CD: MEDWYN GOODALL - English Summer

By Tracy Dunn View Profile
This CD is beautiful. I have been looking for a CD with nature as its orchestra, and with as minimal actual instruments as possible, and this fits the description perfectly. It is just lovely to have on in the background whilst reading, or for meditating. Its also gentle enough to pop on your CD player at night to help you sleep, I even put it on in my little girls room one night (she said she dreamt of fairies) and she slept beautifully. There is little movement on this CD so you can actually just sit and listen to it without having to feel like doing Tai Chi or Yoga, and it has the effect of relaxing me instantly! No matter what stresses or strains of the day may be swimming around my mind, I found this CD was just the trick to relax and put things on a backburner while I spent some quality me time! It is easy to close your eyes and visualise yourself in a beautiful English meadow with a nearby trickling stream, the birds singing in the oak trees and the gentle summer spring sun shining on your face as you lie in the grass and take in mother nature in all her essences.

By Vernon Marshall View Profile
For those familiar with Medwyn Goodall's works, this CD may not come as a surprise. If you are expecting music throughout, however, then you will be disappointed. The customary gentle rhythms do appear, but only in the second of the two tracks. The first half of the CD is simply a recording of the sounds of nature on an English summer's day. There is the lovely sound of birdsong and an occasional sound of running water. The second half is a continuation of these sounds but overlain with soft music produced by flute, keyboard and guitar. The CDs claim is to bring the hearer relaxation and calm thus leading to more restful sleep, a lowering of blood pressure and a reduction in anxiety. I can guarantee that the aims of the producers of the CD can easily be met. During the day, when stress has begun to build up, an hour of listening to this CD can better help one face the rest of the day. I have found it particularly useful in the dark days of the autumn when the lack of real daylight can leave one feeling depressed. I have found it a useful background sound to desk work. I would issue a warning, however. Pausing to listen to the birdsong can easily encourage you to drop off to sleep. Listening to it in the evening can really help one to face bedtime with its promise of calm sleep. In these days of constant stress and anxiety we all need to find ways of reconnecting with our inner gentle selves. This CD, used well, can help us to do this.