Third in the Summer Solstice series, Sun Dance is an elegiac meandering into longer days, warmer nights, and the kiss of festivity that lingers for the season. Featuring pianists Jim Brickman and Liz Story, harpist Lisa Ly... more »nne, guitarist William Coulter, and ensembles such as Angels of Venice (covering the Rolling Stones' "As Tears Go By"), Sun Dance dips into the well of New Age talent, spilling forth a liquid dream-time soundscape. George Winston and Keola Beamer collaborate on the Hawaii-inspired "Shaka Slack Key," and Will Ackerman's finger-picked "Just Dancin' Like Fools," elegantly supplemented by violin, bass, and percussion, is a lovely ditty of light and willowy grace. A word of caution: beware the lazy-making properties of this collection! It's quite likely that listening will bring on a hankering to nod off in the sun or ditch that big meeting for an impromptu berry gathering. --Paige La Grone« less
Third in the Summer Solstice series, Sun Dance is an elegiac meandering into longer days, warmer nights, and the kiss of festivity that lingers for the season. Featuring pianists Jim Brickman and Liz Story, harpist Lisa Lynne, guitarist William Coulter, and ensembles such as Angels of Venice (covering the Rolling Stones' "As Tears Go By"), Sun Dance dips into the well of New Age talent, spilling forth a liquid dream-time soundscape. George Winston and Keola Beamer collaborate on the Hawaii-inspired "Shaka Slack Key," and Will Ackerman's finger-picked "Just Dancin' Like Fools," elegantly supplemented by violin, bass, and percussion, is a lovely ditty of light and willowy grace. A word of caution: beware the lazy-making properties of this collection! It's quite likely that listening will bring on a hankering to nod off in the sun or ditch that big meeting for an impromptu berry gathering. --Paige La Grone
The music is OK, but I have something to say about the sound
05/07/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The reviewer who gave this CD only one star is quite right, the older Windham Hill recordings are better, not only artistically but also soundwise. Although this CD may appear to sound pretty good, to me it does not! It has been compressed up to the hilt. For non-technical listeners this means that all the dynamics (the difference between loud and soft) have mostly been taken out. Therefor it sounds unlistenable to me. This is not the kind of music one should compress the living daylight out of, that is for Rock & Roll. Hey, it might sound good in your car, but I listen on a home system worth (more than) a couple of thousand dollars. I think most people listen to this kind of music on a good system. If this trend continues, I am sure I will no longer buy "new" new age, and stick with the older, more dynamic and interresting recordings (whether 16, 20 or 24 bits: what's the point if the dynamic range is less than 10 dB! ). Windham Hill, please tell your recording and mastering engineers to treat this great music as classical and not as R&R, thank you!"
Accoustic Music..
Ray Riddle | Winter Haven, FL | 04/04/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I wasn't sure how much I was going to like this CD. I bought it for the David Arkenstone track, which I hadn't heard. Turns out to have a very accoustic feel to the whole thing. It's mostly stringed instruments and piano. Quite cool as background music. Not really to sit and listen to attentively, but for when you're doing stuff, this is great to have on. Angels of Venice do an awesome version of "As Tears Go By", and track 4, "Shaka Slack Key," which you can hear in the song samples above, is almost worth the price of the CD. On the whole, the CD doesn't really stand out, but it's worth getting."
Just Relax!
Joette | Michigan | 03/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have listened to this in my car and while I am cuddled up with a good book at home. It is a great mixture of musicians. It helps clear your mind and really relax. It is a favorite of mine."
Melts the stress away!
Joette | 11/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lie back, close your eyes and dream - as the misic will take you to a peaceful state of mind. A very nice mix of artists who blend well. This CD has become one of my favorites."
A sunny, sensual, summer delight!
Joette | 06/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An easy-listening mix of varied artists with a sparkle. Some contemporary and some old familiar tunes with a new twist. If you have enjoyed the Winter Solstice CDs, this will be a welcome addition to your collection."