Customer Reviews

Pacific Moon

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow. I received this CD as a gift, and haven't stopped listening to it. It starts with the sound of the surf, in the Great Pacific Northwest--home of the talented Gary Stroutsos. This CD is really a suite, so several of the pieces flow from one into the other, and the overall feel of the CD is mellow, timeless, and musically very interesting from end to end. Gary Stroutsos is best known (at least to me) for his Native American flute music. He has also done a flute and synthesizer CD with the Space Music master, Jonn Serrie. This CD reflects time spent in Oregon at Falcon Cove Beach, which Mr. Stroutsos describes as a *sacred place*. On this CD Stroutsos plays altus alto flute, bamboo flute, ratan bass flute and wood flute. He is joined by: Glen Velez, Elizabeth Falconer, Larry Mahlis, Ed Pais, Jonn Serrie, and Nonda Trimis. This is a new release by the label *Paras Recordings*, a *new* label. I've received other recent releases from them, and the quality of the music is GREAT. Try out this CD as it takes you through all the times of day, starting with *Dawn* on the coast, and ending at evening on *Zen Beach*. Take your time....

This luscious, primal, Asian-inspired flute music is perfect for massage or active meditation (Taiji, Qigong, Yoga, etc.). Unlike some New Age recordings that vascillate between western and eastern, combining the extremes oddly without capturing the best qualities of either, Gary Stroutsos has found a perfect blend. While tempered and deepened by the ambience of electronic drones, Stroutsos' gentle flute melodies and Elizabeth Falconer's koto accompaniments are pure east--pentatonic, mysterious and captivatingly beautiful. Using four flutes--including a breathy bamboo and a deep, throaty ratan bass--Stroutsos leads the listener on a relaxing, intriguing journey, enhanced not only by the plucks and glissandos of the koto but by recorded ocean sounds, chimes, bells and soothing, trance-like hand drums. Eight musicians are listed, including adaptable and ubiquitous percussionist Glen Velez, but the sound of the recording remains spare and pristine, not overloaded with sound. The recorded surf ties many of the selections together so there are no stark breaks in between. In fact, the first eight tracks are all-of-a-piece, a suite following the moods of the sea through the day from morning till night. More interesting and animated than most meditation music, but gentler than many world music forays, "Pacific Moon" is one of those engaging recordings that, to me, is in a class by itself. For other flute albums blending elements of east and west, try the sparer "Quiet Heart / Spirit Wind" by Richard Warner and the more orchestrated "Mystic Journey" by Suzanne Teng. Another intriguing CD that journeys through maritime moods accompanied by recorded wave sounds is "Oceans" by keyboardist Ed Van Fleet.

Amazon.com selected Pacific Moon as one of the Ten Best New Age recordings of 2001, and rightfully so. This magically played and beautifully produced recording releases the essence of the marriage between ocean and coastline in the great Pacific Northwest. Gary Stroutsos displays his talents as master flute player, composer and interpreter of sacred American landscapes. A perfect recording for massage, meditation, and the realignment of body and mind. Let the depths of Pacific Moon wash over your soul.

I was in an auto accident in the Colorado Mountains in mid March.
While in the hospital with broken back, ribs etc, had my husband bring my cd player with Pacific Moon and another cd to my hospital room. I began to listen to Gary's music, told my doctor's that I would NOT be using any drugs, pain killer or muscle relaxers in my recovery. I had planned my healing and recovery journey to include music, asprin and meditative prayer.
Pacific Moon has been a medicine of healing, with great measurable benefits as I absorb the sound and texture into my mind and body...Im so thankful for this piece of music and today 8 mos into this journey,drug free, listen often to the healing sounds that message my mind, body and soul. thank you, Gary

Gary Stroutsos is such an amazing talent! I have heard him in concert a couple of times and now own several of his albums. Here he combines the sounds of the Native American flute with the sounds of nature. And how appropriate! The Native American value of being in harmony with the earth is put into sound in this album. His melodies and themes are at times restful, haunting, reaching, and peaceful. Gary shows a bit more of his trained skills as a flutist in "Shah Jahan". In all the songs, he shows a mature sensitivity to the messages that the Earth wants to teach her creatures.
Gary is joined in this album again by Jonn Serrie, who supports him wonderfully with the synthesizer. The other instrumentalists beautifully fill out the music with rhythms and tantalizing points of interest.
"Pacific Moon" enriches the soul. It has lessons to teach. It is a call to peace - nation with nation, humankind with nature.

I love this CD, And here is why:

All the pieces flow from one into the other, so it seems and end-less melody.
It's peaceful, this is a This luscious, relaxed, sensual, meditative music, it's a perfect blend of various instruments, this an outstanding production, this is indeed beautiful...

...Once you start to listening, you can't stop doing it. This CD is mesmerizing...

"This recording was inspired by time spent on the Northwest Oregan coast at Falcon Cove Beach; a place among the rocks, surf, and elements of nature; a cherished place, a powerful place, a place of serenity. I have found my flute can breathe at the sea. Hear the silence bewteen all sounds... and may you enjoy the listening, as much as I did the recording. Peace. - Gary Stroutsos"

Relax, unwind, let the cares of the day slip away while listening to this outstanding production by Gary Stroutsos. The compositions will melt you from the very first notes of Gary's peaceful flute. Get this CD - treat your ears and your soul.

After hearing Gary Stoutsos in concert I purchased Pacific Moon. I take it on my meditatative journeys in my Kayak, and use it as my personal journeying music. His talents with the flute allow the listener to go within themselves and experience the silence, and then the beauty of that space. For anyone needing some time to retreat to their inner thoughts, Gary can take you there.

if you pray the moon for a power that is latent as native being, this is the right CD for you. with your good side of energy, the music takes you to the place you can dance in your mind.

I ordered this cd because I live very close to Arch Cape where the artist of this album lives. I enjoy cuts one and two but the rest of the cd is very monotone. I listen to a lot of music in my studio as a massage therapist and this cd does not hold up well under repeated play. I suppose it would be nice to put on to go to sleep. The flute in it is quite beautifully palyed.