music recommendations wanted

[cellio]

I'm looking for music recommendations to solve a specific problem.

My office is next to a noisy conference room, so my officemate and I sometimes need to generate white noise. We have a small stereo for this purpose. (So I'm looking for CDs, not MP3s to play on the computer.) The important characteristics are: (1) instrumental [clarification: non-vocal] and (2) (this is important!) very uniform volume levels. Lots of classical music qualifies under (1) but has too wide a dynamic range to be practical for use in masking noise. I have a CD of Bach played on classical guitar that works well, but I'd like more variety.

Just about any genre would be fine. (I don't care for blues.) The music probably shouldn't be too perky; its job is to sit in the background, not inspire us to get up and dance. :-)

Any suggestions for specific recordings?

Comments

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier" would probably be a decent choice for this application.

[cellio]

Good point! And I probably have a recording of that at home already.

[zare-k.livejournal.com]

Instrumental as in "not vocal", or as in "not electronic"?

[cellio]

Not vocal. Words are distracting when I'm trying to work. I actually enjoy electronic music, at least what I've heard so far. It's basically an unfamiliar genre to me, so if you've got recommendations, go for it! (As one data point, I'm fond of Christopher Franke.)

[zare-k.livejournal.com]

Loop Guru and Aphex Twin come to mind, a well as a coulple of comp discs I have... I'll see what I can dig up later.

[celebrin.livejournal.com]

What about the soundtrack from Ladyhawke?

It's one of my favorite instrumental pieces and it pretty much stays on an even volume level...not an even intensity level mind you but volume level.

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

I cannot recommend highly enough that you pick up Ed Stauff's piano cd, "Champlain Summer":

http://www.mewsic.com/ChamplainSummer/index.html

I'm also especially fond of Dave Brubek's work.

-R

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

Thre are some vocals but they're not in English, I'd recommend Hedningarna eponymous CD.

(Actually, their label in the US, Northside, has 3 sampler CDs out that are A) dirt cheap and B) really good -- Nordic Roots).

Instrumental music

[(Anonymous)]

Christopher Franke gives an obvious lead in to Tangerine Dream, which in my mind then connects to Kraftwerk. For wallpaper music Fripp and Eno created music to not listen to in the 70s (Music for Airports, Music for Films) which some people like and some find irritating.

If you like Guitar Andres Segovia is a nice choice, or for more modern (mix of classical, progressive rock, surf guitar, etc.) try the California Guitar Trio (mp3s at http://cgtrio.com/realroom.htm for a sample)

[tashabear.livejournal.com]

Heh... there's always Apocalyptica -- Metallica played by a cello quartet. I'd suggest Sabbatum, by the band Rondellus, but it's got vocals. Of course, it is Latin, which may or may not distract you. Then again, it's Black Sabbath in Latin, on medieval intrsuments, and thre might be a little too much dynamic range, but it's a great album.

[geekosaur]

Oh, my. (*makes notes for next time he wants to twist his brain*)

[tashabear.livejournal.com]

http://www.sabbatum.com

I did a Jolly Dance of Joy when I got this album for Christmas.

[cellio]

You know, I might have to get that even if it doesn't solve this particular problem. :-)

[steven.livejournal.com]

For the love of god, no Enya!

I have a CD that's called "Orchestral ABBA." It's just what you'd think, too. And I've played it at work.

[kayre]

That's almost precisely my requirements for "sleepy music"-- the CDs I play all night long (to keep the music in my head from keeping me awake). So I'll share my list, with the caveat that I have one more requirement-- soothing. These aren't exactly perky keep-you-alert selections, for the most part. Most are "New Age" tending towards Celtic inspiration.

Hilary Stagg (harp plus other stuff)-- Sweet Return; Feather LIght

Kevin Kern (piano plus)-- In The Enchanted Garden; Beyond the Sundial

Derek Bell-- Mystic Harp 2

Tingstad/Rumbel/Lanz-- Woodlands; Emerald

Tingstad/Rumbel-- Homeland

David Arkenstone-- another star in the sky

Northern Lights-- Harp and Hammer Dulcimer

Kobialka-- Rainbows

Metamora-- Morning Walk

Michael Jones-- After the Rain (solo piano, probably my favorite of all these)

[ealdthryth.livejournal.com]

I was in a similar situation working in cubeland with people who spent a lot of time on the phone. These are some of my favorites. I may have to listen to them again paying attention to volume level, but I think they are all uniform volume.

From a Distant Time - Patrick Ball (Celtic Harp)

Music for Zen Meditation - Tony Scott (Clarinet), Shinichi Yuize (koto - table harp), & Hozan Yamamoto (Shakuhachi - bamboo flute)

Earth Spirit - R. Carlos Nakai (Native American flute)

Light Reiki Touch - Merlin's Magic (acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, violin, viola, Tibetan bells)

Spectrum Suite - Steven Halpern (Synthesizer)

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

CHeck out the various artists on www.cdbaby.com all independents and some great music there, lots of full length soundclips so you can assess what you like, I love Muriel Anderson's cd Song for Two Friends, which is classical guitar and cello, very relaxing :)

Thanks!

[cellio]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've got many options to pursue now.