Dewa Che

Dechen Shak-Dagsay | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New Earth Records
• ASIN: B0009K7RFC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,379 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Dewa Che – Universal Healing Power of Tibetan Mantras, is the debut album of Tibetan singer Dechen Shak-Dagsay, eldest daughter of a Tibetan lama. With her enchantingly beautiful voice she brings the spirit of Tibetan Buddhism to the world. "Dechen’s voice is musically enchanting, magically entrancing, and conveys the mystic calm and clarity of wisdom and compassion. Her pure voice cuts through the veil of mental static and succeds in a direct sharing of her deep sense of immanent peace and bliss, from heart to heart. It conveys the Dharma in all its brilliant reality." Robert Thurman, Jey Tsong Kharpa, Professor of Buddhist Studies, Columbia Univ., President, Tibet House US

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Healing Tibetian Mantras, September 7, 2008

By 

medievalcrusadesbabe "ebabsedasurclaveidem" (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dewa Che (Audio CD)

Dechen Shak-Dagsay is a native of Tibet who has lived in a Tibetan community in Switzerland since childhood. Her father is a Lama and the focus of her family has been to preserve the Tibetan way of life. Her personal interests are in the traditional music and folk dance of her Tibetan home.

Her first appearances to the public include a "Maxi Single CD" in Europe in 1989, with Swiss Musician Roger Dupont called "Bodhicitta" dedicated to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, a track on German producers Oliver Shanti's album "Tai Chi" which sold over 300,000 copies, and then the recording of the same track "Chenresi, Flame of Peace and Compassion" for the Ryuishi Sakamoto's film "Little Buddha".

Her debut album is "Dewa Che" - a collection of healing Tibetan mantras. The title means "The Great Peace". Ms. Shak-Dagsay focuses on inner peace and tranquility in her music, and this CD is the achievement of both, as well as being an excellent example of this classic Tibetan form of chant. These are "shortened forms" of the traditional mantras which can be very long as they are "the blessings of all enlightened beings".

The music is a provided by various flutes played by Peter Hienrich, sitar/koto/tanpura by Klaus Falshlunger, bass/tanpura/monochord/singing bowls/harmoniums and arrangements by Acama. Klaus Falshlunger is known for his sitar work in Europe, and Austrian composer Acama is well known for his relaxation music and his work with Tibetan Temple Bells.

The accompanying booklet goes into much detail about the Tibetan Mantras and how to benefit from their healing effects. There are a total of eleven tracks on the CD, for a total playing time of 72:21. This is an excellent quality studio recording.

The mantras themselves are passed down from Buddha, and offer protection from negative energies. While the titles of the tracks are in Tibetan, the booklet does give a "subtitle" for each piece. Each mantra is described for its use, such as "Men-Lha - The Medicine-Buddha Mantra" which the Tibetan Lamas use to "help improve the patient's condition", or "Drip-Sel - The Colored Rain Shower Mantra" which is "recommended to regain clarity of vision and a state in which our actions can be reasonable and wise." The booklet is a key element to understanding the mantras and contains much information for using them to their best advantage.

Ms. Shak-Dagsay's voice is light, rich, floating and comfortable for the western ear. The music truly accompanies the vocals here, never overpowering them. I never found the CD to be droning as some of these CDs can get with repetition. Rather, I found this to be relaxing and spiritually contemplative. Her vocals are very enjoyable, almost soothing to the ear as well as the spirit. At times she harmonizes with herself, again presenting soft harmonies, never intrusive. The music almost disappears behind her voice, yet comes to the front to fill the spaces between the phrasing. But all of it can be moved to the background while working, so it is never invasive. I found personally that the combination of music and mantra promoted a very gentle feeling of comfort and peace.

Overall I found this CD to be a wonderful introduction to Tibetan Mantras, delightful, insightful and a piece of interesting and historical culture. The art form is expertly preserved for us by Dechen Shak-Dagsay and if you are interested in cultural art, Tibetan chant and mantras, you will find this an excellent addition to your collection. maf

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transport yourself to an etheric realm, November 4, 2005

By 

Pita Dragon (Red Rocks, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dewa Che (Audio CD)

I heard this CD the other day in a bookstore and immediately bought it! The music is hypnotic and the chants are full of love and devotion. It's deep and spiritual- you feel transported through Dewa's etheric voice. The mantras are actually sung as if by an angel. This is an excellent CD for meditation, yoga, acupuncture, or any other type of healing.
Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite!, August 20, 2006

By 

Twyla (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dewa Che (Audio CD)

Rich, sweet, melodious, these Tibetan Healing Mantras are like calm illuminated waters flowing over a riverbed of vibrant healing crystal. Clients love this CD and Dechen's other, Shi De: A call for World Peace, especially when they are in crisis.

Dechen's CDs along with the Planet Yoga 2 Disc Set are my top music choices when working with clients, teaching classes, or just listening for the sheer pleasure of it.