On a Starry Night

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The party line on most Windham Hill products seems to be that it's either the greatest stuff since wave machines, or that it all sounds alike. On a Starry Night, with its collection of world songs and reputable artists such as Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and others, does lean toward a seamlessly understated, homogeneous quality that is broken only occasionally by Bobby McFerrin's piece and a couple of others. That said, there can hardly be a more mellow or sonorous album of kid's music anywhere. Starry Night could calm a nursery with no nurses; why, it could even soothe the pained yelps at the dog pound--and turn a freeway full of bumper-to-bumper sour pusses into pussycats. Effective? You've heard of mind control, haven't you? --Martin Keller

Tracks:

Common Threads - Bobby McFerrin
Japanese Music Box - George Winston
Suliram - Thea Suits-Silverman
Shiny Shell Lullaby - Keola Beamer
Montanhas No Ceu - Flora Purim
Suantrai - Nightnoise
Anjo Da Guarda - Airto Moreira
Little One Mine - Turtle Island String Quartet
Cancion De Cuna - Eliot Fisk
Sofdu Unga Astin Min - Richard Stoltzman And Family
Kumbaya - Paul Hanson/Tracy Silverman
Rock-A-Bye Baby - Jim Brickman
Tumbalalaika - Mike Marshall
Just Close Your Eyes - Billy Taylor
Bayushky Bayu - Debbra, Margot & Noah Schwartz
Brahms Lullaby - Mike Wollenberg
Here I Am - Tracy Silverman

Amazon.com

The party line on most Windham Hill products seems to be that it's either the greatest stuff since wave machines, or that it all sounds alike. On a Starry Night, with its collection of world songs and reputable artists such as Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and others, does lean toward a seamlessly understated, homogeneous quality that is broken only occasionally by Bobby McFerrin's piece and a couple of others. That said, there can hardly be a more mellow or sonorous album of kid's music anywhere. Starry Night could calm a nursery with no nurses; why, it could even soothe the pained yelps at the dog pound--and turn a freeway full of bumper-to-bumper sour pusses into pussycats. Effective? You've heard of mind control, haven't you? --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Soothing, calming and still works after 11 years!.......2007-05-09

I bought this for my newborn daughter and she has fallen asleep to this just about every night of her life. In particular, we enjoy the 2 Brazilian songs as I am Portuguese (born there, raised here) and it's immensely enjoyable hearing songs in my native tongue as well as other languages. I have gifted this to several expectant parents and everyone loves it as much as I do. I highly recommend this CD.

Wonderful product.......2007-03-08

The songs on this CD are soothing and fantastic. My son loved them!

Good for babies, but a little depressing for adults........2007-02-12

The music is all good, but several of the songs are eerily reminiscent of the Schindler's List soundtrack.

highly recommended.......2006-12-30

we used this before our first arrived (to acquaint her with the music and hopefully create a positive association for her) and played it every night as part of her bed time routine. i fell asleep to the music as well as i could hear it on the monitor from her room. i can't describe how much i loved listening to the tracks and how good i feel about the success of our nightly routine. we keep the music on the ipod for "sleepy music" while traveling in the car. my now 4 year old daughter with "request" the CD when she is tired! i often give this as a baby shower gift.

Puts the entire family to sleep!!!!.......2006-11-14

I purchased On a Starry Night before our son was born. My husband listened to it and liked it so much that he started using it at bedtime himself. When we went into the hospital to deliver, the CD came with us. All of the nurses commented on how serene the music made our room feel. We've played it for our 2 month old son since birth. My entire family falls asleep this CD each night. It works so well, I don't know what the last few tracks sound like. This will be baby shower goft to all of my friends!!!

Average customer rating:

The Artistry of Nelson Eddy
Artistry of Nelson Eddy
A Nelson Eddy Tour de Force: Magnificence here on earth
For those who are already fans of N.E. only.
A Surefire Way To Turn A Bad Day Into A Good One!

