Linda

I was in Barnes & Nobles several nights ago and strolled through the New Age section in their recorded music department. I was overwhelmed with the varieties of artists and the number of selections. New Age music has come a long way in terms of both variety and numbers since I began buying music to meditate with in 1983. At that time, the only place to find the mellow, soothing music suitable for meditation was by mail order. There was obviously no way to preview the music and I had to rely on intuition and luck when I selected an album or tape.
Things have thankfully changed. Barnes & Nobles and Borders carry a wonderful selection of music. I noticed that I was familiar with only about ten percent of the artists featured. If I was overwhelmed, perhaps others feel that way also.

            Although I am no expert in the field of New Age music, I do know what works for me and what I rely on for different types of meditation, so I thought I would share some of my favorite artists and selections.
            One of my favorite artists is Jim Brickman. I think I have every CD he has recorded. His first, “No Words”, was recorded in 1994. I first heard the song, “Angel Eyes”, from “By Heart” in 1995 and fell in love with his music. Most are piano instrumentals, but some of the albums include a vocal or two. The lyrics to the song “By Heart” touch the heart and describe a beautiful love between two people. The album “Picture This” contains the Martina McBride vocal “Valentine”, which was a runaway hit several years ago. Brickman’s newest albums are “The Gift”, “Destiny”, containing the title song, my favorite of his, and “Simple Things”. There are also two others with beautiful love songs. His instrumentals are very soothing and peaceful and are good for stress reduction and short meditations.
            “Novus Magnificat: Through the Stargate” by Constance Demby: Ethereal with an outer space feeling. This is wonderful for very long meditations since there are only two tracks. It has a definite away from the planet atmosphere.
            “Angels of the Deep” by Raphael: Underwater feel with some whale song, but it enhances, not intrudes, the drifting, floating feeling.
            “Encounter” by Michael Stearns is for those wanting a close encounter of any kind without actual “alien” contact. The music includes sounds of a spacecraft approaching and departing and provides an “up, up, and away” without leaving the planet.
            “Inward Harmony” by Marcey is music for healing and relaxing. This music, which developed after the artist’s near death experience in 1985, is associated with many stories of healing and was recognized by one man as the music he heard during his near death experience. The album has no interruptions and is perfect for playing as you fall asleep.
            Other music conducive to a good night’s sleep or extended meditation are: “Ascension To The All That Is” and “Atlantis: Crystal Chamber” by Robert Slap, “Gentle Music for Massage” all three volumes, by Max Highstein, “Angel’s Touch: Music For the Heart Chakra” by Aeoliah, and “The Silent Path” by Robert Haig Coxen.

            Steven Halpern is one of the pioneers of New Age music and one of the best composers out there. All of his albums are outstanding, but I especially like “Gifts of the Angels”, “Attracting Prosperity”, and “Music for Sound Healing” in which he uses tones and keys that resonate with each of the main energy chakras of the body to promote balance and healing.
            Other artists who dominate the field include Enya, Loreena McKennitt, David Lanz, and Mike Rowland, whose “Fairy Ring” and “And So To Dream” take you away to another place and time. Merlin’s Magic has “Reiki” and “Light Reiki Touch”, both very good for Reiki healers and massage therapists.
            “Libera” by Libera is an album that sounded like angels singing when I first heard it. A choir of young people in Europe sings the selections in Latin.

Some of my other favorites include:

* “Feather on the Breath of God” by Erin Jacobsen
* “Live at Red Rock” by John Tesh
* “Live at the Acropolis” by Yanni
* “Planetary Chronicles” by John Serrie
* “Beyond the Night Sky: Lullabies for Guitar” by Alex DeGrassi
* “Crystal Water” by Micheline Allaire and Alain Lemay

If you are new to the New Age music section and want to experience the uplifting and soothing benefits of listening, I would suggest beginning with a music store or a place like Borders where you can try before you buy. Music preferences are a very personal thing, especially for this type of music.

Let me know if you have a particular favorite or find something special.


