Windows

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There are probably few Christian music acts that are as tough as the Martins to categorize. With their initial releases from 1996 we heard a straight gospel message dressed in its country best. But two studio albums later, the Martins' sound takes another turn with Windows, a definite transition to a more easy-listening, adult contemporary approach. Oh, those rural roots still surface on "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" and "I Feel the Rain," but they're bookmarked by the swinging, horn-laden "What God's Gonna Do" and the Randy Phillips-penned "Might God." The beautiful "Higher Than My Ways," a sure-fire radio hit, provides a tasty harmonic blend from this familial trio. --Michael Lyttle

Tracks:

The Big Money
Grand Designs
Manhattan Project
Marathon
Territories
Middletown Dreams
Emotion Detector
Mystic Rhythms

Customer Reviews:

Power Windows Marks The Last Truly Great Rush Album.......2007-07-09

Power Windows is 80s Rush and it's filled with clever hooks and flowing synthisizers and alot of very cool tunes, but it marks the spot as the last truly great Rush album. Sure, Rush will continue on, and sure, they will continue to be one of my favorite bands of all time, but the albums going forward from here will all be flawed in one way or another. Coherent and cohessive, Power Windows fills me with a sense of wonder when I hear it. It was on this album's tour that I was afforded the chance to be in the very front row right under Geddy Lee and it was absolutely f*cking AWESOME! Here are the songs:

The Big Money - Yet another Rush signature song. This is excellent. Big money goes around the world. Geddy has more bass on here than on the previous two albums and it is great to listen to. We missed that. The grove created here absolutely rocks!

Grand Designs - A to B, different degrees.... Another song where Neil flexes his songwriting skills and keeps us in awe. Lyrically stunning. Alex gets such a good guitar sound on this album. Killer.

Manhattan Project - Another personal favorites. Written (obviously) about the Manhattan Project to create the nuclear bomb, this song is haunting. When Geddy sings: The pilot of Enola Gay flying out of the shockwave on that August day.... It gives me goosebumps. I love this song.

Marathon - Another great song. Rush pulled out all the stops on writing and recording this album. There sound is tight and precise. The lyrics are phenomenal. This is Rush at the height of their powers (again!!!!). Excellent.

Territories - An often over-looked gem. This song is very cool. A favorite. Alex wails here! Thw whole wide world's an endless universe, yet we keep looking through the eyeglass in reverse.... Tongue in cheek, yet very provacative in its message. Reminds me a little of Witch Hunt, lyrically. Great!!!!

Middletown Dreams - At first this song seems like its the weak spot on the album, but then it grows on you and you can't help but liking it. Musically stunning in its subtle nuances. Superior.

Emotion Detector - The sound that Rush achieved on Power Windows comes out on the tunes like Mystic Rhythms and Emotion Detector where the synths blend with Neil's drums to create depth. If there is a soft spot on Power Windows (and I'm very tempted to say that there isn't) it would be Emotion Detector, simply for the fact that it is missing that everlasting Rush hook. I can sing along to almost every Rush song before Roll The Bones and remember the lyrics, but I couldn't picture myself just sitting there singing Emotion Detector out of the blue. That make sense?

Mystic Rhythms - A great ending song to the last great Rush album. Everything flows here from the soaring keyboards to Neil's stacatto drumming. Brilliant. Another great Rush tune.

Overall, Power Windows is very strong, even after the efforts of Signals and Grace Under Pressure. They perfected their sound again and the result is a very tight, memorable album. Every song stands out on its own and that is a very hard thing to do.

Dig it!

Rush go commercial - songs you can hum along to (and lots of keyboards).......2007-06-14

