Pleasantries & Diversions is a combination of music that is designed specifically to promote a sense of well being and to bring comfort to the listener.  Beginning and ending with slow, soothing music, the middle of the album includes slightly quicker tempos leaving listeners cheered and soothed at the same time.

 Solo Harp Healing CD

Healing music should be cheerful: 

A 2005 Norwegian study found that music "can enhance well-being and alleviate symptoms like agitation, anxiety, depression, and sensomotor symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases." It's been known for many years that those with a positive outlook are more likely to survive serious illness and are more likely to cope with serious illiness better than those with a dreary outlook. Therapeutic music, therefore, needs to be cheerful and uplifting to the soul as well as comforting and soothing.

Music is powerfully soothing and can promote healing:

Oliver Sacks wrote in Awakenings, "The power of music to integrate and cure . . . is quite fundamental. [It is the] profoundest nonchemical medication." Cardiologist Dr. Raymond Bahr claims an hour of music produces the same effect as ten milligrams of valium.  With few side effects, music can be  a powerful treatment for discomfort without the usual side effects of many medications.

The Akron Rotary Camp offers recreation opportunities for children and adults with special needs.  Some of those needs are met through a sensory room, where campers who are overwhelmed by constant environmental sensory stimulation can regroup and control their sensory input.  To create a relaxing environment we use calming music, and I have to say that after playing Pleasantries and Diversions our campers found some true relaxation!  They responded very well to Barbara’s soothing music, and left with smiles on their faces afterward.  It has not left the sensory room since!  Thank you for being a part of our experience.
                                                         -Joshua Strelbicki, Program Director at Akron Rotary Camp


What a delightful recording!  Some great old songs and tunes. Bill Bukowski, Music Host/Operations Coordinator, WSCL 89.5 FM/Public Radio Delmarva

I received the CD and listened to it yesterday afternoon while the snow continued to fall quietly outside, and continued, and the CD was the perfect music for gentle falling snow and calm, it definitely lives up to the title. J.H. Colorado

I love the CD. I play it when I get a lot of anxiety and it really helps.  M.H. Ohio      

This CD is the only music I play that soothes and distracts me from my chronic pain. C.R. IL





Mike in Glenview: "Hey, you know, I put your CD on this week. I only meant to listen once, but it was still so beautiful I had to let it go another time round. That stuff really makes me feel great. "


Liner notes were created after production: download a PDF to print and trim to fit inside your CD case.