CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Pure Moods, Vol. I

by: Various Artists, Adiemus, Angelo Badalamenti, David A. Stewart, David Byrne, Deep Forest, Enigma, Ennio Morricone, Enya, Eight Others

Release Date April 29, 1997
I first heard of this cd when it was first advertised on tv in the 90's but honestly thought nothing of buying it. However in 2001 I happened to spot this cd when I was stationed in Japan and am happy to have spent my money on this cd. Due to the variety of the songs I feel that this cd is good to listen to at work , when you are spending time with your loved ones, and relaxing and nurturing yourself when you are alone. Some of the notable tracks that really stand out in a positive way for me are

"return to innocence" by enigma
"orinoco flow" by enya
"sweet lullaby" by deep forest
"tubular bells" by mike oldfield
"sadeness" by enigma

There are other good tracks on this cd that are also enjoyable. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Pure Moods, Vol. II

by: Various Artists, Adiemus lll, Clannad, Craig Armstrong, Dave Koz, Delerium, Dream Academy, Loreena McKennitt, Massive Attack, Various Others

Release Date November 17, 1998
I'm not sure what must have been going through the minds of the record label when assembling this collection as a sequel to Pure Moods vol. I. Now granted, most of Pure Moods I is actually quite good and enjoy it though I don't think it stacks up to the "Earthtone Collection", "Elevation", or "Buddha Lounge" series nor warranted TV commercials. The second entry in the Pure Moods series is in my opinion, the most uneven and shakiest of the entries for several reasons, several tracks do absolutely nothing for me. "Nightingale" strikes me as meandering classical leftovers from a orchestral outtake. No offense but what on Earth is "Breezin" doing on this collection?! It's not a bad song by any means but it has absolutely no place on here and belongs on ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Pure Moods, Vol. III

by: Various Artists, Blue Man Group, Brian Eno & Geoffrey Oryema, David Lanz, Enigma, Enya, Jessie Cook, Kitaro, Moby, Eight Others

Release Date February 06, 2001
I did not find that I enjoyed it as much as Pure Moods, Vol. I

Pure Moods Vol I, I think is still the best

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Pure Moods, Vol. IV

by: Various Artists, Mythos, Balligomingo, Enigma, Delerium with Sarah McLachlan, Secret Garden, Yanni, Jim Brickman, Eva Cassidy, Eight Others

Release Date October 01, 2002
I purchased this as a gift and it arrived in a very timely manner and the person loved the gift.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Celtic Moods: A Celtic Companion to Pure Moods

by: Various Artists, Altan, Capercaillie, Carter Burwell, Christy Moore, Clannad, Eleanor McEvoy, Leahy, Loreena McKennitt, Eight Others

Release Date November 11, 1997
I am absolutely amazed at the high reviews this CD got, when in my opinion it isn't good at all. I bought this at a thrift shop hoping for a good Celtic CD, well definitely not what I got. The first two or three tracks were great, I mean you could definitely feel the Celtic influence in the drums and the violin river dancing sort music. When it started going up in the tracks, the whole Celtic influence disappeared altogether in my opinion. It became western guitar music with Texan sort singing. I am not understanding how the coffee shop, western guitar mixed music is Celtic in any way. LAter on there is also some piano music involved. I am not saying the tracks themselves are bad, but I really feel that this CD mistitled beyond belief. If you even listen to the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Due South, Vol. II: The Original Television Soundtrack

by: Various Artists, Jay Semko, Mythos, Junkhouse, Captain Tractor, Paul Gross, Vibrolux, Sarah McLachlan, Dutch Robinson, Six Others

Release Date June 02, 1998
The sound on this CD is great, and it brings back the series. It's very upbeat and fun. I wish they included the ending theme song, the one with the words "Due South, that's the way I'm going . . . " Other than that, the sound is different than American music; it's refreshing. My kids, ages 10 and 8 like it too.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Instrumental Moods

by: Various Artists, 3rd Force, Afro Celt Sound System, Craig Chaquico, Cusco, David Lanz, Enigma, Ennio Morricone, Eric Johnson, Eight Others

Release Date February 24, 1998
"Unlike its predecessors, Pure Moods and Celtic Moods, Instrumental Moods doesn't follow any specific style. Instead, it strings together a number of instrumentals from different genres, from new age (Enigma), reggae (Afro Celt Sound System) and worldbeat (Cusco) to rock (Eric Johnson, Santana), film scores (Ennio Morricone), pop (Vaness-Mae) and trip-hop (Massive Attack). The only connection these songs have is their laidback tone, and that happens to be enough, since the diverse range of styles prevents the record from being monotonous. Not all of the songs are familiar, but there are enough recognizable pieces to hold the attention of the curious, as they discover that Instrumental Moods is fine mood music. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide"

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Jane Austen Entertains: Music from her own library

by: Sara Stowe;Jenny Thomas;Martin Souter

Release Date March 02, 2007
Romance novelist Jane Austen, during her later years at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire, is said to have practiced on the pianoforte each morning before settling down to write. "Jane Austen Entertains" reproduces several period pieces from Austen's handcopied collection of music, suitable for pianoforte, some with flute and/or voice accompaniment.

The selections on this CD were actually recorded in Jane Austen's house. The result captures in a fairly authentic way the kind of home entertainment available to ordinary people of Jane Austen's day, long before record players, television, and other electronic media. The selections themselves are simple 18th and early 19th century songs and country airs, meant to entertain gatherings of family and friends. These types of gatherings ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Music for a Great Castle

by: The Elizabethan Consort;The Henrician Consort

Release Date February 04, 2005
Romance novelist Jane Austen, during her later years at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire, is said to have practiced on the pianoforte each morning before settling down to write. "Jane Austen Entertains" reproduces several period pieces from Austen's handcopied collection of music, suitable for pianoforte, some with flute and/or voice accompaniment.

The selections on this CD were actually recorded in Jane Austen's house. The result captures in a fairly authentic way the kind of home entertainment available to ordinary people of Jane Austen's day, long before record players, television, and other electronic media. The selections themselves are simple 18th and early 19th century songs and country airs, meant to entertain gatherings of family and friends. These types of gatherings ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book

by: Martin Souter

Release Date March 05, 2004
Romance novelist Jane Austen, during her later years at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire, is said to have practiced on the pianoforte each morning before settling down to write. "Jane Austen Entertains" reproduces several period pieces from Austen's handcopied collection of music, suitable for pianoforte, some with flute and/or voice accompaniment.

The selections on this CD were actually recorded in Jane Austen's house. The result captures in a fairly authentic way the kind of home entertainment available to ordinary people of Jane Austen's day, long before record players, television, and other electronic media. The selections themselves are simple 18th and early 19th century songs and country airs, meant to entertain gatherings of family and friends. These types of gatherings ... Read More: