Track Listing

1. Magic Birdcage
2. Jewels of the Færies
3. Healing Spirits
4. Magic Fountain
5. Garden Under the Sea
6. Ice Færies
7. Star Maiden
8. Mountain Spirit

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #372756 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

Heart-stoppingly sublime
Have you ever stood in a music store, keen to buy something, not too sure what it will be but yearning for something indefinable that will hit the right spot? I found it last week on a business trip to Seattle. Loitering near the New Age listening stations in a national music store I heard this gorgeous music pouring out in great waterfalls of atmospheric sound. This really stops you in your tracks, makes your heart beat a bit faster and has you casting around to describe what it is you're hearing and why it does something wonderful inside your head. The mixture of music cultures and traditions is skilfully woven together to produce a seamless, almost flawless journey though the musical leitmotifs of Ireland, the Himalayas, Japan, China and Native America. Each track is distinctly flavoured with a taste of its home haute cuisine but oversprinkled with David Arkenstone's inimitable flair for endowing each cultural offering with a wash of New Age colour. This gives the whole C.D. a pleasing consistency, nothing seems out of place, neither too loud and percussive nor too bland and floaty. I have listened to it a dozen times since returning and find it more pleasing with each play by appreciating the sensitive and subtle efforts to differentiate each cultural echo. My only criticism is the title which I feel is gender sensitive and could alienate a good chunk of the potential audience. Also the idea of spinning the whole collection around Fairies/Faeries seems contrived and rather fey but once you get past that barrier it's a really fine c.d. All the tracks have something wonderful to say but I have a penchant for the Gaelic influence so adored 'The Garden under the Sun', and the oriental influences in 'The Healing Spirits' and 'The Mountain Spirits'. Listen to this at the end of a party or enjoying a contemplative debate about the world-state with close friends or to enter an other-wordly state both legally and safely! Enjoy