In Review--Voice of a Sanskrit Goddess

The Meditation Music of
Deva Premal
Into Silence
Sounds True

German classically trained vocalist Deva Premal has been gifted with one of the most beautiful, healing and soothing voices out there. Along with her partner, Miten and the who is who of Kirtan chant composers, Deva has entranced thousands of listeners, most of them devoted followers, with her perfectly calibrated vocals. Not only that she also contributes her training in various energy healing modalities.

Into Silence features some of her favorite work from CDs released during the decade of 1997 to 2007. She sings simple to pronounce Sanskrit chants (mainly) with Buddhist chants brought into the mix, such as Om Mani Padme Hum (Love is Space). She delivers each chant with reverence and grace.

This CD arrived to me on an incredibly stressful day--everything that could go wrong, did go wrong and not just for me. Fortunately, I kept this music on in the background while I attempted to solve problems and go about my business. To be honest, I don't think I could have stayed calm and centered without the help of this music, even after ingesting Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy!

The next day, I sang along with Deva and I found that singing the chants, not only helped me to breathe better (I am a vocalist), but assisted me with staying calm and centered. I found myself in a much better mood too. I was able to find peace and let go after listening to this CD a few times.

For those of you not already familiar with Deva Premal's work, might want to start with this recording. The booklet includes the words to the chants and interpretations. Whether you choose to sing along or just let the music permeate your home, you will be better off for it. I am guessing you will feel calm and centered. And we could all use a little peace at the moment.

Soundstrue

In Review--Mas Bach

Murray Perahia
Bach Goldberg Variations
Sony

I feel too exhausted at the moment to write an actual review of Pianist Murray Perahia's gorgeous interpretation of Bach's Goldberg Variations. However, Perahia takes his listeners through a vast palette of emotions with aplomb while performing the short 32 variations--a Bach masterpiece that was originally composed for his "talented protege Johann Gottlieb Goldberg to play on harpsicord."

The first recording I heard and enjoyed of the variations was by the late Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. Listening to two recordings by Glenn Gould, recorded decades a part, led me to think that I would not enjoy another pianist's recording of this work. However, I find Perahia's version (who has a lot of Bach recordings under his belt), extremely moving and powerful. I borrowed the CD from the library down the street and have listened to several times in the past week.

Since this is a healing music site, I want to add that this music does relax my restless mind and allows me to soak in beauty of human emotions played out on the keys of the piano. But don't just go with my words. Producer Paul Myers wrote the following in the liner notes.

"As the producer of some of Murray Perahia's early recordings, more than twenty years ago, it is hard to describe how heartwarming it is to hear the joy, pathos, audacity, drama, triumph, thoughtful reflection, and breathtaking virtuosity he brings to his deeply musical interpretation of this great work, helping to remind us why music is the most moving of all the arts."

In this case, believe the hype because Paul Myers nails the truth on the head. From start to finish, this musical ride is worth taking and listeners will be enriched from the experience.

I also found this information on Wikipedia which might be of interest to you.

"In 1990, Perahia suffered a cut to his right thumb, which became septic. He took antibiotics for this condition, but they affected his health.^[1] In 1992, his career was threatened by a bone abnormality in his hand causing inflammation requiring several years away from the keyboard, and a series of surgeries. During that time, he says, he found solace through studying the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. After being given the all-clear, he produced in the late nineties a series of award-winning recordings of Bach's keyboard works, most notably a cornerstone rendition of the Goldberg variations. This has caused him to be regarded as a latter-day Bach specialist."

In review--Dance 'til You're Sore

Fancy dancer, Seattle, Washington, 2007.

Northern Cree and Friends Vol. 7
Dancin' 'Til Sunrise
Canyon Records

Cheever Toppah and Kevin Yazzie First Light
(Harmonized Peyote Songs in Dinè and Kiowa)
Canyon Records



Verdell Primeaux with Terry Hanks
Stories Told
(Harmonized Peyote Songs)
Canyon Records

Elk Soldier
The Elk Way
(pow-wow songs recorded live at Green Bay)
Canyon Records

Thee Express
Express Yourself
(Chicken Scratch)
Canyon Records

Canyon Records just released a slew of recordings. Since it would take too long to review each CD individually, I am reviewing the CDs in a group. And there are some recordings that have not been included. So I encourage you to visit Canyon Records' web site to see for yourself what is available.

Northern Cree have joined their First Nation friends to dance another night away. The pounding drums and hearty vocals appear to be in rhythm with the driving and relentless rain outside my window. It's as if the rain is using my roof as its own drum!

