Customer Reviews

Spiritlands

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All of the music on this CD is great! I can listen to this while I'm working on the computer to help keep me relaxed, or during meditation. The gentle nature sounds mixed in with the soft drum beats and heart-felt flute playing...I just can't say enough. It's fabulous and has a definite Native American feel and sound.

The first track, "Breath of the Mountain" starts out slow, and then when the drum beats kick in combined with the flute, it makes me want to go outside amongst the trees with my arms up in the air and dance around. This track is one of my favorites.

I've always loved the way the rainstick sounds, and track 2, "Gathering Spirits" combines that with the flute, some silent pauses, then, the drumming starts, sounds of a bird, and a keyboard, I think. This song is uplifting.

Track 3, "Lost Canyons" is light and mellow all the way through. This is a great song for meditation. If you have six and half minutes for a short meditation, put this song on, and let it take you away.

Who doesn't love the sound of a thunderstorm? Track 4, "Final Journey" combines the soft pattering of rain with thunder, soft drums and light flute. Like track 3, it is mellow all the way through, is also about six and a half minutes, and is great for meditating or relaxation.

Track 5, "Ghost Dancers" starts out with upbeat drumming and rattles. It brings to mind people dancing around a fire, in trance, lost in the moment, letting their body be one with the beats of the drums. Like all of the tracks, there is also beautiful flute combined with the other instruments.

"Into the Memory," track 6, is very mellow and light. Great for relaxing.

Track 7, "Spiritlands" starts out with birds chirping, bringing to mind the dawn of a new day, waking up to fresh morning dew. I imagine waking up, stretching, and hearing these sounds as my body wakes. It also brings to mind the feeling of coming out of trance, bringing your spirit back into your body.

Lastly, track 8, "Ascension" starts out with sounds of a storm. The flute and keyboard combine to form a feeling of hope. The storm is breaking, the gray turning to brightness as the sun comes out of hiding. It ends with light pattering and sounds of nightfall, signaling the end of the day, and the CD.

John Huling's "Spiritlands" is a New Age exploration of the Colorado Plateau, employing his own unique take on Native (First) American music. Using Native American flutes, drums, and pan flutes, Huling crafts simple melodies and rhythms, creating a soothing, uplifting aural picture of the desert, canyon, and mountain landscapes of the American Southwest. Like many of his contemporaries, he also effectively employs "found sound"-rain, thunder, the squawk of ravens, and the howl of coyotes-as counterpoint/accompaniment to his music. "Spiritlands" may not appeal to purists, who might prefer First American artists like R. Carlos Nakai (who I also happen to appreciate), but Huling does create soundscapes evocative of this remarkable part of the world. For that, it's definitely worth a listen.

Wonderfully evocative soul stirring and haunting sound. Pure escapism. Whenever I want to conjure up the spirit energy of my vacations in the US south west I listen to this CD. I am instantly transported and at once envigorated and deeply at peace. High praise for beautiful work.

My father purchased this album, one for me and one for himself, several years ago back when I was in high school. Aside from my ever-growing Enya collection, I, at the time, couldn't understand why he had bought this, as I didn't listen to much new age music and wasn't very interested in Native American music (how many freshman high school students really are?). Nonetheless, I gave this CD a chance and found that it grew on me rather quickly. I still have no idea where he heard of John Huling, but I am to this day increasingly grateful for this purchase. Though I have combed through my CD collection several times throughout the years and sold many of my older albums, this one will forever remain on my shelves. To this day I pull out this CD when in dire need of some rest and relaxation.

The soundscapes encountered herein are no less than gorgeous, relaxing, and inspiring. Huling seamlessly and beautifully intertwines ceremonial drums and pan flutes with sounds inspired and derived from nature, such as the howling of wolves, the tinkling of rain and the clapping of thunder. The melodies and beats are at once uplifting and soothing. Each song is a short trip through different aspects of tranquility, as is the album as a whole, conjuring visions of nature in all it's unbridled beauty. Though each ensemble is deserving of recognition, my favorites would have to be Lost Canyons, with it's infectiously haunting melody, and Final Journey, with the hypnotic drum beats and soft pattering of rain in the background. My only complaint is that this album is far too short!

I first heard John Huling's Spiritlands while visiting Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania a few years ago. Instantly my mind was transported to a land beyond the confines of modern society. I am an artist and whenever I need to be reinspired while painting I put on Spiritlands and become re-energyzed. Since buying this CD I have become the proud owner of all of John's wonderous compositions.

I have both Spiritlands and Return to Spiritlands in CD. If a person can wearout a CD, then I must be the first. Johns music is awesome. 5 stars hardly describes this music. It is number ONE as far as I am concerned. The first time I heard Spiritlands, I had a dream vision hearing Lost Canyons. After work, his music is soothing and sends you on a vision quest. If you want mediation music, I highly reccomend Johns music.

This is a fine album. The selections vary in their effects on my psyche. Some are quiet and relaxing--good for meditation. Others are uplifting and help your spirit soar. My favorite "cut" is #2, "Gathering Spirits" which is one of the "uplifting" ones IMHO. This is my first Huling CD. If you like the quieter selections, you might also like Wind Riders by various 1st American artists--with lots of flute. I'm a big flute fan--have lots of Rampal (saw him twice in person) and Telemann CDs.

This was my first introduction to Native American type music, and was a gift four years ago. I now have over 100 CD's by many artists. "Spiritlands" has the warmth of the sun, the cool of the earth, and the emotional moving of a great speech. I thought this was as good as it gets, but it only gets better! What a wonderful introduction into a truly spiritual means to allow oneself to feel your inner being. Buy this, and also "Return to Spiritlands". You will love both CD's.

My husband and I listen to Spiritlands on a daily basis - usually as a peaceful way to wake up, but also throughout the day while we're cleaning, relaxing, or even working in the yard. It reminds us of our vacations in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area - where there are still signs of the Native Americans that once lived there. He does a wonderful job of setting nature to music. It's absolutely wonderful!

John Huling only gets four stars here because I have to reserve five stars for Return to Spiritlands, which somehow is even better. John captures nature through inspiring music. The flute is every bit as good as Paul Horn or R. Carlos Nakai. John, more please!