David Arkenstone - Valley in the Clouds

Released in 1987, Valley in the Clouds by multi- instrumentalist David Arkenstone still stands as one of the most exquisite electronic new age recordings ever produced. Lofty praise, but nearly every track of this meticulously designed musical voyage validates the claim. Imbued with a star-traveler's adventurous spirit, Arkenstone's work conveys a sense of interstellar majesty that invites a listener's imagination to operate on an IMAX scale. Luminous at times, gently percussive at others, the nine pieces succeed at fulfilling Arkenstone's stated composing ambition: "I kept asking myself: What would Indiana Jones enjoy listening to?" he said whimsically at the time. If Indy was transformed into Rocket Man, Arkenstone would immerse him in such expansive sonic delights as "Ancient Legend" and "Stepping Stars," a classic pair of album-openers that grandly establish the mystical-travel theme. "Princess" is worthy of royalty in any galaxy, and "Night Wind" can introduce you to auroras that only your mind's eye knew existed. An audio excursion not to be missed. --Terry Wood Amazon.com

Hmm...? I wouldn't myself say this is his best...

I dunno, I myself wouldn't say this is a fantastic album. I say this mainly because of how it compares with his most famous: "The Spirit Wind". This album is good but a bit unfocused. It DOES have some good tracks on it--even some really catchy ones, but it takes more than a few gimmicky tunes alone to make a good new-age album. New age is supposed to simulate classical in many ways and must be focused and tell a story. This album misses the mark somehow.

I, at least, don't get a sense of what the artist is doing. Is he taking me on a journey into clouds? If so, I don't feel it. (Perhaps David Arkenstone thought of that title sporadically and at the last minute? Who knows?)

I have not myself heard too many David Arkenstone albums (four actually), but of all the ones I have heard, I would say "The Spirit Wind" is the only one I would give five stars to, so far. The reason being that "The Spirit Wind" actually has some type of real focus and does not sound like a bunch of randomly thrown-together tracks as this album does. I mean like, how DOES one REALLY judge new-age music anyway, since the majority of it IS instrumental? By music quality or intrinsicness?--Not Really!!! Because most new age music DOES make use of heavy quality instrumentation. If we judge "Valley in the Clouds" that way we're not giving it a true assessment.

So how do I judge new-age music? Mostly by feeling that the artist put something into it, that's how!!! Now "the Spirit Wind" is a focused album, in that it actually tells some type of instrumental story. It starts out with this character going through the motions, not sure what's going on, on the verge of facing some challenge, experiencing fear but ultimately facing the challenge, telling us of his noble-nature, going through his right-of-passage, then eventually moving into manhood, with the last few tracks finally putting a nice moving closure to the whole story. HERE, I get a sense of the artist's purpose!!!

When a new-age album can do that for me, THAT'S WHAT i CALL A GREAT ALBUM! This one, however did not give me an impression that the artist really put work into it--that his soul and spirit went into it, which is truly the essence of new-age. All we really get here is a bunch of thrown-together tracks, which I think are not bad--and three-star does not mean bad, by any means (just not great). If you are new to Arkenstone however, I would really suggest starting out with the above-mentioned "Spirit Wind". On top of being Arkenstone's best album (of the ones I've heard), it also has the most unique album art of all his albums, which should also suggest something.

"Vally in the Clouds" is not in any way a bad album. It even contains a bit of an 80's sound to it. But my purpose for this review is to make others aware that it is no masterwork either.

Although, I have yet to hear more of Arkenstone's work, I DO hope he tries to make another album with a similar heart & Soul to "The Spirit Wind", if he has not already. I guess he isn't that over the hill yet. I don't think one has to be especially young to compose quality new-age music any more than one needed to be to compose great symphonies in the older times. New age is definitely not the same in that regard as hard rock or metal... October 7, 2007

A Gem in Time

Yes, I give "Valley in the Clouds" 5 stars. It was the first David Arkenstone I bought, some 18 years ago, and it was his debut album. My 5 stars come with a sense of perspective.

