The Pearl, by Brian Eno and Harold Budd

Of late Mr Pinky's has been in search of a more soothing style of music. In my piglet youth I was quite a fan of the Ambient music of Brian Eno. This is a term he created himself by the way. There is an excellent album in an early series of so-called Ambient records released by Brian Eno called The Plateaux of Mirror. This was done in collaboration with American musician Harold Budd. (The album is reviewed on this site.)

In 1986 Eno teamed up again with Harold Budd to create what I guess you could call a follow up album. The Pearl is very much in the style of The Plateaux of Mirror, but much more polished. The production is faultless and the album hasn't dated either.

As in the first collaboration, this album is full of moody piano chords and Brian Eno's electronic treatments and atmospherics. I find it's an excellent album when you want some 'private time' or need to unwind from the world.

This is a really, really beautiful and somewhat haunting album that will help you to forget life's trials and challenges. The Pearl is indeed a real pearl!

The Plateaux of Mirror, by Brian Eno and Harold Budd

Ahh, time for some soothing music. Mr Pinky has long been a fan of Mr Brian Eno's 'ambient' music, which he understands is a term coined by Eno himself.

This is the second in the 'Ambient' series. Number one is Music For Airports, which concentrates on simple piano chords and Eno's 'treatments' - trippy artificial electronic sounds.

Number Four, titled 'On Land', is more organic sounding and a personal favourite.

The Plateaux of Mirror (who knows what it means), is a mixture of delicate piano sounds and some of Brian Eno's more ethereal effects.

The album Eno did in collaboration with Harold Budd, of whom I know next to nothing.

I always enjoy this type of music when I'm reading a book as it's none too intrusive. I also find that it has the power to change my mood entirely and relax my nerves.

Ambient music is from time to time derided as insubstantial dribs and drabs of sound. Mr Pinky demurs from this opinion and hears in Eno's ambient work compelling aural landscapes that stay with the listener long after they have been experiences.