Solitudes Sampler -- Dan Gibson's Album Explores the Music Only Found in Nature

Is there music in nature? If you've ever heard a bullfrog symphony at the lake, chirping crickets in the field next to your cabin, or the soothing burble of a quiet, lazy stream on a hot summer afternoon, you've heard some of the most beautiful music imaginable, without jangling guitars, smooth violins, thunderous drums, or mellow keyboards. You've heard music as it occurs naturally, sort of like the "music of the spheres" idea that some scientist had about the almost musical harmony that the precise movements of the celestial bodies create.

Dan Gibson has devoted his life to nature--he began his career as a photographer, and later graduated to filmmaking and sound recording. His love of the environment made him an activist, and his films and television programs helped educate people about the importance of protecting and preserving the natural beauty and resources of our planet. Through his work in filmmaking, Gibson learned the art of recording natural environmental sounds, and went on to compile a pretty impressive collection of experiences which emphasized the presence of music in nature.

In 1981, Gibson began his Solitude Series, which eventually became a collection of the various sounds that exist naturally in our environment. What has the Solitudes Series accomplished? I'll let the liner notes to Solitudes Sampler tell you:

"Solitudes has delighted several million listeners because the recordings are beautiful, relaxing, and natural. They are used for many purposes. Solitudes relieves everyday stress, stimulates meditation, overcomes insomnia and rejuvenates the human spirit. Solitudes always opens a window to the wilderness and helps us all appreciate this world's natural beauty. We invite you to explore nature with Solitudes"

Solitude Sampler is a collection of nature sounds taken from Gibson's Solitude Series--I think of it as being the equivalent of a musical "greatest hits" collection. All of the sounds on the Solitude Sampler were recorded by Dan Gibson and his son, Gordon, on PCM and DAT Systems, resulting in a reproduction of the sounds of nature that's of the highest quality. The sounds on this collection are taken from a wide variety of sources, and they really defy description--the only way the listener can understand what these sounds mean and their effect on the human psyche is to actually experience them. There's really no way I can adequately convey to you this listening experience, except to say that the liner notes pretty accurately summarize what it's all about.

The Solitude Sampler consists of the following soothing, peaceful and moving interludes:

1. By Canoe To Loon Lake-Dawn By A Gentle Stream
2. The Sound Of Surf
3. Among The Giant Trees Of The Wild Pacific Coast-Spring Mornings On The Prairies
4. Niagara Falls, The Gorge And Glen, Among The Ponds And Streams Of Niagara
5. Dawn On The Desert-Among The Mountain Canyons And Valleys
6. Storm On Wilderness Lake-Night On Wilderness Lake
7. Night In A Southern Swamp-Don't Feed The Alligators
8. Sailing To A Hidden Cove-Hiking Over The Highlands
9. Seascapes
10. Tradewind Islands
11. Natural Parks And Sanctuaries

If you would like to get more information about Solitudes (and a free catalogue!), write to:

Solitudes, LTD
1131A Leslie Street, Suite 401
Toronto, Canada
M3C 3L8

This is a not a conventional listening experience, nor is it the type of music that most of us are accustomed to hearing. It's the sounds of the beauty of nature, and more often than not, it'll beat the hell out of Ozzy.

If your soul needs soothing, check this one out.

Thanks for reading.