[.ca] Darkwood

Good album, but short measure.:
This is a good album of dark, introspective, solo cello music. As much as ECM has a reputation as a jazz label, much of their music is more new age than jazz, and this album is no exception. The problem I have with this album is that, for a "premium priced" CD it's too short: with the last track essentially being a reprise of the first, this is album is actually less than 40 minutes long. Record labels (and artists to some degree) need to get a clue at some point that with CD's being able to hold close to 80 minutes of music, filling an album with less than half of that capacity for a full priced CD just doesn't cut it, especially when they are only paying one artist. Also, as an aside, a word to Marketplace sellers: charging $14 for used copies of these ECM CD's is a ripoff. Marketplace sellers should be monitoring the list prices of the albums they are offering, because it doesn't make them look very good when they are selling a used CD for nearly the same price as a new one. As far as introspective cello music goes, this is a nice CD, but I'd just as soon listen to the Bach cello suites; as far as "dark" music goes, I'd just as soon listen to some real "dark ambient," like Lustmord.

The zone of Depression:
This album is on par with Darling's simliar work, Eight-string religion. That is to say, utterly astounding in a minimalist sort of appeal. Yet, as simplistic as the dark ambient-like melodies play out, there is a certain level of profounditry that is unsurpassed. While ambient, one should intently listen to the album, and not merely leave it as background noise pollution. LISTEN TO IT, and adore it. My taste in music is very critical and narrow, but that even mentioned, Darkwood remains one of my true favorites.

Shakuhachi cello:
This is beautiful, spare and meditative, like shakuhachi cello. Its only flaw is that it's a little grim; but that doesn't mar its beauty.

One of the best soothing dark albums ever:
The sonorous cello tones that rhythmically ride through this album make it one of my favorite albums ever, and a favorite of many I have shared it with. It is not a typical taste. It is dark and, literally the feeling tones of a dark wood instrument come to life. It is the feeling of moving through a beautiful night in a dark forest. A music to match a heavy heart and lift it up into something more sublime and optimistic. Highest recommendation if you like rich slow music that is never boring.

Get Lost in this Darkwood:
David Darling's sonnorous music moves gently, slowly, often in the depth's of the cello's range. This is appropriate for it conveys an intended woody-ness and darkness. The music is sparse - not unlike music for the shakuhachi, the Japanese baboo flute - and not minimalist as some have described (at least not in the sense of Terry Riley, Philip Glass, John Adams or Steven Reich). Nor is it depressing; it is instead the woods at dusk - haunting, foreboding, and intensely beautiful.

• Darkwood IV: Dawn
• Darkwood IV: In Motion
• Darkwood IV: Journey
• Darkwood V: Light
• Darkwood V: Earth
• Darkwood V: Passage
• Darkwood VI: Beginning
• Darkwood VI: Up Side Down
• Darkwood VI: Searching
• Darkwood VI: Medieval Dance
• Darkwood VII: The Picture
• Darkwood VII: Returning
• Darkwood VII: New Morning