Customer Reviews

Among Friends - Collection 1

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Steven Halpern Among Friends Collection I

[Compilation] CD/compact disc

Songs/Tracks

1. Touch With Your Heart
2. Shared Visions
3. Thigh Ch'i
4. Natural Light
5. Spectrum Suite
6. Ivory Moon
7. Threshold
8. Hear To Eternity
9. Apollo's Lyre
10. Dawn
11. Recollections
12. Farewell To Atlantis

UPC: 093791784327

I didn't care for this disc at first when played in my car. It seemed to be lacking in energy. But when I played it on my home stereo, it came much more alive. The piano, harp, flute and other instruments were easier to hear. The gentle flow and weaving of sounds were much more enjoyable. A very relaxing disc. (And a bargain if bought used.)

P.S. Apparently, this disc comes with two different cover. Mine came with the desert, rock and water scene.

Yeah, I know; "another Steve Halpern compilation album." However, this one is very different, and well worth purchasing, even if you have LOTS of Halpern's other albums. (As I do.)

Over the years, "New Age Music" guru Steven Halpern has made collaborative albums with a variety of very talented musicians (e.g., Paul Horn, Dallas Smith, Georgia Kelly, etc.). Many of these collaborations seemingly inspired Halpern to some of his finest work (e.g., Paul Horn Steven Halpern CONNECTIONS; Ancient Echoes). Unfortunately, most of these works are long since out of print, such as his collaborations with Dallas Smith (Lifetide, 1984 Newsound, Threshold)).

However, this album brings some of these collaborations back to us; "Touch With Your Heart" (originally from the "Lifetide" album) is one of my all-time favorite songs by Steve Halpern, and evokes a timeless, Eastern atmosphere, with just a touch of "darkness." (In the "mysterious" sense, not the "scary" sense.) They may well inspire you to seek out copies of the original alums these selections were taken from (the liner notes indicate the original album, which you can often buy used).

The twelve pieces on this album are indeed a "Best of" collection of Halpern's collaborative works. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!