I have always admired Rush for their undeniable musicianship and longevity. Over the last 30 years or more they have provided great rock music which has had lasting appeal on EVERY continent among rock fans. Sometimes there has been a dip in quality but, for me, that is understandable and forgiveable for a band that has been around as long as they have. There are those who will tell you that one particular "phase" of the Rush discography is better than all other eras, but I find something to admire in just about everything they do - whichever decade from their career is considered. This particular release from 1985 finds Rush in a very commercial mood which might be "dumbing down" for some fans (Power Windows probably would not make it into the top 3 of most Rush fans' lists of best Rush albums). But to my mind this is a very strong album - a great set of songs with plenty of hooks as well. The song Big Money was a hit single in many countries and a perfect example of the commercial nature of this album. Hence, Power Windows is not only the expected high standard of musicanship and intelligent lyrics that fans know Rush for ... it is MORE than that. The commercial and song-orientated edge that Rush have on this album makes it one of the more likely releases from Rush's career to appeal to the casual rock listener and there is nothing wrong with that! Even though I admire the classic 2112 from much earlier in Rush's career, I think that, musically and lyrically, it is less likely to appeal to the non-commited listener of rock music than the tracks on this album - but that is only my opinon. The remastered sound of this CD (for a production from 1985) also holds up very well. Recommended.

A good place to start listening to Rush.......2007-06-14

This may very well be my favorite Rush recording. They have created so many wonderful tunes, but this particular collection keeps finding its way into my player more than most. All great songs on Power Windows! I also like Grace Under Pressure and Signals. I would have a difficult time rating their library in reverse (worst albums) so if you are new to Rush, then I urge you to sample this one and if it meets your budget - buy it!

Rush stay true to form with another excellent album........2007-05-24

This album shows that the prog-rock band Rush continue to go from strength to strength. Building on previous albums such as "Hold your fire" and "Presto", Power windows is another example both of Lee and Lifesons' remarkable musical capability and Pearts lyrical mastery. The highlights of the album are the energetic "The Big Money", the hard hitting and emotionally charged "Manhattan project" and the almost hypnotic "mystic rhythms". However the whole album is a gem. Some brilliant synthesizer and guitar usage across the whole of the album. The only disappointing thing about the album is that there aren't more songs on it.

Synth Rock Rush At It's Best!.......2007-05-23

Although I am a big fan of all of Rush's 80s material, I have come to the conclusion that Power Windows is ultimately the finest of this era (keep your shorts on fellow fans-I'm not including Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures in this category!). One comment I keep reading (from various sources) is that this album "requires repeated listening to appreciate." This album had instant appeal to me, although if you think that "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight" are the be all/end all of Rush, then I can somewhat understand.

This album has it all: superb production (yes, a bit over the top at times), consistently good songs and excellent musicianship (as with all Rush albums). And while songs like "The Big Money" and "Mystic Rhythms" are the most commonly cited, ALL of the tracks are great. "Grand Designs," for instance, is one of the most underrated Rush songs I know of, as is "Territories."

There are some extremely powerful moments on this album, both lyrically and instrumentally (yet still not lacking in humor, for example, "Territories:'Better people, better food...better beer.'). This was a time when the synthesizers really began to dominate, although that is not necessarily a bad thing. The synth programming of Geddy Lee and his assistants is nothing short of being fantastic. Alex Lifeson, on the other hand, is often cited during this period as "Missing in Action." I disagree. In the 70s, Alex showed the world that he could shred with the best of them. Beginning in the 80s, he began a more relaxed yet also more mature approach that worked for the song and not so much in competition w/ the other instruments. There are plenty of great moments for him, such as the memorable solo on "Big Money" and the cool backward guitar effects on "Mystic Rhythms."

If you're a fan of 80s Rush, then you must own this album if you don't already. If you are a Rush fan that is still trying to get into this period, I would advise that if there is any album you should try, it's Power Windows.

Average customer rating:

It doesn't get much better
weaker effort
Don't compare them !
one of the best
very strong effort--has some of Dan's very best work

Windows and Walls
Dan Fogelberg
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Phoenix
The Innocent Age
Exiles
High Country Snows
Home Free

ASIN: B0000025XA
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Language Of Love
Windows And Walls
The Loving Cup
Tucson, Arizona (Gazette)
Let Her Go
Sweet Magnolia (And The Travelling Salesman)
Believe In Me
Gone Too Far

Customer Reviews:

It doesn't get much better.......2006-06-05

This CD has a place on my shelf as one of the best CD's ever recorded.

weaker effort.......2006-04-20

This album to me sounds very generic in places. I prefered the acoustic music of Dan's. While that is in place, much of the album is based around generic middle of the road rock songs, that to me, sound exactly like each other. On three tracks 'language of love', a pedestrian rocker, 'let her go' another very dull rocker and 'gone too far', I can't remember it now at all, he tries to rock and it is just not great. Yet a fourth track 'loving cup' also toes the line of rock song and folky music, and is better than the aforementioned three but still not that great.

