Earth Quest

I first bought this album in the summer of 1993 from an art gallery in Michigan. I was enamored already with all things fantasy & medieval, and was soon composing D&D encounters with these tracks in mind. I'm now 40, and when I play D&D with my daughter, this is the music. But don't let my nostalgia color your perception, this is some great music, beautiful in the simplicity of its arrangement, compelling in the complexity of its composition (Excelsior!) Earth Dance has a fun synth-like ostinato with a fantastic array of harpsichords and perfectly timed tambourines, and perhaps the one time I'll accept cymbal crescendoes. Dream Flight is appropriately titled, its shimmering tonalities will quickly leave you in a sense of disembodiment. The Unicorn I've used as a stand-in for the music of The Hobbits and the Shire until Peter Jackson and crew came along. Rain Forest, one of several great uses of natural sounds in its tone wall, hearkens back to Dream Flights' playing with atmosphere The Quest is what I'd expect to hear making my way down a mountainside pathway in perhaps Middle-Earth or Narnia, or Westeros before Season 6. It grows in intensity and is guided by a flittering butterfly of a flute Midnight Caravan allows for a percussion/harpsichord intro quickly taken over by a inspired guitar riff Song of Elfarron again uses nature to accentuate the guitar driven medievaling Dragons Tavern is the perfect music to accompany a cold open air market morning just outside of Rohan or perhaps Westeros before Season 6. Mystic Voyage slows things down a bit with a methodical guitar matched with some great 1990 synth tone that begs to be used in an alternate Princess Bride Enchanted Hollow goes back to the wellspring of nature+jolly medievaling on guitar. This may be my favorite track of the album.

I like everything that Richard Searles does, he is a music magician. Thank you!

I first bought this CD as an extra stocking stuffer for Christmas, so I listened to it to see who would get it as a gift and decided to keep it for my self.

I have never heard of this guy so I took a chance and am glad that I did. Love the music

It’s like spending time in a magical forest.

I love to listen to this album while daydreaming of dancing in fields of flowers. It is easy to get lost in the music. I use it as a relaxation tool.

Earth Quest is instrumental new age music composed by Richard Searles. The light, rhythmic compositions sound vaguely Celtic and Renaissance style. You can picture fairy rings and mythical fairy tale kingdoms. There are a variety of instruments and sounds used to create these musical scenes. Guitars and synthesizers are most prevalent, but harpsicord, recorder and percussion instruments are also interwoven. Searles also incorporates nature sounds in some of these arrangements. #4 Rain Forest has the sounds of birds woven into the music, giving the listener an image of the forest that the composer is conjuring. #6 Midnight Caravan is my favorite. Searles has used the sounds of a rainstorm to complement the music, and the two blend together well. #7 Song of Elfarron combines cricket sounds, providing the backdrop of a warm summer night. The songs without the natural sounds behind them are pleasing and pretty, but the addition of the natural noises gives the music a wonderfully terrestrial flavor without destroying or overwhelming the tune.. This is a great album to have on as background music at a party or event where something light and new age style would be appropriate. All the tunes are upbeat with enough rhythm for Renaissance or playful dancing. Nothing's so esoteric that those unfamiliar with New Age will find it hard to listen to. I enjoy this at night when I need to relax, or when I need uncomplicated music without a lot of emotional overtones. The liner notes get a bit preachy with their interpretation "one can feel a concern for the planet and an awareness of the dangers of life on a shrinking world." I really just enjoy the music. I only give it four stars, because this is not an outstanding CD. It's pleasant, enjoyable music, but does not have the distinction and power that I feel it should for five stars. Happy listening! ^_^ shanshad

Loved the book.....thanks for the great service