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CATALOG OF RECORDED MUSIC
The Recordings of David Michael & Friends

Here is an interactive catalog of currently available Purnima Productions recordings.  Follow the links below and you will find detailed descriptions of the music, reviews, and samples in MP3 format. Some tunes are available in their entirety.

There are two broad categories of music represented: instrumental and vocal. The majority of these recordings are instrumental and generally find themselves placed in categories such as world fusion, ethnic dance, new acoustic, music for yoga, meditation and massage.

This music is always a playful marriage of improvisation and composition - the players are classically trained musicians who have embraced ethnic traditions and combine instruments and centuries-old melodies collected from around the world into eclectic sonic landscapes. The sound is distinctly acoustic and spacious - atmospheric yet melodically complex and emotionally engaging. Sometimes this music involves the infusion of nature, not as a gimmick but as an elemental force in composition.

Core instruments include Celtic harp and zithers, native and modern flutes and wind instruments from around the world from pan-flutes to horns, viola-da-gamba, guitars and other lute-like instruments, North Indian instruments: tabla, esraj and sarode, Middle Eastern, Asian and African percussion instruments, with the pure tones of Tibetan bowl, and even the wind itself.

A NEW ADVENTURE !!!  A BEAUTIFUL NATURE FILM

Click cover to learn about this recording.

Four Seasons of Western Washington

with the music of David Michael and Randy Mead

DVD only
Filmed and Produced by Brian Noblet
musicians: David Michael & Randy Mead with Joe Breskin

Four Seasons of Western Washington ... An hour-long impressionistic sight and sound excursion, exploring both the grandeur and subtle beauty of Western Washington. Shot in High Definition Video, the magnificence of towering peaks and rugged shorelines is balanced by the delicate and intimate scenes of wildlife, lush forests, rivers and meadows.  The creation of the custom soundtrack is captured on camera as well, with occasional shots of the performance blended in with the scenery and natural sounds, demonstrating the deep connection between music and nature. 

SOLO CELTIC HARP
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


HEART OF THE HARP
CD only
David Michael
with Rick Henderson

This CD is very gentle and pristine. The first 9 pieces are solo harp and on the last piece, 'Methow Reverie' a second instrument joins in for a duet: David's long-time friend Rick Henderson (from Petals in the Stream, Songs from a Summit, and Music World) plays sarode, a beautiful 25 stringed fretless lute.

Other artists who have recorded in similar styles include Kim Robertson and Rudiger Opperman. David considers this to be his best harp performance yet captured on a recording, and the reviews have been extremely favorable.

over 63 minutes long
  Titles: Sweet Surrender, Shepherd's Folly, Sands of Time, Heart of the Harp, Time Traveler, Prayer for Peace, Awakening, Waltz of the Fairies, Celtic fantasy, Methow Reverie*

* featuring Rick Henderson, Sarode
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


ISLE OF WINDS
CD only
David Michael

A 60 minute suite of gentle music enhanced by the natural sounds of the wind playing the harp strings. From the Port Townsend ferry to the walking streets of Denmark, David has delighted many with his soaring, romantic harp music. Perfect for a candlelight dinner, a massage or calming down the kids, enjoy the pristine sound of the Celtic harp.

"Delightful! You are in for a treat!"
- Victory Review

Titles: Festival of the Orcas, Lydian Waltz, Isle of Winds, Rose, Stairs to the Castle, The Long Dance Home, Spring Day in a China Garden, A lover's Passion, Starlight Voyage, Bela's Lullaby

 

DAVID MICHAEL AND FRIENDS




CHANTILLY MAE  
CD only
David and Dari Michael

CHANTILLY MAE

Debut album featuring the compositions of Dari Lewis, David's wife. The eclectic music of Chantilly Mae utilizes many modes, with genres ranging from Medieval to Klezmer ... sometimes sounding Irish or like the soundtrack to an American western.  The title track sounds like a Ladino (medieval/Spanish/Jewish) melody, and with the addition of esraj (a 19-stringed bowed instrument from India), the piece falls squarely into the realm of World Fusion .... David's specialty.

Guest artists include Gwen Franz, Joe Breskin, Randy Mead, Benjy Wertheimer, Michael Mandrell, Paul Becker, Forest Shomer and Robert Rushing.

63 minutes long. 12 selections.

Titles: Klezmerelda, Maiden's Faire, Alap, Chantilly Mae, Prairie Lullaby, Hasita's Dance, Del Moro Street, Bhakatay, Rain, Millie's Lark, Sotavento, Welcome Home Little One




IN THE MOMENT  
CD only
David Michael
& Christopher of the Wolves

IN THE MOMENT is based on a series of free-form improvisations, occurring over a four day period in September, 2004, between David Michael and Christopher of the Wolves. The drum is made in Switzerland and known as a "hang" (a steel hand drum shaped like a flying saucer). Discovering that the hang's pentatonic scale and clear tones interfaced beautifully with the Celtic harp, the two musicians began to jam.

