Impressions of the West Lake - Kitaro

kitaro - kitaro cd

PRICE : $15.98 $13.99

Original Release Date: April 28, 2009
Number of Discs: 1

TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Inmost Feeling Ripples
2. Aria di West Lake
3. Fish Dive in the Lake
4. Moon on the Lake
5. Impressions of the West Lake
6. Zen
7. Lotus
8. Reflection of the Moon
9. Romance
10. Spirit of the West Lake

Spiritual Garden - Kitaro

kitaro - kitaro cd

PRICE : $14.98

After only two volumes, Kitaro has taken a break from his Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai series, based on his travels to the 88 temples of Shikoku. Those temple journeys must have been tiring, because Spiritual Garden is Kitaro at his laziest and haziest. It's not just the somnambulant melodies, predictable sample-and-hold gurgles, and whooping Korg synthesizer lines that make it uninspired. Kitaro himself seems bored, barely bothered to develop anything beyond rudimentary pentatonic scales, crudely arranged drone pads, and tinkling bells. In the 1970s, Kitaro brought melody to space music and carried that through to ambitious works of orchestral world music on albums like 1990's Kojiki. But to listen to Spiritual Garden is to hear someone for whom time is moving backwards, oblivious to more than the quarter century of space, new age, and ambient music released since his debut. Whether it's the Pink Floyd space guitar at the end of "Sunlight Dancing" or the native flute, acoustic guitar, and burbling brook of "Wind and Water," Kitaro is locked in a parody of new age music, his early inspiration now worn into cliché. Fans of the synthesist should find a lot of familiar territory here, and well they should. The same music is already in their Kitaro collection. --John Diliberto

TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Gentle Forest
2. The Stone And The Green World
3. Sunlight Dancing
4. Moon Flower
5. Wind And Water
6. Moon Shadow
7. Love For Elka
8. Hydrosphere
9. Quasar 6:50
10. White Night 1:57
11. Spiritual Garden

Mandala

kitaro - mandala

PRICE : $14.98

Mandala is a journey that invites one on an adventure of the spirit and imagination. With the intensity of ‘Kokoro’ to the elegantly gentle ‘Planet’, Kitaro’s manages to intertwine many diverse elements in a tightly interwoven scheme that will delight the senses and move one to an appreciation of the extraordinary.


TRACK LISTINGS:

1. Mandala
2. Planet
3. Dance of Sarasvati
4. Scope
5. Chant from the Heart
6. Crystal Tears
7. Winds of Youth
8. Kokoro

Kitaro - Discography

kitaro - kitaro discography

1978 - Ten Kai/Astral Voyage/Astral Voyager/Astral Trip
1979 - Full Moon Story/Daichi
1979 - Oasis
1980 - Silk Road (a.k.a. The Soghdian Merchants on VHS)
1980 - Silk Road II
1980 - In Person Digital
1980 - Silk Road Suite
1981 - Silk Road III: Tunhuang (Japanese original title: Tonko)
1981 - Best of Kitaro vol 1
1981 - World of Kitaro
1981 - Ki
1982 - Millennia (Queen Millennia movie soundtrack)
1983 - Silk Road IV: Tenjiku/India
1984 - Silver Cloud/Cloud
1984 - Live in Asia/Asia Super Tour Live/Asia
1986 - Toward the West
1986 - Tenku
1987 - Light of the Spirit
1988 - Ten Years/Best of Ten Years
1990 - Kojiki
1991 - Live in America
1992 - Dream/Lady of Dreams
1993 - Heaven and Earth
1994 - Mandala
1995 - An Enchanted Evening - Live
1996 - Peace On Earth
1997 - Cirque Ingenieux
1998 - Gaia-Onbashira
1999 - Best of Kitaro vol 2
1999 - Thinking of You
2000 - The Soong Sisters
2001 - Ancient
2002 - An Ancient Journey
2002 - Daylight, Moonlight in Yakushiji - Live
2003 - Best of Silk Road
2003 - Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai
2004 - Shikoku 88 Places
2005 - Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Volume 2
2006 - Spiritual Garden
2007 - Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Volume 3


OTHER ALBUMS

Asian Cafe/Ashu Chakan (Best Of)
All Roads Lead To Rome
Across The Karakum Desert
Across The Pamir
Dansu
Deep Forest
Endless Journey
Healing Forest (Best Of)
Ninja Scroll (Soundtrack)
In Silent
In Search Of Wisdom
Journey To The Heart I
Journey To The Heart II
Journey To The Heart III
Journey To The Heart IV
Kaiso (Kitaro's World Of Music)
Karuna (Kitaro's World Of Music)
Mu Land
Mizu Ni Inorte
Morning Light
Music For The Spirit Vol. 1
Music For The Spirit Vol. 2
Music For The Spirit Vol. 3
Music For The Spirit Vol. 4
Nile (Single, 2001)
Six Musical Portraits
Tamayura (DVD)
Tento Chi
Tokusen 1
Tokusen 2
Vertigo
Yakushi-Ji


