Customer Reviews

Valley in the Clouds

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK---Quick and Clean---I own over 200 "New Age" CD's. This is my favorite, no question. David broke some serious ground with this one. If you haven't heard it, try it....you'll definitely like it.

This was the first Arkenstone album, and one can see why he made such a splash in New Age music. This is in his early style (of course!): integrated, non-ethnic, Western/universal. If you have only heard his second-stage/middle style, heavy on the ethnic influence, this will surprise you. Many of us are waiting for him to re-integrate after his world explorations. In the meantime, see the other side by checking this album out. The themes are fresh, the effects and moods appropriate. The music moves with strength and none of the cutsey, folksy, or yet overwrought elements one finds in too many New Age albums. The tone might be described as synthesizer symphonic.

David's debut is a great mixture of synth and string arrangements that give it an ethereal feel that never becomes dull. David's CD's all have a different theme to them, and this one evokes images of another world, but at the same time gives the listener a modern, cinematic feel to it. This is one of the best in the David Arkenstone cataloque. Soundtrack music without the movie!

If I had heard any of David Arkenstone's later albums before I heard "Valley in the Clouds", I probably wouldn't have thought much of this album. But it was "Valley of the Clouds" that introduced me to Arkenstone's music, and while it's not as complex as his later works, this album contains some of my favorite Arkenstone songs and is still a wonderful work of art to listen to.

Listening to Arkenstone's albums, it's easy to notice that he likes to make each album unique and different from the last one. Each of his albums has its own sound, and it's this that makes his music so ecclectic and appealing. With his debut, "Valley in the Clouds", the music is simple and right to the point. Rarely is there a complex movement found in this album's songs, and each piece likes to use long, drawn-out notes that echo like a haunting opera. But the songs are in no way reminiscent of BGMs (BackGround Music) that you hear on a Discovery Channel documentary; they are all stand-alone compositions that sound great. Several of my personal favorites on this album include the haunting "Night Wind" and the magnificent "The Sun Girl".

While the songs of "Valley in the Clouds" are nowhere near as complex as his later works, they are still great to listen to. If anything, "Valley in the Clouds" is a great way to introduce yourself to the diverse and unique musical talents of David Arkenstone. If you enjoy the simple yet elegent music found on this album, then you'll be pleased to learn that it only gets better from here.

For anyone who has heard any of his later works...you are truly missing the best he has done! This CD may be vintage, but it is incredible! My recommendation is to give it a try, sit back, relax...Let the sounds wash over you as you are transported to the stars!

I added this CD to my Christmas list based on the 5 starreviews here at Amazon. .... Now that I've heard it, I am a little disappointed.

Had I heard this CD in 1987, I would have given it 5+ stars. Compared to similar current music and older works by other artists however, this one does not stand out.

I have Citizen of the World and Quest of the Dream Warrior. Both are among my all time favorites. I wish I had requested another title for now. I would only recommend this one if you have all of David Arkenstone's CDs and want to complete your collection.

This is his debut, an all-digital recording and in my opinion, his best work. Arkenstone has not equalled this released since.

Yes, I give "Valley in the Clouds" 5 stars. It was the first David Arkenstone I bought, some 18 years ago, and it was his debut album. My 5 stars come with a sense of perspective.

While, in some of my other reviews, I refer to "Valley..." as somewhat dated, it represents the absolute best of "New Age" music circa 1987. It cannot, however, be referred to as Arkenstone's best work. Certain other of his releases even received Grammy nominations. "Valley..." did not. It also lacks much of the sweep, drama, and symphonic orchestrations of some of Arkenstone's later work.

Having said that, "Valley..." is highly recommended both for its stand alone quality, and as an introduction to David Arkenstone. It was Arkenstone's brilliant introduction to all of us. He creates a unique "synthesized" world, lush in imagery and vision, full of dreams, at once familiar and yet fantastic.

It is hard to name a track not to like. But there are standouts which deserve separate mention, such as "Ancient Legend", "Stepping Stars", the title track "Valley in The Clouds", "Princess", "Night Wind", and "The Sun Girl". These vary from the sweep and grandeur (as much as can be created on a synthesizer without an orchestra) of "Ancient Legend" and "Valley in The Clouds", to the wonder of "Stepping Stars"and "Night Wind", and finally to the lyrical beauty of "Princess" and "The Sun Girl".

Did I leave out anybody else's favorite? Of course! That's part of the joy of "Valley in The Clouds". Almost anyone can name different favorites, because almost all the tracks are that good! If asked for two favorites, almost everyone can say "Valley in The Clouds and... .", with a different track to name.

This album deserves its 5 stars, but with perspective. Anyone who begins listening to David Arkenstone with "Atlantis", for example, would be surprised by the simplicity of "Valley...". It IS somewhat dated.

But given that, it is one of the best debut efforts ever. A real "Gem in Time".

I am new to Arkenstone. I am new to "lifestyle" music, although I am a child of the New Age, supposedly. I bought the Narada Classics release which contains two disks: "Valley In The Clouds" and "In The Wake Of The Wind". I do a lot of writing at my computer and have been using web radio (New Age) for background sounds. Arkenstone's music and name showed up, and I was hooked. His style and composition on these two disks fit perfectly with my needs and style. When I write, I need auditory sensory input to help me concentrate and stay the course. Mr. Arkenstone makes music that can sometimes make you tap your foot and at other times might bring you close to tears, but is never so overwhelming as to cause you to forget what the hell you are doing. These two disks are very good for that. I am pleased with the production quality of these disks, and the sound Mr. Arkenstone constructs on them. The sound is pleasing and relaxing when listened to in an exclusive way, such as when you are doing nothing but laying around on the couch in a substance induced semi-comatose state. So much for critical rationalizations; I just like the music on these disks.

This is by far David Arkenstone's best album. The music certainly isn't as complex as his later works but this one has a very unique style which he hasn't duplicated since. Definite must buy.