In Beauty, We Return

R. Carlos Nakai | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Canyon Records
• ASIN: B0001WAGOC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,265 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #75 in Music > World Music > North America > Native American

Editorial Reviews

In 1983, R. Carlos Nakai (Dine/Ute) introduced the haunting and soothing sound of the Native American flute to the world and began an exploration of the musical possibilities of this traditional instrument. This collection of songs draws from the best of Nakai's recordings and shows the range and versatility of his artistry and musical imagination.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well-organized retrospective of a Native American flute master, October 1, 2006

By 

Brianna Neal (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Beauty, We Return (Audio CD)

Credited by many as being responsible for the current Renaissance of interest in Native American music, this traditional flutist released his first album, "Changes," in 1983 and has gone on to record scores of albums both traditional and contemporary. Ever pushing the boundaries of genre and imagination, Nakai has sometimes played solo and at other times collaborated other artists ranging from guitarists and pianists to Japanese folk bands and symphony orchestras. This compilation album is helpfully arranged into four sections, each containing three or four songs from a total of thirteen different albums. The sectional groupings are: "Solo" (traditional Native American-style pieces), "Quiet Collaborations" (meditative New Age style), "Rhythmic Collaborations" (light jazz) and "With Orchestra" (self-explanatory). My favorite tracks are #12, the cinematically orchestrated "Whippoorwill," and #10, "My Wild Heart Sings," which fuses Tibetan elements with some intensely cool jazz and, of course, Nakai's improvs on his distinctive wooden flute. All the selections are impeccably performed and interesting, but most have a reserved, laid back quality that, while relaxing, doesn't always grab and hold one's attention. Although that might be customary and appropriate for the meditative traditional pieces, I would have liked to hear some more stirring or upbeat mixtures in the fusion tracks. But with the clear direction given by the album's structure, you can pick your favorite style and seek out the source CDs for more thereof. For more Native American flute playing, try also the work of Alice Gomez, Mary Youngblood, Robert Mirabal, and the variety of flutists featured on the "Native Flute Collection" from Talking Taco Records. And for some flute-filled music celebrating the grandeur of the American Southwest, you might also enjoy the releases of Ah-Nee-Mah, and of Nicholas Gunn.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars music that soothes the soul, January 14, 2005

By 

J. Voss - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Beauty, We Return (Audio CD)

I've enjoy Nakai and his beautiful flute music for years, this album is another fine example of his gift of music reaching and touching your soul. I especially was deeply moved by his playing of amazing grace, it gave me such a feeling of peace and harmoney.
Listen to the tracks and feel the presence of The Great Spirit in his music and they way it soothes your soul!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Nakai: In Beauty We Return, October 17, 2010

By 

Big Vermillion - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Beauty, We Return (Audio CD)

I was expecting only flute music, which I like. This was found in the first part of the album but later the music began to sound more like jazz, which I'm not partial to.

Donald McCrory