Customer Reviews

The Tranquil Harp: Improvisations for Relaxation, Meditation, Integration

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am continually amazed by the healing power of music. Especially harp music. As those who know me know, my healing from a debilitating stroke came about in large part due to the improvisational healing harp of one man: Paul Baker.

Mr. Baker is such a talented person. He could have chosen to record albums using his vast knowledge and technique on the large and impressive concert harp, piano, or organ. However, for posterity, he chose to record improvisations for healing on the smaller and more personal celtic harp.

How does one capture the essence of such music in words? His two albums, "The Tranquil Harp" and "The Ladder of the Soul" are groundbreaking in their simplicity and breadth. And each one has its own unique place in my life.

"The Tranquil Harp" helped me most in my physical healing. Its music is very basic, simple, and gentle. It has brought, and continues to bring, growth and strength to every part of my physical being. To play it is to bathe in regeneration and light.

"The Ladder of the Soul" continues this healing on the emotional and spiritual planes. It connects our essence to the divine in such a way that we emerge purer and more aware of our true being and purpose in this life. This is real health. Divine health. What a gift to be brought to us by one man. This album is so aptly named as it proves that the harp truly is "the ladder between earth and heaven," connecting us to the divine safely and lovingly.

Thank you, Mr. Baker, for sharing yourself in such a way that allows all of us to unfold in ourselves and in the world with true happiness and peace.

I have used this CD now for over a year, and play it frequently when I work with clients. It makes a marvelous background with which to do guided imagery work. I was so delighted at the results I had with my clients that I donated a copy to the UCLA Medical Center for their use in the Oncology Outpatient Clinic. The music has a way of calming my clients, many of whom are a dealing with life threatening illnesses. I highly recommend it for those in the healing professions.

I just love this cd. The music is beautiful and ethereal. I turn it on just as I am going to bed and I go right to sleep, whereas if I am not listening to any music I will sometimes lay awake for an hour or more. I think I am usually asleep by the time the third song starts. "Tranquil Harp" makes me feel like I am falling asleep in heaven. It is a very addictive sound, you will want to hear it all day long. A wonderful gift for anyone you love!

I just received this cd and put it in the player (it's playing as I write).

What I noticed right away is the immediate effect this music had on me. When I walked in the door I was frazzled and on the verge of tears; blood coursing, heart and mind racing and no kidding, within seconds of listening I noticed my heart slow and my mind calm - and I'm not easy to sooth once I get stuck in the "groove of doom". For me that really says a lot about this music! I'm honestly amazed.

And it sounds good too! ; ) Oddly enough, some 'relaxation' music has a contradictory effect on me. Maybe because it's a little too... superficial? That's not the case here. The harp, I think, is one of the most soothing and beautiful of all instruments. It's sure working it's magic on me.

A warm 'thank you' to all of the reviewers for not steering me wrong here - and to Paul Baker for sharing this wonderful gift.

The Tranquil Harp is a wonderful CD to add to your collection. Very often New Age and meditation tapes rely very heavily on artificial sounds to create and maintain a mood. Mr. Baker displays a great talent and skill in the eight selections. I don't only use this CD for meditating but also listen to it at other times. I love the harp and harp music and look forward to hearing more music from Paul Baker in the future. The information card on the CD says that each selection is based on a different tonal center to help align the chakras and to produce sympathetic vibrations within the body that are sensitive to the key centers. I really enjoyed the 1st and the 5th songs the best. Mr. Baker used small motifs in each tune and they seemed to expand naturally into larger organisms. To me the improvisitory nature of the songs and the use of the acoustic instrument are definite assetts. I believe that anyone that listens to New Age or meditation music will definitely want to add The Tranquil Harp to their collection.

In Addition to Erik Berlund's music we also have purchased Stella Benson's music.

You will find great peace in this CD. Many of our clients have admitted feeling more "taken care of" by our spa with the use of music like this.

This would also be a great CD for students if a school is allowed to play music in the classroom. I have loaned this CD to my daycare provider more than once for calming children at nap time....

Excellent CD also for students of bodywork who are starting to discover what music they would like to incorporate into their practice.

Also excellent for those needing personal peace and tranquility!

Paul Baker's improvisations on Celtic Harp are some of the most soothing, other-worldly sounds I've ever heard. I highly recommend this CD to anyone in need of: total relaxation, new yoga/meditation music, an alternative to road rage, healing sounds for the infim, I could go on and on. It's an INSTANT sensation. Buy this CD! You won't be sorry.

I origionaly bought this cd because I like harp music, but when I listened to it the first time, I closed my eyes and was transported to a place that was serene, peaceful, relaxing and tranquil. The second time I listened to it, I fell asleep! I read the insert, but I have to admit, I don't know anything about meditation, "healing stones" or Chakras (whatever they are!) but I DO know beautiful music when I hear it, and this is DEFINATLY it! Close your eyes and let the music carry you away. Deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth! Ahhhhhhh! That's much better. Stress be gone, with this cd!

I heard this CD in Palm Springs at Body Sense (the PS Tennis Club's massage therapy center) over the weekend and flipped over it. The sound of the Celtic harp is mesmerizing to begin with, the intimacy and clarity of the recording are exceptional, and the music is pure bliss. It took me places I had never been and filled me with a gentle, stress-eliminating calm. I heard it through at least twice and it was a different path each time. I don't usually go in for this type of music, but I was quickly and easily convinced of Mr. Baker's depth of knowledge and experience in the realm of real relaxation. In fact, I was overwhelmed with its beauty.

This CD is one of my personal favorites. I have listened to it for hours. One particularly stressful day, I put it on "repeat" and played it the whole day. It sounded fresh and new to me for 8 straight hours. My daughter has also listened to it many, many times as her "bedtime music." It helps her relax and have good dreams.

"Tranquil Harp" is also fabulous for any office environment where a calm atmosphere is needed. I used to work in a doctor's office and it was the favorite CD for the doctor and the patients who came for acupuncture or consultation. The music didn't interfere with conversation or talking on the phone, and at the same time sounded so clear that it felt like Paul was there playing it for us.