Best of Narada: New Age

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The term New Age has received more than its fair share of derision over the years, and not without reason. Much of the genre offers passionate instrumental music, but much of it is also watered-down, easy-listening variations of other genres and forms. This two-for-one compilation of music released by Narada over the last 20 years presents both sides of the schism. Ironically, the best music here is more of the international variety than contemporary instrumental, including Greg Ellis's percussion and voice tapestry from his solo album, Kala Rupa, Axiom of Choice 's modern Persian fusion on "Parvaz (Flight)," and Kazu Matsui's atmospheric Asian soundscapes. Some more-traditional pieces stand out as well, including the title track from David Arkenstone's debut, Valley in the Clouds, and Jonn Serrie and Gary Stroutsos's dreamy, ethnoambient "Hidden World."

The 22 tracks compiled here are a 50-50 proposition, however. Many entries--like the neo-flamenco of Jesse Cook, the piano stylings of Michael Jones, the smooth jazz of Budi Siebert--lean toward the syrupy side of the genre. Further, some of the label's best artists--specifically, Peter Buffett, Peter Maunu (who released a memorable solo album in 1990), and Vas (drummer Ellis's main project)--are not represented here, although that may be because releases by those first two artists are, sadly, out-of-print. This is a decent Narada sampler, but certainly not the best the label has had to offer. --Bryan Reesman

Best of Narada: New Age,Various Artists,Narada,Adult Alternative,Contemporary Instrumental,Ethnic Fusion,New Age / Meditation,New Age Collections,Pop,Solo Instrumental

Tracks:

Latino - Oscar Lopez
The Gypsy - Urban Knights
Klimbim - Don Ross
Air - Jesse Cook
Clockshop - Billy McLaughlin
Quiet Volcano - Artie Traum
Seven Veils - Willie And Lobo
Hey! Bo Diddley - Alex De Grassi
Angel Eyes - Raz
Nighthawk - Laurence Juber
Rumba Peligrosa - Chuscales
My Blues Star - Friedemann
Sonho (Dream) - Nando Lauria
The Lawnmower Song - Eric Tingstad

Tracks:

Michael, Michael, Michael - Don Ross
Safety In Numbers - Artie Traum
Ray's Passage - Randy Roos
Candleman - Billy McLaughlin
Havana Vieja - Willie And Lobo
It Ain't Necessarily So - Alex De Grassi
Rattle And Burn - Jesse Cook
The Craftsman - Eric Tingstad
The Flavor - Oscar Lopez
New Jersey Left - Laurence Juber
Gloria Bendita - Chuscales
A Heart Rocks - Ralf lllenberger
Amathunzi - Shadows - Simon Wynberg
Spring Lullaby - Gabriel Lee

Amazon.com

Considering the price, the volume (two hours' worth of music; 28 tracks from 17 acts), the variety (contemporary flamenco; ruminating folk; blues-influenced fingerpicking; smoothly sagacious jazz), and the sustained quality of the tunes, this package is a terrific find for fans of melodic contemporary acoustic guitar. Subtitled "The Best of Two Decades," Narada Guitar 2 is more accurately a showcase for the label's newer acts--20 of the 28 tracks were recorded between 1998 and 2000. Still, highlights abound: the dexterity and imagination displayed by adventurous fingerpicker Don Ross; the subtle tension of "Ray's Passage" from Randy Roos; the growling, whimsical charm of "The Lawnmower Song" by Eric Tingstad; the enticing flamenco filigree of Jesse Cook; the Celtic-tinged promenade of "Candleman" by Billy McLaughlin; and so on. A few flaws do surface. For instance, the fascinating spell cast by the first four tracks on Disc 2 is shattered by an inappropriate samba, a lightweight cream-puff, from Willie & Lobo. Yet the overriding quality of this cherry-picked sampler more than compensates. A fine value. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

A Must For Acoustic Guitar Fans.......2002-02-14

If you're a fan of great acoustic guitar, this is a CD for you. Turn it up and listen to fabulous performances and fretwork, especially if you are a guitar player. It's also great to have as background music at a dinner party. I've had so many friends ask; "Who is that playing guitar?" It truely is a "best of" CD. One to keep at the front of your collection.

