Customer Reviews

Ocean Surf: Timeless and Sublime

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great nature albums are so acoustically balanced that they don't need music, and this is one of those albums. It's not busy with the sounds of other animals, or of anything else for that matter, just the sound of the surf. The beach where this was recorded must have had a very gentle ocean, as the waves don't seem to crash as much as they roll. Sometimes the sound of trickling water can be heard, as the wave slowly washes away. There are no sudden changes in volume or dynamics throughout the album making it perfect to put on repeat and fall asleep to.

This recording was lacking in several ways. If you like big crashing waves, this one does not deliver, as most are gentle to medium waves that end peacefully against a sandy beach followed by sounds of water trickling. The sounds are a bit disproportionate with the waves somewhat muted and the "trickle" sounds much louder than you would expect. The wave pattern seemed too rhythmic and unnatural to me, as though I were listing to one wave at a time with a pause between each rather than a recording of the ocean. And lastly, there was just too little variation (I know that can be a good thing, but was taken too far on this cd).
I have a few of these ocean sound cds as I have found they are perfect for listening at work. They are soothing but do not interrupt my train of thought. So far my favorite is Echoes of Nature: Ocean Waves (I'll review it on its amazon page).
There are so many variations of ocean sounds in the world, why hasn't someone developed a 4-cd set of ocean sounds?

Most ocean cds are of the "Sound and Fury" type, which makes them basically unsuitable for their most popular use: that of a crooning lullaby.

This recording by Dan Gibson does not, contrary to the official review above, offer you the sound of gentle waves gently lapping on the shores of Oregon. The waves of "Ocean Surf" are big and powerful ones but they are slow-paced. "Ocean Surf" is a natural, oceanic Adagio. It is majestic and yes, soothing (IF and only IF you turn down the volume)...

All my friends and visitors are transfixed when they hear this cd and most of them then proceed to ask me if they can borrow it, which I always answer in the negative.

Purists will be delighted since this recording does not feature any bird or other disturbing musical agency, either natural or artificial. It is just waves and the rustling sound of flushed sand for more than one hour.

People who are looking for more variety in sound should buy the equivalent cd by Echoes of Nature or Waves by Scott Wyker. Echoes of Nature has seagulls, singing pebbles and other oceanic audio delicacies (but no music, don't fret!), whereas Scott Wyker offers you an outstanding recording that is both genuine, evocative and extremely beautiful.

I purchased this CD-ROM about 7 years ago and played it every night. I listened to it until I fell asleep. I have listened to it each night since I purchased it. The constant playing resulted in numerous scratches on the back. Several weeks ago I had the CD restored so that I could continue enjoying it. I have often looked for this CD so that I could purchase another copy since my original one was becoming well used. I am thrilled to find it again so that I can have a new copy and a constant supply from now on when replacement becomes necessary. It is the most relaxing and soothing sounds that I have ever heard. Additionally, I find it envaluable for daytime listening whenever I am in need of some peaceful downtime. While I have found other environmental sounds CD's, none of them compares to this CD-ROM. It is worth the money. Your well-being will be enhanced.

This is a great ocean surf cd. It has great sounds all the way through and it's very long playing, too. It will definitely sooth and relax you. It doesn't bore *me*. Another great thing about this cd is that the sounds are quiet and NEVER LOUD OR VIOLENT AT ALL, which makes a great relaxation cd. I hope it won't bore you, either. If you like the sound of the quiet surf and don't mind nothing else, no music or anything, I think and hope you'll like this cd. I, personally, would reccomend you to go for it! It's a great relaxation cd for anybody.

Have you ever stayed at a beach front hotel and left the sliding door of your balcony open at night? All you hear is the ocean crashing against the shore, and that's exactly what this CD feels like when you play it in your room. The recorded surf sound very crisp and real, and makes for a soothing background.

I love tranquil "white noise" and the thunderstorms are great. But I really enjoy this. It's straight rolling gentle surf. The water lapping on the shores, the rising and falling off the water. Great for relaxing, super mood-setter for writers.

There is music overlaid over this just straight surf...puts me in mind of moonlight stroll on white beaches in the Hebrides.

This sounds like a ocean surf you would hear in the morning with lapping waves.There is no seagulls in this just the breathtaking sound of the ocean.This is the only ocean cd solitudes has that doesn't have seagulls.This is a good cd to wake up by as the waves are so soothing.You can also put it on before you go to bed at night.Also there's no music in this.

This is a perfect relaxing, soothing, recording of the ocean. I own other cheaper recordings and this one is the best, worth every penny. Ocean Surf has no annoying seagulls or music. It just a peaceful sound of calm waves and water. I was having alot of stress & anxiety in my life. I'm useing it for yoga and meditation, it really works!

This Dan Gibson CD is one I use to teach deep, diaphragmatic breathing...the tempo is good if you use one breath in, with one wave, and one breath out, with the second wave. This is very helpful for relaxation and for breathing practice for Anxiety disorders. There are no annoying "extra noises" like seagulls, foghorns, boat motors, or otherwise extraneous distractions. What you get is Pure Ocean Waves...something quite difficult to find in the "ocean" of SFX and "relaxation CD's" out there. Slightly over an hour long, you can use this for one great calming break. No music in this one either, JUST the waves resounding a crash, trickle, smooth movement. If you can't relax with this one, we should talk!!