The Artistry of Nelson Eddy

Manufacturer: Legacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Through the Years
Nelson Eddy: Operatic Arias and Concert Songs
The Old Refrain
When I'm Calling You
Ah Sweet Mystery of Life: Anthology (1931-1938)

ASIN: B000002NRY
Release Date: 1994-07-18

Tracks:

Tchaikovsky's Pno Con in b flat (Tonight We Love)
Ravel's Pavanne (The Lamp Is Low)
Debussy's Reverie (My Reverie)
Chopin's Polonaise ('Til The End Of Time)
Grieg's Wedding Day (Strange Music)
Rachmoninoff's Pno Con No. 2 (Full Moon And Empty Arms)
Tchaikovsky's 6th Sym (Story Of A Starry Night)
Drigo's Serenade (Love Serenade)
Borodin's Prince Igor (Stranger In Paradise)
Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 4 (As The Years Go By)
Rubenstein's Romance (If You Are But A Dream)
Ananymous (Alone Together)

Customer Reviews:

The Artistry of Nelson Eddy.......2006-11-04

Nelson Eddy's flawless singing and diction, with a modern orchestral accompaniment, make The Artistry of Nelson Eddy a romantic, sophisticated musical experience.

Artistry of Nelson Eddy.......2006-08-22

Contemporary music which is sung well but voice not as expected of Nelson Eddy. The true baritone of his voice missing. This may be the recording but CD received in good condition.

A Nelson Eddy Tour de Force: Magnificence here on earth.......2006-03-17

I have most of the movies of Nelson Eddy. Together with Jeanette MacDonald, this team produced some of the most romantic movie-operattas ever made. But the sound quality of those movies pale in comparison to the magnificence of this production.
Nelson Eddy has never sounded better, aided (1994) by more modern recording techniques, the quality here (even with a disclaimer) is beyond belief. He has got to be one of the premier baritones of all time. Singing Popular tunes adapted from classical themes, he may be without peer. I have a CD of the young Sinatra singing "Full Moon and Empty Arms" to Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. He is not in the same universe with Eddy, whose crisp diction, timbre, fullness, perfect pitch, and passion ~ YES! PASSION! ~ must be heard (hopefully on on quality audio) to be fully appreciated. This is AWESOME. Maybe the best it gets here on earth. This is a wholly magnificent CD if you appreciate really good music, a fantastic baritone, and have a romantic bone in your body. I am astounded. Until today, I had no idea that Nelson Eddy was this good. This CD proves he was.

For those who are already fans of N.E. only........2003-12-22

Nelson Eddy made these recordings when he was about 60 years old and it shows. He retained an excellent voice for a very long time, allowing him to perform successfully until the day he died. However, this particular recording seems to emphasize vocal decline, in terms of control and range. The problem may be that the songs presented here are mostly VERY GREAT classical orchestral pieces, to which are sung pop lyrics. In my opinion, most (but not all) of the lyrics to these songs are not worthy of their music and are incongruous. The last number, "Alone Together", an excellent Schwartz/Dietz song (which seems out of place with Rachmaninov and Ravel,) is actually a duet with Nelson's partner, Gale Sherwood. It was recorded a couple of years later than the other songs on this album, and is given a bossa nova background that in this mix, practically drowns out the singers! As to the overall sound quality, there are some light snaps and pops as on a record, but the music is loud and clear. I do not mean to discourage Nelson Eddy fans from buying this album. I think you need this album. I own this album. Buy this album, and encourage the release of more albums and radio recordings by Nelson Eddy. What I do mean to say, is that "The Artistry of Nelson Eddy" is not the best introduction to the artistry of Nelson Eddy. His recordings from the 30's, 40's or even 50's are a better purchase for the beginner. Once you love Nelson Eddy, then pick up this album.

A Surefire Way To Turn A Bad Day Into A Good One!.......2003-04-12

The music on this CD is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. It proves that the music of Nelson Eddy is simply timeless. I have always loved his voice, but these arrangements bring out the very best of it. It is highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Gently mysterious and well-crafted

Oceans
Ed Van Fleet
Manufacturer: Elfin Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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Grand Eagle
Evening Passages
Light of Midnight
Migration
Fire Journeys

ASIN: B00000J8NA
Release Date: 2000-05-20

Tracks:

Ocean Mist
The Lighthouse
Tides
The Deep
Prayer For The Ocean
Quark Dreams
Procession Of Tall Ships
Dance Of The Water Nymphs

Customer Reviews:

