The Whole Music Experience

Pandit Shivnath and Deobrat Mishra The Lincoln Theatre Mount Vernon, Washington May 29, 2008 I do not know why it was not front page news that internationally renowned Sitarists--father and son duo, Pandit Shivath and Deobrat Mishra were making a special appearance in town. Certainly folks here could get an eyeful of positive news, of a music that spreads peace and love instead of fear, but sadly, even with the wonderful efforts of the concert promoters, Elfa Gisla and Diane Light, this concert did not receive the fanfare it so deserved. Imagine playing second fiddle to rising gas prices and other gloom. However, for those who did attend the concert held at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Old Town, Mount Vernon, there was plenty of fanfare in the guise of fiery rhythms, and melodic phrases that brought chills to my spine due to the sheer beauty they possessed. The audience for the most part, appeared educated in regard to classical Indian music, many of them having come of age...

Sondre Bratland This Dream We Have Kirkelig Kulturverksted Now in his 70s, Sondre Bratland released a new recording, This Dream We Have . The recording features simple instrumental arrangements that provide a light backdrop for Bratland's signature vocals. Bratland also surfs through a variety of musical genres which he has grown fond of over the years, ballads, folk songs, a little bit of Latin music ( Dream and reality ), and country western. However this CD also has been spiced with a jazz element. Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge's poems provide the text for this recording. Multi-instrumentalist Knut Reiersrud, fiddle player Annbjorg Lien, drummer Helge Norbakken and multi-instrumentalist Matthias Eick (double-bass, trumpet and vibraphone), bring a palette of vibrant colors and textures to the recording. I Always Expect to Find features understated guitar, sultry trumpet, and the chime of vibraphone. In fact, this is the second Norwegian recording in the past weeks in...

Conjunto Jardìn Yerba Buena Trova Recordings California-based Conjunto Jardìn has released its third son jarocho recording, Yerba Buena . Led by vocalists and lute-playing sisters, Libby and Cindy Harding, this group does not just deliver the traditional Mexican jarocho, but Pan-American music complete with Andean pipes on La Culebra , salsa rhythms on Fandanguito de los Muertos , and Colombian rhythms on El Ahualulco . You might not call it pure traditional, but this music is purely delightful. La Vieja features lush call & response vocals with added guest vocalists, Mari Riddle and Ericka Verba. And following that song, is the groovy cover of Procol Harum's Conquistador with Gary Johnson's 70s psychedelic organ booming throughout. Fandanguito de los Muertos (mentioned earlier), offers two musical genres for the price of one, ending out with rousing salsa. Just as other journalists have noted, this music does present a lot of twists and turns, as well as, ...

Various Artists Sanger Om Sarbarhet (Songs of vulnerability) Kirkelig Kulturverksted Music once again lends itself to healing emotional, physical and spiritual issues. Twelve Norwegian artists contribute their healing songs to the compilation album Songs of vulnerability which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the baths at Modum--a residential psychotherapy, education and research center in Norway. "While Modum Bad specializes in helping people with psychological problems, it is also a cultural institution with a 40 year history of arranging public concerts where these two aspects of their activities are combined." The Grand Hall and Olav's Church have served as concert venues and some of the performers that have performed in those venues include many KKV artists such as: Ketil Bjornstad, Randi Stene, Aage Kvalbein, Sondre Bratland, Tone Hulbaekmo, Elias Akselsen and Lars Bremnes… Those same artists reappear on this live recording. Highlights include Lars B...

Andràs Schiff Ludwig van Beethoven The Piano Sonatas Vol. VI ECM New Series Hungarian classical pianist Andràs Schiff took up the gauntlet of recording the Beethoven cycle (piano sonatas) in order. Ludwig van Beethoven The Piano Sonatas, Volume VI brings us up to the period between 1804 and 1810, during which the infamous "Appassionata" was composed. The works on this recording, Sonatas #22 through #26, explore a vast range of emotions, colors and textures--a range that seems like a piece of cake in Schiff's expressive hands. I have reviewed volumes II and III of this series and have been astounded by Schiff's immense gift as a pianist. While he fits into the realm of virtuoso, he does not appear to be showing off. His playing is absent of bravado and full of humanity, not to mention curiosity towards Beethoven's life and music, since one informs the other. Not only that, one of my favorite things to do is to crank up the volume on these recordings so...

Joshua Leeds and Lisa Spector Through A Dog's Ear Music to Calm Your Dog in the Car Sounds True Concert pianist Lisa Spector has the good fortune of a dog named Sanchez who relaxes when he hears classical piano. So when Lisa takes Sanchez along in her car, playing a recording of classical piano music is similar to hitting Sanchez' snooze button. Sound unreasonable? Too good to be true? For those folks with anxious dogs that pant excessively or bark in the car or won't get in the car to begin with, there is hope. The latest installment of the Through A Dog's Ear project, Music to Calm Your Dog in the Car is now available. Again, psycho-acoustic expert Joshua Leeds, pianist Lisa Spector have teamed up. The beauty of this recording is that it relaxes dogs without putting the driver to sleep. Music by Chopin, Brahms, Bach, Beethoven, Scarlatti, Mozart, Gluck and Debussy flows generously off of this disc. While the music acts as a wonderful soundtrack for a d...

