EN: AFFINITY

DUO EN | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: October 1, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koto World
• ASIN: B000BOW2K6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,716 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Enigma

2. Whispering Trees

3. Silver River

4. Spring Sea

5. Danza Lucumi

6. Sukiyaki Song

7. Amazing Grace/Swing Low

8. Lost Lake Reflections

9. Scarborough Fair

10. Je Crois Encore Entendre

11. Nightingale's Return

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime music that is a fusion of Japanese and Western folk tradition, November 16, 2005

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: EN: AFFINITY (Audio CD)

If you love the sound of plucked koto and whispering shakuhachi bamboo flute, you are going to love "Affinity." Elizabeth Falconer and her husband John Falconer form the duo "En" --"affinity" in Japanese. There certainly is an affinity for koto and shakuhachi. The dry but fluid sound of the flute blends with the harp-like dripping of the plucked koto. Mrs. Falconer is one of the few American koto players who are actually licensed as a true Japanese master of the instrument. She and her husband met while studying Japanese, and their affinity for each other has created a wonderful musical partnership.

What's marvelous about this cd is that it includes koto-shakuhachi arrangements of popular tunes like "Scarborough Fair" and "Je Crois Encore Entendre" and "Amazing Grace." There are also traditional Japanese tunes mixed in and original works. I was amazed at how Japanese Simon & Garfunkel could sound!

I like relaxation music. I find that I can turn off all the "noise" in my brain by listening to quiet music right before bed. This cd is going right into the bedside CD and I have a feeling it's going to be staying there for quite a while. This is gorgeous music. If you have kids that need settling down before bed, I'd recommend you try this music for them. You could read a beautiful bedtime story, a psalm or bible verse, or look at a soothing picture book and make a wonderful bedtime ritual. Or just sit and cuddle and teach them to calm themselves after a busy day. For adults, this is also something very romantic. Dinner by candlelight? Sofa and fireplace? Sitting on the porch or deck on a lovely evening? The music evokes dark silhouettes of pine trees and twinkling stars and the breeze stirring the floating leaves.

If you have a friend who is a fan of Japanese music, or who likes world sound or who might need something relaxing, this would make a wonderful gift. I think this is a great addition to any cd library and so far, tied with "Deep Pool" this is my favorite of all the Falconer koto albums so far. Absolutely excellent and highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light but not trite, September 16, 2008

By 

Great Blue Heron - See all my reviews

This review is from: EN: AFFINITY (Audio CD)

There are some wonderful arrangements of "western" songs on here that are not overdone - just simple melodies, played acoustically and without any of the underlying electronic vibes that are so prevalent in world music albums. The whole experience is free of anything but the sounds of the bamboo flute (very peaceful) and the koto (very calming). The Japanese songs are easy to listen to as well - I give it five stars for general appeal.