Gently mysterious and well-crafted.......2004-01-01

Ed Van Fleet combines his trademark synthesizer compositions with recorded ocean sounds to produce a relaxing yet thought-provoking listening experience. All the selections are in a minor key, but not ponderously so. Rather, they have light, bouyant, mysterious qualities reflective of a calm yet wonder-filled exploration of the unknown. The simultaneous beauty, quietude and adventure of life on, in and by the sea is nicely captured here in all its variety. Much of the New Age music that appeals to me is either extremely energizing or soothing to the point of sedation, but this recording does neither of those things, finding instead a comfortable and intriguing middle ground between the two extremes. What I like about Ed Van Fleet's compositions is that, though replete with texture and atmosphere, they feature harmonic structures and melodic elements that are engaging enough hold a listener's attention. They really do sound like music rather than just collections of cool, atmospheric sounds. There is progression and purpose; the pieces begin pregnant with promise and then deliver, at least enough to keep the listener hungry for whatever might come next. And indeed, in this recording, the whole point seems to be depicting the haunting-yet-enticing quality of the ocean, which always has something of value to offer but never reveals all the secrets (or hazards!) hidden in its depths. "Oceans" is the mellow cousin to another of Van Fleet's releases, "The Forgotten Tribe", which is more intense and cinematic, and definitely worth seeking out as well. For another musical take on the ocean, try the exotically meditative "Pacific Moon" of Gary Stroutsos, and if you are in the market for more gentle music of exploration and journeying, try the recordings of Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning, and Tim and Paul Frantzich.

Average customer rating:

Music for the Hammered Dulcimer

Manufacturer: Saydisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Elegance of Hammered Dulcimer
Old Time Hammered Dulcimer Favorites
Dennis' Waltz: Hammered Dulcimer Classics and Gems
Traditions

ASIN: B00000451X
Release Date: 1992-09-03

Tracks:

Jenny Lind Medley: Jenny Lind Polka - Johnny Get Your Hair Cut
Intrada & Minuet
Londonderry Air Medley: Londonderry Air - The Maid At The Spinning Wheel
Nola
The High Cauled Cap: Polka
Christine's Medley: As I Roved Out - Miss Hamilton - Christine's Waltz - Gentle Maiden
The Bells Of St Mary's
Devil's Dream
The Enchatnted Valley: The Enchanted Valley
La Belle Katherine Medley: La Belle Katherine, - Fisher's Hornpipe - Swinging On A Gate
Norwegian Wood
Flowers Of England - The Snowflake
Los Ejes De Mi Carretta
The Perfect Cure Medley: Starry Night To Ramble - The Perfect Cure - Peel The Carrot
Take Five

Average customer rating:

from Solo Piano Publications
Michael Allen Harrison Composer/Pianist
An Amazing Collection of Piano Music
An Amazing CD

Composer/Pianist

Manufacturer: Mah Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Passion & Grace: Solo Piano

ASIN: B000068GAR
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Tracks:

Will You Take Me There
I Breathe - Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, First Movement
Remembrance
Journey Home
Eclipse
Best Of Every Moment
Thanksgiving
February's Child
Tahlia's Lullaby
Transitions
Fly Away
Dance On The Roof

Tracks:

Tomorrow's
3rd Ave
Starry Night
Moments In Passion
Circle Of Influence
Standing Alone
Passion And Grace
Nocturne In D Flat Major
Masada
Little Bit Naughty
On The Run
Motherhood
Ema Sh'li (Mother Of Mine)
Renewal
Be Real

Customer Reviews:

from Solo Piano Publications.......2004-07-03

My one-word summary of Michael Allen Harrison's double CD set, "Pianist/Composer," is "WOW!" I have seen and heard Harrison's name for a long time, but none of his CDs came my way for review until I reviewed one of his students' CDs (the very impressive Alexx Carnathan) earlier this year. I was not prepared to be so dazzled and charmed at the same time. This set is made up of Harrison's favorite compositions from the past twenty years or so, and includes his new "Concerto #1 in Eb Major," which is a tour de force all by itself. Both discs are very eclectic in their musical range, but Disc 1 is more classical overall, and Disc 2 has a jazzier flavor. The majority of the pieces are orchestrated or have accompanying instruments in addition to the piano, but Harrison's piano is the star of the show. We're only halfway through the year, but I'm certain that this will be on my list of favorites for 2004.

