CD Details
Synopsis
Amazon.comThe Nature of Narada is a jumble of instrumental tracks mined from the label's extensive catalog and stitched together to form a value-priced two-CD package with the natural world as its thematic core. The final product is a largely agreeable, not quite stellar mishmash of music selected from recordings released over 20 years. Listeners seeking a seamless bliss-out disc in the vein of Narada's popular Wilderness Collection may be disoriented by some stylistic left turns here: the improvisation in "Trees" by jazz pianist Keiko Matsui, the urban vibe of "Desert Vision" from guitarist Randy Roos, the heavily sweetened tracks from Richard Warner and Spencer Brewer. Expect a mix of label classics (guitarist Eric Tingstad's engaging head-bobber "Monongahela"), some B-side material, and a bit of derring-do, such as the genteel, Middle Eastern-flavored "A Walk by the Lake" from Axiom of Choice. --Terry Wood
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CD Reviews
Very enjoyable! Brianna Neal | USA | 05/26/2003 (5 out of 5 stars) "A nice 2-disc collection of intriguing, life-affirming instrumentals that are alternately upbeat and soothing. Many are in major keys, and those that are minor are wistful and restful rather than dark. There are no super-imposed nature sounds here, as the title first led me to believe, but the titles of the selections reflect the composers' focus on the natural environment. Especially winning selections are those by hammered dulcimer player Paul Reisler and his jazzy folk group Trapezoid ("Big Salmon"), shakuhachi player Kazu Matsui ("Sign of the Snow Crane"), composer Michael Whalen ("Through the Parched Lands: Desert Flower"), pianist Kostia ("Snowy River"), guitarist William Ellwood ("Touchstone"), neo-Persian cross-over ensemble Axiom of Choice ("A Walk by the Lake"), flutist Richard Warner ("Mountains in the Mist"), harp-guitarist John Doan ("Winter's Eve), and oboist Nancy Rumbel ("Delicate Balance"). All in all, a good value, good introductions to the work of over 20 artists, and a pleasant, transporting mix!"
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