Search - Russill Paul :: Shabda Yoga

"Shabda," musician Russill Paul explains in the liner notes to this collection of traditional Indian music, represents the earliest stage in the "yoga of sound," which was cultivated more than 4,000 years ago. The disc features Paul performing on a 10-string creation that he calls a "unitar," and accompanied minimally by bansuri flute, sarangi, and percussion. The principal attraction here, however, is Paul's sincere chanting of Vedic verses that, Paul mentions in the disc's well-reasoned liner notes, are considered by some to be the world's oldest extant scriptures. These drone-like Shabda mantras exude a seriousness and solemnity that convey a mystical essence that, to Western ears, might sound alien, yet are embraced by adherents for their capacity to enable healing and personal transformation. Paul offers explanatory details on each chant and presents a framework for guided meditations. Likely to appeal primarily to advanced yoga practitioners and those who have an interest in ancient Indian musical traditions. --Terry Wood