Krishna Das - Breath of the Heart '2001

Tracks list

       According to ancient Indian scriptures and saints, the traditional
practice of chanting God's name -- be it Krishna, Rama, Ganesh, or another of
the numerous deities -- is a tried and true path leading to union with the
divine. Kirtan is one of the main forms of this practice, wherein a leader sings
out the call and a group echoes with a response. Breath of the Heart is a live
recording of Krishna Das in such a setting. Of course, being a westerner, he
rounds out the sound with a little more than the customary harmonium and drum of
the "motherland," adding Rob McDonald's solid electric bass, Lili Haydn's
exquisite though underused violin, and Steve Gorn's mystical bansuri flute,
along with various percussion and such. A single kirtan can go on for as long as
the leader feels appropriate, although here Krishna Das limits the pieces to not
more than 15 minutes or so. That's just enough to get you going before he moves
on to the next, which is good for newcomers but perhaps frustrating for true
practitioners. For the result is a quick build that doesn't allow you to so much
linger in the melody, but rather pulls you along with the rhythm. It's a
forgivable consequence when taking his audience into consideration.
Nevertheless, with Rick Rubin at the production helm and topnotch musicianship
supporting Das' instantly recognizable voice, the combination is a truly
enjoyable, and possibly enlightening, offering.



1.01 - Krishna Das - Baba Hanuman (13:59)
1.02 - Krishna Das - Kainchi Hare Krishna (15:50)
1.03 - Krishna Das - Ma Durga (13:17)
1.04 - Krishna Das - Kashi Vishwanath Gange (6:32)
1.05 - Krishna Das - Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (14:26)
1.06 - Krishna Das - Brindavan Hare Ram (7:43)

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