Beautiful, heartfelt, and uplifting music
Richard Cantor | East Coast, USA | 01/01/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"My motivation for getting LD was after having heard Snatam Kaur perform two of the selections from the recording at a concert (I didn't know they were from that CD - I was listening to the music for the first time.) I was immediately and deeply moved by them.
Every recording contains particular songs that "grab" us, that we just "have to have." The two that knocked me over upon first hearing were "Pritham Bhagaautee" and "Ardas Bhayee." The former is so full of joy, it infuses the listener with overflowing happiness and ecstasy. The latter reminded me of the melodic structure of the Pachelbel Cannon - it's very sweet, heartfelt, and touching - and easy to sing along to!
I imagine I will never ever get tired of listening to those two songs and to be touched in a soulful way.
I wanted to say, that like all of the recordings I have heard by SK, including the recording from a live performance, this package is put together very professionally. The recording is tight, the sound engineering is excellent as are the inner liner notes which contains a stylish cover, done in the script, I suppose of Gurmukhi, and all lyrics are not only provided, but translated into English. The use of vocal dubbing of Snatam's voice is exquisite (check out the higher notes she hits in "Servant of Peace").
Lots of interesting instruments used in this recording, including the use of the cello, esraj, santoor, and sarod, just to mention a few. The use of the esraj, I think, is the one which is used to create a haunting mournful sound throughout many of the selections. (Listen to all the instruments used in "Pritham Bhagaautee!" The way they are used creates an ecstatic effect! This song is one in which the use of traditional drums, or at least the use of the cymbals, is put to excellent effect, a percussion sound that would not be captured by the use of the tabla alone.)
The performance and combination of musicians and instrumentation is excellent. This recording contains a variety of styles, ranging from slow hymns sung in both English and Gurmukhi, to the more upbeat ones. "Liberation's Door" rocks (as does a section of "Servant of Peace")!
I was surprised to read on the inner booklet back cover that one of the listed instruments was "drums and percussion." At times, the more contemporary use of drums can be heard. I mention this, because I am more used to hearing the use of the tabla for this kind of genre, and the use of the drums makes for more of a secular/popular treatment, particularly during a segment of "Servant of Peace," where the style turns this piece from a more traditional chant to what sounds like a more contemporary pop-style music. (This is the first song on the recording and I was concerned that the whole recording was going to be in this style - fortunately, it is limited to just one portion of this song. When I put this in context of this selection and the other songs on the recording, the more contemporary/Western pop style of drum is tolerable. I listen to the music of SK to tap into the more traditional sound of chanting, not for a more contemporary airing - occassional veering off is ok for me, and she does a good job of combining the "sacred" with the "secular." "Servant of Peace" is a good example of how she has combined both genres into an uplifting song. Note my later comment about the use of drums in "Pritham Bhagaautee.")
The inclusion of lyrics in the small pamphlet that comes with the package (no jewel case for this CD and booklet,) is important, because it allows you to follow along as SK sings and understand the meaning of the words. Hearing her pronounce the words helps with understanding how they should be sung. (Given the excellence of the entire production and packaging of this product, I was surprised to note a few misspellings of simple English words in the provided lyric booklet.)
To my ear, all the selections on this CD are enjoyable, some much more than others. I've mentioned my two favorites by far.
I prefer to hear SK's voice as the primary voice and a male voice(s) as backup. On the cuts "Servant of Peace," "Liberation's Door," and "Mother's Blessing," the sound of Manish Vyas's voice alternates with SK's. His vocal quality is quite different from that of SK. Some people may like it. When I first heard it, it added to the more "authentic" sacred nature of the chanting, and after awhile, I preferred for the voice to be used more in the background. Just a small quibble!
When I first read the lyrics to the first selection, "Servant of Peace," I was disappointed that so much of it was in English, but in fact, the singing time seems equally devoted to singing the song in Gurmukhi, followed by the St. Francis of Assisi English words, and the presence of both languages serves the way in which this song is delivered. The use of both languages made the song more interesting. I imagine how it would have been been sung in just Gurmukhi, or English, and both would have been fine, too!
I wanted to add that the very interesting thing about "Servant of Peace" (don't read this if you want to be surprised by your first hearing of this piece!) is that it starts out as a traditional formal chant, then switches over to English chanting in a more contemporary musical style, and then opens up to a joyous melodic outpouring, closing with a quiet finish.
There is a beautiful inclusion of some Enya-sounding vocal overdubbing of choral voices at the end of "Crimson" which adds to the beauty of its rendition.
Most of the rest of the music is sung in Gurmukhi, with the exception of "Mother's Blessing" which is sung in English and Spanish.
All words to the songs on this recording are beautiful and heartfelt. I gave this recording a 4, rather than a 5, due to my subjective reaction to the melodies of a few selections - while they were pleasant ("Mother's Blessing"), they didn't strike me as having the same degree of colorful interest as some of her other music (highly subjective of course - I know some people "love" the song "Mother's Blessing." Lyrically, it is beautiful. Melodically, it didn't grab me that much.)
SK fans will love this recording and I imagine each will have his/her own favorites on it due to the wide variety of musical styles.
"Har Har Ram Das Guru Hai" will have you singing along. Great instrumentation, great vocals, and blissful choral vocal overdubbing of SK's voice.
This recording can be listened to in various modes - as pleasant background music, contemporary pop music, and for the more contemplative and ecstatic effect.
Upon third listening (as background music), I am enjoying the cut "LD" and more. I also noticed the presence of more jazz stylings than I can recall on any other song I have heard by her. Also noticed some interesting multiple vocal overdubbings of her voice. Performances are really well done. Come to think of it, some of the other cuts on this recording sound more enjoyable (like "Har Har Ram Das Guru Hai"). "Charan Sat Sat" is one of the more simpler sounding chants - pleasant on the level it is delivered.
For all SK fans, if you have not heard "Servant of Peace," "Pritham Bhagaautee," and/or "Ardas Bhayee," you will be reminded why you love this musician so much. The last two songs, in particular are SO SO special, it reminded me of the huge difference that sacred music has over some secular music that is written from a different source of inspiration in affecting one's ability to connect to that inner holy source.
"
Voice of an Angel!
L. Kallhoff | Springfield, NE | 10/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Snatam Kaur has the voice of an angel and I never tire of listening to her. This CD is a bit different than the previous four I have purchased and I LOVE IT! Track #1 is my personal favorite so far, and if you sing along, it can make you weep with inspiration from the poem by Saint Francis of Assisi. All other tracks are wonderful and I give it a big thumbs up and 5 stars. Snatam Kaur freely shares her gifts vocally, instrumentally and spiritually for all to be at their own peace, yet inspired.
Manish Vyas shares his beautiful, soulful voice with Snatam and he in his own right, is truly a joy to listen to.
Guru Ganesha Singh and his amazing guitar talents also make this CD a 5 start winner. I purchased one of his solo CD's, "Pure Ganesh" and is a excellent CD to add to your music library.
"Liberation's Door" is excellent music for just about anything you are doing and want something positive to listen to!
Thank you to all who participated in creating this CD and for providing such amazing and much needed positive music!"
Music for the heart
Linda Seebeth | 10/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Exceptionally wonderful and inspirational. Snatam Kaur's true and beautiful voice fills the listener with spirit. She sings a pure and powerful Mother's Blessing and brings a vibrancy to the prayer of St. Francis. I own all of Snatam Kaur's music and wondered how this new CD could possibly exceed what she has already recorded. Liberation's Door does not disappoint. Thanksgiving to Santam Kaur and the talented musicians that gift us with music for the heart."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1