Customer Reviews

River of Stars

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's really a great effort from this husband and wife duo. This music is truly heavenly, ethereal and "not of this world", and this is the type of music that I look for. It is very Enya-like in that the songs contain simple melodies, with the piano and strings used throughout the songs and beautiful background vocals. And the songs contain a very beautiful but complex chord structure -- also very Enya-like. Beautiful flute and acoustic guitar solos are included on many of the songs, which aren't on Enya songs; I have every one of her CDs, but this is the first 2002 CD I have. If you died and went to heaven this is the kind of music you'd hear! I highly recommend this CD to anyone, you won't be disappointed!

If this album was any smoother, it would slide right out of the CD player! Fans of ethereal, uplifting instrumentals and wordless vocals will be in heaven with "River of Stars". The melodies are very simple and repetitive, but are beautifully fleshed out with guitar, flute, synthesizers, and piano. Many of the tracks also have twinkling orchestra bells, which are evocative of the "sounds" stars might make. A sweet, gentle mood runs through the whole CD, and the production is impeccable. "River of Stars" is perfect for relaxation or a quiet dinner. There are no rough edges or jarring chords - just a lovely flow of peaceful tranquility.

The title track sets the gentle mood for the album, and the other songs don't stray far from this setting. My favorite track is "Starwalkers", probably mostly because the piano carries the slightly melancholy melody. In the liner notes, it says "Throughout time many people have believed that when our life upon earth ends, we rise into the Heavens to become a star. Our departed loved ones and ancestors thereby eternally watch over us." The flute and voices lend a soothing, dreamy quality, and this piece is "melancholy" only in comparison to the rest of the album.

The artwork for "River of Stars" is exceptionally nice, and the liner notes give the stories of the stars from different cultures. If you are looking for a gentle musical massage, this album is for you!

The first time I heard RIVER OF STARS, I was traveling from Pemmaquid Point, Maine to Boston Massachusetts. The rugged beauty of this small area of Maine, best known from its lighthouse perched upon a rocky ledge, was still fresh in my mind, and the music of this disk, kept that memory alive for me. It evokes images of places of beauty, both real and imagined. I believe I listened to the entire disk three times in a row that afternoon. Since that time I have played the disk over and over on many occasions. Often when someone hears me playing the disk, inevitably I will be asked the name of the artist and where the disk can be purchased.

Though the artists encourage people to listen to the disk as a whole, as one would listen to a symphony, certain tracks can easily be listened to separately and be moving. Favorites of mine include the title track, "First Daughter of the Moon," and "Rays of Light."

The disk is excellent background music. It is also suited for guided meditation or simply sitting and relaxing after a long day.

This is 2002's best work to date. This duo has always had strong material and superb musicianship, but in this release the near perfect behind the scenes production has allowed the music to reach new heights. A truly compelling new work that will have you reaching for the repeat button on every song. Highly recommended esp. for fans of Enya, Yanni and Liquid Mind.

This is a very good CD, and continues in the same basic style as their earlier Land of Forever and Crysalis CDs. However, I must admit that I personally find the music on Land of Forever more relaxing than the music contained on River of Stars.

Although not as uplifting as Land of Forever, this is an enjoyable offering from 2002. Most notable are the tracks entitled "River of Stars" and "Starwalkers", which best exemplify that ethereal sound that is unique to 2002. There are some different rhythms and arrangements (e.g. Stella Maris) on this CD that will surprise some 2002 enthusiasts. I give them credit for branching out in these areas even though these experimentations were not as enjoyable as their more signature compositions.

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Oh, Wow!
This is a cd that will be liked by all who enjoy Enya, Adiemus, Nicholas Gunn, or even Lorreena McKennitt. It must be fairly new, because before this week I haven't run across it before, but it is the very essence of good new age. So tranquil, yet so spirited (and gorgeous coverart!), this cd is a refreshing break from my well-worn collection, I just keep wanting to listen to it over and over again. I am amazed!
It reminds me somewhat of Enya, but still very unique. This is music to the soul. Absolutely relaxing, as well. *sigh...

Normally, I steer clear of music like this (Ray Lynch is the only exception). But positive word-of-mouth made me look into it, and I wasn't disappointed. I normally prefer more upbeat music, but this is a perfect tonic for a bad day. Most of the tracks flow easily, violin and ensemble perfectly complemented by appropriate use of flutes and vocal highlights. The album is mostly sedentary, though a couple of songs--"Stella Maris" and "Heaven and Earth"--are gently upbeat. Good for relaxation and comtemplation/meditation.

River of Stars is undoubtedly one of 2002's best. But that does not mean that their other albums are weak in any way. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a single bad 2002 album. I can recommend all of the 2002 that I own, and that is River of Stars, Land of Forever, Chrysalis, This Moment Now, and Across an Ocean of Dreams. They are all great. Check them out.

The duo that make up 2002 released this recording in 2000. It consists of ten tracks that make up 52 minutes of extremely relaxing and non-demanding music. Their music makes the perfect backdrop for other activities, but equally deserves your full attention.

They have a good ear for melody, and use an assortment of instruments to transport the listener into total relaxation. I regularly fall asleep whilst listening to their music; a comment that's intended to be a compliment.

Being a lover of piano music, I prefer the tracks where the piano plays a more prominent part. It will come as no surprise then, that my favourite tracks are River of Stars (with its beautiful opening) and Starwalkers.

All the tracks have a slow tempo, and this just adds to their soporific qualities.

If I had one criticism, it is their tracks have a certain repetitiveness to them- as a listener, I found myself waiting for the Enya-like vocals to appear in each track. Of course, for many, the beauty lies in this.

If you're looking for relaxing, melodic music, you won't go far wrong with his disc. Recommended.