KITARO WITH OTHERS

Far East Family Band - Far Out (1973)
Far East Family Band - The Cave Down To Earth (1974)
Far East Family Band - Nipponjin (1975)
Far East Family Band - Parallel World (1976)
Far East Family Band - Tenkujin (1977)
Gyoto Monks - Gyoto Monks
Gyoto Monks - Freedom Chants From The Roof Of The World




SOURCE : Wikipedia

Kitarō - Early Life

kitaro - kitaro biography

Kitarō (喜多郎) (born Masanori Takahashi (高橋正則 Takahashi Masanori) is a Grammy award-winning Japanese musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist.


:: EARLY LIFE

Inspired by the R&B music of Otis Redding, Kitaro taught himself how to play guitar. He says of teaching himself, "I never had education in music, I just learned to trust my ears and my feelings." He gives credit for his creations to a power beyond himself. "This music is not from my mind," he said. "It is from heaven, going through my body and out my fingers through composing. Sometimes I wonder. I never practice. I don't read or write music, but my fingers move. I wonder, 'Who's song is this?' I write my songs, but they are not my songs."

While attending Toyohashi Commercial High School, he organized the "Albatross" band with his friends. At that time, they performed in parties and clubs. "In high school, I was in an amateur band. I started out playing the guitar but then changed to the keyboards. Before one of our gigs, the drummer was injured. I had no experience at all on the drums, but I had to learn it because I was the leader of the band, and we had to do the gig. My drumming was not very good, but we got through the show in one piece. Later, the bassist had injuries, so I had to learn how to play the bass. [These accidents are] the main reasons why I can play all these instruments; I had a crash course in how to play them. It was a hard time for me, but a very good experience. It created the base knowledge of all the instruments I use and need to create my current brand of music. After graduating, I really wanted to be in the music business, so I moved to Tokyo and started looking for bands to play with. I basically did it for the experience and to get a feel of all the clubs that were available in Tokyo and Yokohama. At that time I played keyboards, and then I discovered the synthesizer. This was a revelation. First of all, the instructions for the thing were in English so I couldn't read them. I was trying to make sounds but couldn't! I tried for a whole day, but no sound ever came out because I didn't know how to program it or set it up. Finally, the first sound I got off this thing was a wind-like sound, but I was so elated that I actually made some noise, it didn't matter. I turned one of the knobs slowly to make more wind-like noises. Then I decided to buy another synthesizer to form a different type of sound. I just loved the analog sound that it made compared to today's digital sound. Now, my equipment and synthesizers are all analog. But technically, digital is much easier to use for editing and other stuff."

His parents were first opposed to the idea of their son having a musical career. They had other plans for him and in an attempt to get him to see their way, made arrangements for him to take a job at a local company. However he left home without telling them before. He supported himself by taking on several part time jobs such as cooking and civil service work while composing songs at night.

In the early '70s he changed completely to keyboards. He joined the band "Far East Family Band" and toured with them around the world. In Europe he met the German synthesizer musician and former Tangerine Dream member Klaus Schulze. Schulze produced two albums for the band and gave Kitaro some tips for the use of synthesizers.

In 1976 he left the band and travelled through Asia (China, Laos, Thailand, India).


SOURCE : Wikipedia

Dream [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

kitaro - kitaro cd

TRACK LISTINGS :

1. Symphony Of The Forest 4:43
2. Mysterious Island 3:40
3. Lady Of Dreams 8:17
4. A Drop Of Silence 2:56
5. A Passage Of Life 7:59
6. Agreement 6:31
7. Dream Of Chant 3:53
8. Magical Wave 3:06
9. Symphony Of Dreams 5:43
10. Island Of Life 9:41


Featuring the vocals of Yes’ Jon Anderson, Dream is full of awe-inspiring moments that revolve around the themes of the spiritual, romanticism and love. It is beautifully scored with Kitaro’s signature sound along with orchestral instrumentation.

Silk Road 2

kitaro - kitaro cd

TRACK LISTINGS :

1. Peace
2. Takla Makan Desert
3. Eternal Spring
4. Silver Moon
5. Magical Sand Dance
6. Year 40080
7. Time Travel
8. Reincarnation
9. Dawning
10. Tienshan


Silk Road (1&2) by Kitaro remains, to me, his best recorded work and with a genius like Kitaro that's saying something.
The liquid tones are transcendental and carry the listener into a peaceful, other-worldly realm, perfect for meditating or just relaxing.
The sound quality on this digital remaster is excellent.
To get the full experience, the listener should have both volumes 1 and 2. ~ HardyBoys.us

Kitaro - Yakushiji (2002)

kitaro - kitaro concert

TRACK LISTINGS :