While, in some of my other reviews, I refer to "Valley..." as somewhat dated, it represents the absolute best of "New Age" music circa 1987. It cannot, however, be referred to as Arkenstone's best work. Certain other of his releases even received Grammy nominations. "Valley..." did not. It also lacks much of the sweep, drama, and symphonic orchestrations of some of Arkenstone's later work.

Having said that, "Valley..." is highly recommended both for its stand alone quality, and as an introduction to David Arkenstone. It was Arkenstone's brilliant introduction to all of us. He creates a unique "synthesized" world, lush in imagery and vision, full of dreams, at once familiar and yet fantastic.

It is hard to name a track not to like. But there are standouts which deserve separate mention, such as "Ancient Legend", "Stepping Stars", the title track "Valley in The Clouds", "Princess", "Night Wind", and "The Sun Girl". These vary from the sweep and grandeur (as much as can be created on a synthesizer without an orchestra) of "Ancient Legend" and "Valley in The Clouds", to the wonder of "Stepping Stars"and "Night Wind", and finally to the lyrical beauty of "Princess" and "The Sun Girl".

Did I leave out anybody else's favorite? Of course! That's part of the joy of "Valley in The Clouds". Almost anyone can name different favorites, because almost all the tracks are that good! If asked for two favorites, almost everyone can say "Valley in The Clouds and... .", with a different track to name.

This album deserves its 5 stars, but with perspective. Anyone who begins listening to David Arkenstone with "Atlantis", for example, would be surprised by the simplicity of "Valley...". It IS somewhat dated.

But given that, it is one of the best debut efforts ever. A real "Gem in Time". March 31, 2006

Wonderful debut

I consider myself fortunate when my first exposure to a musician occurs at the time of their debut release. It makes it far easier for one to grasp how the artist matures and grows as a musician and composer. Such was the case with Arkenstone and Valley in the Clouds. I own all of his releases, along with the Troika CDs, and VitC stands as one of those rare, excellent debuts that hints at what is to come. With this release, Arkenstone instantly established himself as one of the few artist, like Patrick O'Hearn and David Helpling, whose music reaches epic, aurally cinematic proportions without bombast. Their are many gems on this album, Ancient Legend , Valley in the Clouds, and Rain are still amongst my favorite songs alltime and I think the best cuts on this CD, but the entire release is superb. Having said that, the assertion that this was his best release is complete rubbish considering that quite a bit of his work afterwards exhibited far more lyrical, majestic, and musically expansive qualities. Stellar debut and a clear sampling of what was to come from a talented musician. July 25, 2005

This Is the new age album to have...really!!

Most critics would agree that this is David Arkenstone at his very best. I have to agree also with collin mcdaniel that David has not made an album of this calibur since!! This of course was his debut album and so every song is beautifully and meticulously crafted and sounds rich with analog instrumentation.
For any of you fans of David's current music, this will definitely be a change because like another reviewer said, it was before he started becoming so ethnically fixed on one style and every track is a five star with the exception of "Rain" which goes a little too long on the arpeggiation.

This should be regarded by all audiophiles as one of the top five albums to own.

J castle February 16, 2005

Music for thought

I am new to Arkenstone. I am new to "lifestyle" music, although I am a child of the New Age, supposedly. I bought the Narada Classics release which contains two disks: "Valley In The Clouds" and "In The Wake Of The Wind". I do a lot of writing at my computer and have been using web radio (New Age) for background sounds. Arkenstone's music and name showed up, and I was hooked. His style and composition on these two disks fit perfectly with my needs and style. When I write, I need auditory sensory input to help me concentrate and stay the course. Mr. Arkenstone makes music that can sometimes make you tap your foot and at other times might bring you close to tears, but is never so overwhelming as to cause you to forget what the hell you are doing. These two disks are very good for that. I am pleased with the production quality of these disks, and the sound Mr. Arkenstone constructs on them. The sound is pleasing and relaxing when listened to in an exclusive way, such as when you are doing nothing but laying around on the couch in a substance induced semi-comatose state. So much for critical rationalizations; I just like the music on these disks. October 23, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...