The three-movement concerto opens the first CD. The first movement ("I Breathe") started out as a love ballad in Harrison's musical, and evolved into a gorgeous 12 1/2 minute piece influenced by some of the Romantic composers. The first half of the piece is gentle and sweet, but begins building in the middle to a fiery climax. Primarily piano and strings, this piece really sets the stage for what's to come. It highlights Harrison's gentle touch as well as his magnificent bravado and virtuosity. The second movement ("Will You Take Me There") is a bit more orchestrated, and the lovely melody is haunting and passionate. The third movement is full of flash and dynamic pianistics. A piano solo, Harrison must be sitting in a puddle by the time he gets done playing it live! Great stuff! "Remembrance" is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Israel's independence and to the lives lost during the Holocaust. Performed with Aaron Meyer on violin and The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, the piece has a deeply emotional and tragic feeling, but also suggests triumph and moving forward. I love "Transitions," a piece inspired by a wild rainstorm. Full of passion, power, and a subtle touch of mystery, the playing on this piece can take your breath away - effortless control and amazing chops. Stunning! "Fly Away" is another favorite. It started as a cool groove for a vocal tune, and is a piece Harrison and his band play differently every time. This version is piano, light percussion, and a wonderful oboe part performed by Fred Korman of the Oregon Symphony. A great CD, but, wait -there's more!

As I mentioned, the second CD is a bit jazzier overall, but there are several different styles present. "Tomorrow's" was composed as a gift for Harrison's daughter on her graduation from junior high. Lightly orchestrated and featuring oboe, guitar, and piano, this piece is sunny and radiant. "Moments in Passion" is a dark, sultry piece with piano, guitar, and percussion that would be a wonderful slow dance - a favorite. "Standing Alone" is a slow bluesy piece that could have stepped out of the 1930's - I really like this one, too! "Nocturne in Db Major" is a gorgeous improvisation that was recorded as it was being created late at night in the studio while imagining the time of the great Romantic composers. "Little Bit Naughty" is a great blues piano solo - slinky and fun! "Ema Sh'li (Mother of Mine)" is a haunting ballad composed for Harrison's mother's 50th birthday. A warm, bittersweet, and very loving piano solo, it is both classical and contemporary, and thanks "Mom" for making him practice the piano when he was a kid.

"Composer/Pianist" is truly an outstanding collection on so many levels. I get to feeling kind of jaded from listening to so much piano music, but this set really blows me out of my seat! I give it my highest recommendation.

Michael Allen Harrison Composer/Pianist.......2003-11-25

My favorite track is Piano Concerto #1. It consists of 3 movements. All three movements are brilliant but the the 2nd movement will make your heart flutter. I appreciate the way this man plays a piano.

An Amazing Collection of Piano Music.......2003-04-19

If you have never heard of Michael Allen Harrison before, don't be deterred. I discovered this CD quite by accident, and how pleased I am that I did.

Michael is a very talented composer who showcases here some 27 tracks spanning two discs and lasting well over two hours. Piano is the dominant instrument, and he plays with such compassion and style.

This collection highlights his finest compositions since 1980. His piano music is highly melodic and a pleasure to listen to. Some pieces are quiet and reflective, others have sheer energy and vivaciousness about them.

There are so many strong and memorable tracks. Particular favourites are "Will You Take Me There", "Remembrance", "Best of Every Moment", "February's Child" and "Passion and Grace".

This double CD is not cheap; but you are paying for piano music of the highest quality. The CD insert contains comprehensive notes about each track, charting its history and the thinking behind the music.

If you are a fan of piano music, and want to discover an exceptionally talented pianist (Steinway Signature Artist), then try out this CD.

A quite wonderful CD, I give it my highest recommendation.

An Amazing CD.......2003-01-26

This is the most expensive CD I have ever purchased, but it's been worth every penny.
This is a collection of Michael Allen Harrison's (MAH) best work, spanning some 22 years. Put simply, it is absolutely outstanding. The man's technique and ear for melody are second to none.
There are twenty seven tracks in total over two discs, and the notes inside the CD track the thinking behind the magic of the music.
Personal favourites are in abundance in this album, and include "Will You Take Me There?" (a new composition), "Rememberance", "Best of Every Moment", the well known "February's Child" and "Passion and Grace".
Generally, the music is highly accessible and deservingly commands more attention than simply being background music.
Don't be deterred by the lack of Audio Samples. As for the price, well I imagine [$$] per disc of such quality is not unreasonable. Take a chance!!!
MAH is a talent indeed. The quality of sound is stunning.
The only surprise is that I am the only one to have reviewed this, and I'm from England, UK!
Highly recommended.