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Showing posts from September 23, 2007

In Review--(Archival), Anders Rogg & Audun Myskja

A nders Rogg & Audun Myskja Videre Kirkelig Kulturverksted My former reaction to sound healing recordings was a great big yawn. This wasn't because I did not believe in the healing potential of sound and music, but that most of the sound healing music I had heard was filled with clichés.  However, Anders Rogg and Audun Myskja of Norway have delivered an intriguing double CD, Videre of healing songs that entertain my mind, soothe my body, and allow my soul rest for a bit. Now, I have an extremely short attention span. For those of you who know astrology would know that someone with a mutable T-Cross and a Grand Trine in the water element is not the type of person that can sit still for long. Yet, I have found myself sitting through both CDs a couple of times now and the subtle music took the restless edge off of me. Is this healing? I think so.   So why are these CDs different than the usual new age healing music? First of all, the music here is ext

In Review--Earth Chants

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Marjorie de Muynck In The Key Of Earth Sounds True Diana Rogers Love Reigns (Kirtan Chants) Sounds True In the liner notes of her CD, In The Key Of Earth , sound healer and musician, Marjorie de Muynck (de monk), tells us that "Ohm" is the vibration of the earth. She cites, "Ohm (aum), exists in the harmonically rich valley between the musical notes of C and C sharp, an alternative, or "cosmic," tuning that predates keyboards or modern Western music. Ohm is felt in nature, in the cycles and rhythms of the Earth, and the movement of the cosmos." Marjorie de Muynck combines her background as a jazz performer, (Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet), with an MA in music education, and her own therapeutic work, (she is the creator of Ohm Therapeutics ™). Her lifelong journey with the earth's sounds, music, and vibrations began at an early age and her life story presented briefly in the liner notes proves immensely fascinating to me. In T

In Review--The Power of Butterflies & Peyote Songs

Clark Tenakhongva (Hopi) Po'li (Traditional Songs of the Hopi) Canyon Records Clinton Denny with Gerald Primeaux, Sr. (Chippewa Cree) Prayers for My Father Canyon Records I find listening to Hopi renaissance man, Clark Tenakhongva's chants to be an immensely enjoyable experience. Clark's gentle spirit comes through in all of the chants, as he pounds on a large drum with one hand (which resembles a Mexican bombo), and shakes a rattle with his opposite hand. His songs act as prayers to Butterfly and other helpful Spirits. Po'li marks the third of Tenankongva's recordings that I have heard. And well, how do you describe a spiritual listening experience? I could tell you the facts of the Hopi tradition in which I am only vaguely familiar or I could send you to Canyon Records' site where you can learn more about the artist. And if you Google "Hopi" you should be able to glean information online, including information about Hopi Prophecies. My

Gregorian Chant Recordings

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Here is a brief list of Gregorian chant recordings in my collection. If you would like to see reviews of the following CDs you have two options. Some of the recordings were reviewed at World Music Central and all were reviewed on the pages of Cranky Crow Whole Music. 1. Peregrine , Gregorian Chant, independent release, Seattle, Washington (Peregrine gives a contemporary interpretation of Gregorian chants, in that this choir embraces other spiritual practices which the chanters blend with the Gregorian chant. And sometimes they sing the chants in English instead of Latin).   2. Medieval Women's Choir , Margriet Tindemans, Director, River of Red, independent release, Seattle, Washington ( Although the Medieval Women's Choir does incorporate the chants of the medieval German Benedictine abbess, Hildegard von Bingen in their work, this choir goes beyond just singing Gregorian chants. Some of the choir's work includes modern compositions, and also polyphony).   3