I bought this several years ago during the amazon.com Refer a Friend program. Get $5, refer a friend, get $5 more dollars. I was really interested in China then, and I was browsing through Amazon's collection of tapes (because they were cheaper than CDs and I didn't want to spend more than I had to on things that I didn't know that I would like or not.) and found several on Chinese music. I decided to buy the Bamboo Flute tape, "What do I have to lose?" I thought. Anyway I got the tape for about $2 and some change with shipping. Luckily, I got a tape player for that Christmas, because the only tape player around was in the large portable stereo in another room.

Using the tape player, I would listen to the songs, mostly at night while in the bed until I almost fell asleep (then I would turn it off and put it away, after all, there is nothing like waking up with a headphone smashed into your eye and nose). The songs are quite soothing, though some can be energetic (in some songs I imagined a jumping Chinese man playing the bamboo flute with a large smile. Then again some people go to sleep counting sheep in there mind, how 'jumpy' is that?)

After buying several of the others from the Laserlight collection, this is definitely, without a doubt the best. The others are piano mock-ups and rockified modern versions of Chinese music, I guess for the average "Westerner." Terrible in my opinion! If you are looking for a good collection of Chinese songs for a low price, this is it because it is authentic, or so it sounds to me. This would also be great to play at a Chinese restaurant, because quite frankly, the selection isn't all that great in this specific area, yet this album is of a high enough quality to play.

After listening to the tape for a few months, it got lost. So, I went without listening to these songs. Right at the launch for the PC game Black & White recently, I decided to put the CD version of this in with my order (from Amazon.com again!), besides, I needed to make good use of the shipping cost. I haven't listened to it as much, but I strongly recommend the CD over the tape because of the typical advantages that the CD version brings, such as no re-winding, improved sound quality, no flipping tapes over, direct-to-the-song- fast forwarding.

If you are interested in China, want soothing music, or something new and palette cleansing this would be an excellent purchase.

Songs and impressions:

Capriccio for Chinese Flute
Like a reviewer on Amazon.com said, this sounds Irish. Maybe, but its still Chinese, and full of the Bamboo Flute. Lucky Charms and Irish Spring Soap commercials come to mind. It sounds really green and as if looking through the edge of a forest on a hill over an open field surrounded by trees. Green enough?

I think that it is like this because, after all, the title of this album is "Chinese Bamboo Flute Music" and they are determined to deliver bamboo flute music. So, for the very first track, it's this song, which is almost entirely the Bamboo Flute. Now, I'm not saying that you wont like this song, but if you do -not- like this song, don't turn the CD player off, just hit the forward track button...

The Flower of Hsin-Jang
I imagine a looooooooooong strait road going through the middle of a desert between two cities. Where is the listener? Driving one of those furniture delivery trucks, minus the furniture. You know, the ones that have the engine under the driver, with the box full of the load mounted onto the frame. Like the Isuzu and Mitsubishi-Fuso ones, except not Japanese. Well anyway, its dry and dusty, but calm, that is except the revving engine and breakneck speed that your driving. Crazy Taxi (please read my review on Crazy Taxi 2)? No, More like Crazy Driver in an Asian truck. Some of the background sounds are from the truck's radio.

Regardless of what I hear, this song is quite engaging. I really like it. It's so powerful and intriguing that it must have a little creative imagination, so that you will enjoy it that much more.

A Tayal Folk Song
These Tayal people? They know how to groove! I see a small village at dusk to dark. A very nice song.

The Imperial Officer on Horseback Galloping By
*name discrepancy* On the actual CD it says "The Funny Genius On The Horseback" which is much more suiting. Yet on the back of the case and on the inside, it says Imperial Officer. Either way, this guy on a horse? He's crazy. Very crazy, or just too drunk to realize that he is too happy. Somehow, throughout the song he manages to remain seated on his horse as no "Thud" is heard.

Go Dating With My Love
Well, a couple is going out for a night on the town. Sounds like flashes of the events from a third-person perspective. Distinct, yet not remember able.

-(Side Two of Tape)-

The Maidens of the Tea Mountain
One of my favorites. One unique sound is the water tricking, as if tea is springing out from the Tea Mountain and trickling along. This one is quiet and somber, but the bamboo flute really carries you along, just like the 1 page booklet said it would.

Chatting With An Old Friend By The Window
Originally I misread the title as: "Chatting with an Old Friend by the Willow." Then, after reading the back of the CD cover, I discovered that it's Window instead of Willow. Well, they are wrong, not me! You can here the Willow. Its an old ancient voice played by an instrument other than the bamboo flute. Probably the fiddle. The 'window' would say "Sccccrrrreeeeach... Thunk! How are you doing old friends?" but not a willow. Regardless of the title, this is my favorite.

The Song Of The Four Seasons
Distinct, though over-shadowed by the other great songs around it. It's nice to listen to, but I can't make out the different seasons. Oh well, not that I really tried to, anyway. More flute goodness, which really carries you along in this song in some parts.

The Crab and the Egret
After the last 3 songs, this one wakes you up. Unlike the 2 old friends chatting in the song before last, Mr. Crab and Mr. Egret wants to strangle each other. Plenty of "Goinnng Goinnng Doong" is going to treat your ears for one of them, and the good old Bamboo Flute for the other. Maybe the Flute is the person telling the story. Either way it sounds good. I want to see this one in concert live on MTV because there really is a large variety of instruments used in this one. Or maybe just the music video.

General information:
The album Chinese Bamboo Flute Music is part of Laserlight's International Passport collection. The CD was made in the U. S. A. and is in Stereo.

Quality:
The sound is crisp and clear, in other words: no complaints here. The songs won't exactly make use of a huge subwoofer stashed away in a car trunk, but it still sounds good. These songs are all about the flute, and what it does best, and what it does best it does excellently! I think that there may be other versions published by other companies out, but you won't go wrong with the Laserlight version.

Packaging:
Nothing special here, normal CD quality case, though the back has the titles of the songs, in Chinese and English plus the length of time that each song plays for. Both sides have a brown bamboo paper/ rice paper/ or something else brown print. The inside of the same coversheet has this written in it:

"This album features the sensual music of the Chinese Bamboo Flute and in some cases are accompanied by Chinese fiddle, guitar, percussion, and synthesizer. The flute sounds are so delicate and graceful and seem to soar through the space of music. Many of the songs are adapted from old folk songs from all over China, and reflect the joys of dancing, singing and wonderful love myths of long ago China. The listener will be enraptured by these mystical sounds and be carried off of the CHINESE BAMBOO FLUTE."

On the right section of the inside, it has the tracks listed, with the same info as on the back (Name, length, and number)

Value:
This is a very good deal for what you get. $5 dollars at the most for the CD with 9 high-quality Chinese songs.

Taste left in mouth:
As appealing as Sesame Chicken and steamed rice! This album left a good "taste" in my mouth. I like it, and it does exactly what it set out to do. That and the poor-quality competition make it worth 5 stars. I haven't been able to find anything to warrant the removal of a star.

Other recommendations:
I would have to say that "China: A Time to Listen" is the most similar. It is a 3-CD collection of various Chinese songs, from different regions in China.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep