elevate your mood to a state of joy.

Prelude is an ecstatic piece reminiscent of water tumbling over rocks in a never-ending cycle as rain falls in the mountains, perhaps dripping from leaves and falling down to the earth. Each drop of water finds its way to another droplet and together they flow to the sea. It is absolutely breathtaking and then fades away.

The Zipper almost seems to be a piece about when the water reaches the ocean and as the sun is setting. You can almost imagine the water from a lagoon merging with the salt water. There is a sense of closure and a journey completed.

The Water Garden is a very mellow piece at first and produces a feeling of floating. As if you were floating in a pond gazing at an azure sky.

Lost in the woods must be a woods near the sea because it has a certain longing to it and almost seems to be waves lapping around the shore and at times crashing onto a beach. There is a deep ocean feel, with lighter notes, that make the sounds surface from time to time. I see whales playing in an ocean calling to one another as I watch them from a cliff.

Another Shore has an inevitability and certain sadness as if two lovers have given up trying to find one another and a certain regret is present in the piece.

Cumulus Rising is a far more airy and hopeful piece. An eagle seems to be spiriling upwards towards the sky. Heaven!

Ripple is a rapid selection which seems to move out in all directions at once. Someone almost seems to be swimming towards a waterfall in the shade of trees sending out ripples towards the shore. The most active piece and has a touch of sadness or deep contemplation.

Vanishing point is a very appropriate name as the notes appear and dissolve. As if rain was falling on soil and soaking in very quickly, yet more rain keeps falling. This is my favorite selection because it captures a variety of emotions.

Down below could very well be sunlight reaching as far down as it can go into the water where it reflects off fish playfully swimming below.

In Endless Rain, a torrential downpour of notes is almost overwhelming and you can literally hear drops of water splashing wherever they fall, then suddenly the rain does end.

Music can at times be a drink for your soul. I have never received such a beautiful gift and I thank the wonderful friend who introduced me to music I will enjoy when I need to relax deeply and completely.

Acoustic Garden (Spec)
Average customer rating:

A Pleasant Bouquet

Beautiful CD

One For The Grammy

Sorry, but I am disappointed...

Grammy Winners, It's About Time

Acoustic Garden (Spec)
Tingstad & Rumbel , and Nancy Rumbel
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006CTGK
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

Acoustic Garden
Blue Martini
Shamrock
Deep In My Soul
Empire Builder
Clear Moon, Quiet Winds
Praire Schooner
Les Jardins de Nohant
Havana
San Antonio
Drayton Hall
Windows On The World
Talk Of Angels

Amazon.com

About five years ago, the duo of Tingstad & Rumbel dropped the ersatz jazz rhythm section they'd been using and went back to what they did best, evocative and pastoral duets for guitar and oboe. It brought a new freshness to their compositions and playing. With Acoustic Garden, the rhythm section returns, and it conspires again to make their music stiff and metronomic. They bring in several pianists, including David Lanz, to flesh out the harmonic landscape. But they only help on a few tracks, notably Tom Kellock enlivening the Celtic-tinged "Shamrock." Some lovely songs, including Rumbel's arrangement of a Chinese lullaby, "Clear Moon, Quiet Winds," and their co-composed "Prairie Schooner," emerge, but they push through a haze of kudzu, pretty on the surface, but choking the life out of every place it invades. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

A Pleasant Bouquet.......2007-07-16

I have always enjoyed Tingstad & Rumbel. Their melodies are consistently pleasant and a wonderful way to unwind. Plus, where else are you going to find oboe/english horn or ocarina music? Acoustic Garden continues their tradition of beautiful music, however none of the pieces really stand up and grab me. "Blue Martini" has a nice light jazz feel, but nothing compared to the driving blues of "Big Weather" from In the Garden. "Havana" may have a Cuban rhythm, but "La Fogata" from Give and Take can really cut a rug.

This album is certainly worth getting, but not a quintessential work. Like a bouquet of daisies, it pleases but doesn't dazzle.

Beautiful CD.......2006-02-20

I love this CD. Very relaxing, beautiful, soothing music. Can't wait to buy more of their CD's!

One For The Grammy.......2004-07-27

Acoustic Garden is one of Tingstad and Rumbel's most polished albums. In combination with their own intimate styling, they have joined up with four pianists from the Puget Sound area: David Lanz, Jovino Neto, Nick Moore, and Tom Kelleck as well as usung the services of Garey Shelton on bass as well as the percussion talents of of Mark Ivester and Ben Smith. This mix and match approach produces one remarkable cut after another, making it no surprise that they walked away with the 2003 Grammy for new age music.

As usual, Nancy Rumbel is predominant. Sometimes I wish Tingstad would take a more active roll in performance, since he is an extremely skilled guitarist. But, as always, he is the most generous of musicians. Of course, Rumbel, an exceptionally fine English horn and oboe player fills the lead roll with great aplomb.

