Search - Various Artists :: Narada Decade: The Anniversary Collection: Selected Works: The First Ten Years (2-CD Set)

Really relaxing music

bengalcat1999 | Corvallis | 01/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really love this two-disk collection. The music is very peaceful and calming, while still being musically interesting. I find myself humming many of the melodies throughout the day, as they are very catching. This CD has had heavy playing time since I bought it; I listen to it while studying, reading, cooking, etc. It rarely ever gets stored on the shelf--more like a permanent home next to the cd player, if not *in* the cd player. All in all, this is a fantastic collection."

Nothing else even comes close...

Brandon Kostman (kkostman@nque.com) | Nebraska | 06/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Narada Decade collection contains some of the most hauntingly beautiful music ever written. In an age of disposable pop music, Decade's compositions are timeless classics, all. As a long-time fan of classical music, I place many of Decade's pieces on equal footing with the very best of Mozart, and Beethoven. Simply wonderful!!!"

AN EXQUISITE INTRODUCTION TO THE RELAXING BEAUTY AND GRACE O

ol' nuff n' den sum | the Virginia coast, USA | 04/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Narada Decade: The Anniversary Collection (1993) is a sort of "greatest hits" compilation of the New Age record label's first ten years.



New Age music is instrumental, relaxing and graceful. The primary instruments are piano, classical guitar, flute, oboe and violin, but songs may include other instruments as well. It's not classical music, but the two are somewhat related. New Age music is more spacious, relaxed, and modern than classical, and simply not as elaborate. Most of the time it's quite content to stay in the background. The songs are beautifully and irresistibly melodic, pristinely produced, and well performed. The men and women who play this music are accomplished musicians who have mastered their craft quite impressively.



This 2-CD collection includes a variety of piano and guitar themed music along with plenty of combination pieces that feature all of the instruments that contribute to the New Age sound. One of my favorites here is Oaks, a Nancy Rumbel/Eric Tingstad/David Lanz effort from their Woodlands CD. It's a thoughtful and stimulating piano, flute and guitar collaboration.



Disc 1 features songs from the Lotus subdivision of Narada, which is the quieter, more graceful side of the label. Disc 2 is a little more adventurous, and includes selections from Lotus as well as the other subdivisions of the label that feature world music, jazz, Celtic and fusion pieces. All are done in the meticulous and gracious Narada style.



The music on this collection is of the highest quality. Sometimes it's moving, at other times sentimental, but it's always soothing and relaxing. Whether it's as an implement for thoughtful reflection, as background music while reading or just to set a relaxing mood, Narada Decade: The Anniversary Collection is a graceful, interesting and neatly produced musical selection."