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John Barnard
is an Australian composer whose music has been used by British
Airways to calm tired travelers on long-haul flights - to and from
Australia, for instance. This album was commissioned by the airline
for its "Well Being in the Air" program track. The airline
had already been using Barnard's earlier companion album, Beyond
the Clouds.
"Araluen"
is a nature preserve in Australia, and throughout the album, you
hear recorded sounds of birds, water, and creatures from the park.
The music is slow, meditative, and simple. It uses synthesized
"symphonic" instrumental tones, with the melody carried on
a single-note piano or synthesizer line or quiet guitar. Most of the
harmonies are straight "classical" forms with only a few
diversions into jazz or "impressionistic" tonality, and its
mood is always sweet. Listening to this, I was much reminded of the
now-classic "environmental relaxation" albums in the
"Golden Voyage" series by the late duo Robert Bearns and
Ron Dexter. Barnard's music is also similar to that of Mike
Rowland, whose "Fairy
Ring" has
become a New Age standard.
This soothing, restful collection
definitely serves its purpose well. It is gentle and undemanding, and
could easily waft a listener away from stress and into dreamland.
This is not music for those who want to be challenged or excited or
shaken; it is for those weary journeyers, whether by air or any other
way, who simply want a few moments of peace.
Reviewed
by Hannah M.G. Shapero 6/24/2001 |