 Inspired by the music, Christopher quickly phoned the airline to postpone his departure to Thailand for a few days. During those days, the duo excitedly recorded hours of their improvisations, also inviting the participation of guitarist Joe Breskin and flutist Randy Mead.  It is perfect for energy work, massage, trance dancing, self healing work and creating sacred space.

63 minutes long. 11 selections.

Titles: Deep Water, Ebb and Flow, Waves of Bliss, Call of the Sirens, Earth Elixer, Trance Dance, Zen garden, High Tide, Wind's Caress, Shaman's Journey, Inner Peace.



MUSIC WORLD  
CD only
David Michael
& Randy Mead

A retrospective compilation of lively World Fusion Music with 18 musicians playing over 40 instruments from 5 continents, featuring the highlights of Michael & Mead's long, illustrious partnership. David plays a wide array of unusual stringed instruments, Randy a plethora of wind instruments, with appearances from 16 talented guest artists including ethnic music masters and members of major symphonies (Benjy Wertheimer, Michael Mandrell, Joe Euro, Matthew Montfort, Christopher of the Wolves, Mark Eubanks, David Ritt, Rick Henderson, Shelley Phillips to name some. In all, over 40 instruments from five continents grace this generous 73 minutes of music designed to sweep you through the centuries and around the world.

Titles included: Music World, Bright Morning, Caravanserai, Daydream, Forest Evening, Wild In The West, The Fourteenth Night, Spirit Rising, Distant Mountains, Zihuatanejo, Spindrift, Reflections Of A Journey , Edge Of The Sky, Manana, Brocade
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


WINTER REVERIES
CD &Cassette
David Michael

Explorations on Germania harp (an extremely rare 51 stringed, two layered zither) blended with Celtic harp, flute, panflute, cello, guitars and more.  Guests included Joe Euro on classical guitar and Randy Mead on flutes.

"A musical excursion of glistening enchantment... The ensemble work is both rich and intimate.  Although the snowy winter inspires the album, Winter Reveries will work its spell all year long."

NAPRA Review.

Titles: Forest Frolic, Dream Shadow, Castle Sunrise, Feathers, Over the Rapids, Inside Passage, Greensleeves, The Ash Grove, Crane Dance, Drunken Shepherd, Coming of Age, Gateways.

DAVID MICHAEL AND RANDY MEAD

Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


MAGIC CARPET  
CD only
David Michael & Randy Mead

Retaining the lush melodic qualities for which they are known, their latest CD playfully delves into a passionate, sensuous, almost mystical realm.

Cinematic in its scope, David gracefully intertwines the haunting viola-da-gamba and gypsyesque bouzouki with the lyrical voice of the Celtic harp. Randy's emotionally laced piano compositions support his mastery of numerous wind instruments. Special guest Joe Breskin adds electric bass and various guitars and Marco Zonka adds percussion.  

A generous 67 minutes long!
  Titles:Magic Carpet, Purple Mountains, Dark Waters, A Sylph Descends, Invisible Tourists, The Fragrant Wind, Gypsy Camp, Aerial Crossings, Remembrance.
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


COURTSHIP OF THE MOON
CD & cassette
David Michael & Randy Mead

A full hour of romantic world-fusion music featuring Celtic harp and flutes. Benjy Wertheimer joins them with exotic stringed and percussion instruments from India, Africa and the Middle East.Joe Euro's Spanish guitar adds a touch of passion.
Other artists who have worked in this genre include Loreena McKennitt, Ancient Future, Rudiger Opperman.
"Michael and Mead are overlooked gems of new acoustic music...Their compositions rise out of the daily noise like a soothing balm, delivering a more serene state of mind."

-Billboard Magazine

Titles: Procession of the Stars, Coming Home, Nordic Moonbeams, Caravanserai, Moonlight Waltz, Ani's Magic Harp, Sky Safari, Innocent Heart, Night Flight, Courtship of the Moon.



KEYSTONE PASSAGE
CD & cassette

David Michael & Randy Mead

A perennial favorite with memorable melodies performed on Celtic harp and flutes, with a sprinkling of other instruments such as violin, hammer dulcimer, zither and panflute. The title cut was inspired by the ferry crossing from Port Townsend to Keystone. New reissue of this classic CD. digitally remastered for even more pristine sound.
"Timeless, pristine music...Their lush sense of melody and textural interplay makes their music remain in the mind. This is what modern instrumental music should sound like."
     - John Diliberto, host of Public Radio International's ECHOES program

Titles: Keystone Passage, Andean Mist, New Wings, Chetzemoka Rain, Norwegian Nights, Windsor Castle's Burning, Onion Creek, Return of the Magicians, The Kingdom of Mossylog, Petals in the Stream
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


MOUNTAIN IN THE SKY
CD only
David Michael & Randy Mead

Non thematic, ambient music. Perfect for a massage or quiet background use. No Celtic harp here. Crystalline zither improvisations provide a backdrop for gentle conversations between flutes, winds and viola-da-gamba (a kind of medieval cello).
 