Classical and Latin Guitar At Its Best.......2001-04-04

This album is a real bargain. You get two discs for the price of one, and they're both chock-full of acoustic guitar goodness. Many of the tunes have distinctly latin overtones, but there are also a number of modern guitar peices, such as Randy Roos' "Ray's Passage", an excellent example of upbeat yet tastefully restrained "liquid guitar art."

My love affair with modern acoustic guitar instrumentalists goes back to John Themis' "Atmospheric Conditions", and the songs on this album more than live up to that legacy. (Several are, in fact, contemporary with that album). I give it my highest recommendation for any fan of instrumental guitar work. Be warned, though; it'll make you want to buy several more albums, as it is a sampler. =o)

Best of David Lanz
Average customer rating:

Nothing New In This Anthology

Best of David Lanz
David Lanz
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music
Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Return to the Heart

Finding Paradise

Romantic: The Ultimate David Lanz Narada Collection

Cristofori's Dream (Bonus Tracks)

Love Songs

ASIN: B0006ZXJC0
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Madrona
Leaves On The Seine
Variations On A Theme From Pachelbel's Canon In D Major
Cristofori's Dream
Madre De La Tierra
A Path With Heart
Return To The Heart
Nightfall
Courage Of The Wind
Dreamer's Waltz

Customer Reviews:

Nothing New In This Anthology.......2005-03-05

I first fell under the spell of David Lanz's new age piano stylings when I purchased 1996's SACRED ROADS. At that time Lanz had already been recording for more than a decade. In 2002 I picked up the 2-disc anthology ROMANTIC: THE ULTIMATE DAVID LANZ NARADA COLLECTION. At 27 tracks and two hours of music, it was a nearly flawless compilation. Three years later Narada lifts ten tracks from that album and calls it BEST OF. The music is, of course, excellent; but it's nowhere near as complete--or satisfying--as ROMANTIC. Not only is the 2-disc collection a better buy, it makes BEST OF unnecessary.

Average customer rating:

This Compilation Shortchanges the Customer

Best of David Arkenstone
David Arkenstone
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Atlantis: A Symphonic Journey
Best of Diane Arkenstone
Echoes of Egypt
Caribbean Dreams
Quest of the Dream Warrior

ASIN: B0006ZXJ8Y
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Valley In The Clouds
Under The Canopy
Night Wind
Another Star In The Sky
City In The Clouds
The Temple Of Vaal
The Magic Forest
A Thousand Small Gold Bells
Ancient Legend
The Southern Cross

Customer Reviews:

This Compilation Shortchanges the Customer.......2005-03-05

David Arkenstone is one of new age music's best-selling artists. This gifted multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, guitar, flute, cello, et. al.) creates haunting music of both grace and beauty, and he certainly deserves a "best of" package. The problem is the definitive anthology came out three years ago, the 2-disc VISIONARY: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION. That album contains all 10 songs from BEST OF--plus an additional 15 tracks--and it doesn't cost that much more. If Narada found it necessary to release a new "best of," it should have at least been updated with new material from his more recent releases. As it is, this compilation (which clocks in at just under 50 minutes) shortchanges the customer. Five stars for the music; three stars for the value.

Average customer rating:

Good CD to start with
Oscar Lopez CD
A lively CD
JUST BUY IT!!!
new to this music

Flashback: The Best of Oscar Lopez
Oscar Lopez
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Flamenco | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Folk | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Ultimate Jesse Cook (2-CD Set)
Seduction
Heat
Best of Armik
Guitar Greats: The Best of New Flamenco

ASIN: B00006LHWA
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

Forgive Me (Perdoname)
Bailando Rumba
Lucia
Loco Por Ti
Walking Through The Pyramid
Thinking Of You (Pensando En Ti)
The Flavor
Gentle Seduction
Classical Soul (Edit)
Loving You
Looking Back
Fire And Fury (Fuego Y Furia)
Merenguiando Baby
Guitarras From Heaven
Armando's Fire

Customer Reviews:

Good CD to start with.......2006-04-08

I was originally looking for Oscar Lopez's Seduction CD when I saw Flashback and got it also. I liked Flashback better because it was a very nice mix of all his songs from his different CDs. I did not like the song Armando's Fire, however. Too jazzy, just not in keeping with the rest of the songs on the CD. It just did not fit and it spoiled the mood the rest of the songs created. That one could have been left off this CD (and anywhere else as well). Oscar Lopez has a very nice style similar to Ottmar Liebert, Armik, Jesse Cook and other similar artists. I must say that I prefer Jesse Cook, however, over Oscar Lopez. There seems to be more variety and a definate passion that I don't really feel in Oscar Lopez's songs which are very great guitar work but so similar to others that it gets old after awhile. All in all, though I am happy with the 2 CDs Flashback and Seduction that I have and if you love good classical Latin type guitar, you should love Oscar Lopez.