On Dan's album 'Souvenirs', most of the tracks are melodic ballads, with only one rock song. Why he decided to go over board with the rock songs is a mystery to me.
'Tuscon, Arizona' it has been praised here continuously. When the song started, i thought it was a really nice sounding folk song. But the song goes on and on and on, and never changes. There is a small bride, but apart from that it is a poorly thought out melody, with a strong lyric. It is completely overrated and soon tires. But after over 8 mins, it is plain annoying.

The other three tracks are beautiful ballads, that I expect from Dan, and just push this up to 3 stars. 'Sweet magnolia' is a pretty piano ballad. 'Believe in me' has a soaring vocal melody and shimmering guitars. An extremely romantic song and quite beautiful. The best song for me is 'windows and walls'. This, for me, has the best lyric about growing old and being alone. The melody is exceptional and so is the instrumentation. Great orchestration as well.
As for the song

Don't compare them ! .......2005-10-12

First of all...how in the heck do you follow - up a masterpiece like "The Innocent Age" ? The answer is...you don't ! You simply continue to do what you do best....and that's what Dan Fogelberg does on "Windows And Walls" !

When I bought "Windows And Walls" in 1984...I didn't expect "The Innocent Age Part 2" ! I considered it to be exactly what it was...the latest release from Dan Fogelberg...consistently great songwriting....arranging...production...and a great performance ! My favorite songs Are "Believe In Me"..."Windows And Walls"...."Tucson,Arizona (Gazette)"...."Gone Too Far" and "The Language Of Love" .

Just enjoy this....don't compare !

one of the best.......2005-06-11

Unfortunatly, Dan Fogelberg is not well-known in France and Europe, but for me, he's one of the best american songwriters. I got about ten albums, from "never lands" to "river of souls" and "Tucson Arizona" is my favourite. Romantic, beautiful song. Just one word : respect !

very strong effort--has some of Dan's very best work.......2004-12-31

Not counting his 1982 "Greatest Hits" release which contained a couple new songs, "Windows and Walls" was Dan Fogelberg's first album since his 1981 double album "The Innocent Age". Fogelberg was clearly trying hard to make a 'Big Statement' with "The Innocent Age" which received a remarkable level of commercial success for a double album, hitting the Billboard top 10 and going platinum within its first four months of release, as well as yielding 4 considerably big hit singles. "Windows and Walls", a single LP originally released in January of 1984, did make it to #15 on the Billboard charts and went gold quickly, but it basically marked the end of Fogelberg's period of highest popularity, and it seems that it didn't receive even close to the kind of critical praise that "The Innocent Age" did.

All that said, some might suspect "Windows and Walls" to be something of a hiccup or a last gasp, especially considering the gap of well over 2 years between "The Innocent Age" and this album, but actually, "Windows and Walls" is a characteristically ambitious effort from Dan with several of the very best tracks he's ever done. Plus, I must admit that I really like how Fogelberg, a prominent `70s artist, is staying true to himself on this effort and not trying in the slightest to `update` his sound to fit in with the popular trends of the mid-'80s. This album VERY much sounds like it could have come out 5 years earlier than it did, and I mean that as a compliment.

The opening 4 song sequence (`side 1' in vinyl terms) is great--it shows you how good Fogelberg can be. "The Language of Love" is a catchy rocker with stop and start riffery that recalls AC/DC, and Dan's rough-edged vocal puts the lyrics over which are somewhat simple, but fun and right on the money. The atmospheric title track is a haunting, powerful cautionary tale about ageing--again, the lyrics are right on the money, almost frighteningly so. The splendidly tuneful "The Loving Cup", one of his 'romantic desperation' songs, kind of straddles the line between being a ballad and a rocker and has a really nice mid-song guitar solo; it's a very strong track overall, but it's a tad slight--for the third verse, instead of coming up with something new, he splices together the first two lines from the first verse with the last two lines from the second; and it's also marred a bit by the overdone outro which blatantly imitates "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and has an annoying `pull the plug' ending. The `side-closer' "Tucson, Arizona (Gazette)" is a marvelous accomplishment, an excellently melodic and captivating 8+ minute story-song that's rich with detail, very strongly reminiscent of Al Stewart--classical guitar & all--and also suspiciously similar musically to the Hollies' "Tell Me To My Face" which Fogelberg had already covered on his 1978 duet album with Tim Weisberg; in any case, the song shows Fogelberg carrying out his ambitiousness in such a way that his earlier attempt at an epic story song with "Beggar's Game" (from his "Phoenix" album) did not--it`s no wonder that Fogelberg himself has cited this as his "all-time favorite track".

