Customer Reviews

Spirit of the Tao Te Ching

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Flutist and composer Richard Warner combines accoustic winds, electronic keyboards, nature sounds and light percussion to evoke moods inspired by the eight trigrams of Taoist I-Ching symbolism: heaven, earth, fire, water, thunder, wind, lake, and mountain. Less oriental-sounding than might be expected, this gentle combination of accoustic and electronic sounds in both traditional and modern musical styles took me a little while to get used to. Now, however, I find it to be refreshing and delightful listening. The CD insert, proclaiming this album to be Warner's debut on the Narada label, touts his "diverse musical influences", and indeed each of his nine compositions on "Spirit of the Tao Te Ching" is noticeably different from the others. Some of the selections ("Thunder" and "Heaven") reflect oriental musical styles, while one ("Earth") is definitely colored by African traditions and others ("Sunrise", Water", "Mountains in the Mist" and "Wind") utilize various but standard New Age techniques. I still find myself wishing for a real guzheng (traditional Chinese zither) now and then to accompany Warner's sublime flutes ... But the synthesizers, voiced to imitate a guzheng, chimes, western reeds and strings, echoes, and even plunking drops of water have a charm all their own, particularly for listeners who have come to expect their use in New Age music. My favorite track is the last one, "Tao", which showcases Warner's meandering, hypnotic, wooden-flute improvisations with only chimes in the background. It is similar in effect to his two-CD set, "Quiet Heart / Spirit Wind", which contains the same, spare instrumentation and is highly recommended. Other relaxing, positive CDs featuring a variety of light styles with both western and Asian instruments are "Calming Massage" and "Natural Massage" by Tim and Paul Frantzich.

for those searching for enlightenment or a good piece of original composition on traditional instruments, look elsewhere! Sadly I must state this was a good idea gone wrong. The music quickly changed from what sounded like a good thing into noise and piano-ish sounds. Not what I was after! I find this happens so often with "native" sounds, whether it be North Americal, australian aboriginal, celtic, etc. You're probably looking for something more along the line of Nawang Khechog's work - a real ex-buddist monk. Skip this and move on.

There is a lot of junk out there masquerading as fine music. This album is the real deal. This music always centers me, makes me think of all the things that are important. Truly, it slows you down to be able to enjoy the moment. I never lose sight of this disc, and you shouldn't either. Awesome flutes, rain sticks, other melodious instruments. Enjoy.

This music is very enlightend and extremely trance producing. This is created for meditation or introspection. I have had some life changing experiences listening to this wonderful CD.

Nothing like his previous "Quiet Heart / Spirit Wind" CD Set, which I loved. A letdown, and only 47 minutes - I'm glad. I'll go back to enjoying his previous effort - I'm listening to "Spirit Wind" as I write this! Calming.

We use this CD for Tai Chi music. It is truly top notch. Disregard the negative reviews, they are based on expectations based on his prior flute CD. If you are looking for a flute CD, look elsewhwere. This is not a flute CD, but the music is pure genius.

I needed something for Tai Chi sword practice. This CD has great sounds for that as well as slower more lyrical music for hand forms. It is also lovely for relaxing. Another 2 disk CD from Warner "Spirit Wind" and "Quiet Heart" is even better for hand forms and meditation. Often Tai Chi music is basically electronically produced, but Warner's music is the real deal.

Ahh! Another gem from a true master of creative enlightened musical harmony! This album flows along the path (Tao - The Way) without judgement or argument in the union and serenity of philosophical Taoism. The bamboo flute is a difficult instrument to master, invented as a form of medatation over two thousand years ago by the Soto School. Richard Warner's mastery conveys the peace of the ages in another musical treasure! If you missed Spirit Wind before - don't now - the path has brought you home!

Richard Warner followed his success in Quiet Heart & Spirit Wind with this tittle. Try the sample, then you will understand why I love it so much.

More pleasant sounds than music, just one more disc of junk in the never-ending stream of new age, anyone-can-make-a-few-noises-and-call-it-music avalanche. Save your money, go for nice walk.