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American Chalisa - Sweet!

Lavesh Bhola | Lambertville, NJ USA | 12/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I literally cried tears and even choked up at the soaring arrangement and inspiring backing vocals of the opening track of this collection of Hanuman Chalisa rendtions. It is one from the heart and it just penetrated me like a laser. The refrain "Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram" just stopped all my mental noise and focused my senses on the glory and majesty of that Shiva and Vishnu interplay of the Ramayana of which the Hanuman Chalisa is a key part! All tracks on this CD are very dignified, uplifting and the disc is a contemporary spiritual *masterpiece*. It is full of purity and sincerity, and very lovingly transmits the power of Lord Hanuman to listening hears while meltingly opening one's heart.



It's hearty, it's sweet, it's reverent, it's tightly and perfectly executed, it has good sonics. No, one does not need that for devotion. But one whose devotion is already set can only appreciate the new way of expressing that. This supports our journeys through the modern, heartless world. These renditions of the Hanuman Chalisa are lovely, simply put. Someone willing to put this much thought and work into an Indian classic deserves to be praised and supported, for the lush treatment is a statement of the love and inspiration from the heart.



"Yearning" - that's the word that really fits this CD. I have noticed this is a rare quality seldom conveyed by recording artists, of any nationality, when they record mantras and chants, et al from the Indian subcontinent.



I have to point out that the musical accompaniment is quite expressive without overpowering the vocals. The harmonium is used extensively and so is the violin. You will love the arrangement. I prefer tracks 1, 4, and 7, personally. The others are mellower. There are selections here that remind me of ballads, anthems, campfire songs, "unplugged" performances, and chorale. They are ALL worthwhile. I really love the fact that the recordings are actual, single takes, with the kirtan singers sitting on the floor, in traditional style.



Like another reviewer, I also grew up listening to and participating in family/friends gatherings centered around bhajans and kirtans. This CD reminds me of the ecstatic state of mind I would experience when attending bhajans as a teen. I liked it the first time I heard it on the Krishna Das web site, and I ordered 2 CDs right away from Amazon. I will also order the book+CD package.



I take exception to the "Gringo accent" comment by one displeased reviewer. The western voice and backing vocals only add to the depth and dimension of this classic!! Reviewer Morani praises a CD of chants by Agni Deva for its ecstasy, yet sneers at the same experience for those who disagree with his(her?) tastes. A truly reverent devotee would not denigrate an individual because of their accent, and would welcome the multitudinous appreciation of the ancient chants. Reverence in all its forms is welcome on the Indian mosaic, regardless of the personal disapproval of a few. To me the use of the term "Gringo" in this context applied to the artist is a pejorative, and does not belong in a substantive review of a musical work, even if you don't like the finished product.



From Krishna Das' web site I learned that he served as a temple priest in Rishikesh for his guru Neem Karoli Baba. I think he's well qualified and vetted to record the Hanuman Chalisa. If you can't get past the accent, then I will argue that you are not focusing enough on your own appreciation of the musical ecstasy of kirtan. Accents vary in India from region to region, too, so any criticism of Krishna Das' accent is wrong. Getting back to this CD, I think his accent is very easy to understand and fully and carefully enunciated, with a deep innocence combined with exuberant joy.



Indians of a certain age may recall the stirrings of their heart when listening to the Indian national anthem at the movies in India. Why does not a representation of the glorious legend of Hanuman deserve equally stirring musical treatment? Why is it OK for Gregorian chants to be given big audio production values and not Indian poems and chants? Is that objection not a form of discriminating against our own traditions?



If Krishna Das' treatment is a little too rich thereby overpowering to the senses, then yes I could understand it if that was the intent of the criticism. Even lots of chum-chum and barfi (really sweet Indian desserts) can be difficult to eat after you've already enjoyed a few. Of course some people can never have enough.



Finally, if my very traditional Indian mother likes this CD, then that ought to be good enough for anybody! Indians going for the Moon and westerners expressing their musical love for the Hanuman Chalisa? Indians anglicizing their names after moving to the West, and western devotees taking on Hindu names? Bring it on! Global village here we come...

"

Hanuman on the Go

Maya Knowles | Los Gatos, CA | 03/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am thrilled to have this CD not only to have a way to practice and learn the Hanuman Chalisa, but to have this powerful energy for whenever I need it. I love making dinner with it going in the background. I love having the CD cover sitting on the living room table to inspire me. Hanuman is such a champion and thanks to Krishna Das and the gang of singers, he is alive and well in my life!"