Ancient Visions

Ah Nee Mah

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red Feather
• ASIN: B000FDEUCG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,036 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > North America > Native American

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Native American flute isn't difficult to play simply, but it takes real ability to fully exploit its subtle range of expression. David Arkenstone has that ability. He's best known for his keyboard and orchestral opuses of the '80s and '90s, but he's a gifted multi-instrumentalist on guitars and flutes, including the Native American variety. Ah-Nee-Mah is a duo he formed with his wife, keyboardist and singer Diane Arkenstone. They aren't married anymore, but that's about the only thing that has changed as they continue to make music together. Like the other five CDs in the series, Ancient Visions is marked by sweeping synthesizer pads, often propulsive rhythms, and lush arrangements that frame Arkenstone's flute melodies. "Sun Circle" and "Spirits of the Past" stand out for their dynamic romanticism, while Arkenstone creates a meditative space on the echoing flute duet, "Shaman's Dream." But too much of Ah-Nee-Mah comes from the Native store of kitsch. From the banal album title to the amalgam of vague symbolism and echoed chants, it's all wrapped up in the glitter and velvet that has made the Native American new age sound something of a cliché. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Ah Nee Mah, returns with their 5th and highly anticipated release, 'Ancient Visions', the follow up to their best selling album, 'Ancient Voices'. Throughout this magical journey, flutes, drums and guitars guide you through an ancient time, when Spirit spoke through music and song, with great reverence for all.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Meritorious Follow-Up!!, July 27, 2006

By	Thuy H. Truong (Boynton Beach, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After about 4 years of what seemed to be a long break, AH*NEE*MAH returns with their latest divine offering. "Ancient Visions" embarks its listeners on a splendid musical journey with visions of these magnificent soundscapes and alluring feelings of brightness and peace. This marvelous album is a collaborative effort of Diane Arkenstone and David Arkestone, two very gifted composers and multi-instrumentalists. Using beautiful instrumentation--comprised mainly of keyboards, flutes, guitars, drums and percussions--to create these subtle, interwoven Native American beats, Diane and David bedazzle the senses with pleasing haunting melodies, such as "Canyon Echoes" and "This Sacred Land"--my two favorite compositions in this album. "Shaman's Dream" is a masterpiece of creativity. It features a pair of echoing flutes, captivating those listening in with their enchanting dialogues. And "Sun Circle" started it all with its breathtaking and energetic sounds. Diane and David have done a wonderful job in creating this magical journey. This album is musically stunning and radiant. It is highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Visions continues to please, April 30, 2008

By	Love NA Music (Quincy, MI USA) - See all my reviews

I now own all of Ah*Nee*Mah's CDs. My favorite song is Firefall from their Spirit of the Canyon CD. If you're not familiar with the music of Diane and David Arkenstone, you are really missing some awesome spiritually rich, and full of energy music. This CD does not disappoint, I would highly recommend this and any of their music...looking forward to what's next.