"Open spaces, wide horizons, plenty of room to fill in the blanks and empty the mental closets. It works!"
        - Victory review

 
Titles: Swirling Dream, Misty Morning, Distant Bells, Raven Finds Raccoon, Voice of the Wild, Glissading the Clouds, Coyote in the Clearing, Mountain in the Sky, Rafting Sky Currents, Healing the World.
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


PETALS IN THE STREAM    
CD only
David Michael & Randy Mead
A graceful garland of melodies woven by Celtic harp, zither and flutes. This is the debut recording of the Michael & Mead duo, first released in Japan in 1986. Now digitally remastered for improved sound quality. Enjoy it again for the first time!
 
"A masterpiece of inspiration, talent and love.
            - Heartsong Review

Titles: The Kingdom of Mossylog, Passacaglia, Petals in the Stream, Sunrise, Winter in the West, Flight of the Magicians, A Lover's Journey, Friday Harbor, Leda and the Swan, Leaving Lagunitas.

DAVID MICHAEL SINGS!

Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.


THE CROCODILE AND THE CHIHUAHUA  
CD only
David Michael & Friends

The Crocodile and the Chihuahua is completely unlike any of my previous productions. Those of you who know me as a harpist can now discover my guitarist/singer/songwriter side.

Stylistically, this is a batch of sardonic ballads about love gone wrong, served up as Swing, Country, Folk, Blues, '60s Rock etc. with a hefty helping of comic gags and a Mexican theme. There is also a heart-warming finish to the CD, highlighted by a song about love gone right...very right!

If you're still having trouble imagining the sound of this record, take Dan Hicks, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Tom Lehrer, David Bromberg, Tom Paxton, shake them up together and voila ... This irreverent collection of songs of love and loss.

Almost exactly an hour long
  Titles: Stumbling mantras, Moonlight Flight, The Crocodile and the Chihuahua, Warring Parties, Thirty-four Questions, the Fourteenth Night, Plenty of Time, Zihuatanejo, Garage Sale Blues, Here you are, Playa La Ropa, Let Your Hair Down.
Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.

SONGS FROM A SUMMIT
CD & cassette
David Michael

Not a harp album! The best of his 70's - 80's singer/songwriter period. David shines with guitars and unusual stringed instruments, joined by a large cast of immensely talented players and singers. Sounds like Simon & Garfunkle meeting The Incredible String Band in the Pacific Northwest!

"Wonderfully diverse! A refreshingly different recording with creative instrumentation and simple, pleasant vocals."

     - Victory Review

Titles: Beasts of Next to Nothingness, I Return to Saturn, Dance in the Fields, Fool for your Love, In from the Storm, Firelight, Children of the Wild, Keeper of the Garden, We Don't Want your Airport, Ride the Wild Winds, Gualala.


Also Available from Purnima Productions on CD:


SOUL OF THE ESRAJ - Benjy Wertheimer
   East Indian sound. The esraj is a 19 stringed bowed instrument. Michael & Mead are guests.
 
VOICE OF THE ESRAJ - Benjy Wertheimer
   East Indian sound. The sequel to the Soul of the Esraj with the added element of classical Indian singing. Includes David Michael on zither.
 
CHURCH OF SKY - Shantala (Heather Wertheimer)
   Delicate and poetic songs, gorgeous voice and guitar. David Michael appears on harp.
 
THE HIGH ROAD - Joe Euro
   A vibrant, robust and original sound by Port Townsend's finest nylon string guitar master.
 
EYES ON THE HORIZON - Joe Euro
   The long awaited second release is finally available!
 
A VOICE, A HARP AND A BOWL - Cher Ross & David Michael
   Intense, improvised toning music with quartz singing bowls, vocals and Celtic harp. Heavenly!
 
SONGS FROM WITHIN - Stazya
   Devotional songs from around the world led by Stazya. David Michael & Randy Mead are guests. Inspired!
 
ASCENDING SPIRAL - Randy Mead
   Solo flute with Tibetan bells
 
PRIYAGITAH: THE NIGHTINGALE - Steve Gorn
   Classical Indian flute/World Fusion
 

Please send $15 per CD, $10 per cassette, plus $3 shipping for the first item, $1 each additional item.  

For overseas $8 for first item, $2 each additional item.

 

Please consider joining David Michael's email list! Your privacy is assured. All mailings are sent Blind Carbon Copy so nobody else can get your address. The list is never shared and mailings are infrequent. If you'd like to hear about new releases, occasional discounts and concert tours, this is your way to stay in touch with the artist. Just send an email to David at harp@olympus.net with the word "subscribe" on the subject line. It is helpful to mention your general vicinity for appropriate performance notification for your region.