1. Monk's Instruction
2. Hazimari/Sozo
3. Caravansary
4. Silk Road
5. Magma
6. Mercury
7. Water of Mystery
8. Estrella
9. Koi
10. Wa
11. Free Flight
12. Heaven and Earth

This 2002 concert by Kitaro, filmed on the grounds of a visually stunning Buddhist Temple in Yakushiji, Japan - is possibly one of his finest performances to date. I'm glad that this show has been released on DVD, because, while the double-CD audio version is excellent, the visuals add an extra dimension. The show seems to have been shot on actual movie film (not on video or DV like most concert films.) And this fact, coupled with some creative visual direction, gives the concert a sort of dreamy/elegiac look that somehow adds to the overall ambiance. There are plenty of shots of the beautiful Temple scenery, which are skillfully intercut with some up-close & personal shots of Kitaro (and his backing musicians) as they perform. As usual, Kitaro seems to throw his very soul into the performance. At times he plays with his eyes closed, and seems to be in a meditative/prayerful state. At other times he has a deep intensity written on his face as he attacks his stacks of synthesizers with flailing arms and dramatic flair. It is obvious that Kitaro is not mearly making music for the fame & fortune, but is one who "feels" his art very deeply. Kudos also must go to Kitaro's fine new backing band. Unlike the multi-ethnic 8-piece orchestras featured on his previous concert videos (1990's "Kojiki - A Story in Concert", and 1994's "An Enchanted Evening"), the Yakushiji concert finds him backed by by only four musicians- all of them from Kitaro's homeland of Japan. Kitaro's wife, Keiko Takahashi, plays additional keyboards, as does Shinji Ebihara (the only male member of the new backing band). Yavoi Sakiyama is featured prominantly on the electric violin, and she looks quite elegant on the stage (in a sleek black dress.)

Lastly, Tomoko Nomura rounds out the band on electronic & acoustic percussion, often playing "Tympani"-style with malletts rather than drum sticks. Interestingly, the songs here are arranganged so well that they don't seem to loose any of their "fullness" or dynamics when played with this smaller ensemble. The lack of electric guitars (usually heard is his concerts) actually lends the show a sort of classical/regal feel(And keyboard aficionados will note that Kitaro still has his vintage analog synths front and center, along with some modern equiptment) After a chanted introduction by the Temple Monks, Kitaro kicks off the show with a note-perfect pair of tracks from his "Kojiki" album ("Hazimari", "Sozo"), then moves into a mezmerizing new arrangement of the classic "Caravansary" (featuring some exceptional violin work by Miss Sakiyama.) Some other highlights of the concert include an emotionally-charged version of "Estrella" (with Kitaro's synth-leads much more prominent than in the studio version), the dark, brooding "Magma", an extended take on the ethereal "Mercury" (featuring Kitaro on the Native American flute), a more intense version of the "Ancient" track "Water of Mystery" (with Kitaro playing an electric Sitar) and a majestic encore of "Free Fall" which far surpasses the greatness of the original studio cut. For those who enjoy Kitaro's more experimental side, "Wa" is an unusual track that begins with a blend of atmospheric electronics & chanting by the Monks (the only vocals featured in the concert), before evolving into a tight percussion duel, with Kitaro slamming away-passionately on a huge pair of Japanese taiko drums. Strangely, the concert's second encore piece, "Heaven & Earth", is not included as part of the main concert, but must be accessed as a seperate "bonus track" found among the special features. This bonus piece (great version, too!) is accompanied by a slide show of Temple pictures, so that you never actaully see the band on stage playing it. Not sure why it was done this way...and anyway, this is a very small criticism of an otherwise excellent DVD! All in all, if you are a Kitaro fan, or are simply looking for new musical experiences outside of the mainstream, then this DVD should not disappoint! ~ Jeffery K. Matheus

Silk Road 1

kitaro - kitaro cd

TRACK LISTINGS :

1. Silk Road (Shichu No Michi)
2. Bell Tower (Shoro)
3. Heavenly Father (Tenchi Sohzo Shin)
4. The Great River (Harukanaru Taiga)
5. The Great Wall Of China (Chohjo)
6. Flying Celestial Nymphs (Hiten)
7. Silk Road Fantasy (Silk Road Genso)
8. Shimmering Light (Kikari To Kage)
9. Westbound (Nishi Ni Mukkatte)
10. Time (Toki No Nagare)
11. Bodhisattva (Bosatsu)
12. Everlasting Road (Towa No Michi)

Kitaro was the major pioneer of New Age music from the mid '70s and through the '80s, and though widely imitated, no one succeeded in matching his inspired brilliance. Not even Kitaro himself, as his earlier works have a mystery and a magical quality that were to diminish slightly when he left Japan, where he had a home studio which had a dazzling view of Mt. Fuji. In the mid '80s, Kitaro moved to Colorado, and teamed with David Geffen to record some wonderful compositions, but none that compare with the exquisite beauty of albums like "Silk Road."