	A New Age Music Primer I was in Barnes & Nobles several nights ago and strolled through the New Age section in their recorded music department. I was overwhelmed with the varieties of artists and the number of selections. New Age music has come a long way in terms of both variety and numbers since I began buying music to meditate with in 1983. At that time, the only place to find the mellow, soothing music suitable for meditation was by mail order. There was obviously no way to preview the music and I had to rely on intuition and luck when I selected an album or tape. Things have thankfully changed. Barnes & Nobles and Borders carry a wonderful selection of music. I noticed that I was familiar with only about ten percent of the artists featured. If I was overwhelmed, perhaps others feel that way also. Although I am no expert in the field of New Age music, I do know what works for me and what I rely on for different types of meditation, so I thought I would share some of my favorite artists and selections. One of my favorite artists is Jim Brickman. I think I have every CD he has recorded. His first, “No Words”, was recorded in 1994. I first heard the song, “Angel Eyes”, from “By Heart” in 1995 and fell in love with his music. Most are piano instrumentals, but some of the albums include a vocal or two. The lyrics to the song “By Heart” touch the heart and describe a beautiful love between two people. The album “Picture This” contains the Martina McBride vocal “Valentine”, which was a runaway hit several years ago. Brickman’s newest albums are “The Gift”, “Destiny”, containing the title song, my favorite of his, and “Simple Things”. There are also two others with beautiful love songs. His instrumentals are very soothing and peaceful and are good for stress reduction and short meditations. “Novus Magnificat: Through the Stargate” by Constance Demby: Ethereal with an outer space feeling. This is wonderful for very long meditations since there are only two tracks. It has a definite away from the planet atmosphere. “Angels of the Deep” by Raphael: Underwater feel with some whale song, but it enhances, not intrudes, the drifting, floating feeling. “Encounter” by Michael Stearns is for those wanting a close encounter of any kind without actual “alien” contact. The music includes sounds of a spacecraft approaching and departing and provides an “up, up, and away” without leaving the planet. “Inward Harmony” by Marcey is music for healing and relaxing. This music, which developed after the artist’s near death experience in 1985, is associated with many stories of healing and was recognized by one man as the music he heard during his near death experience. The album has no interruptions and is perfect for playing as you fall asleep. Other music conducive to a good night’s sleep or extended meditation are: “Ascension To The All That Is” and “Atlantis: Crystal Chamber” by Robert Slap, “Gentle Music for Massage” all three volumes, by Max Highstein, “Angel’s Touch: Music For the Heart Chakra” by Aeoliah, and “The Silent Path” by Robert Haig Coxen. Steven Halpern is one of the pioneers of New Age music and one of the best composers out there. All of his albums are outstanding, but I especially like “Gifts of the Angels”, “Attracting Prosperity”, and “Music for Sound Healing” in which he uses tones and keys that resonate with each of the main energy chakras of the body to promote balance and healing. Other artists who dominate the field include Enya, Loreena McKennitt, David Lanz, and Mike Rowland, whose “Fairy Ring” and “And So To Dream” take you away to another place and time. Merlin’s Magic has “Reiki” and “Light Reiki Touch”, both very good for Reiki healers and massage therapists. “Libera” by Libera is an album that sounded like angels singing when I first heard it. A choir of young people in Europe sings the selections in Latin. Some of my other favorites include: * “Feather on the Breath of God” by Erin Jacobsen * “Live at Red Rock” by John Tesh * “Live at the Acropolis” by Yanni * “Planetary Chronicles” by John Serrie * “Beyond the Night Sky: Lullabies for Guitar” by Alex DeGrassi * “Crystal Water” by Micheline Allaire and Alain Lemay If you are new to the New Age music section and want to experience the uplifting and soothing benefits of listening, I would suggest beginning with a music store or a place like Borders where you can try before you buy. Music preferences are a very personal thing, especially for this type of music. Let me know if you have a particular favorite or find something special. Original article posted by Linda M. Moore on Jacksonville.com's Methaphysically Speaking.