Unfortunately, it's as if Fogelberg burnt himself out with these first 4 tracks, because `side 2' is much weaker. "Let Her Go" is a rocker that's not even quite mid-tempo, and it's decent, but rote. Then there are a pair of orchestrated ballads including the drippy and dull "Sweet Magnolia (And The Travelling Salesman)"; and the tender "Believe In Me" which is decent, but still frustratingly slight. He does end the album with the moody environmentally-themed rocker "Gone Too Far" which, despite unimaginative lyrics, is excellently catchy.

So, it's rough sailing at times with this album, but with all of the excellent material that it does contain, it's very worthwhile and a must for any serious fan, and it makes for a solid starting point for new/ casual fans as well.

Average customer rating:

Terrific painting music!
AAAHHHH, how sweet it is.....
Showcase for Windham Hill's Finest
Great CD
The music is very nice but this compilation is weird

Windows: Windham Hill 25 Years of Piano
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Touch-Windham Hill 25 Years of Guitar
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Adagio: A Windham Hill Collection
Windham Hill: The First Ten Years

ASIN: B00005JXSG
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

Dubuque - George Winston
Wedding Rain - Liz Story
If You Believe - Jim Brickman
Children's Song - Oystein Sevag
As For Us - Fernando Ortega
In Flight - Michael Harrison
Inside Out - Liz Story
Rocket To The Moon - Jim Brickman
To The Well - W.A. Mathieu
Past Voices - Taylor Eigsti
A Morning With The Roses - Richard Dworsky
Loreta And Desiree's Bouquet - Part 1 - George Winston
Montana Half-Light - Philip Aaberg

Amazon.com

This tribute disc to the 25-year piano legacy of Windham Hill was assembled during a time of administrative reorganization for the label, which may explain why a showcase for such an influential catalog of music has been compressed into a single 54-minute disc. Such relative brevity does not negatively impact its quality or appeal, though label founder Will Ackerman, who sold the label in the 1990s, penned the liner notes and apparently chose the tracks. Label legends George Winston, Jim Brickman, and Liz Story are each represented by two tracks, though nothing from Winston's genre-defining Autumn release is found here. However, Story's superb Solid Colors ("Wedding Rain") is represented, a nod to a grand 1982 release that ranks as the label's finest moment. Among the less familiar names here (five tracks are lifted from past new-artist samplers), Richard Dworsky ("A Morning with the Roses") and soulful 16-year-old Taylor Eigsti ("Past Voices") merit special notice. Back in the early 1970s, every Windham Hill recording merited special notice. Each new release was a revelation to rock- and pop-rooted listeners, presenting a startling mix of new-acoustic purity, intelligence, and emotional expansiveness. Here's hoping the next 25 years generate some similar sparks. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Terrific painting music!.......2006-11-17

Just the kind of sound and background music one needs for creating and relaxing.Best quality for listening for any artist as they prepare to create!!Lovely and continously enjoyable throughout the whole cd.

AAAHHHH, how sweet it is............2003-04-20

For a long time, Windham Hill has been putting out magnificent piano music. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that this collection highlighting some of the label's most distinguished pieces would be nothing less than perfect. If you like solo piano, then take my word for it: this is a beautiful, captivating album.

Each track is a finely-crafted original work and represents a significant piece of Windham Hill's legacy of piano music. This soothing collection of tunes is splendidly suited for a romantic evening by the fire, a morning stroll in the park, or an afternoon of lazy daydreaming. Whatever your condition, Windows is guaranteed to uplift your spirits and rejuvenate your soul. The album is that good. I recommend it without reservation to anyone who relishes the sweet sound of solo piano.

