Customer Reviews

Eden's Island

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

 

 

Eden Ahbez was best known for writing "Nature Boy" - a big hit for Nat "King" Cole. This album, however, should be viewed as an instrumental album (a Martin Denny style cross between islandesque and jazz music - featuring jazz great Paul Moer!) with a sort of beat poetry accompanying it. (Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records described Ahbez's lyrics as a cross between Kahil Gibran and Rod McKuen.) In any event, the lyrics and the music work together to create a very ethereal sound that is absolutely haunting - in a positive way!

Eden's Island is music for the end of a stressful day. The soothing sound of musical seashells blended with soulful prose, lifts one's spirit from the mundane world of techno and transports it into Paradise. A glass of wine and an ocean breeze helps. Ahbez is a unique artist who reveals his soul without regret. This is a CD worthwhile having in your collection. I first heard Ahbez's music while I was at the university in the 70's and have never grown tired of listening to it.

The song I listened to is a uniqual expression of the soul and passion. It is soft and santimental. I like the way it make me feel. There is a kind of nostalgic cry for love. It is like you are coming from a twilight zone of broken heart and you look for recovery. There is a purity in the willing to love and be loved. There is a painful expression of being alone and isolated.

Eden Ahbez was one of the original hippies before the term was used. Eden was most certainly before his time, living a true bohemian lifestyle(sporting long hair and a beard, he must of seemed really weird to the folks back then) influenced by the california "nature boys" who lived outside under the stars, ate fruits and nuts and practiced meditation and yoga. These "nature boys" was a heavy influence on the later known hippies of 1960's and the music here relects their philosophy. Eden wrote all the tunes, plays a few of the instruments along with singing occassionally and reciting his beat style poetry. The music is exotica (a weird mix of tropical sounds, 50's pop and jazz)which can be considered kind of like the "new age" music of its day, very relaxing. If for nothing else, this is a great historical document in song and sound of the precurser to the late 60's counter culture.

Yo. Snap. this album is off the meter. Bought it on whim. Never lets me down. A gem. You need this. Bad. Not a dull moment. do you want to go to Eden's Island? This dude is the bizzaqt.

I heard a track of this years ago, heard it again by accident THIS is very relaxing stuff. Also, If you like this you would LOVE Johnny Ukelele! mmmmmmmmmm....