Customer Reviews

Sanctuary: 20 Years of Windham Hill

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

 

 

I can understand why some Windham Hill purists would feel as if this compilation is not as good as the "Windham Hill: The First Ten Years." But then again, I don't think the producers were looking to duplicate what was already done ten years ago.

Sanctuary is crisp, clean, fresh and unique. It is divided into a CD for "acoustic" and a CD for "electric." I personally prefer the simplicity of the acousting sound, although I found the electric sound very intriguing. I expected some "techno-bop, space age [junk]" but the tunes were far from falling into this category.

Don't let the fact that Sanctuary is as far removed from the origin of the Windham Hill experience scare you away. This compilation is as every bit as good as "The First Ten Years."

I haven't known Windham Hill for more than a few years, however my interest in its post-ambient music is now very high. Sanctuary contains an excellent variety of acoustic and electric music, sounds that both calm me in relaxation and make my heart rumble. I play oboe and I especially enjoy Ira Stein and Russel Walder's "Transit" and "Underground" (the bonus track). I also like the selections by Scott Cossu, Jim Brickman, and Øystein Seväg.

Sanctuary is a good CD, but the guitar and piano selections on "Windham Hill: The First Ten Years" are superior, whereas "Sanctuary" is really no better than an average Windham Hill Sampler album (and there are good and bad sampler albums from Windham Hill). Sanctuary has some rythmic and percussion pieces that are actually gnarly and you want to hit the skip key on your CD player if you are looking for relaxing and meditative music.

I recommend that you buy "The First Ten Years" before purchasing this album.

If you have ever watched the Weather Channel, you will recognizes some of the tunes. Excellent CD, although I rarely listen to the non-instrumental disc. Windham Hill rarely lets me down. Music you will enjoy for years

I listen to this music all the time while I'm working and I find it to be incredibly beautiful. I should say I listen to the acoustic CD - the other one is not as appealing for me. The first song - a lovely piano piece - stays in my head often and I'm happy to say I really enjoy that - unlike most of the dumb songs that stick in your head and don't go away when you want them to.

Having enjoyed so many of the Windham Hill cd's I was sure I would love this compilation. I have enjoyed it but think not all selections are their best.

Have a number of these Windham Hill collections. This one like most of the others won't disappoint.