Album Description
More inspiring performances by master erhu (aka ‘niko’) player, Jia Peng Fang. Enter his serene and colorful world.
Just as the rainbow over the blue sky after a brief afternoon shower captivates us with its clear and delightful colors, the pastoral tones of the erhu (aka ‘niko’) and the surrounding sounds bring colors to our hearts, and let us dream of the eternal Asian continent.
To enhance your enjoyment of the music, incense sticks are included in the spine of the CD jewel case.Amazon.com
There are some instruments that seem to weep as soon as you touch them, and the Chinese erhu is one of them. Called a niko in Japan, it’s a two-stringed instrument held in the lap and bowed like a violin. Played with lots of vibrato and note bends, the erhu’s keening voice is one of yearning, loss, and suffering, and it has a distinct penchant for sentiment. It doesn’t need much help in wrenching out emotions, so when producers Kazumasa Yoshioka and Seiichi Kyoda (from the group Uttara-Kuru) drench the erhu in orchestral strings, it’s like spooning sugar onto a hot fudge sundae. That’s the foreboding scenario of the first track on Rainbow. The title track virtually slips out of the CD changer, skidding on the syrup. But Fang, a Chinese musician living in Japan, quickly regains his footing for “Light Dance,” sending his erhu across a landscape of tablas and acoustic guitar. Rainbow alternates between this more evocative world fusion and soporific, sweet tracks. The vibrant dance of “In the Garden” is quickly washed by the nostalgic strings of “Night of Beijing.” The wistful yearning of “Dawn,” a spare duet with pianist Naoyuki Onda, shows that Fang and his erhu need little help in tugging the heartstrings. –John Diliberto
Rainbow is another music album produced by Jia Peng Fang after his previous one “River”. Actually this title “Rainbow” really suits the album because you will be overwhelmed by joy and peace. As “River” is using lots of Minor Keys to express the mood, “Rainbow” uses more Major keys and quicker bits to express the joy from the writer. I really love this album because it is an album with colors of heaven. And the last song is entitled “End of the Rainbow” definitely not means this is sad or over, but one should remember that at the end of the Rainbow, there are invaluable treasures out there—–joy and peace.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is one of the most soothing CDs that I own. I listen to it to calm myself, or to help me concentrate on my homework. I’m not quite sure what emotion I feel when I listen to this CD, but I like it. I really recommend this CD. If you can’t get it on Amazon.com, check around different spiritual shops in Carmel, if you are in the area. (That’s where I picked it up.) The musicianship is amazing. Once again, this CD will clam and soothe you, and you will be very relaxed by it. In other words, don’t listen to it while you’re driving, you might get a bit TOO relaxed at the wheel. Pick this CD up! It’s a purchase you certainly won’t regret. ENJOY!
Rating: 5 / 5
I had never heard of Jia Peng Fang and didn’t listen to Asian music, then I bought this album. This man is a musical prodigy. The utter skill and talent that he so gracefully displays in his music changed forever my view of asian music. All of his albums have been supremely produced with a deft modern touch, while not forgetting the pure essence of the past. I won’t waste your time…just buy it! I now own all of his albums and they are all equally wonderful, especially “River.” Absolutely fantastic and extremely well produced.
Rating: 5 / 5
A coming home . . . beginnings, innocence, gentleness, love, hope, happiness, sunshine, flowers, trees, rain /rainbows, and a soft breeze; forever in my heart. Hauntingly beautiful. Thank You.
Rating: 5 / 5
The music presented on this cd is like a very high class oriental restaurant catering to non-oriental customers. There’s excellent cook, beautiful presentation, but lack of authenticity. Try listen to Chen Jie-bing and Yu Hong-mei. Pure soul of er-hu. Crystal sound of music. Thousands of years of happenings exposed. There’s contemporary. And there’s ancient. There’s simple and beautiful and nostalgic. And there’s new age. Pick your mood.
Rating: 3 / 5