Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In search of a new season to conquer (after a long run of successful A Winter's Solstice recordings), Windham Hill took aim at summer in 1997. The first Summer Solstice disc isn't exactly top-down cruising music; it's more of a back-porch soundtrack suitable for watching fireflies or for mulling the fading light of a languid summer's day. A few pieces (violinist Tracy Silverman's take on Vivaldi; pianist Liz Story's "The Promise") feel a bit weighty for the theme here, but the disc is well stocked with compensatory highlights. Among them are the intelligent, softly propulsive melody strung together by Paul McCandless (oboe) and bassist Michael Manring ("In Our Jasmine Days"); David Arkenstone's twinkling, mandolin-centered dance in the sun ("Companions"); some classic Will Ackerman ("Incondizionatamente") on parlor guitar; a charming, slowly unfolding melody found in "Summer Star" by harpist Lisa Lynne; Story's lovely, ruminating "Out of Time"; a sunny frolic on harmonica by George Winston; and a hushed, jazz-inclined medley of Beach Boys tunes by pianist Philip Aaberg and guitarist Scott Mathews. --Terry Wood

Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection,Various Artists,Windham Hill Records,Adult Alternative,Adult Contemporary,Chamber Jazz,Contemporary Instrumental,Electro-Acoustic,Ethnic Fusion,Fusion,Jazz Music,Neo-Classical,New Acoustic,New Age / Meditation,New Age Collections,Pop,Progressive Electronic,Solo Instrumental,Worldbeat

Tracks:

Siwa - Samite
After The Harvest - Angels Of Venice
Lei 'Awapuhi (Yellow Ginger Lei) - Ledward Kaapana
Tres Curumins - Lani Hall
Sutu Kun - Vieux Diop
Everything Hurts - Buckwheat Zydeco
Cruisin' Negril - W.G. 'Snuffy' Walden
Silgugu Isiphambano - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Adventures In Paradise - Tuck & Patti
Alegre Vida - Yomo Toro
La Feria De Las Flores - Leonardo 'Flaco' Jimenez
No Na Mamo - Taj Mahal
Birds In Flight - George Winston
I'm Falling - Earl Klugh
Puesta Del Sol - Sean Harkness
A Child's Song - Will Ackerman

Amazon.com

With a blend of New Age sensibility and performances from world-class international artists, Windham Hill's second Solstice collection is perfectly suited to the time of year for which it's named. There's substantial variety on this disc, from the ethereal guitar and flute of Angels of Venice's "After the Harvest", to the choral piece "Silgugu Isiphambano" from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, to the up-tempo, jazzy "Tres Curmins" from Lani Hall, to the upbeat "Alegre Vida" from Yomo Toro. There's a fine contribution from Buckwheat Zydeco that evokes a carnival atmosphere, and "Lei 'Awapuhi" from Ledward Kaapana, who infuses the piece with bluesy touches of slide guitar and bent notes. This is music to open your windows and air out your house to. -- Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

A spicy mix of styles and flavors.......2007-06-02

This CD does feel abit disjointed at times - not all the music featured is the "same", and yet it all somehow links back to the theme of lazy hot days, and the celebration of summer. It makes me think of the samplers that Windham hill has put out to showcase their various artists. The tracks run the gamut from smooth jazz, to new age, to world beat, to cajun jam session, but it all expresses a feeling of jubilation, and while I don't love EVERY song, I love enough of them to love the CD.

not what i expected, but good.......2001-10-02

My first exposure to Windham Hill was from Winter Solstices 1 and 2. Naturally, I expected the Summer Solstice series to be in a similar style. I bought Summer Solstice 1, and I was not disappointed at all. The music was just what I was looking for. When Summer Solstice 2 arrived in the mail, I was excited to hear more of the same style. I was NOT expecting world music (as another reviewer said) with nice vocals in various languages. That said, I was severely disappointed with my purchase. Just know what you're getting into when you buy this album.

the best world music CD I have purchased in years.......1998-08-24

This album takes me away from my daily life. I feel like I'm on a vacation when listening to music as diverse as Africa, New Orleans and Hawaiia. I definitely recommend it!

Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection

Average customer rating:

Filled with warmth and Optimism
If, for no other reason...
Where sharp technique and beauty meet...
Great Summer (or anytime) listening
Great flow to this collection

Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | 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

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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

Sun Dance: Summer Solstice, Vol. 3
Summer Solstice 2: A Windham Hill Collection
A Winter's Solstice II
A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 6
A Winter's Solstice: Windham Hill Artists

ASIN: B000000NN6
Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

Summer Solstice - Sean Harkness
Sad Lisa - Angels Of Venice
Dream Beach - Micheal Hedges
In Our Jasmine Days - Paul McCandless
Reunion - John Boswell
Kalena Kai - Keola Beamer
Midsummer's Moon - David Arkenstone
The Promise - Liz Story
Summer, From Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' - Tracy Silverman
Summer Star - Lisa Lynne
Incondizionatamente - Will Ackerman
Companions - David Arkenstone
Out Of Time - Liz Story
M.M.'s Dunk - George Winston
The Warmth Of The Sun/Surfer Girl - Philip Aaberg

Amazon.com

In search of a new season to conquer (after a long run of successful A Winter's Solstice recordings), Windham Hill took aim at summer in 1997. The first Summer Solstice disc isn't exactly top-down cruising music; it's more of a back-porch soundtrack suitable for watching fireflies or for mulling the fading light of a languid summer's day. A few pieces (violinist Tracy Silverman's take on Vivaldi; pianist Liz Story's "The Promise") feel a bit weighty for the theme here, but the disc is well stocked with compensatory highlights. Among them are the intelligent, softly propulsive melody strung together by Paul McCandless (oboe) and bassist Michael Manring ("In Our Jasmine Days"); David Arkenstone's twinkling, mandolin-centered dance in the sun ("Companions"); some classic Will Ackerman ("Incondizionatamente") on parlor guitar; a charming, slowly unfolding melody found in "Summer Star" by harpist Lisa Lynne; Story's lovely, ruminating "Out of Time"; a sunny frolic on harmonica by George Winston; and a hushed, jazz-inclined medley of Beach Boys tunes by pianist Philip Aaberg and guitarist Scott Mathews. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Filled with warmth and Optimism.......2004-01-20

This Windham Hill gem is so cherubial that even in the gloomiest of winter mornings, I could find something to cheer for just by turning on my CD player. Instantaenously transports you to some magical warm tropical isle. Strongly advice new age music lovers to have this CD.

The mood presented by the artists is that of unbounded optimism and warmth. Who could ever not be moved by the compassionate harp play of the extremely gifted lisa lynne ? Instead of "summer star", the tune could as well be renamed as "infinite kindness". Another tune that strongly appealed to my aesthetics was Liz Story's "promise". The tune ends on an intensely subtle and sensitive note that promises to stop your breath for a while. Its sombrely sensitive mood is very hard to replicate, a bit cruspier than chopin. On this otherwise wonderful CD, I did find one song out of place. George Winston's M.M. Dunk. It seemed a bit more funkier than the rest and though the latter part seemed to be a bit more like party music. It might've added an ecclectic aspect to the CD though, but certainly not to my taste.

My favorite tunes are:

Summer Solstice - Sean Harkness
In Our Jasmine Days - Michael Manring
Reunion - John Boswell
Promise - Liz Story
Summer Star - Lisa Lynne

If, for no other reason..........2002-08-01

get this album for Philip Aaberg's "Warmth of the Sun/Surfer Girl" medley. It will touch your heart and soul.
The other pieces are very good, too, and provide a good idea of the quality musicianship that can be found on the Windham Hill label.