Showcase for Windham Hill's Finest.......2003-04-19

As part of Windham Hill's 25 Year anniversary celebrations, this CD has been released in recognition of the prominent part pianists have played in the company's success over the last quarter of a century.

How they can do this in a single 53 minute disc is beyond me- the company has distributed some amazing piano music that is surely worthy of a longer compilation. However, to their credit, what they have chosen is of the highest order.

The CD features many well-known pianists and some not so familiar, but each track is strong in its own individual way. It even features a 16 year old's debut piece, "Past Voices".

Oystein Sevag's "Children's Song" holds some curious addiction to me; a very simple melody that you can't help but listen intently to.

Michael Harrison's "In Flight" perfectly captures the subject of the title- I see birds migrating as I fly along side them on their beautiful long journey.

"Rocket to the Moon" had to be included. It was the piece that launched Jim Brickman's career and will be instantly recognisable to many.

Another favourite is "To The Well" by Walter Mathieu. On this piece, Mathieu is accompanied by vocalist Bobby McFerrin. The founder of the company, Will Ackerman, states in the insert that this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music he has heard- and I would agree. It is one of those examples of music that you'll either love or hate; for me it is definitely the former. I tend to find that voice and piano does neither any favours; one gets in the way of the other and you end up not being able to concentrate on either. This is a rare example of when this doesn't happen. Instead, they complement one another, mainly because the piano is still the prominent sound and the vocals are wordless. They add a haunting, yet strangely beautiful quality to the music.

Beautifully presented, this CD is a must if you are a piano lover. Congratulations, Windham Hill, and here's to another 25 years of creating some of the best instrumental music around.

Very highly recommended.

Great CD.......2001-11-09

I have no idea why the last two reviews for this CD are so bad. This might be the best CD I ever listened to!

The music is very nice but this compilation is weird.......2001-11-06

I always thought that the best way to listen to new age is in compilations. With very few exceptions (like George Winston) this kind of music becomes monotonous and boring after twenty minutes with the same artist. So, I have most of the windham hill compilations, piano, guitars, samplers, vocals, and I like them all. Since piano is one of my favourite instruments I bought this one without hesitation.

What a surprise it was to find that 5 out of these 13 tracks are taken from other samplers by the same label. I understand that this label is not the same it was 15 years ago, it was bought by BMG and they are really trying to cash on this popular and selling music, but we must say to them that this is too much, just way too much! A sampler from samplers, and at full price!

The music is good and if you don't have any windham hill cd, you could start here, although George Winston has some better tracks and there are a few more piano tracks in the windham hill vaults that could be added to a CD that is only 53 minutes long. I guess BMG prefers to do a vol.2 than give you value for your money.

I prefer the 'Piano samplers', vol. 1 and 2, with more tracks and more music to this one. And also the "first Ten years" dbl cd compilation is great. Other windham hills compilations that I recommend are the "Winter solstice", specially vol. 1, 2 and 3. There are too many Windham Hill cd's to buy before this one.

Ottorino Respighi: Church Windows/Brazilian Impressions/Roman Festivals
Average customer rating:

Unimpressive Works by a Great Composer

An amazing disc!

Powerful!

Give your hifi a workout with Respighi

Rapturuous Respighi

Ottorino Respighi: Church Windows/Brazilian Impressions/Roman Festivals

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Respighi: The Birds; 3 Botticelli Pictures; Il Tramonto

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ASIN: B000003CZV
Release Date: 1994-02-22

Tracks:

I. The Flight Into Egypt
II. Saint Michael The Archangel
III. The Matins Of Saint Clare
IV. Saint Gregory The Great
I. Tropical Night
II. Butantan
III. Song And Dance
I. Circus Maximus
II. The Jubilee
III. The October Festival
IV. The Epiphany

Customer Reviews:

Unimpressive Works by a Great Composer.......2007-07-16

I am a fan of many of Respighi's works, but I was not impressed by Brazilian Impressions or Church Windows. Both of the works struck me as unusually sluggish, with a lack of focus.

