David Arkenstone - In the Wake of the Wind

Composer and multi-instrumentalist David Arkenstone has two distinct musical realms he loves to explore: world-influenced contemporary instrumental, such as last year's Grammy-nominated Citizen of the World, and symphonic pop and rock, such as this 1991 Grammy-nominated masterwork. An hourlong instrumental journey, In the Wake of the Wind is the dazzling soundtrack to the journeys of an adventurous young man named Andolin who wishes to roam the stormy seas that swept his grandfather away. The album is accompanied by a foldout map and text in the vein of master fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien, although, in the liner notes, Arkenstone also urges listeners to conjure up a personal narrative. The composer's spirited sense of adventure imbues these 16 tracks with a life of their own. Certainly the album's best moments are its orchestrally driven pieces, most notably the gracefully elegant "Southern Cross," which features pristine acoustic guitar sounds, and the triumphant "Overture." However, slower pieces such as the sensual, Middle Eastern-flavored "Rug Merchant" and the soothing children's choir in "Sailing" provide a delicate balance to the more playful, boisterous compositions. Arkenstone also dedicated the tender "Morning Sun on the Sails" to one of his principal musical influences, the late Aaron Copland, a composer who also crossed genre boundaries. --Bryan Reesman Amazon.com

A fantastic musical journey

This was the album that introduced me to David Arkenstone, many years ago, and it remains my favourite to take on trips through great landscape which lends itself to the music, like the Badlands of South Dakota. Yes, there is much Eastern influence in parts of the album, but the overall wild adventurous tone of the music makes going through any outlandish backdrop feel like you are an integral part of some cosmic movie. My imagination takes free rein listening to this epic recording.

There is the feel here of open spaces; there is the feel of being aboard a ship, on a journey to foreign lands; and the soft sussurous sound of waves on a shore leads into a fully-imagined Eastern bazaar, with a shopkeeper hawking his wares loudly. I listen to this music, also, when I write; where rock music hinders the process of creativity with me, David's music serves to enhance it.

As an introduction to David Arkenstone, this album is unsurpassed - and nearly twenty years has not diminished its luster. February 1, 2008

Great CD!

I first heard this CD when I was stationed on Attu Island for the Coast Guard. I have other CD's by this artist, but this album is his best work in my opinion. If you like Enya, you will like this CD - they require the same kind of music appreciation. I have bought several of these CD's for family and friends and not one of them have disliked the album. Buy this CD! December 30, 2007

New Age

This disk is yet another great disk by Arkenstone. It's very light, positive, and moving. Great to listen to while doing chores or writing. August 31, 2007

Arkenstone's best . . .

David Arkenstone has always struck me in different ways. There have always been wonderful songs on each album amongst other songs which don't quite reach me. (Sorry, but true)
This album, however, is dead on. This is one of his albums that follows a single story, in this case the journey of young Andolin from the Emerald Isle to Jankayla. The journey of Andolin is supposed to enhance enjoyment of the music.
As a rule, the songs tend to tell a small portion of the story. The best of these are Borderlands and The Southern Cross. As the album progresses, Arkenstone has threaded together a sequence of songs into a masterpiece. The first sequence of "Voyage of the Stardancer", including Overture, The Stardancer, Morning Sun on the Sails and the Lion's Breath, invoke the feeling of true classical work such as might be composed by Edvard Grieg or Aaron Copland (the song Morning Sun on the Sails is dedicated to Copland). Easily the best 13 plus minutes on the album. The Dances of Jankayla as well as the final four songs also envoke this feeling, but in a different fashion.
All in all, this is quite an album.
July 30, 2007

A well-crafted, pleasing album

Judging by the music, a lot of time was put into this creative, refined piece of work, with its rich, earthy concoction of sounds. In the Wake of the Wind, David Arkenstone's fourth full-length album, was released in 1991. Also, along with the music, are a story and a map. In the Wake of the Wind is the first installment of a trilogy; the subsequent albums are Quest of the Dream Warrior (1995) and Return of the Guardians (1996)--they, too, in addition to the music, come with a story and a map. The songwriting, musicianship, and sound quality of In the Wake of the Wind are gratifying. The album is almost 61 minutes and consists of 16 tracks. I enjoy all of the compositions, but my favorites are "Papillon (On the Wings of the Butterfly)," "Borderlands," "The Rug Merchant," "The Southern Cross," and "Discovery." The imaginative "Papillon (On the Wings of the Butterfly)" furnishes a stately, enchanting keyboard melody. The expansive "Borderlands" exhibits a majestic keyboard line. The well-crafted, plaintive "The Rug Merchant" provides a beautiful, touching beginning. "The Southern Cross" is nicely tailored and pretty. And "Discovery" is a mysterious and airy piece with smooth keyboard work. The album cover is remarkable and classy, too. Arkenstone is a talented artist, and I am impressed with how he incorporates different instruments into his work. Actually, I rate this album 3.5 stars. In the Wake of the Wind is recommendable. September 9, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...