Travels in Maine

Whereas many meetings of music and nature choose to accompany rain, wind, and the calls of forest animals with a bland, often chintzy, contemporary instrumental hum, Travels in Maine chooses instead the soothing, rich, tones of chamber instruments. Here, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, and especially acoustic guitar, are augmented by burbling streams and quietly howling wind. The nature sounds aren't very exciting -- they're typical of the genre. But in concert with the acoustic instruments, they help to create a truly relaxing album, unmarred by generic synthesizers or contrived, formless arrangements.