Desert Solitaire

Desert Solitaire Artist: Steve Roach
Label: Fortuna Records
Category: Music



Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Media: Audio Cassette
Number Of Discs: 1


UPC: 013711707045
EAN: 0013711707045
ASIN: B0000007UW


Release Date: 1992-11-03

Related Categories:

General General
Related | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie Rock Indie Rock
Related | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Ambient Ambient
Related | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General General
Related | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation Meditation
Related | New Age | Styles | Music
General General
Related | Pop | Styles | Music
General General
Related | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music
Electronic Electronic
Related | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Indie & Lo Fi Indie & Lo Fi
Related | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
American Alternative American Alternative
Related | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
General General
Related | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Tracks:

  1. Flatlands
  2. Labyrinth
  3. Specter
  4. Canyon's Embrace
  5. Cloud of Promise
  6. Knowledge and Dust
  7. Shiprock
  8. Highnoon
  9. Empty Time
  10. From the Heart of Darkness
  11. Desert Solitaire

Similar Items:

  1. Western Spaces
  2. Structures from Silence
  3. Strata
  4. The Magnificent Void
  5. Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces (part 1)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars You Can't Lose with Desert Solitaire.......2002-06-03

If you buy only one ambient, atmospheric CD, make it this one. For 13 years, we keep listening to Desert Solitaire. Why? Because the music is as timeless as the desert it represents. There are no words, melodic or rhythmic cliches, or common reference points with music you know, so it remains pristine and unconnected to musical style and fashion. This is pure impression delivered via an electromagnetic medium.

Played at night (which I highly recommend), it is captivating, relaxing and purges the mind of petty concerns, as they are over-ridden by this tranquil reminder of nature's power, vastness and timelessness. There is incredible, powerful visual imagery in this album. For example, track 7, "Shiprock", the impression of a broad-based rock formation is scored as very low rumbling tones, demonstrating the formation's massive base and size; and a constant ominous high tone, representing the dizzying height the formation reaches. Also during this cut, the volume cresendos from start to midpoint and then descresendos to the end, giving us the impression of passing a powerful force from nature.

Just as in the desert, water is scarce on this album - the only hint of moisture is a tingling that we hear while watching the "Cloud of Promise" (track 5) approach and grow from the horizon. The rattlesnakes are on track 6.

It boggles the mind that a collection of impressions so elemental in essence could have been set to music by mere human beings, but yet here it is. This CD is a legal hallucinogen, so use it in moderation.

5 out of 5 stars Sad, Serene, Beautiful........2002-05-20

There isn't much else to say except Desert Solitaire is exceptionally stand out and brilliant. It is among my favorites, if not the favorite of my electronic ambient collection. In particular Labyrinth is one of the most beautifully sad pieces I've ever heard. It reminds how therapeutic to the soul solitude and solitary contemplation can be.

5 out of 5 stars Soundtrack to the desert.......2000-10-06

After purchasing this cd about ten years ago, it quickly became one of my favorite cd's to listen to, and continues to be to this day. The pieces presented on "Desert Solitaire" exude a desert feel. If you've always been lured by the desert, here is some inspiring ambient soundscapes to listen to as you fantasize about your journey out west. Steve Roach, Kevin Braheney and Michael Stearns could do no wrong here. The only problem is that once the cd is over, you might regret that you aren't actually out camping under the stars.

5 out of 5 stars The mesmerizing allure of the desert captured in music.......1999-07-13

If the desert were a siren, these would be her songs. This album -- dedicated to Edward Abbey -- succeeds in capturing the essence of the American desert southwest like few other recordings can. This is a very subtle and silent album that can only be fully appreciated with headphones. The sonic and musical textures evoke the expansive, solitary, peaceful and forboding atmosphere of the desert. Even the ghosts of the native southwest (Hopi, Navajo, Anasazi) come to life on a couple tracks. Anyone with an appreciation for the desert southwest will be enchanted and haunted by these pieces.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful/fantastic/ great.......1999-06-02

If one lives in the desert southwest this album is really right on. I love this CD when driving from New Mexico to Las Vegas. This is a must have if you like the real thing.

Music CD:

  1. Celtic Story ~ Jon Mark
  2. Enchanted Classical Thunder ~ Various Artists
  3. Bhava Yoga ~ Russil Paul
  4. The Key ~ Michael Gettel
  5. Peace Dance ~ Scott Huckabay
  6. Every Act of Love ~ William Aura
  7. Liquid Smoke ~ Randy Roos
  8. The Australia: Sound of the Earth ~ Roach, Hudson, Hopkins
  9. Music for Relaxation ~ Jim Oliver
  10. Arctic Blue ~ Peter Rodgers Melnick

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

A Escondidas ~ El Puma de Sinaloa

Norteno de Corazon ~ Los Amigables del Norte

Tu Sabes Bien ~ Super Banda Aventurero

Elevation, Vol. 4 ~ Sami Takieddin, Franke, Soma Sonic

Convergence ~ Richie Beirach and George Coleman

Helen Carr/Charlie Mariano ~ Helen Carr, Charlie Mariano

Can't Get Enough: Ricky Martin ~ Menudo

Taste of Texas ~ Mingo Y Sus Tremendos Cuatro Espadas Saldivar

Mas Interesante ~ Los Sabrosos del Merengue

The History ~ DJ Eric