For all that this album is entitled Acoustic Garden, there really isn't a particular theme. Instead the collection is eclectic - a dash of Chopin (Les Jardins de Nohant), some Celtic work (Shamrock), some pure fun (Blue Martini), and a tender memoriam to those lost on 9/11 (Windows on the World). All this variety can't help but please the listener. Take the time to listen to it a bit and you will see what I mean.

Sorry, but I am disappointed..........2003-08-08

I bought this CD based on commenter reviews (strangely all very positive) and frankly am very disappointed. After a half-dozen listenings not one track moves me -- in fact, to me they all sound about the same. Wife and I agree that this CD would be perfect for background music in a dentist's office. Sorry, I had hoped for a much better experience.

Grammy Winners, It's About Time.......2003-02-26

Tingstad and Rumbel have left a legacy over the past 18 years that is unrivaled in their field of music. This year, Acoustic Garden won Best New Age album at the Grammy Awards--an acknowledgment long overdue. Acoustic Garden is one of their best albums, intertwining soft melodies with the mastery of Guitar, Oboe, and Ocarina. Some songs hint at sadness (Windows on the World), while others fantasy (Clear Moon, Quiet Winds), but all give the impression of two musicians who create their high standard of work as easily as breathing air.

Average customer rating:

I love this CD
Around the Country in 60 Minutes!
Such a good sound...
I tried to like it
...not the blues...but bluey...bluish...?

Greens from the Garden
Corey Harris
Manufacturer: Alligator Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Alligator Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Contemporary Blues | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Vu-Du Menz

ASIN: B00000I7X5
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Introduction To The Greens
Basehead
Honeysuckle
Tapado
Eh La Bas
Interlude
Wild West
In The Kitchen With Momma
Sweet Black Angel
Pas Parlez
Interlude
Lynch Blues
Greens Back In The Day
Congo Square Rag
Diddy Wah Diddy
Ites
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Nola Rag
Epilogue
Teabag Blues
Bonus Track 1

Amazon.com

Like many younger blues artists, guitarist and singer Corey Harris mixes and blends different styles, instead of sticking to just one. What speaks to his considerable skill as a musician is how well it works. On Greens from the Garden, he roves between the Delta and Cajun country, contrasting the solid, slow blues of "Honeysuckle" with the upbeat, waltz-time "Pas Parles." A definite highlight is "Lynch Blues," which features a great guitar intro backed by a drum roll as smooth as water poured on the drumhead. Between songs lurk bits of percussion, snippets of monologue and conversation; this, coupled with the generally upbeat feel of the album, leaves the listener with the impression of a really good party captured on CD. Thanks to the miracle of modern recording technology, we're all invited. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

I love this CD.......2006-12-14

This is one of the best albums made! It is sweet soul blues.

Around the Country in 60 Minutes!.......2004-07-04

Want to travel around the country in 60 minutes? The ticket price is...well...the cost of this CD (and it is worth every penny)! Mr. Harris gives us a sampling of every style of blues we ever had a hankering for (and a few we forgot, 'till Harris reminded us). New Orleans, Delta, Texas, Creole mambo, and even a few mixed bags like a sweet reggae ditty, and a grinding funk number.

Interspersed in between tracks are excerpts Corey Harris recorded on a tape recorder (he studied linguistic anthropology in college) of people talking about eating, cooking, and enjoying greens. And this is apropos because this CD has quite an authentic, energetic and flavorful feel much like that of the greens he talks about.

My favorites on the CD? Check out "Eh La Bah," a funky Creole mambo with lyrics in French Creole. There is also "Wild West" with an electrifying rythm and groove that would be as appropriate on contemporary radio as in a small blues club. Then, there are the accoustic diddys. The first of which, the New Orleans infested "Honeysuckle," finds Harris duetting with a great Professor Longhair-esque pianist. There is also the slow delta of "Black Angel" and the more upbeat, Carolina-style, "Diddy wa Diddy."

I will stop there, as I could literally go on singing the praises of every song on here. Needless to say, by now, if you value good, smart, and well-flavored blues, you should look no further than Corey Harris's "Greens From the Garden." Take the trip around the country in 60 minutes!

Such a good sound..........2003-02-08

Corey Harris is amazing. Check out his bio sometime, and you'll see why this album -- and his style in general -- contains so many outside influences that make this such a cool, funky-bluesy gumbo.

Think of this album as one part Louisiana, one part Carolina, one part Caribbean, and you've got a good sense of how this album sounds. Special bonus: dinner conversations with the family, dubbed into the beginning and end of some of the songs. Tastee!

I tried to like it.......2002-01-26

He seems like a good guy, it's the rootsy kind of thing I usually dig, I just didn't like it. I think some of it was supposed to be hokey/charming but it stuck me as hokey/dumb.
I'm glad so many people loved it; I must be missing something. If Taj Mahal or John Hammond are your idea of cool, rootsy blues, then beware.