Singing for Life Songs of Hope, Healing, and HIV/AIDS in Uganda Smithsonian Folkways Music has the power to heal. This we know and time and again this point garners further proof. A new Smithsonian Folkways recording, Singing for Life compiled and recorded by ethnomusicologist Gregory Barz, brings us another hopeful musical project from the heart of sub-Saharan Africa. According to the ample liner notes, 38 million people worldwide are infected with HIV and roughly two thirds of those infected reside in Africa and 25.3 million live in sub-Saharan Africa. "Uganda is the single sub-Saharan African country that demonstrated remarkable, constant decline in overall infection rates. Many factors have contributed to this decline, and a critical one, Singing for Life , tries to show, is music." In Uganda where music plays a crucial role in everyday life, acting as a vehicle for educational messages, rituals, ceremonies and other activity, various musical groups, healers, a...

Shastriya Syndicate Syndicated Sense World Music Mandala ensemble Mandala Sense World Music It was one of those gorgeous late spring Saturdays with every plant under the sun blooming, and nothing could go wrong. I received two new Sense World Music recordings, both ensembles that literally blew me away. First, Shastriya Syndicate which features some of India's masterful young talent including, sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee, Carnatic veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh, tabla player Subhankar Banerjee, sarangi player Murad Ali, bansuri flutist Rakesh Chaurasia, mridangam player Patri Satish Kumar and percussionist Pramath Kiran (from Carnatic and Hindustani traditions). This fiery ensemble performs original compositions on their debut recording, Syndicated . The playing here, borders on 60s psychedelic--exploding with fantastic colors reminding me of Jimi Hendrix' saying, "are you experienced?" I am not sure why exactly, except that the experience of listen...

Toumani Diabate in concert (wikipedia) Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate Kulanjan Hannibal Records Released at the tail end of the last century, Kulanjan has already become a classic in my book. Bluesman Taj Mahal had been exploring his griot heritage--could feel it in his genes. The renowned musician teamed up with Malian kora player Toumani Diabate, Malian vocalists Kassemady Diabate and Ramatou Diakite and other Malian musicians. The end result takes us to the crossroads where American (U.S.) blues and West African blues intersect. While it is not the only recording out there that marries these traditions, it is my personal favorite among the West African-American blues recordings. Kulanjan provides one fantastic track after another, with no weak ones in the bunch. It opens with Queen Bee , a duet sung with Taj Mahal and Ramatou Diakite. Taj's gruff vocals gravitate around Ramatou's sweeter one. The following track, Tunkaranke features Kassemady singing soaring gr...

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...

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 ...

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 o...

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 k...

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 ...

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 int...

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 ...

The Wailin' Jennys The Lincoln Theatre Mount Vernon, Washington Friday, April 18, 2008 While tulips bloomed throughout the valley, snow fell from the April sky, and tourists crowded country roads, Winnipeg's The Wailin' Jennys set loose dazzling harmonies. The quartet's debut performance in Skagit Valley drew a capacity (sold-out) enthusiastic audience. The Jennys delivered one immaculate tune after another, with a few hearty side trips tossed in. I doubt anyone left The Jennys' Lincoln Theatre performance disappointed. Members of the Jennys', Ruth Mood (soprano vocals, accordion, banjo, guitar), Heather Masse (alto vocals & standup bass), Nicky Mehta (mezzo-soprano vocals, trap drum, harmonica, guitar) and Jeremy Penner (mandolin and fiddle) performed music--not easily categorized. Perhaps we can invent a new genre called human music. The musicians performed new work and traditional songs, as well as, favorites from their recordings, 40 Days an...

Mamak Khadem Jostojoo (Forever Seeking) Banyan Tree Production I discovered Iranian-American Mamak Khadem's voice in 2002 when I received Axiom of Choice's Unfolding in the mail. But many of you have probably heard her beautiful voice complimenting television show and movie soundtracks. Based in California, Mamak has kept herself busy contributing her vocal talents to many projects, including her newest CD, Jostojoo (Forever Seeking) . In her liner notes, Mamak reflects on the recording. "In the past few years, while traveling to Greece, Turkey, Armenia, and various parts of Iran, I became aware of the many similarities among these cultures and their music." She sought that common ground while infusing music from those cultures with the inspiring words of Iranian poetry, especially illustrious poetry of the ancient Persian poet, Rumi. None of this comes as a surprise to me since Mamak and I had spoken about Rumi's poetry briefly during a 2002 intervi...

Stevin McNamara Om Guitar Sounds True Long-time veteran of the music business, guitarist and producer Stevin McNamara provides us with east-west fusion meditative music on his latest disc, "Om Guitar". He invited an array of guest musicians who brought sitar, tamboura and percussion to McNamara's Indian-sounding guitar. The music provides a wonderful background for meditation, contemplation or for doing work that involves little focus. It is ideal for reading, knitting, and sewing type activities, but would not work well for driving a car. "May Fortune Smile" might interests a few listeners. According to the liner notes, this track "derived from an early evening raga, "Yaman Kalyan," often used as an invocation for good fortune and abundance." And who does not want good fortune and abundance? All four long-playing tracks derive from ragas, which represent a certain part of the day. And all of the ragas have been translated into...

Murray Perahia Bach Partitas 2, 3 & 4 Sony Classical It has been over a decade ago when I ran into an old friend that mentioned he was into Bach. I found that friend pretentious at the time and did not listen to any Bach myself. I did not think that I would understand it since most people that I knew that listened to Bach were academic or they were classically-trained musicians. Then after I started using different types of alternative healing, one of the modalities that I discovered was healing with music. Classical music came up a lot and so did the musical architecture of Bach's compositions. But the real clincher came much earlier when I had heard Glenn Gould performing various Bach compositions. Then I too could see the aesthetic and healing values of Bach. I would imagine listening to Bach everyday for at least an hour would lighten my moods, boost my immune system and offer other positive health effects. (If only I would get around to launching that plan)....