5 comments about Fresh Aire Collection (Includes 6x12 Box).

1. I own every single cd and or song that Mannheim Steamroller has ever made which is ALOT! They are a great band to listen to for all ocasions...Christmas obviously is #1 but the Halloween and what not or good too...The fresh Aire Series is my all time favorite...1-8 are great to listen to and relax. I would suggest buying all the cds. Chip Davis is a close friend of mine as well and he is a great man



2. Mannheim Steamroller is excellent music, however, this collection is "Seasons - A Fresh Aire COLLECTION" and is NOT what I would call CHRISTMAS music.. I am disappointed that i did not recieve CHRISTMAS music. I do not intend on keeping it.



3. I received my first introduction to Fresh Aire while I was in New Zealand as a Mormon Missionary in 1984 - I was listening to some music by Sky and my companion commented that if I liked that I would probably like Fresh Aire. It wasn't until 6 months later that I was actually with someone who had tapes of Fresh Aire (like many people, I never heard of Mannheim Steamroller until some time later) At the time I didn't know just which album the tapes were of (indeed I later found that they were a mixture of the first three) but I became totally hooked the very first time I heard Toccata and the Cricket.

   I later bought a vinyl copy of Fresh Aire, still later a cassette of Fresh Aire II and finally a CD of Fresh Aire III. When I found this boxed set on Amazon, I couldn't stop myself ordering it, and it now takes pride of place in my CD collection. When I want to relax and tune out, it's on with the headphones and on with one of these CDs (my favourite is III, but I like them all). Chip Davis is an incredible musical talent.

   It is hard for me to qualify exactly what it is I like so much about Fresh Aire. As a musician my response to music is as much an emotional as a technical thing. If I were to try and analyse what appeals to me about this music it would probably have a lot to do with the masterful blending of the sounds of nature, traditional instruments (recorders, harpsicords etc.) and electronic and more modern instrumentation. Combine all that with some great cutting-edge stereo effects in the studio (what I like to refer to as the "music moving through your head" feeling) and you have something that is quite unique.

   Looking at the albums individually, my least favourite would be Fresh Aire IV, but even that had a couple of tracks I like. The first three, however, to me would have made it worth getting the set even if I hated 4 (which I don't). I have since listened to Fresh Aire V, Fresh Aire VI (both of which I would consider at least as good as the first three) and Fresh Aire 7 which I was not so sure about. Admittedly I've only listened to 7 once, but it just didn't seem to grab me on an emotional level like the other albums for some reason. That may simply be a matter of individual taste.

   Despite already having the first 4 albums, I'm considering getting the re-released set containing all 8 albums. It's probably worth noting for anyone looking at buying this set that American Gramophone have remastered all the earlier 7 albums and re-released them with 8 in HDCD (i.e. 5.1 digital surround)




4. I have a few other albums by Mannheim Streamroller that I enjoy. These set is not one of them. I found the music simplistic and plain. This set has moved to my inactive library stack.



5. I've had Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas music for several years and finally decided to listen to what else was "out there". I splurged and bought this set and I'm very happy that I did so. I write and do artwork on the computer and there's nothing better than putting on one of these CD's to transport me to a magical place that allows me to be as creative as the music is. I fully intend to buy more albums by Mannheim Steamroller.

2 comments about Musical Massage: A Soothing Sensual Collection.

1. I feel so good listening to this cassette, I really don't want to switch back to the rock CD's. At least not for a while. My stomache just feels so much better.

   I have the cassette. Really need a CD so I don't have to keep turning the cassette over. It isn't 8-track. My unit doesn't automatically switch direction (it will automatically kick in a 2nd cassette on the "A" side, but that is another story).




2. The music will flow over you like hot running water. It was almost as relaxing as a sit in a hot tub!

No comments about High Performance Mind.

5 comments about Echoes of Nature: The Natural Sounds of the Wilderness.

1. This collection of CDs has a variety of natural sounds which are not spoilt by added music. It is great to play in the background or simply to relax to. The choice between sounds of rain, or jungles etc provides a sound for every mood. It is everything I wanted from a nature sounds CD.



2. Bought this CD set for my wife for Christmas and we both enjoy falling to sleep to the sounds. No music. Just the sounds of nature. I highly recommend this set. A really good bargain too!



3. The only thing I wish is the CD's were a bit longer. The rain is great! That's my favorite, but is all really worth having.