...not the blues...but bluey...bluish...?.......2001-08-18

...this is the cd that actually made me get up and go make me a pot of fresh greens for the first time. ham and hot peppers and shtuff...it was good! anyway, i really dont know how to categorize this cd...it's different from even contemporary blues standards...o'most tracy chapman-ish or n'degeocello-like but funk free. it's gritty without growlin' and fun without being all the way campy...does any'a that make any sense?..."sweet black angel" & "just a closer walk with thee" are the stand-outs. the rest of the cd kinda sways around ragtime, hip-hop and maybe the songs from HBO's multi-cultural fairy-tales cartoon. it's eclectic and might take some gettin use to, but still, the biggest drawback is that i would have prefered one or two more songs...the interludes can stay...just more music woulda been nice.

Spirits of Africa: An Ambient Sound Safari Through the Garden Eden

Average customer rating:

Spirits of Africa: An Ambient Sound Safari Through the Garden Eden
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Ayia Napa
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000G2Y5XU
Release Date: 2006-07-24

Tracks:

Woya - Cr Anot
Drums of Defiance - African Head Charge
Racing Away
Phazer Kids in the Windy City
Masai Sonata - Terracotta
Sister's Keeper - Wayquay
Desert Sand
Change - Symbiose
Invisible Kisses
Inspiration - Moonlight Sound Design
Last Dream - Gene Douglas
Feel the African Sun
Let the Music - Mandel Turner
Bye Bye Typewriter - Finn Martin

Tracks:

Honor Beats - Wayquay
No More (Matungo Waino)
Senza - Finn Martin
Nwoly N' Baile - Cr Anot
Moon
Scravin' - Wayquay
Love Dance [Spirit of Life Mix] - Mystic Diversions
On - Wax Poetic
Muel
Buana - Riccardo Eberspacher
Marcosoft
Prophesy - Nitin Sawhney

Average customer rating:

Rose Garden

Manufacturer: Music Box Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAG9C6
Release Date: 2004-10-05

John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1910-11)

Average customer rating:

Excellent
not enough bang for the buck

John McCormack: The Acoustic Victor and HMV Recordings (1910-11)

Manufacturer: Romophone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001S41
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Lucia Di Lammermoor: Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti I'ali
Kilarney
Carmen: Il Fior Che Avevi A Me To Dato
Come Back To Erin
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
L'elisir D'amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
The Minstrel Boy
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
Annie Laurie
La Traviata: Lunge Da Lei...De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti
Faust: Salve Dimora, Casta E Pura
I Hear You Calling Me
When Shadows Gather
La Boheme: O, Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni
La Fille Du Regiment: Per Viver Vicino A Maria
The Snowy Breasted Pearl
Lakme: Immenso Vienteso...Ah, Vien Al Boscaglia
My Lagan Love
Molly Bawn
Has Sorrow ThyYoung Days Shaded?

Tracks:

Dear Little Shamrock
Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore - John McCormack/Nellie Melba/Edna Thornton/Mario Sammarco
Faust: All'erta! All'erta - John McCormack/Nellie Melba/Mario Sammarco
Faust: All'erta! All'erta - John McCormack/Nellie Melba/Mario Sammarco
The Irish Immigrant
Kathleen Mavourneen
I Hear You Calling Me
Believe Me If All Those Enduring Young Charms
In A Persian Garden: Ah! Moon Of My Delight
Molly Bawn
Mother Machree
I'm Falling In Love With Someone
Macushla
An Evening Song
She Is Far From The Land
The Happy Morning Waits
Les Pecheurs De Perles: Del Tempio Al Limitar - John McCormack/Mario Sammarco
Les Pecheurs De Perles: Del Tempio Al Limitar - John McCormack/Mario Sammarco
Li Marinari [No.12 From Les Soirees Musicales] - John McCormack/Mario Sammarco
Mira La Bianca Luna [No.11 From Les Soirees Musicales] - John McCormack/Emmy Destinn
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: O Il Meglio Mi Scordavo...Numero Quindici - John McCormack/Mario Sammarco
La Gioconda: Badoer Questa Notte...O Grido Di Quest'anima - John McCormack/Mario Sammarco

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-06-25

These are old recordings, so quality isn't perfect, but these are beautiful songs, beautifully sung. Considering you get two discs, it's a bargain.

not enough bang for the buck.......2006-04-28

It seems a crime that, in order to get John McCormack singing "I'm Falling in Love with Some One," you have to shell out big bucks for this CD. I can't abide opera, and there are too many arias here sung in foreign languages to justify a capital investment. McCormack also does a striking rendition of "Because," which is missing from this CD. maybe we'll get lucky and Archeophone will put together a few disks, all in English, and I'd pay their price, steep though it usually is.

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