Customer Reviews

Cello Blue

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I buy music for massage almost every week and this is the one CD I would recommend over any other out there. I have been playing it almost every day for two years during my massage sessions and almost everyone on the table wants to know who the artist is and what the name of the album is. His other CD's are also beautiful, but I have not used them for massage for they are not quite as ambient. Other music I recommend for massage include Migration - Nakai, Afterglow - Wheater, Hoppe and Tillman and Shadowplay - Tim Story.

Well, hands down, David Darling is one of my favourite musicians, starting with his days with the early Paul Winter Consort, collaborations with R. Carlos Nakai, through to the ECM recordings and the healing music series. The first Hearts of Space release by Mr. Darling, entitled "Eight String Religion", is timeless and has remained very popular since its release in 1993. This CD follows from that earlier Hearts of Space release, with the artist creating atmospheric peices using multiple cellos with piano and keyboard, and some natural sounds. In the liner notes, Mr Darling talks of his joy in "Sound Play" describing his cello playing as "healing and transformational" . That really sums up the feel of this CD which provides relaxing, exihilarating, and reflective music, almost akin to reciting a mantra or meditating on a mandala, while dancing happily. Since the artist is classically trained, the music tends towards this type of structure, even in its more free-form pieces. This makes the music feel familiar on the surface, but in fact it is very complex and rich without being obtrusive about it. I would give the CD five stars, but it is still not as good as "Eight String Religion". It is, however, a delight and since the former CD is becoming difficult to get, this one makes a great selection.

OH MY!! If there is a song for the century, I have found it on this CD! Thy Will (Not Mine) Be Done, is simply put, the most expressive, beautiful, both melancholy and hopeful song I have ever heard. I can listen to this song 5 times and never tire of it. As always, David's music is rich, lush, full of emotion and somehow comforting-although this song makes me sad at times (reminds me of a lost love...) I always marvel at the technical aspects of the song-the transition between the notes, the manner in which the sound is evoked-the feeling behind the music. It amazes me how a person can take an inanimate object constructed from wood and string fibres and make such heavenly, heart-felt sounds come from it! David mentioned that when he was younger, he would use the cello as an outlet for his emotions. You can hear it in all his works, but especially in this album. He literally makes his cello "talk" I have never heard anything like it!This album also inspires a lot of imagery-the sun coming out from behind the clouds after a summer rain, watching leaves float down a trickling river, a couple waltzing slowly at sunset-the possibilities are limitless. I always thought David's music lent itself as a film soundtrack, as it's so...visual!
The other songs on this album are wonderful also, but none compare to "Thy Will". I hope David creates more music like this!...
Yes, he made me appreciate the cello's sound so much...I want to take lessons! :)

I love this recording. There is not one jarring, abrasive, intrusive phrase on the entire CD. Darling's use of the piano and his usual sensitve cello transport you to a higher realm, out of the psychosis of the 'modern' world and into a place of harmony and peace. Great for meditation, for musing, for painting, for writing, or just intensely listening. The birds are sweet, delicate, and well placed. Thank you, David. I needed this!

I listened to about 15 seconds of a sample and ordered it. About 1 week later, it became the theme music for a romantic encounter.
Now, each night I drift off to blissfull slumber to the sounds of "Cello Blue." If you enjoy introspection and relaxation, do yourself a favor and get this one.

Touches of genius and soothing sounds...I can't wait to hear more of his work.

Some fans criticize David Darling for his work in this album, for being more New Age, and less Ambient... I could care less! Yes, there are natural sounscapes as a background to the Cello work of Darling, but it only enhances the already powerfull and soothing effect that his music has. Truly beautiful work!

I use this CD in my yoga class. It's very soft, gentle, and soothing. A nice play in the car after a long day at work.

Excellent-I'm currently using it in my treatment room for therapeutic massage and my clients love it. I like working to it- it is soothing and melodic- I would highly recommend this for relaxation and/or background music. I also love the use of mostly real and not synthesized music.

Top 10 ever to my ears.

Rates with Music for Airports (Eno), Soma (Rich/Roach), Northern Song (Tibbetts), We'll Be Together Again (Martino) and Thimar (Holland) as some of the most intimate, cerebral music you'll ever hear.