CD-Charts Position 41
Average Rating:

Pure Moods, Vol. III

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
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 42
Average Rating:

A Winter's Solstice: Silver Anniversary Edition

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 09, 2001
Mellow, almost too much so, instrumental only. Would be good for background in a store of someplace, but not engaging.

CD-Charts Position 43
Average Rating:

Romantic: The Ultimate David Lanz Narada Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: David Lanz

Release Date March 12, 2002
This is a great CD for lovers of the piano, especially those who prefer flowing melodies played with passion. Lanz may be in a class by himself, and this CD provides a wonderful introduction to his more quiet, romantic pieces. Perfect for evenings spent with a loved one, but also soothing as you head down the road. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 44
Average Rating:

The Healing Journey

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
from: Musical Reflections, Inc.

Release Date October 26, 2007
This is a great CD for lovers of the piano, especially those who prefer flowing melodies played with passion. Lanz may be in a class by himself, and this CD provides a wonderful introduction to his more quiet, romantic pieces. Perfect for evenings spent with a loved one, but also soothing as you head down the road. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 45
Average Rating:

A Winter's Solstice: Windham Hill Artists

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Philip Aaaberg, Billy Oskay & Michael O Domhnail, Darol Anger & Mike Marshall

Release Date October 25, 1990
This beautiful acoustic CD by Windham Hill is one of my favorites. Several musicians (William Ackerman and Mark Isham among them) take the solstice and midwinter as a theme for its pieces. It's very moody and relaxing, and it suggests, to those of us living in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. There are two pieces which have a "Christian" theme in it (a retelling of Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's desiring by David Quadley and a theme called Christmas on the High Line), but it mostly suggests to me the ancient pagan past in Northern Europe, the fresh snow over the beech forests as the pale sunlight of the midwinter gives way to the starry night, and the local folk erect a bonfire.

CD-Charts Position 46
Average Rating:

Oracle

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Michael Hedges

Release Date October 01, 1996
Who was Michael Hedges? One of the greatest acoustic guitar players ever, for sure, and a brilliant composer, but much more than that. His total mastery of technique enabled him to transcend the boundaries of his instrument and to speak with a direct connection to his soul. Not a striving to reach such a state, but the outpouring of a true master, of one who has attained it. I hear his music and no longer wonder about the reason for existence. Not to say that all of his music attains this lofty level, but a great deal does. Oracle might not be his best work, (although it is my personal favorite) but it's definitely in the top three.

CD-Charts Position 47
Average Rating:

The Best of Narada Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Various Artists

Release Date August 25, 1998
I could listen to this CD forever...and do!! It is wonderful and I love to wrap presents, decorate the tree, entertain, anything with this music on...perfect for anything during the holidays...and even after!

CD-Charts Position 48
Average Rating:

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Various Artists

Release Date May 23, 1995
This is a solid greatest hits collection, with perhaps only one or two clunkers in the bunch. Very mellow, and great for listening to at work (especially if you work in Hawai'i, I suppose).

It's a cliche to say that discs like this take a listener to the islands, but it's a popular sentiment for a reason: This CD is like a vacation to Maui that you can take any time.

CD-Charts Position 49
Average Rating:

Guitar Fingerstyle, Vol. 1

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Various Artists

Release Date June 18, 1996
This is one of my favorite albums. The music is, in my opinion, excellently chosen. Some compilation CDs have awkward transitions between artists. On this album, the songs are arranged in a very pleasing order. You can listen and appreciate the different styles of the artists without feeling like you are getting pulled in different directions. The best way I can describe it is to write that it is like reading an excellently chosen book of short stories.

This album is fabulous for artistic inspiration. It is beautiful without being imposing. As a teacher of English, I often look for music that will inspire my students to write without distracting them. For the past four years, this CD has been one that my students have enjoyed listening to while they work.

CD-Charts Position 50
Average Rating:

Windham Hill Classics: Harvest

CD-Charts > Music > Solo Instrumental
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 14, 2000
This is one of my favorite albums. The music is, in my opinion, excellently chosen. Some compilation CDs have awkward transitions between artists. On this album, the songs are arranged in a very pleasing order. You can listen and appreciate the different styles of the artists without feeling like you are getting pulled in different directions. The best way I can describe it is to write that it is like reading an excellently chosen book of short stories.

This album is fabulous for artistic inspiration. It is beautiful without being imposing. As a teacher of English, I often look for music that will inspire my students to write without distracting them. For the past four years, this CD has been one that my students have enjoyed listening to while they work.