Customer Reviews

Planet Drum

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is Mickey Hart's finest solo effort. Aside from having great percussionary compositions this cd has the best "recording quality". Newer Hart cds like SUPRALINGUA sound rather dry and artificial and don't have nearly the emotional and trance-like impact that this cd has. The song THE DANCING SORCERER (on this cd) for instance has an ethereal aura around the tones of some of the instruments that add's greatly to the effect of the song. JEWE is played entirely on the human body. Hands and chests and voices are the only instruments and it is a positively thunderous song with great vocals.

If you don't have a fantastic stereo system but you know someone who does, listen to this cd at their house. The song TEMPLE CAVES has a certain thing (I don't want to give it away so I'm not going to say exactly what) that you will not hear on boom-boxes or other lo-fi stereo systems. You can hear the song itself on anything, but on really nice stereo systems there is something fantastic revealed about TEMPLE CAVES. This is music you will feel at the very core of your being.

In this concept album, Hart brings great drummers from around the world to participate. The result is wholly new works that are without question novel, but this record has not fared well in my collection since I bought it four years ago. I find myself choosing traditional Brazilian or Latin American or Indian or Middle Eastern performances rather than Planet Drum. I would especially warn potential buyers that Planet Drum is not a survey of percussion styles that will help you decide what you do and do not like. It is instead outside all the mainstream styles and I would consider it the kind of album that would augment a percussion collection rather than start one.

I have owned this CD since it first came out and saw Mickey Hart/Planet Drum perform revently here in Seattle. They are amazing and this is probably one of the best percussion jam sessions ever recorded onto CD

If you are interested in music that defies categories, the is the record for you. Micky Hart and nine other great percussionists from around the globe contribute to this exploration of percussive expression. Normally I would not be interested in hearing an assembly of tracks of mostly drums. But this is not a normal assembly. Utilizing a vast collection of instruments, some ancient, some conventional and some invented with 21st century technology, these world masters from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe create a listening experience that will extend your awareness of the range of music possible through percussion. Tracks based on chants, ritual and ceremonies, dripping water, body slapping,surf and the sounds of human bones create an incredible range of emotional sounds and moving rhythms. But ignore all that if you want: This CD contains beautiful music.

-

The beauty of Planet Drum is that it is wakeful to the spirit. It (the drum) being primordial and a basic instrument moves your mind and spirit to something that is everpresent in our lives: rhythm.

Though not exactly a mellowing CD, it is beautiful and will be a sure relaxer if played in the background.

The more upbeat sounds also moves the body into action.

All I can say is awesome album! Goes well with the previous effort "At The Edge".

Mickey gathers up percussion players from all over the world to create a mass drum/percussive ensemble with pieces that will go to your soul.

Great headphone album. Sit back and let Mickey & Co. take you on a percussive trip around the world.

Planet Drum is the way to go if you're looking for some good Mickey Hart.

I consider this, At the Edge of Magic's brother or sister book. Another must for every drummer. A celebration of percussion and rhythm explores the very essence of our being. Great pictures and stories and colorful cover it is a wonderful book.

Certain tracks have been choreographed into a contemporary ballet that has received rave reviews wherever it has been presented. The sheer inventiveness never once lapses into the prosaic. This stands alone as a very unique facet of the music scene.

I bought this c.d. hoping it would be good for bellydance and I have to say I was not disappointed! I simply love it! I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants a interesting twist to standard bellydance music.

Once the first song starts, it will be hard to walk away from the mezmerizing beat. Song after song, you'll wish you had your own drum to drum along. It carries you! A wonderful arrangement of sounds and heart-thumping, finger-tapping rythym!