Customer Reviews

Oktober County: Contemporary, Ancient And...

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A musician friend of mine gave me a copy of this years ago when I bought my dulcimer with the intent of inspiring me! It did just that! The instrumentation is outstanding. A little bit of western, blue grass, celtic -- one moment you're picturing Maverick riding over the countryside, the next minute you're swept away to a Renaissance moment. Each song is vastly different from the others -- exciting, yet soothing -- and all with a distinctly Oktober feel. I play it constantly in my car. I'm so afraid the tape will wear out, I'm buying the CD!

Yikes! I don't generally *LIKE* instrumental music [or even tolerate?]. Too sappy, too happy. Too cold, sterile, impersonal. Too "is this fluorescent light giving you a migraine?" Too perfectionistic...too manipulative...too "in lack of emotion, just add strings" mock emotional pie...What happened? Why is this different? Simply....it's good. Very, very, very good. I bought this CD for my father...now I need to go and get another one. It's worth the money.

Oktober County is a collection of musical paintings...similar enough to carry a single theme yet avoiding the monotony that characterizes some folk music. Every time I listen to the cd I notice something new. It is positively addicting!

October County and everything else on the Gourd label is magical. I say that because of the impact that this music has upon one's mental/emotional state. It really will put you in your 'happy place'. It is the ultimate contemplative, quiet-time music...it will make you feel beautiful.

I used to work in a bookstore that sold some music. This was one of our best selling cds that we ever carried. Granted I played it quite frequently. I have personally worn out 3 cassettes & 1 cd; I'm on my 2nd cd. It is wonderful for quite solitary times. It always brings me peace. I love listening to it for sleeping, hot soaky bathes & around the campfire. I don't no a single person who hasn't liked though they might not have LOVED it as much as I have. You can't go wrong with this cd.

Neal Hellman, of the highly talented group of Northern California musicians, the Gourd group, specializes in instrumental versions of traditional and modern Celtic airs. This includes some of the loveliest offerings from this genre, including an unforgettable version of Turlogh O'carolan's best piece, "Sheebag Sheemore." I've played my copy to pieces. A musical treat.

Hellman's goal of capturing Autumn, that "bitter sweet time of the year" is served well by this CD. This is my only criticism also. The music is so much associated to the season, I find I only listen to it during Autumn.