Customer Reviews

Of the Marsh and the Moon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This album takes the listener far away, in time as well as space--you feel as though you've been transported to China. Several of the tracks are based on traditional Chinese or Mongolian folksongs The combination of traditional instruments and a synthesizer is surprisingly good. The album was recorded in St. Peter's Church in New York City, which provides the acoustics for the "natural surround sound"--and it's wonderful!

It is the best in it's genre, even today. I first heard it in 1998. We were flying high above the mountains over Chattanooga, TN. Hurricane Betty (I believe) was moving ashore, and the frontal clouds below were misty as the mountain peaks poked through towards the heavens. The scene below was surreal, eerily reminescent of Chinese paintings I had seen. This CD is good like that. It's virtual sound environment and layered sounds opens multi-oulets ones imagination, while soothing and calming the heart and mind. I recommend this for anyone who loves Chinese traditional music and new age music. Allow it to paint on the canvas of your mind as it calms your body and focuses you mind. I regret only that there is no downloadable version. But I am going to order a back up copy to save for my step-son. It is worth every penny.

I Ching comprises four members: three Chinese musicians (Sisi Chen on Chinese dulcimer, Tao Chen on bamboo flute, and Bao Li Zhang on er-hu, a two-stringed Chinese fiddle) and Joel Goodman on synthesizer and sampler. The tunes pretty well alternate between oriental folk tunes arranged by Goodman and original compositions by Goodman--in light of his omnipresence on the CD, it is strange that he is the only one of the four musicians not pictured on the back cover. The blend of acoustic instruments with synthesized sounds works quite well, and the music is quite enjoyable, with more substance than the typical New Age recording. As you might expect from Chesky, the sound quality is first-class, although I did not find the claim, "recorded in natural surround sound" to be fully substantiated in my system.

I have been looking for contemporary Asian groups - mostly instrumental music. When I was accidentally sent this CD by my music club, I was a little irritated. But I listenend and now its one of my favourite CDs! I recommend this group highly, they are truly talented.

This is Asian music that has a very modern feel to it. It is very enjoyable and pleasant and makes great background music for a night of reading or spending time with a friend.

I think this would be a great introduction for people who may not have listened seriously to Asian music before. They could get hooked on this. The CD gets better with each new playing as you grwo to like it more each time.

This is really an enjoyable CD, whether for background music or meditation. I immediately travel thru space and time when I play this and never tire of any of the pieces. Composition is exceptional, the surround sound is surprising and on a Bose System, it's a terrific CD! I look for more of their work. You can't go wrong with this one.