Where sharp technique and beauty meet..........2001-10-27

Although I've owned this CD for quite a few years now, only now did I start to listen to it at a compulsive rate. I bought this album because I'm a big fan of Michael Manring, but ended up finding that every single song in this album is a mini-masterpiece: contributions from some of the best musicians were put together here and the result is an album which transmits lots of good energy, and the music touches your soul through its beauty.

A few performances alone would be worth the price of the album, such as Tracy Silverman's flawless version of Vivaldi's "Summer" on the electric violin. Or Lisa Lynne's highly touching song. On a lighter side, there are also wonderfull songs, such as the opening title, or Michael Manring and Paul McCandless' joint contribution.

Windham Hill has sadly gone out of business a couple of years ago, so I recommend you get this (and other remaining worthwhile albums) quick before they become impossible to find.

Great Summer (or anytime) listening.......2001-09-15

This is the first in the Summer Solstice series from Windham Hill, and very good indeed. This set seems more diversified than the latest one, and has a number of highlights.

3. Michael Hedges--Dream Beach--strong acoustic guitar with flute and percussion.

4. Michael Manring & Paul McCandless--In Our Jasmine Days--Manring's zen bass guitars and percussion provide a good positive beat underlying McCandless' pjlaintive edxotic sounding oboe on a surprisingly powerful cut.

7. David Arkenstone on Guitar and Don Markelson on soprano sax provide a lazy, dreamy "Midsummer's Moon."

8. Liz Story's loving yet strong touch on the piano makes good on "The Promise".

9. Tracy Silverman--"Summer" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons--violin & flute, very beautiful.

10. Lisa Lynne--"Summer Star--Lisa Lynne on the celtic harp, backed by David Arkenstone's percussion and also flutes.

Great flow to this collection.......2001-01-16

This CD really works. It is beautifully paced and consistantly good. Standouts are Keola Beamer's duet with George Winston on slack key guitars, and John Boswell's "Reunion" but there are many well crafted recordings here and the overall mood is relaxed without being boring or intellectually insulting. Windham Hill is at it's best on this CD.

Summer Solstice 2 - A Windham Hill Collection

Average customer rating:

Summer Solstice 2 - A Windham Hill Collection
Angels Of Venice , Ledward Kaapana , Lani Hall , Vieux Diop , Buckwheat Zydeco , Snuffy' Walden , Ladysmith Black Mambazo , Tuck & Patti , Yomo Toro , and Leonardo 'Flaco' Jimenez
Manufacturer: Windham Hill
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000ET6ABA

Product Description

Summer Solstice 2 - A Windham Hill Collection // 1. Siwa - Samite 2. After The Harvest - Angels Of Venice 3. Lei 'Awapuhi (Yellow Ginger Lei) - Ledward Kaapana 4. Tres Curumins - Lani Hall 5. Sutu Kun - Vieux Diop 6. Everything Hurts - Buckwheat Zydeco 7. Cruisin' Negril - W.G. 'Snuffy' Walden 8. Silgugu Isiphambano - Ladysmith Black Mambazo 9. Adventures In Paradise - Tuck & Patti 10. Alegre Vida - Yomo Toro 11. La Feria De Las Flores - Leonardo 'Flaco' Jimenez 12. No Na Mamo - Taj Mahal 13. Birds In Flight - George Winston 14. I'm Falling - Earl Klugh 15. Puesta Del Sol - Sean Harkness 16. A Child's Song - Will Ackerman

Average customer rating:

Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection

Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0001EMI2S

Product Description

Song List: 1.Siempre Conmigo by Sean Harkness 2.Siwa by Samite 3.Callisto's Sky by Thea & Tracy Silverman 4.Serenade by Liz Story 5.Spring Buds by Michael Hedges 6.Summertime by Jay Beckenstein 7.Here Comes The Sun by Tracy Silverman 8.A Thousand Summers by John Tesh 9.Luna Baillando by Sean Harkness 10.Why Springs Ain't Here by Michael Franks 11.I Will Walk With My Children by William Coulter 12.Wind In The Trees by David Arkenstone

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