Breath of the Heart

Krishna Das | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B00005O7SI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,398 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > World Music > India & Pakistan > General
  • #68 in Music > World Music > India & Pakistan > India

Track Listings

1. Baba Hanuman

2. Kainchi Hare Krishna

3. Ma Durga

4. Kashi Vishwanata Gange

5. Om Namo Bhagavate

6. Brindavan Hare Ram

Editorial Reviews

In the pantheon of Indian chanters, it's doubtful that you will find one more illustrious and esteemed than Krishna Das. With each kirtan (chant), he inspires people around the world to trade material desires for spiritual enlightenment. Breath of the Heart features Krishna Das's tried and true blend of music - Indian tablas and harmonium mixed together with Western instrumentation like guitar, cello and violin. The list of supporting artists reads like a who's who of contemporary Indian music: Wah! on harmonium, Benjy Wertheimer on Esraj, Lili Haydn on violin, Ty Burhoe on tabla, Steve Gorn on bamboo flute, among others. The results of this ensemble are quite fruitful - Breath of the Heart is a harmonically pleasing, life-affirming offering of chant music. With its natural rhythmic tendencies and a penchant for lyricism Breath of the Heart, works as an ideal primer for the kirtan novice and an uplifting excursion for the seasoned fan.- Krishna Das inspires people around the world with his inspiring Kirtan music. Breath of the Heart includes a who's who of contemporary Indian music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Krishna Das' best yet, October 1, 2001

By 

Prayer Flags in the Woods (Humboldt County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breath of the Heart (Audio CD)

To my mind this the best Krishna Das cd yet. It has been interesting to watch his music evolve over his four cds. This latest one is basically straight up Hindu devotional chanting, with very nice accompaniment, and excellently produced. Once again all the kirtans have the extended lengths that he used on the "Live on Earth" album, and this allows the chanting time to fully develop. Along with that, this cd comes with the really nice production values of being recorded in the studio, that were sometimes lacking on the "Live" cd. It is always with mixed feelings when I hear someone say that one cut is so good to make a cd worthwhile in itself, but I do say that about the first kirtan of the cd - "Baba Hanuman". Krishna Das opens it with a very beautiful, slow esraj and flute accompaniment, and then rolls into an ecstatically sweet Rama/Hanuman kirtan. It is a definite heart opener. There is no doubt that when the eventual "best of Krishna Das" cd comes out, "Baba Hanuman" will be on it (if the different record companies agree). Like the "Live" album, on this cd there are a number of chants that have appeared on his previous albums - but I for one don't mind. Particularly this "Jaya Jagatambe" (here called "Ma Durga") is his best version yet. And KD has included nice versions of my own personal favorites from his first cd, "Kashi Vishvanath Gange" and "Brindavan Hare Ram". My only complaint is that a couple of the chants eventually get a little too uptempo for my taste, but hey, those who like to rock out to the name will get off on them. If you like Krishna Das, buy this album. If you don't know him yet, and are interested in "westernized" traditional Hindu devotional music, buy this cd. Both in terms of its production and its heart, it is beautiful.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If the Heart could Speak, October 17, 2001

By 

"mickasa" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breath of the Heart (Audio CD)

If the heart could speak, these are the words it would say. I returned from a yoga camp this summer after hearing the first track off this CD over and over again as I lay on my mat at the end of my practice. I eagerly awaited its arrival in stores (literally counting the days!) and bought several copies for friends (it IS that good!) I listen to A LOT of music; sacred and secular, and Krishna Das knows the soul's own voice- the one you cry out with without knowing-the one that has always known you. These melodies will stick to you in your sleep and in your dreaming-as you wait in line at the grocery store- they will be a strength for you from the drone of daily life-and yes- the first track, "Baba Hanuman" and the catchy "Ma Durga" are both more than worth the price you will pay for this CD. This is his best yet- your heart will open into a thousand little pieces. But don't be afraid! Get it!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Bliss!!!!, October 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Breath of the Heart (Audio CD)

This is such an amazing Cd and Krishna Das is such an amazing artist with a true gift from God!! The first track is well worth the price. From the very begining until the end this CD will slowly melt away all those knots strangling your heart and leave you with a very warm fuzzy feeling. If your stressed or upset with the world pop this CD in and it will be impossible to stay upset for to long:~)
I think this is definately his best Cd yet, it is very well produced and you can tell he has matured as a composer of Hindu Kirtans.
Very Well done Krishna Das! Love Ya!!