Customer Reviews

Brink

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

 

 

I've had the priviledge of seeing & hearing (and chanting along with) Dave Stringer in person twice. Given that he explains the meaning of the words when introducing a chant, I'd have to say he understands.

At one of these workshops, I learned the story of how Dave came to chanting. He originally went to India with a documentary film team. He became so enthralled with the chanting he encountered there that he ended up staying and studying there, immersing himself in the culture and the language.

Some of the songs (e.g., "I and Me")on Brink seem to bring an American sensibility to the concept of chanting. This could confuse or annoy purists, but one of the things about Stringer that appeals to me is his ability to convey the universal aspects of chants.

It's hard for me to imagine what this album would sound like to someone who has not seen Dave's passion in action, but it is both deep and light-hearted, an important contribution to the chanting genre.

Dave Stringer and his band are great. This album is as good as Japa, the first album of his that I bought. It has much more personal soul than many of the typical "new age" type CD's out there. If you can ever catch him in person, be sure to do so. And if you can't, his albums, including this one, are great alternatives.

Neither a Kirtan or New Age album but rather an amalgamation of both by a sensitive and compassionate kirtan chanter who goes beyond the boundaries of chanting with great success. A mosaic of Dave's experiences while living at Gurudex Siddha Peeth in Ganeshpuri, India. For kirtan fans, there are three on this album including "shivo'ham, shivo'ham; ganashyama; and, jaya vitthale. The other eight English-language tracks feature a wide range of instruments and supporting musicians. For example, Donna De Lory performs harmony vocals on "i and me" while Mamak Khadem performs farsi vocals, Hans Christian plays bass and cello, Greg Ellis handles dumbek, shakers, drums, trumpet, udu and zils, Suzanne Teng plays bass flute, and Dave plays acoustic guitar and harmonium plus, sings lead vocals. All other English language tracks have similar support personnel and in some cases many more musicians and singers.

If you want the Dave Stringer on Japa, you should know this is very different. If you want more kirtan, buy some albums by Krishna Das. His latest 2CD release is excellent.

The only reason I did not give this five stars is I like "Japa" better because I like kirtan. But, that does not mean this is less than stellar. Dave is a very accomplished musician and singer. Moreover, he is truly compassionate and this album reflects his compassion. Thank you Dave.

Dave Stringer is an amazing, passionate performer. While this release is much more diverse than the kirtan-focused "Japa" (which is one of the best kirtan CD's I own! Go to his website to order) and may not appeal to everyone, the quality and sensitivity is brilliant. No, this isn't just gentle, soothing new age music and shouldn't be mistaken for it. It is there to engage the listener and speaks in an intuitive manner to the soul within. Very well produced, with a stellar cast of supporting musicians.

Don't be put off by the "Imposter!" review posted here. While I can't claim to know with how much depth Dave "understands" the words he's singing, I wouldn't presume to judge him as this other reviewer has. Dave certainly understands emotion, and musical delivery. His work stands with the best of Jai Uttal's Pagan Love Orchestra, in my opinion. As far as the American performers of kirtan go (which Krishna Das and Jai both are as well), Dave is the best I've experienced yet.