Purnima Productions is an independent music label and distributor operating out of Port Townsend, Washington. Founded in 1989, it is operated by owner David Michael, a harpist and multi-instrumentalist as well as composer and producer.

Follow this link to audition tracks from the latest Purnima Productions CDs

PURNIMA PRODUCTIONS 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, others are represented with generous samples. There are two broad catagories of music represented: instrumental and vocal. The majority of these recordings are instrumental and generally find themselves placed in catagories 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 intruments 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.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC:

Click cover to audition or to purchase this recording.

HEART OF THE HARP

CD only

David Michael

& 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 Edge of the Sky) plays sarode, a beautiful 25 stringed fretless lute.

Way too early for reviews, but David considers this to be his best harp performance yet captured on a recording. Other artists who have recorded in similar styles include Kim Robertson and Rudiger Opperman.

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

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 precussion.

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.

			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.


			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.

			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.

			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

			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. "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>

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.

VOCAL MUSIC:

			THE CROCODILE AND THE CHIHUAHUA CD only David Michael & Friends Irreverent songs of love and loss.
		Take your favorite elements of Dan Hicks, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Tom Lehrer, Frank Zappa, David Bromberg, Tom Paxton, throw in a little '60s Rock, a little classical, some Latin sounds, shake them up and voila, you might come close to imagining the essence of this irreverent recording.
		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.

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

PRIYAGIPAH: 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 atharp@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.