An amazing disc!.......2006-05-16

This disc is totally fascinating on so many levels. First, there is the music itself: Respighi ranging from crystalline delicacy, to almost brutal force. Too many people discover his most famous Pines, Fountains, Ancient Airs, and Boutique Fantasque, then for some reason, stop there. For them, this disc is a must, with 3 lesser known but equally deserving suites that will touch your heart and overwhelm you with sound. Second, there is the engineering. As always with Telarc, full frequency range, full dynamic range, and a clarity that lets little details come through no matter how complex the orchestration gets, and at times, it is thick! Last, but not least, there is Lopez-Cobos and the Cincinnati Symphony. The playing is nearly all virtuoso, with only the occasional very minor weakness in evidence. More so, there is the "weight." The Berlin Philharmonic and NY Phil have always been known for this factor, not to be confused with pure volume. Something does not have to be very loud to have weight, and when Respighi calls for it, it is there in abundance. Here and there I might long for some of Muti's abandon in "Feste" [Muti/Philadelphia/EMI] or some of the muscular percussion [especially the 3 tam-tams!] playing on the Geoffrey Simon Church Windows [Chandos] but all the pieces fall into place here: Clean playing, lively, tender, brutal, exiciting... all when called for, and a properly balanced organ solo in Church Windows [at last!!] that'll leave you exhaused, and totally satisfied.

Powerful!.......2006-03-24

In brief, this is a very powerful recording, and a unique, passionate interpretation of all these works. Church Windows will take your breath away! Cincinnatti's best work!

Give your hifi a workout with Respighi.......2005-11-04

This is a delightful composition, and Respighi is one of those oft overlooked composers who can provide relief from the usual "B" composers.
But the reason I recommend this is because it is a great recording. If you want to see what your hifi can do, get this. It is a sonic spectacular with great stereo imaging.
However, it seems this recording does not play well with all CD players. One audio expert said it was overmodulated. I am finding it sounds different with different DACs. It works great with my high end Sony CD player, and with my new Toshiba DVD player. But the digital feed into my Marantz receiver sounds flatter, with less low level detail and less loud transients. Not sure why. Seems like it would make a good test CD, perhaps if you were auditioning equipment to buy.

Rapturuous Respighi.......2004-01-07

This writer long has admired Arturo Toscanini's RCA Victor recordings of Ottorino Respighi's "Roman Cycle," which includes "Fountains of Rome," "Pines and Rome," and "Roman Festivals." Certainly for interpretation of the Respighi symphonic poems, Toscanini has been hard to beat. For one thing, Toscanini was a close friend of the composer and was entrusted with the world premiere of "Roman Festivals," given in Carnegie Hall in 1929 with the New York Philharmonic.

The recorded performances with the NBC Symphony, made between 1949 and 1953, are hallmarks. The only thing missing in those vintage recordings is the exceptional sound that has been achieved in recent years, particularly in Telarc's amazing digital recordings. On this CD we get to hear the last of the "Roman Cycle," "Roman Festivals" in a powerful, very exciting performance by the very fine Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under Jesus Lopez-Cobos. All the stops are pulled out, from the roaring lions as the Christians are martyred in the Coliseum to the raucous, sometimes comical "Epiphany" finale. I have little doubt that Toscanini would have approved of this recording and wished that RCA had been able to capture the volume during the fortissimo sections. (It has been noted that Toscanini tried to get RCA to record more volume and was told by the engineers that the 1949 recording equipment simply couldn't handle it. He said he didn't care if they broke the tape machine. Undoubtedly, he would have smiled over the technical advances that have occurred in recording since then.)

I first discovered "Church Windows" in the ground-breaking Columbia recording by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. At least that recording had stereo and full range high fidelity. I found it a very enjoyable performance and am glad that Sony has reissued it. The only thing lacking there was a pipe organ because Ormandy refused to record in the orchestra's home base, the Academy of Music, after it was remodeled in the mid-1950's and had to resort to Allen electronic organ. In this Cincinnati performance, there is often absolute grandeur and an overwhelming orchestral and organ climax during the final section, "Saint Gregory The Great." The symphonic poem also has moments of great beauty and sensitivity, particularly in "The Flight Into Egypt" and "The Matins of St. Clare." This music is filled with deep feeling and spirituality. Typically, Respighi makes considerable use of Gregorian chants. Overall, this is a memorable performance of music that is often neglected in favor of the more familiar "Roman Cycle," especially "Pines of Rome."

