Previous efforts to create 'Whale Music' have been somewhat lacking given the combination of sound and music were in many ways unrealistic.  For the most part, piecing together some graphically equalized leviathan squeals along with the noise of crashing waves, an odd seagull squawk here and there accompanied by ethereal strings and zings and presto you have a novel, spiritually refreshing new-age symphony which can bore people into a deep state of unconscious.

The difficulty with this type of composition is that Whales don't spend an immense measure of time on the ocean's surface nor are they often close to the shoreline. The sound effects of incoming tides and seagulls therefore rarely come into the picture.

To flawlessly merge light airy strains with the unwieldy whale sounds at equal volumes is also misguided. The ocean depths are furthermore somber and dark and the resonance and reverberations are perpetual and immutable.
From a further aesthetic perspective, there is likewise a slight dilemma given Whales do not have ears and know very little I imagine regarding harmony.

They do not apprehend sound inasmuch as we understand the concept so the assumption of any rhythmical or tuneful euphony especially contrived for these cetaceans is again, not consistent. The suggestions and perceptions of this CD's musical accompaniment are an effort to capture what, if anything, is perceived by Whales.

To this end Ross has attempted make some inroads towards a more realistic soundscape within which the listener may in fact have a closer, hopefully more genuine, insight into a Whale's environment and condition.

Suggestions For Listening To This 'Whale Variations'

As we have no way of truly knowing what Whales actually perceive, our most educated, electrically contrived, conjectures may in fact be totally mistaken. It is however reasonably safe to assume that Whales are big and loud so their calls, snores and singing etc are much louder than anything else heard at the bottom of the ocean. To this end, the volume levels should be set to the comfortable listening level of the Whale sounds, not the music.  For a fuller aural effect and experience, try listening to this CD through headphones.