Customer Reviews

All One

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A great addition to the KD collection, All One provides a unique and at times racy accompaniment to his other albums. The pitch and rhythm is rich and powerful, and the nuances are structured so that no two verses repeat the same flow. I greatly enjoyed the balance that the choir brings on singing the return chant, responding to the invitation to open the heart. Very difficult to concentrate on `head stuff' when listening to this.

Krishna Das is a master at creating conscious connections between 'sound' and the heart. The standout quality in All One is the way these connections are initially subtle, and then melodiously the tempo is increased until at times, I experience a complete change in my state of being. The technical description of the beats and styles of the four tracks are really superfluous; ultimately its the feeling of Oneness that is engendered by the whole package that counts.

If this is your first introduction to Krishna Das you might find the continual invocation slightly frustrating because of course, KD is capable of so much variety. If that is the case - go for it and purchase Door of Faith and his Greatest Hits - you can't lose either way. So be aware it is a full on hour of Hare Krishna Hare Rama chanting.

Kind Regards
Daniel John Hancock

One mantra, one melody, one hour. . . Some may wonder how one could listen to Krishna Das' new album All One and not be bored, and listening with the mind's ear, it's possible that there may not be enough variety to provide entertainment. But the mind's ear is not the ear for which this music is created. For when one listens from the heart, the experience is none less than riding a river of blissful devotion, full of power and sincerity.

Like all rivers, All One begins clean and clear. The first track contains minimal instrumental accompaniment and some of the purest strains of KD's vocals. Like a small stream, its energy builds. Tabla, harmonium, and delicate percussion are woven together with the characteristic call and response of classical kirtan. In the second track violin and piano take a prominent place in the melody, filling it out and intensifying the mood as the river winds into a deep, unfathomable pool. Then, in the third track, we're riding the rapids and having a blast with electric guitar and a full drum set. KD is great fun here accompanied by the ambrosial harmonizing vocals of the "Pointless Sisters" who fully express the joy of life's play. Finally, the fourth track is the shower of bliss at the end of the ride, a bright and celebratory tribute to African sound.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who is ready to listen from the heart. Om Shanthi, and enjoy the ride.

While my family laughs at the 'intricate lyrics', I find this cd the perfect background music for yoga. It goes from slow and repetitive to upbeat throughout the course of the chant. I love his voice and the uniqueness of this being one long track.

This is the first I've heard of Krishna Das. And I've never found myself particularly attracted to chanting Hare Krishna. However, this CD is a revelation. His voice, which at first sounded like a drone, is so deeply moving that I can't help myself from singing along. I listen to it as I drive to and from work (at a very stressful job) and it cleanses me, inspires me and prepares me for the day ahead. I also find myself dancing to it in my head throughout the day. What more could one ask for?

I am a kirtan singer and I have been intamtely involved with this music for thirty years. I have all of KD's cd's and I think this is his best so far. Previously, I thought his Live on Earth cd's were his best. His last release Door of Faith was dismal and maybe KD got the hint and kicked it up.

In my opinion, KD isn't really a musician per se like Jai Uttal who plays numerous instruments and has a vocal range. KD is a kirtan singer who accompanies himself on harmonium. Having said that, KD does what he does very well and really manifests the devotion in his music.

One gripe I have with alot of devotional music like this is the production value; a bit hollow sounding a often boring, but probably great for a yoga class. This isn't the case on this release. Steely Dan's Walter Becker's bass playing really carries the music as does Def Leppard's Rick Allen's drumming, especially in the last two cuts which are the most energetic. The acoustic quitar accompanyment is nice and not instrusive or distracting as is often the case with kirtans and I really like the saranghi and cello you hear off and on.

The four variations or movements of the Hare Krishna maha mantra are essentially the same melody with different emphasis and "feel" to them. The first is the mellowest(but not slow)with minimal accompaniment. The second picks up the pace and adds a few instruements. The third (my favorite)really rocks with the bass and drumming. The fourth stays energetic and has a slight South African Township feel to it. Each track starts off slowly then builds in tempo and ends slowly so the whole cd has an ebb and flow feel to it.

If you don't like the Hare Krishna mantra then you won't like this cd because that is what it is, but it isn't just 56 minutes of the same thing by any means. If you need variety then go for any of his other cd's except Door of Faith. I love this cd for driving, exercising, or just feeling good. Though it is quite energetic, it easily maintains a very devotional feeling throughout.

The moment the CD began, the tears flowed. It was like chanting right w/ KD. Amazing, he has done it again...tap into that space...Need I say more...

My wife purchased this CD and we both love it, it is very uplifting to listen to. Puts me in a good mood even though I have no idea was the lyrics mean.

Prepare to lose yourself in the Bliss and Joy of the Name. This CD brings back the deep devotion of some of Krishna Das's earlier CD's. The mind might think that repetition of just one chant might be boring, but as they say, "Enlightenment... It's not what you think!" Why choose just one favorite on this CD? Just set the repeat button on your CD player and leave your everyday stress and concerns behind. Lose yourself in the Bliss of the Name... over and over again. Namaste!

No reason to make this review any longer than it has to be by way of verbosity!

Verdict: If you already know kirtan and KD, you will have (probably yet another) "tie for first place" in your KD collection. And if you don't already know kirtan and KD, you'll be addicted as surely and totally as all the rest of us after you've listened to this CD start-to-finish without interruption.

Experienced "users" of kirtan and newbies alike will have the same problem that I do with all of KD's compilations; namely, the problem of trying to decide which one is the favorite! Sweet problem to have, right?!

This is a great, great recording by KD. His devotion and love por his Guru an for all mankind permeates the kirtan and touches very deeply the listener's heart.