Product Description

After his genre-defining AMBIENT 1: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS, Brian Eno collaborated with minimalist composer Harold Budd forAMBIENT 2: THE PLATEAUX OF MIRROR, which proved to be a natural pairing. By taking Budd's solo piano compositions and applying his unique sound treatments, Eno managed to enhance a startlingly spare work, yet keep its simplicity intact. Onmany tracks, Eno's additional sounds are so subtle that they easily mesh with any background noise that may surround the listener. A car driving by in the distance or an airplane flying overhead might fit seamlessly into one of the compositions. Budd's delicate piano work, though, is always at the fore, slowly creating a quiet, yet expansive, sonic landscape. Here both musicians are wholly in their element, making this an album of truly astounding beauty.

Track Listing

1. First Light
2. Steal Away
3. The Plateaux Of Mirror
4. Above Chiangmai
5. An Arc Of Doves
6. Not Yet Remembered
7. The Chill Air
8. Among Fields Of Crystal
9. Wind In Lonely Fences
10. Failing Light

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20843 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-27
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Possibly the most beautiful record ever made
I can find absolutely no fault with this album. I've known and loved its contents for 25 years and its beauty still takes my breath away. Harold Budd's elegant stripped-down piano melodies and Brian Eno's synthesiser sound washes compliment each other prefectly to make THE all time ambient classic. If you like ambient music this album is indispensible. If ambient's a genre you don't know but would like to check out this the one to start with. And even if you don't like ambient music, this album could change your mind. It's sensual, calming, uplifting, poignant and sophistcated. Possibly the most beautiful record ever made. Do yourself a huge life-changing favour. Buy this album!

First Light
used to listen to this late at night in the summer, half hanging out of my bedroom widow, listening both to this music played quiet as the rest of the house was asleep, and also to the sound of running water and the wind in the trees. I think that was what Eno was getting at, the urge to resist the barrage of commercial trivial pop pap and learn again to listen. The track First Light, to me is not ambient at all but intense music, mournful and painfully sensitive. Very beautiful and inspiring, listen to it and then do something.

Can't get enough Eno? Buy this!
If you like Eno then you know what to expect. If you don't know him then you may underestimate the man. After all he says he is not a musician (funny - I'm not a musician either but he's released a lot more records than me). It sounds like he's got a load of electronic instruments and just set them loose but there's a lot more going on here. Like the other ambient series discs, this is a beautiful, tranquil and extremely clever piece of music. It'll take you to another place without much trouble and leave you slightly changed when you return.