Because his output is so excellent, it is extremely to choose the best David Parsons CD. It is equally difficult to compare the discs to each other. The ideal system would rate Parsons' entire catalog at the highest level and every album as essential. Because that system does not exist and this is the best system available, suffice it to say that Dorje Ling is definitely one of his best CDs and is highly essential. This album, like most of Parsons' albums, combines electronics and ethnic -- specifically Tibetan -- acoustics to create a spiritual, inspirational, and inspired soundscape. Unique to this CD is his use of "gyu me" -- low-pitched chanting -- as the drone. Parsons recorded three albums of the chants of the Monks of the Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery in Dharamsala, India, where many Tibetan Buddhists now live as refugees. Those chants, like overtone singing and Tuvan throat singing, have an electronic timbre and deep solemnity. The entire package is perfect. Parsons is in a league with few others. Steve Roach, Robert Rich, Constance Demby, Michael Stearns, and Vidna Obmana are in that league.
© Jim Brenholts /TiVo