The tracks on "Silk Road" were culled from the soundtrack of a Japanese documentary series that began in 1980 and ran for 5 years, and are a seamless stream of melody, with a mellow loveliness and a liquid lyrical mood that does not change from track to track. This unchanging aspect of the recording makes it a superb CD for meditation or study, or just to relax with and allow the music flow through one's mind and soul.

Kitaro built his own synthesizer in the '70s, and though he had many devoted fans in America, the recordings they bought were imports, until 1986. His US recordings, starting with "Tenku", often included live musicians, and brought him a Grammy nomination and huge world-wide success, but if you want to hear the "real Kitaro", the music that started a new genre in the music industry, listen to "Silk Road." Also highly recommended are my favorite, "Ki," and a fabulous compilation of his best work, the 2-disc "The Best of Ten Years." Total playing time for "Silk Road" is 42'05. ~ Alejandra Vernon

Ancient

kitaro - kitaro cd

Take an extravagant excursion through the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and China. Kitaro manages to transport the listener to a mystical and contemplative place with the glorious textures of Great Pyramid. This magical journey also features the majestic and dramatic resonance of Nile and the eloquently evocative Unicorn, with it’s airy, almost playful melodies.

Ancient manages to create audio imagery with exotic, unpredictable sounds, ancient wind instruments, and among other things, the synthesizer. The result is a sound that seems primeval, yet Kitaro’s artistic sensitivity makes it distinctly modern, ultimately exploring the connection between humans and the earth itself, which remains eternally beguiling and wonderously captivating in its mysteries.

The Best of Kitaro, Vol. 1 [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

kitaro - kitaro cd

TRACK LISTINGS :

1. Morning Prayer
2. Eternal Spring
3. Oasis
4. Westbound
5. Silver Moon
6. Four Changes
7. Tunhuang
8. Sacred Journey II
9. Revelation
10. Silk Road Fantasy
11. Shimmering Light
12. Everlasting Road

World Tour: Kojiki: A Story in Concert (1999)

kitaro - kitaro concert

Kitaro, who's been called "the quintessential musician of the New Age", has been breaking barriers, geographically and musically since the late 1970's. His World Tour, recorded live, is even more forceful, intimate and direct than studio incarnations. Kojiki: A Story in Concert, translated as "The Record of Ancient Matters", is a compilation of traditional Japanese lore that was recited orally from generation to generation until the 8th century. Whether on the eerie "Hajimari", the lyrical "Sozo", the sorrowful "Koi", the haunting melancholy of "Nageki", or "Reimei", with its electric guitar jam session, Kitaro's music has never been sharper or more spirited.

Kitaro Collection (Paperback)

kitaro - kitaro book

This outstanding collection features note-for-note keyboard transcriptions of 10 contemplative tunes from this acclaimed, Grammy-nominated new age artist:

* Dance of Sarasvati
* Fiesta
* Heaven and Earth (Land Theme)
* Kiotoshi
* Koi
* Lady of Dreams
* Sacred Journey II
* Silk Road
* Space 2
* Winter Waltz.

Gaia - Onbashira

kitaro - kitaro mp3

Original Release Date: May 19, 1998
Label: Domo Records
Copyright: 1998 Domo Records, Inc
Total Length: 49:16

An Ancient Journey

kitaro - kitaro cd

Original Release Date: February 26, 2002
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Domo Records

Kojiki [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Kitaro crafts this musical journey from the ancient chronicle (Kojiki) that recounts the birth of Japan and it’s people. Featuring the string section from the Skywalker Symphony, along with Kitaro’s signature keyboard and flute sounds, the score to this thematic backdrop is full of passion and beauty that is masterfully conceived, arranged and performed.

The Best of Ten Years (1976-1986) [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Long recognized as one the most acclaimed recording artists in the Orient, Kitaro has always taken his music far beyond the borders of his native Japan. He has reached millions of people on every continent with his stellar recordings.

Though his public presence has always been cloaked in the tradition and mysticism of the culture into which he was born, Kitaro’s music does not yield to boundaries or national categories. His compositions weave ‘a boundless playworld of a thousand pictures and a web of gentleness and wonderment’.

This two disc set features the best of Kitaro from 1976-1986. It features music from his best selling albums during this period including Silk Road, Oasis, India, Millenia, Ki, Tunhuang and Silver Cloud.

Realize this original and universal soul who has become the master of the wordless lyric and experience the peace and harmony of this collection.

Writers have hinted at the healing properties of his ‘Sound Pictures’ and Kitaro has acknowledged that his purpose is to calm the inner person: "the wars in the world don’t come from outer space . . . people create them, people who have a war within themselves. I want to create music that eases that war within".