4. I bought this as I L-o-v-e nature & wildlife. I wanted something that didn't have any music, just plain nature sounds period ... that is what you'll get if you buy this cd collection. You have the option of listening to rain with thunder, crickets, birds, even the ocean! Having a stressful day?? Just pop in one of the cd's & unwind allowing you to take a mini trip (if only in your thoughts) to a place that is relaxing. I've actually fallen asleep while listening to these cd's!



5. Echos of Nature is a very nicely recorded collection of nature sounds with no musical accompaniment and minimal white noise or wind picking up on the mic, as I've noted on other collections. The Songbirds CD, however, was defective or warped and would not play the first track on some CD players. On other players the track skipped and generated hissing and scraping sounds as the disc spun. Fortunately, you can order these CDs separately, which is what I did (and it is now one of my favorites in the collection).
   
   There are a few nature sounds these collections tend to overlook, in my opinion. I'd like a CD with the sound of wind whistling around the eaves or through the trees (with and without a track that includes wind chimes of various kinds). A whale call CD would have been nice also. So, too, would have been the sound of wood burning in a fireplace. Last but not least, a night track with owls and wolves in the far, far distance would have rounded things out nicely. (In fairness, however, these are sounds just about every nature collection fails to include.)
   
   Comparing this set to the 10-CD set I bought elsewhere, the quality of the audio is very good. Nearly everyone will find something to enjoy about this collection. And if you want even more, the same company offers a Rainforest CD collection (though I understand some of the tracks are identical to the shorter tracks offered in this series).
   
   A few years ago, I would not have imagined myself buying anything of this sort. But having done so, I would recommend this to anyone who would like an alternative to music while studying, relaxing, meditating or falling asleep. If you'd like a way to de-stress or a vacation and just can't get there, Echos of Nature will provide a pleasant mini retreat for a very reasonable price.

No comments about The Private Years.

3 comments about Complete Solo Recordings 1972-1996.

1. I have a question for you. The reviews say there is no bonus material included in this set. But there appears to be more material here than on the original albums. For example Ballads and Blues original version only has 9 tracks. Yet the disk in the box set has 17 tracks. Can anybody set the record straight on whether or not there is added material in this boxed set? Thank you.



2. This is a great collection, but the real question is: is it worth 100 bucks? Sure, it comes in a snazzy blue box and a "limited edition collector's booklet" (which, BTW, is nothing more than liner notes), but it contains no extra rarities or previously unreleased tracks. This box set worked out great for me since all my George Winston albums are either on vinyl or tape, and I've been meaning to get them again on CDs, but if you already have one or more CDs that are in this box set, you'd probably be better off buying the rest individually. (unless, of course, you REALLY want the blue box and the "limited edition collector's booklet"...)



3. If you could purchase joy, like joy was something tangible you could possess, then this is the closest you will ever get. If you you don't fall in love with Colors/Dance from Autumn, look at halloween differently through the Woods from Autumn, relive Christmas Eve as a child on December, find solice in January Stars on Winter into Spring, and feel regret in Where are you now? on Summer, then you have my pity.

2 comments about Music for Creativity.

1. Excellent selection of classical music. I listen to these CD's at work when I can't tune in NPR's Performance Today. Have used as gifts for friends and family ... a great value and always appreciated.



2. This album is superb! The selections chosen, the artists performing, and the choice of sequencing combine to create what I believe to be the finest three CD set of selected (mostly)Baroque music I have ever encountered. It truly is music to encourage a creative state. I am a retired classical music devotee.

No comments about Music for Yoga: Experience Relaxation, Healing And.

2 comments about The Collection.

1. If you don`t know The Synthesizer artist Vangelis,or don`t own a collection of his earlier albums,I can Warmly recommend this album.The majority of the tracks is from the 70`s,and all tracks is original recordings from that period.It is very,clear hearing the warm sound from the nostalgic analoge synthesizers.Pulstar Is my favourite track on this album.



2. I was waiting for a new performance of Vangelis. When i got yor advise, i thought "Let's see what's new", but the answer was "bad news" one more time another compilation of Vangelis. The tracks are wright, but as usual on the last times no new tracks. That's te way I put the 3 stars rate, because there is no new material. In the latest 70's and early 80's Vangelis has veri rich music, but now, he was to live on his past. Bad news for a great musician like him

2 comments about Romance Collection.

1. This is a very relaxing, love it, seller shipped out quickly, no problems at all.



2. His music is uplifting. The songs in the set are the very best he does. You can see him playing every note and putting love in everyones heart. I can listen to his music for hours.