Dancin' 'Til Sunrise features Northern Cree, Red Bull, Gordon McGilvery, Jack Bull, Whitefish Jr.'s, Eya-Hey-Nakoda, Wild Horse, Young Spirit and Gabe Gaudet giving their all time best. However, unlike pow-wow's which find the drummers & singer groups in competition, the round dance atmosphere is more about partying with one's good friends and fellow musicians. I just wonder where these guys get so much energy at 2 in the morning…

The rain is still pouring out of the sky, but I have switched gears. Cheever Toppah (Kiowa/Navajo) and Kevin Yazzie (Dinè) bring us some energetic harmonized peyote songs on their recording, First Light--in fact, this CD rocks. And for those listeners unfamiliar with peyote songs, descriptive liner notes have been included.

Harmonized (harmonies) vocals sail over water drum beats and a shaking of a rattle. The effect can be dizzying as in the case with the first set of straight songs, led by Cheevers. Kevin slows it down just a bit on the second set of straight and traditional songs. The duo performs Old Kiowa songs, Straight Dinè Morning songs and a cappella peyote songs (sans the percussion).

I have heard more than a handful of harmonized song recordings and so far, this is the most accessible recording that I have heard and also the least psychedelic.

Verdell Primeaux (Lakota) and Terry Hanks (Dinè) brings us 48 minutes of harmonized peyote songs on their recording, Stories Told. Again, these songs are played to a quick tempo, but the rise and fall of the water drum timbre gives these songs a psychedelic sensibility. The songs are listed in generic terms, "four harmonized peyote songs--set one.." Although if you listen closely you will hear English lyrics. On the first set, the vocalists sing, "my little boy, my little boy, Daddy loves you…."

When accompanied with group prayer, the peyote church rituals, and intention, peyote or harmonized songs have the potential to heal health and other concerns. However, I doubt just putting the CD in a player and giving it a good listen, has any healing effects, at least I have never noticed any for myself. What recordings like this one do is to open a dialogue between alternative healing modalities and spiritual traditions. It also builds a bridge between cultures through sharing of the songs to Natives and non-Natives. (And I have noticed quite a few Europeans visiting my article on The Native American church and peyote songs).

And now for an upbeat pounding surf experience---Elk Soldier (Intertribal) hits the pow-wow trail with their live CD, The Elk Way. This recording starts off with a prayer (spoken word), with Anthony Wakeman's flute in the background then the drums and singing comes in full force. And of course, as this recording progresses the rain falls down even harder on my roof. Perhaps we need a song that starts with, "oh, great cleanser rain…"

Led by Gary Drapeau, Elk Soldier's thundering drums and vocal gusto are new to my ears. Similar to other pow-wow groups, the song titles have a sense of humor and leave me wondering about one song in particular, "The Raven Strut." The lyrics are sung in Nakoda, Plains Cree, Ho-cak and vocables. English interpretations are provided along with some photographs of this live event.

I almost forgot to review Thee Express' Express Yourself. This recording includes 14 rousing instrumental chicken scratch dance tunes. For those of you not familiar with chicken scratch, it is the Southwest Native American equivalent of Tex-Mex. The song titles are all in Spanish and similar instruments that you would hear in Tex-Mex, plus the same dance rhythms all apply here. In fact, there is a broad Latin American influence and not just from Mexico.

Founded by Ricardo Vavages in 1978, Thee Express represents the Tohono O'odham culture expressing itself in a multicultural environment. While pow-wow dance features individual dancers and round dance features a group of dancers in a circle, chicken scratch is for couples. Dance rhythms included on this CD include Cumbia, Waila, Chote and Paco'ola. Saxophones, accordion, drums and bass round out the dance band on this recording. The end result will remind listeners about the multiethnicity of the American Southwest, and the musical exchange between cultures. BAILA!

Well, that is my spring round up of Native American recordings.

*Dinè is the proper name for what others call Navajo. However, some of the musicians call themselves Dinè while others call themselves Navajo. I try to show respect to that decision where ever possible. I go with what the musicians call themselves.


canyonrecords

In review--Mas Bachata!

Bachata Roja (Various)
Acoustic Bachata From the Cabaret Era
Iaso Records

Bachata Roja brings us classic acoustic bachata from the early 60s to the late 80s. This rustic music that hails from the Dominican Republic countryside (later immigrated to the cities), draws comparisons with the Cuban son. Similar to other Latin music traditions, rhythm performed on percussion, or the strums and rapid guitar riffs, keeps this music alive and snappy.

Bachata Roja, a collection of some of bachata's stellar vocalists, composers and guitarists, provides us with historical and cultural notes from a politically challenging time for the Dominicans. But you would never guess in listening to these driving rhythms, sprite vocals, and double entendres. Despite some of the lyrics which reflect on some of the less acceptable societal behaviors, I find this music sunny and invigorating. And I am not the only one who finds this music invigorating since this CD has reaped its share of critical kudos.