Antal Dorati was probably the first to make a stereo recording of "Brazilian Impressions," back in the glory days of Mercury "Living Presence." The Cincinnati recording is quite enchanting and mysterious at times, faithfully capturing the musical images that Respighi depicted after spending time in exotic Brazil. Remarkably, Respighi's "Brazilian Impressions" are generally more subdued than those by the French master Darius Milhaud or Brazil's own musical giant, Heitor Villa-Lobos. Still, it is a very intriguing and fascinating work and is given a fine performance.

Through Windows & Walls
Average customer rating:

Haunting . . . Beautiful . . . . and Mesmerizing

Pure Pleasure

A great collaboration, worrthy of CDs of old...

Through Windows & Walls
Peter Kater & R. Carlos Nakai
Manufacturer: Silver Wave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Elements Series: Earth

ASIN: B00005MK4L
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

Windows And Walls
When Worlds Collide
Moments Like This
Walk With Me
If Walls Could Speak
I Know You
Remember When
Child's Play
Recognition

Amazon.com

Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai have always perfectly married their strengths and weaknesses. Nakai, the acclaimed Native American flute player, brings an austerity of emotion and tone to Kater, who has saccharine tendencies. Kater, on the other hand, focuses Nakai's often-sketchy melodies, refining and placing them in a meticulously produced environment. It's safe to say that their previous collaborations are among the best produced of Nakai's numerous albums. Through Windows & Walls is in the tradition of those earlier Native American chamber works. Fleshed out by the hand percussion of Geoffrey Gordon and Michael Moses Tisch, there's a more dynamic arc to Through Windows & Walls than its more somber predecessors, especially on the heroic cadences of "When Worlds Collide." Although "If Walls Could Speak" and "Recognition" founder due to smothering vocal washes and a hokey, sampled "angelic" choir, Nakai and Kater travel beyond New Age clichés throughout Through Windows & Walls. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Haunting . . . Beautiful . . . . and Mesmerizing.......2002-03-21

I absolutely love the music produced by the collaboration of R. Carlos Nakai and Peter Kater. Their music manages to transport me to another place that is peaceful, relaxing, and does not have a care in the world. It is food for my psyche and for my soul and I never tire of listening of this CD.

There are 9 tracks on this CD and each and every one of them is a delight to hear. The evocative flute, combined with the subtle percussion, piano or vocals is just so incredibly beautiful. Each track is a joy to behold and you will feel a full range of emotions listing to this wonderful CD. I am soothed, I am uplifted, I am relaxed, but mostly I just feel so good listening as I listen over and over to the music. There are very few artists that have this response with me, another one of them being Dolphin Dreams by Marty Weintraub (which I also highly recommend).

The music is hauntingly evocative, beautiful and so very mesmerizing. Listen to the entire CD and let yourself be carried away! You will be re-energized!!!!

If I could, I would rate this with ten stars, as five stars just does not do it justice!!

Pure Pleasure.......2001-11-02

If there was ever music created that becomes one with your soul, then this is it. I feel very connected to each mood as it moves from melodic to introspective.

At times you feel like an eagle soaring high above the earth. This music will lift your spirit.

The trademark style of piano and Native American flute, along with voice and percussion will create a relaxing mood for you to enjoy.

Perfect for playing when giving or receiving a massage. This music is also like a massage for your heart.

Truly Beautiful.

A great collaboration, worrthy of CDs of old..........2001-08-01

A long time ago, in a canyon far away, Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai collaborated on two of the best Native-American inspired CDs of all time, "Honorable Sky" and "Natives". There hasn't been a CD of that quality for a while, except for the "live version" offered last year, but this new release sure comes close. Peter Kater's melodic piano stylings are a wonderful complement to the soft, haunting woodwind from R. Carlos Nakai. When these two musicians perform together, the result is a flavorful, gentle window into time and landscape. If you are familiar with their other releases, you will truly enjoy this one as well. If you have not heard the others, but are searching for Native American inspired awareness, then I recommend this CD---and the others....