Oscar Lopez CD.......2006-03-27

I find the music of Oscar Lopez in this CD to meet all my expectations and I would highly recommend this purchase to those seeking the music of an accoustical latino guitarist This was my first selection by Oscar Lopez, but I have no doubt it will not be my last. He is very talented and his music is very rewarding.

A lively CD.......2005-10-04

Up-tempo, heel-clicking, collection of his best stuff. More lively than Ottmart Liebert's usual work. A definite buy for guitar fans.

JUST BUY IT!!!.......2004-04-26

If you really enjoy nuevo flamenco, and like Oscar Lopez, buy this cd, don't even hesitate. It is a wonderful compilation of the best of his work. The cds these tracks came from are all very good, but don't waste your time on Armando's Fire, very substandard for Lopez. This cd is highly listenable from beginning to end. Enjoy!

new to this music.......2003-01-05

I went in the store to find an Ottmar Liebert CD I had heard and I came away with Flashback. I listened to this CD in the store and loved it--I am new to this genre of music but got hooked listening to my sister-in-law's Opium CD. I recently had a baby and wanted some peaceful soothing music for the baby and I. I now want to buy more of Lopez' music after purchasing this CD! It truly is beautiful.

Average customer rating:

Soothing
The compiler did not read the album title

Best of Narada New Age (2-CD Set)
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Narada Decade Two: Evolution, 1992-2001 (2-CD Set)
The Narada Wilderness Collection
Narada Decade: The Anniversary Collection: Selected Works: The First Ten Years (2-CD Set)
The Nature of Narada: A 2-CD Collection Inspired by Nature
Narada Guitar 2: The Best of Two Decades (2-CD Set)

ASIN: B00006314Q
Release Date: 2002-03-26

Tracks:

Deep Blue - Keiko Matsui
Gentle Earth - Budi Siebert
Shadow Dancer - Tingstad, Rumbel & Brewer
July 26th - Mia Jang
Inochi No Sharin (Wheel Of Life) - Riley Lee
Parvaz (Flight) - Axiom Of Choice
Big Buck - Don Ross
From The Heart - John Whelan
Desert Rain - David Lanz
Valley In The Clouds - David Arkenstone
From 3 - Greg Ellis

Tracks:

Breathing Below Surface - Jesse Cooke
Night In The South - Jose Luis Encinas
Small Monk, Opening The Gate - Kazu Matsui
Prelude: First Snow - Michael Gettel
Vision Quest - Troika
Water Bird - Richard Warner
Sunshower - Friedemann
After The Rain (Edit) - Michael Jones
Hidden World - Gary Stroutsos
The Good Wife - Billy McLaughlin
Newfoundland - Randy Roos

Amazon.com

The term New Age has received more than its fair share of derision over the years, and not without reason. Much of the genre offers passionate instrumental music, but much of it is also watered-down, easy-listening variations of other genres and forms. This two-for-one compilation of music released by Narada over the last 20 years presents both sides of the schism. Ironically, the best music here is more of the international variety than contemporary instrumental, including Greg Ellis's percussion and voice tapestry from his solo album, Kala Rupa, Axiom of Choice 's modern Persian fusion on "Parvaz (Flight)," and Kazu Matsui's atmospheric Asian soundscapes. Some more-traditional pieces stand out as well, including the title track from David Arkenstone's debut, Valley in the Clouds, and Jonn Serrie and Gary Stroutsos's dreamy, ethnoambient "Hidden World."

Customer Reviews:

Soothing.......2004-05-28

I enjoy this CD very much. It is just the thing to help me de-stress after a hard day, and it provides pleasant, restful background music for my dinner parties, too.

The compiler did not read the album title.......2002-12-01

In the selection process, there are a few nice tracks represented here but most of it is vapid. There appears more to be a representation of the stable of artists than the best of their or the music in the over twenty years of Narada New Age.