Customer Reviews

Summer Solstice

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

 

 

This is the first in the Summer Solstice series from Windham Hill, and very good indeed. This set seems more diversified than the latest one, and has a number of highlights.

3. Michael Hedges--Dream Beach--strong acoustic guitar with flute and percussion.

4. Michael Manring & Paul McCandless--In Our Jasmine Days--Manring's zen bass guitars and percussion provide a good positive beat underlying McCandless' pjlaintive edxotic sounding oboe on a surprisingly powerful cut.

7. David Arkenstone on Guitar and Don Markelson on soprano sax provide a lazy, dreamy "Midsummer's Moon."

8. Liz Story's loving yet strong touch on the piano makes good on "The Promise".

9. Tracy Silverman--"Summer" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons--violin & flute, very beautiful.

10. Lisa Lynne--"Summer Star--Lisa Lynne on the celtic harp, backed by David Arkenstone's percussion and also flutes.

Although I've owned this CD for quite a few years now, only now did I start to listen to it at a compulsive rate. I bought this album because I'm a big fan of Michael Manring, but ended up finding that every single song in this album is a mini-masterpiece: contributions from some of the best musicians were put together here and the result is an album which transmits lots of good energy, and the music touches your soul through its beauty.

A few performances alone would be worth the price of the album, such as Tracy Silverman's flawless version of Vivaldi's "Summer" on the electric violin. Or Lisa Lynne's highly touching song. On a lighter side, there are also wonderfull songs, such as the opening title, or Michael Manring and Paul McCandless' joint contribution.

Windham Hill has sadly gone out of business a couple of years ago, so I recommend you get this (and other remaining worthwhile albums) quick before they become impossible to find.

This Windham Hill gem is so cherubial that even in the gloomiest of winter mornings, I could find something to cheer for just by turning on my CD player. Instantaenously transports you to some magical warm tropical isle. Strongly advice new age music lovers to have this CD.

The mood presented by the artists is that of unbounded optimism and warmth. Who could ever not be moved by the compassionate harp play of the extremely gifted lisa lynne ? Instead of "summer star", the tune could as well be renamed as "infinite kindness". Another tune that strongly appealed to my aesthetics was Liz Story's "promise". The tune ends on an intensely subtle and sensitive note that promises to stop your breath for a while. Its sombrely sensitive mood is very hard to replicate, a bit cruspier than chopin. On this otherwise wonderful CD, I did find one song out of place. George Winston's M.M. Dunk. It seemed a bit more funkier than the rest and though the latter part seemed to be a bit more like party music. It might've added an ecclectic aspect to the CD though, but certainly not to my taste.

My favorite tunes are:

Summer Solstice - Sean Harkness
In Our Jasmine Days - Michael Manring
Reunion - John Boswell
Promise - Liz Story
Summer Star - Lisa Lynne

This CD really works. It is beautifully paced and consistantly good. Standouts are Keola Beamer's duet with George Winston on slack key guitars, and John Boswell's "Reunion" but there are many well crafted recordings here and the overall mood is relaxed without being boring or intellectually insulting. Windham Hill is at it's best on this CD.

get this album for Philip Aaberg's "Warmth of the Sun/Surfer Girl" medley. It will touch your heart and soul.
The other pieces are very good, too, and provide a good idea of the quality musicianship that can be found on the Windham Hill label.

A Real nice collection of music! I have the "winter solstice" cd as well. It is great to have on in background early in the morning when the day is just starting...cup of coffee..review emails, paperwork etc. Also, a real hit with the family out driving during the "summer" too.

Very enjoyable, laid back music to soothe, can be listened to on every occassion, recommendable

This is a perfect CD to listen to while enjoying a warm, relaxing summer day.

Sun-dappled trees on a lazy afternoon...a shining star in the fading light of dusk...a joyful harmonica by a slow river...all of these feelings are caught in this CD. Summer is not only a season, it's a state of mind, and "Summer Solstice" can guide you there.