China- Windham Hill Series

Rating:
Summary: Good video, Excellent Audio
Review: This DVD offers some very intimate/backroads video of the Chinese mainland accompanied by Windham Hill classics. (I'm afraid the previous reviewer mis-spoke when describing this as "asia-influenced music". The music has nothing intrinsically to do with Asia. Windham veterans will recognize these tunes, which, by the way, is certainly not a detraction.)

The video is not digital quality, and is quite grainy, a complaint you will find on other DVDs of this collection. I must confess my initial reaction was disappointment due to the video quality. (I have watched it several times since then) However, despite this, I have given the DVD a 5 star due to the fact that I have found the video scenes as intellectually stimulating as the music (and I have enjoyed Windham for quite some time).

Let's just say that the visuals DO NOT detract from the Windham Hill classics. The video very strongly reflects a beautiful array of chinese perspectives on technology, art and nature. You will NOT lack for a feel of the culture and environment Windham is skillfully trying to convey. One moment you may be standing on a dusty and busy bike-filled street corner. The next you are viewing the dream-like mountainscapes which inspired ancient paintings.

The DVD's video emphasis seems to be on people rather than scenery. One would think that scenery is by nature preferable (and yet there is much astounding scenery), but Windham's devotion to the social aspect is what makes this project much much more than a simple visually entertaining CD.

This is educational and beautiful at the same time. When Windham finally discovers digital video, I'll find a way to grant 6 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Good video, Excellent Audio
Review: This DVD offers some very intimate/backroads video of the Chinese mainland accompanied by Windham Hill classics. (I'm afraid the previous reviewer mis-spoke when describing this as "asia-influenced music". The music has nothing intrinsically to do with Asia. Windham veterans will recognize these tunes, which, by the way, is certainly not a detraction.)

The video is not digital quality, and is quite grainy, a complaint you will find on other DVDs of this collection. I must confess my initial reaction was disappointment due to the video quality. (I have watched it several times since then) However, despite this, I have given the DVD a 5 star due to the fact that I have found the video scenes as intellectually stimulating as the music (and I have enjoyed Windham for quite some time).

Let's just say that the visuals DO NOT detract from the Windham Hill classics. The video very strongly reflects a beautiful array of chinese perspectives on technology, art and nature. You will NOT lack for a feel of the culture and environment Windham is skillfully trying to convey. One moment you may be standing on a dusty and busy bike-filled street corner. The next you are viewing the dream-like mountainscapes which inspired ancient paintings.

The DVD's video emphasis seems to be on people rather than scenery. One would think that scenery is by nature preferable (and yet there is much astounding scenery), but Windham's devotion to the social aspect is what makes this project much much more than a simple visually entertaining CD.

This is educational and beautiful at the same time. When Windham finally discovers digital video, I'll find a way to grant 6 stars.

Rating:
Summary: China-Windham Hill Series
Review: This is a must for anyone who loves Asian-influenced music. It is a symphony of visual imagery that captures the true texture and beauty of everyday life in China. The images we usually associate with this vasy country-The Great Wall, The Imperial Palace and Tianamen Square-pale by comparison to the natural beauty of China and the talent and resourcefulness of its people. We visited China five years ago when we adopted our daughter there and this will be a true keepsake for her library that celebrates the land of her birth. It also serves as a wonderful reminder to us of the gracious and open spirit of the people we met there, and their ability to find happiness and peace at the end of, what has been for them, a truly dark century. This is a lovely work.

Rating:
Summary: This is the (Nearly) the Real China!
Review: This wonderful video was taped a few years before my own three trips to China, during the 1990s. By the time I got there, fewer blue suits were in evidence and the mood of the people was visibly more cheerful (although this has, to some degree, passed as the realities of day to day life in a capitalist society set in).

I think I interacted with the locals a lot more than the folks who made this video did. In fact, my only big criticism is that while the enormous patience of these hard working people is portrayed, their vitality, curiosity and humor doesn't come through. Come to think of it, I have another criticism: I would have preferred real Chinese music. The music on the video is pleasant but there is some traditional Chinese music that is incredibly beautiful and most Westerners don't seem to know anything about it.

All in all, the video does a good job of portraying what China really looks like, minus the dirt, pollution, smells, etc. Still, standards of cleanliness are improving rapidly so why hold a grudge? I often wished I had a video camera with me on my trips but now I don't need to feel that way.