Entwined & Entranced

Govinda | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Earthtone
• ASIN: B000028TV2
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,646 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Quintessence of Dust

2. Erotic Mystics

3. Compassion

4. Le Zephyr

5. Aspetta

6. Temple of Spheres

7. Next to Godliness

8. Floating on These Tears

9. In Through Time

10. Scripture of the Anima

11. Split Between Two Worlds

12. Celebration

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Govinda, a.k.a. Shane O'Madden, has a magic touch when blending diverse elements such as guitar, programming, violin, and sarod to create an enticing electronic music with hints of the Middle East, India, and British Isles. "Erotic Mystics" is such an example, with its heavy hip-hop beat below the crying of the sarod and Clarita Sanchez's delicate spoken word. "Aspetta" wraps sounds of Celtica around O'Madden's unadorned vocal callings, while "Next to Godliness" recalls the elevated, vocal praising of Sufi qawwali and ragas. Spanish guitar dominates the album early on with "Quintessence of Dust" and the intriguing "Compassion," a trip-hoppy dance endeavor that's laced with treated voice and electronic programming. "Le Zephyr" somehow manages to make a tinkly piano à la George Winston work with the ethereal soul of Amy Atchley's vocals--again manifesting Govinda's alchemist talents. --Karen K. Hugg

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nearly perfect disc, October 29, 2000

By 

M Godlaski - See all my reviews

This review is from: Entwined & Entranced (Audio CD)

What a pleasant surprise this was - I bought this CD because I liked the cover and the titles of the songs, and I'm very glad that I did. Entwined and Entranced is a perfect disc for centering yourself and escaping the madness of the world. So often I hear electronica and feel that the music is too simple, too predictable. Few artists rise above that level, Enigma is one and now I add Govinda. Each song starts off simply, but then evolves into a richly-layered soundscape that takes on a life of its own.

The tracks on this disc never fail to combine a perfect balance between the electronic and the organic. Drum loops and keyboards merge seemlessly with clean-tone guitar work, tablas, and vocals that exist more for atmosphere than verbal communication. Also commendable is the wide variety of musical styles, which are blended perfectly. I never imagined I would hear a disc that could combine influences as diverse as Indian, Celtic, trance, and Middle Eastern, with lyrics in English, French and languages I'm not familiar with. Yet somehow Govinda takes all these influences and builds an album that flows smoothly from start to finish.

Entwined and Entranced is a CD that is great to listen to on roadtrips, or during meditation, or for massage, for escapism, or even to drift off to sleep. If the title of track 2 (erotic mystics) appeals to you, then I recommend you get this disc.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Be More Entranced, August 26, 2001

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Entwined & Entranced (Audio CD)

Now an avid fan of world music this was my glorified introduction to Govinda's work a.k.a. Shane O'Madden. And just as the title suggests I was entwined and entranced upon listening but once. It usually takes me at least two or three listens to get a feel to whether or not I really like something, but apparently this was not the case. I knew right off that this would soon become an all-time favorite in my CD collection, and it has. I have many world albums now which try to approach similar tastes as this, but none have compared or even come slightly close to reaching the majestic peak of this. And to think that Govinda is probably one of the most underrated world artists to come of age. It's sad to think that because this really is an amazing accomplishment in a century of repertoire soundscapes. I could listen to this day through night and love it every time!

It opens up with seductive Spanish guitar strings on "Quintessence Of Dust," washing into the intoxicating Egyptian sounds of "Erotic Mystics" to the compelling dance offering of "Compassion" that soon moves through to the ethereal "Le Zephyr," sung by Amy Atchley, into the maddening Celtic "Aspetta" which just might arguably be the highlight of this everlasting gem. Another to look forward to is the feverish piano-induced "Split Between Two Worlds" or the mournful callings of the closing song: "Celebratum" which features baby samples from his daughter. In a word this CD is absolutely Splendid.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting, February 14, 2001

By 

M. Molina "Violet Star" (Sanfrancisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Entwined & Entranced (Audio CD)

I only heard short samples when I was at the music store. And instanltly, I knew I was going to have this cd, in my collection. The musical atmoshpere of this cd reminds me much of Delerium and Enigma. That alone will make me purchase a musical cd. The quality of this music is pure gold and silver melted together in oneness.