Nature Sounds CD's

The National Geographic Society book, "Song and Garden Birds of North America", c. 1964 . Library of Congress catalog card #64-23367, Standard Book #87044-006-3

This has small records in the back of songbird calls.

I have not played them yet, but suppose they sound decent since its the National Geographic Society.

I might suggest the Grand Canyon Suite on CD for the sounds of nature by orchestra. Kitaro, a new-age artist, does some interesting work as well on CDs.

thanks for the suggestions! i was told a great way to relax a fussy baby was through CDs of this type - rainstorms, song birds, etc. I tried a few, but sonically they were not very good. I appreciate your suggestions!

-Scott

Why not something like:
Brian Eno-Neroli
Steve Roach-Structures Of Silence or any in his Immersion series

Most are crap. I can identify 3 sub-categories. Some producers have CDs in several categories:
1. Outdoor recordings, often by audiophile enthusiasts. Quality is usually absolutely brilliant. No human generated noises. I can definitely recommend Gordon Hempton; Echoes of Nature series; Dan Gibson (sounds of nature); www.soundtracker.com. In Australia, we have Les Gilbert; www.listeningearth.com (both excellent).
2. Natural sounds + music. Usually the ocean, rivers, rain, birds, frogs, assorted insects overlain with pan flute harmonies. This is the music you hear in candle shops. The natural sounds are often 'canned'. It is these which give nature sounds CDs a bad name. For best quality try 'Orange Tree Productions National Park Series', Dan Gibson (sounds+music). In Australia we have Ken Davis, Tony O'Connor; Brett Nielsen. Some are very cheap and abundant second hand because they come in sets of 10-20. There are lower quality ranges (to me) like Gentle Persuasion; Natures Harmonies; Natures Magic; Natures Symphony; Tranquility.
3. Educational recordings like 54 bird calls, 35 frog calls, etc. A search of the bird and frog appreciation organization's shops will locate these these. Often priced at full retail. Usually each sound is separately indexed and the bird/frog/insect named on the cover. Quality ranges from historic to excellent. The sounds never repeat so not as boring as you may think. Never, never, buy one with a spoken commentary - they are absolutely patronising to listen to. In Australia, we have www.naturesound.com.au (all their CDs are excellent).

I have accumulated over 200 CDs of this genre - because they are so cheap - but many are only suitable for listening when reading, studying, (ie Muzak).