Silk Road, Vol. 1

Kitaro

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 30, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New World Music
• ASIN: B00006CTFW
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,507 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Silk Road [Shichu No Michi]

2. Bell Tower [Shoro]

3. Heavenly Father [Renchi Sohzo Shin]

4. Great River [Harukanaru Taiga]

5. Great Wall of China [Chohjo]

6. Flying Celestial Nymphs [Hiten]

7. Silk Road Fantasy [Silk Road Genso]

8. Shimmering Light [Kikari to Kago]

9. Westbound [Nishi Ni Mukkatte]

10. Time [Toki No Nagare]

11. Bodhisattva [Bosatsu]

12. Everlasting Road [Towa No Michi]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece, January 4, 2003

By	srs "srs" (Texas, United States) - See all my reviews

This is probably Kitaro's most well know piece and it is one of his best (all his music is so consistently great) Silk Road was my first introduction to Kitaro so it holds a special place. "Flying Celestial Nymphs" is probably my favorite all time Kitaro song. An astonishing song that touches the spirit and soul. To correct what the reviewer from PA said there is NOT a skip or defect on this CD What they are referring to is the end of track 5 "The Great Wall of China" the songs ends very abruptly at seemingly the peak of the song and then it goes immediately into the next track "Flying Celestial Nymphs" This is part of the original concept of Kitaro, it is supposed to end that way and it is how Silk Road was originally first released on album. For some reason the Gramavision CD release which is widely available in the US choose to fade out the ending of the song before the intended ending. This was against Kitaro's wishes. The version of "Great Wall of China" on this release is actually 5-6 seconds longer than the one on the Gramavision release because it now has the full song. So this is definitely the version of Silk Road you want to get. I hope not too many people were dissuaded from getting this because of that review. This is one of the best. Music of life and peace.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Melodic Bliss, September 11, 2005

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Kitaro was the major pioneer of New Age music from the mid '70s and through the '80s, and though widely imitated, no one succeeded in matching his inspired brilliance. Not even Kitaro himself, as his earlier works have a mystery and a magical quality that were to diminish slightly when he left Japan, where he had a home studio which had a dazzling view of Mt. Fuji. In the mid '80s, Kitaro moved to Colorado, and teamed with David Geffen to record some wonderful compositions, but none that compare with the exquisite beauty of albums like "Silk Road."

The tracks on "Silk Road" were culled from the soundtrack of a Japanese documentary series that began in 1980 and ran for 5 years, and are a seamless stream of melody, with a mellow loveliness and a liquid lyrical mood that does not change from track to track. This unchanging aspect of the recording makes it a superb CD for meditation or study, or just to relax with and allow the music flow through one's mind and soul.

Kitaro built his own synthesizer in the '70s, and though he had many devoted fans in America, the recordings they bought were imports, until 1986. His US recordings, starting with "Tenku", often included live musicians, and brought him a Grammy nomination and huge world-wide success, but if you want to hear the "real Kitaro", the music that started a new genre in the music industry, listen to "Silk Road." Also highly recommended are my favorite, "Ki," and a fabulous compilation of his best work, the 2-disc "The Best of Ten Years." Total playing time for "Silk Road" is 42'05.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kitaro's Silk Road is a Good Choice!!, March 9, 2003

By	Brett Streutker (Alexandria, KY United States) - See all my reviews

I obtained the historical video series "The Silk Road" two years ago and I thought the soundtrack music made the programs much more enjoyable. I found out that the music was done by an artist named Kitaro and I vowed to get a copy of the soundtrack. The Silk Road film series and Soundtrack came out in the late 70's or early 80's and I found the music to be very refreshing compared to some of the new, modern New Age music being churned out. If you purchase this CD you will not regret it. Also ,if you can try and see The Silk Road film (try your local library video section) it will enhance your enjoyment of the music.