Of the Marsh and the Moon

I Ching | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 30, 1996)
• Original Release Date: July 8, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chesky Records
• ASIN: B000003GGV
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tibet

2. Young Girl's Heart

3. Jasmine Flower

4. Silk Road

5. Running Water

6. The Three Rivers

7. Gadamaylin

8. Beauty Is Everywhere

9. In That Distant Place

10. Prayer

11. Birds Flying In The Sky

Editorial Reviews

Take three Chinese musicians schooled in the ancient art of traditional music making. A tradition that evokes images of romance and mystery. Add the futuristic, yet always musical sound of a synthesizer and apply state-of-the-art Chesky sonic technology. The result? I Ching: Of The Marsh and The Moon. This instrumental recording offers melodies that are at times distressingly beautiful, rhythmically driving and lushly melodic. Featuring Sisi Chen playing the Yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), Tao Chen on Chinese flute and Bao Li on Erhu (two stringed Chinese fiddle) with the synthesizer of Joel Goodman, this is World music meeting New Age.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best use of surround sound yet, August 21, 2000

By 

B. Bearden - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Of the Marsh and the Moon (Audio CD)

I bought this CD after hearing one of the tracks on Stereo Review/Chesky's test CD, and thought hey - this is pretty cool. So I had it for a few days without listening to it yet, and then my roommate put it in and I happened across track 5 while my CD changer was in random mode. I was floored, and immediately put the CD player in continuous play mode and listened to the rest of the CD without getting up - the first time in a long time that a CD has done that to me on first listen. The "natural surround" sounds great in a home theater system w/ Dolby Pro Logic, but what amazed me even more is listening in plain old 2-channel sound - It is recorded in some sort of virtual surround, which sounds amazing, even better than actual rear speakers if you are positioned properly with respect to your speakers. The imaging is near holographic - there are voices and sounds coming from all angles around, above, and below you. Definitely the best use of surround sound for music composition that I have heard yet. Sound quality aside, the music is terrific, and that is what initially gripped me, and keeps me coming back for more. The mix of traditional Chinese instruments and melodies with modern sounds is nothing short of beautiful. Where is the follow up album? Please make another album, I Ching!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A flawless mesh of old and new, November 7, 2001

By 

LGwriter "SharpWitGuy" (Astoria, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of the Marsh and the Moon (Audio CD)

Credit David Chesky with putting out--at least occasionally--some really intriguing music. This work consists of several tracks played by three Chinese musicians with traditional instruments, and an American synthesist. The choice of material is flawless--a perfect mix of ancient songs and new compositions. The playing is great, creating moods of beauty and serenity. While there are quite a few CDs available in the worldbeat category, none that I know of does what this album does, which is to envelope the listener in a deep feeling of Chinese life. You may not be in China, but you definitely understand what it may be like, at least sensually.

Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing!, April 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Of the Marsh and the Moon (Audio CD)

You have to get this CD if you are looking for the Asian feel of music. I love the complexity of the background sounds of the busy city rushing in and out and between the wonderful array of oriental instruments. They mix the traditional with the new age, and they went about it in a good way. BUY THIS CD NOW! And you won't be disappointed. I wish I could find more of this group's great music. Although not the same group, (at first I thought it was) I Ching Symphony is a great buy also.