A must for fans of acoustic Latin music. And you can find this CD and other bachata recordings at Iaso Records

In Review--He's the Bossa Nova

Marcos Amorim, Jorge Albuquerque & Rafael Barata
Revolving Landscapes
Adventure Music

Jorge Albuquerque (bass), Marcos Amorim (guitar) and Rafael Barata (drums), bring us a sedate Brazilian jazz and bossa nova on Revolving Landscapes. Masterful guitar, blends with creative drumming (cymbals suggests waves on a beach), and watertight bass. The trio creates an effervescent jazz-scape and with song titles such as "Waterfall," "Cloudy Day" and "New Landscape" you might guess that this is a somewhat relaxing recording.

Often times, the playing feels understated, until you listen beneath the top layers. brings spot-on intuition to "Afternoon in Similar to Brazilian guitarist Celso Fonseca, Amorim's guitar playing possesses sensual qualities and the tracks New Landscape recall Fonseca's songs. I am also reminded of American jazz guitarist Bill Frisell and any number of ECM ambient jazz albums.

However, while ECM's repertoire has a moody European feel to it, Revolving Landscapes reflects a sunny Brazilian signature. Often times, the playing feels understated, until you listen beneath the top layers. Barata's brings spot-on intuition to Afternoon in Hanvoy and I can see why Amorim praises the drummer in his liner notes. This worthwhile album came to me by surprise and listening to it has been delightful.

adventuremusic

In Review--Sunny Music from Nordeste Brasil

Jovino Santos Neto
Alma do Nordeste
Adventure Music

For his third release on Adventure Music, Brazilian jazz pianist and composer Jovino Santos Neto celebrates the music of Northeastern Brazil--and what a wealth of musical styles! Alma do Nordeste (Soul of the Northeast), features a variety of Brazilian genres including, Baião, xote, Forrò, marcha and others. Lush Afro-Brazilian polyrhythms provide a backdrop for swirling flute, woodwinds, lush accordion and gorgeous instrumental harmonies.

From the cover art to the passionate musicianship of Jovino (piano, melodica, flute), Toninho Ferragutti (accordion), Gabriel Grossi (harmonica), Carlos Malta, Eduardo Neves and Marcelo Martins (woodwinds), Joseman Honaine (10 string guitar), Dudu Lima (basses), Marcio Bahia (drums), Tiago da Serrinha and Durval Pereira (percussion) and Pernambuco (voice)--whew!, this music feels like the sun bursting forth through layers of clouds. Especially on the title track, when the music breaks into a frenzy guided by Pernambuco's passionate vocals.

It is a real challenge to focus on any one of the thirteen tracks since they are all splendid well-researched compositions. As always, Jovino has brought a great deal of sensitivity and enchantment to his compositions and performance. The band he recorded with in Rio appears tight and the musicians play well off each other. The opening track, Festa na Macuca immediately captivates and Ferragutti's accordion grabs the spotlight.

Alma do Nordeste certainly is one of those album that takes a few listens to review because of its rich musical textures and layers. The musicians solo throughout and I can imagine that a live performance by this band would both excite and wear out the audience who would be applauding no doubt at every twist and turn. This album combines excitement, beauty, passion with gorgeous melodies. Jovino's hard work has paid off once again.

adventuremusic
jovisan

In Review---Bright Lights from the Southwest

Jay & Tinesha Begaye
Night of Northern Lights
Canyon Records

Navajo veteran singer Jay Begaye and his 19-year old daughter Tinesha (Navajo-Cree), celebrate the Northern Lights with an electrical collection of round dance songs. Lakota flutist Anthony Wakeman also contributes his talent to Nights of the Northern Lights.

While Jay offers impressive vocal, songwriting and drumming talents to this disc, Tinesha shines here with her powerful vocals and round dance song writing skills. She brings feelings of joy and brightness reflective of her youth. And some of you might recall Tinesha's debut CD, Rhythms of Love which was recorded 3 years ago and reflected on her teen years.

Jay and Tinesha's story that appears in the liner notes adds warmth to this recording. The actual tracks reflect on both the spirit and secular worlds embellished by hearty vocals and the beat of the round dance drum. Anthony Wakeman contributes flute to Tinesha's Little Brother (dedicated to her 21 month year old brother), and Words of Honor.

While Jay will keep the tradition alive through his talents as a song writer and musician, Tinesha will take the torch forward, hopefully inspiring more First Nation youth to perform First Nation traditional and original music. Not all of the Northern Lights are shining in the sky--some of them shine here on Mother Earth.

canyonrecords.com