Customer Reviews

Now

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4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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For those of you who are familiar with the chanting of Krishna Das, you simply must try "Now" by Bhagavan Das. This is the long-awaited CD by Bhagavan Das, whose music has always been difficult to obtain, and until now has only been available on cassette tape. There is something truly transportative about this music. It takes me directly and immediately to a place of intense worship and celebration in a way that no other music does. I never miss a chance to chant kirtan with Bhagavan Das, and now I can do it without leaving the house. Unlike other chant CDs, you won't find all the words in the liner notes to this one--but you don't need them. Each of the tracks corresponds to/resonates with a particular chakra. You must hear track 4--Shiva Shambho--it starts out traditional and shifts to something different and wonderful, and beautifully in context. Mike D. produced this CD, and Geoffrey Gordon plays tabla on one track. The cover design is by Peter Max. I highly recommend this!

Bhagavan Das has put (with the help of Mike D) a little bit of everything into this CD. which actually Makes it pretty unique.
For the Most part the music consists of traditional Indian chants. The music itself Is all over the place yet remaining coherant and consistant. You Can see the influence Of Mike D of The Beastie Boys especially in some of the rhythems with the use of Hip Hop loops . Bhagavan Das shows us bits and pieces of his many influences . Allman Brothers , Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Doors music Jumps out almost right away. inspite of all that , the music is pretty true to the traditional Themes of many of the eastern chants. there are hints of folk and gospel music. Bhagavan Das Plays accustic Guitar and Sings He is accompanied by very accomplished percussionists and musicians of both Eastern and western Traditions. THERE IS NOT A WEAK TRACK ON THIS CD. I think this CD has Something for everyone on a musical level.The music however (as Krishna Das once put it)is Only the sweet sugar that the medicine is in. on a spititual level this is a masterpiece of undenyable strength.I hessitate To compare this to other Chant work out there since the producers and artists weren't afraid to put Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambho in a medly with Nobodys fault but mine(Led Zeppelin)
But it IS a great mix- while still being true to the Traditional aspect of the chants.

My yoga teacher plays this in class, right after she turns up the heaters in the room to what feels like 120 degrees and works us over. Great album to do yoga by - meditational, with enough space between vocals to get out of your head - and a constant hum of rhythm that will keep you going.

But beyond shakras, ohms, putting your feet behind your back (try it), or down-dog poses on the sticky yoga mats - this album is just plain BANGIN!!! Hip-hop never sounded so uplifitng, even with the "extracurricular activities" most hop-hop aficionados swear by. Interesting to liner note that its Mike "Money" Diamond of the Beastie Boys lending street beats and structure to traditional chants and polyrhythms with his skills.

Frankly, it's the technical production on this album that sets it far apart from your run-of-the-mill "chant-a-psalm" or new agey birds-and-storms crap cd, and makes it such a stirring and interesting listen, as songs and chants segway from one to another without a hard musical break or pause, but with space, openness, and atmosphere, extending the trance.

These are two great tastes that taste great together, and it's amazing to hear the master Bhagavan-D and mix master Mike-D flex it "on wax". Just remember to warm up with some breathing and basic stretches before you put this on - you're going to need it.

Immediately upon listening to this remarkable CD I could feel the Shakti uncoil from my root chakra and begin swirling up my spine igniting each of my chakras en route to expanding my consciousness. It is impossible to listen to this CD without tapping your feet and wanting to float around the room in divine rapture. WARNING: "NOW" is a potent spiritual aphrodisiac. U will want to love everthing and everyone while listening to this. This is musical Ecstasy!!

I have listened to a variety of chanters from the Christian, Native American, Sufi and (like Bhagavan Das) Indian traditions. What strikes me about the chanting tradition is that it is the voice which is the primary instrument which must be the vehicle of this music. This CD has such a sophisticated sound mixing of the various instruments, and also highlights the instruments, to the point that the voice is simply part of the mix. I find the Vedic/Sanskrit chanting of Krishna Das, Wah, etc. to really put the voice out front even when a bunch of instruments are playing, and that allows the listener to key into the words (or more easily chant along), which strikes me as the point of chanting unless you just want it as some background music.
This is not a bad album, but it just feels overproduced and a bit slick. It did raise my interest enough to want to hear him live and in a rawer form.

I had the pleasure of meeting Bhagavan Das at store in Asheville, NC, where he was promoting his CD. He spoke enthusiatically of the CD and his work with the Beastie Boys. I purchased the CD (he autographed it as well) and took it home not sure what to expect. I thoroughly enjoy listening to the music - it's upbeat and catchy. I've played the CD while working and found myself humming along. If I ever see Bhagavan Das again it would be my pleasure to tell him Now has become of my favorite CDs.

I am ECSTATIC about this album!!

I did not realize that it was mixed by Mike D at the time that I purchased it. I just sampled a few of the songs, thought it was beautiful and would fit in well with my devotional music and purchased it. I was awed by the beautiful and respectfully resplendant blending of gospel and blues on "Shiva Gospel" and "Shiva Shambho" - it truely puts you in the mindspace that ALL is GOD, no matter what tradition you prefer to follow. I could listen to this album all day, and often do!

The beats and grooves by Mike D make this a wonderful addition to the modern music library, without lessening the spiritual impact one bit.

I have found Bhagavan Das to be the finest chanter of our times. He is the first mondern day westerner to bring chanting to the USA. is energetic as well as powerful meditation. Most chants go on for an average of 20 minutes. These are approximatly 10 minutes which, is great in traffic! By the way, look at his schedule for a live performance, they are EPIC!
This CDIt's Here Now (Are You?)Essential Unity of All Religions

Listening to Bhagavan Das' _Now_, you are invited to take up the practice of devotional singing. The love in you, that is sometimes so "stopped up," is released in singing love songs to your own higher Self. Bhagavan Das is one who has invested his life in a continuous act of worship. He's doing this anyway--the CD simply lets us join him. Let him lead you into yourSelf; you'll come out the other side aglow with love.

This CD achieves a perfect blending of Eastern chant with Western hip-hop beats and high production values. The sensual, earthy voice of Bhagavan Das mellows the dance rhythms, making "Now" the perfect soundtrack to energize my more repetitive tasks like housecleaning and elevate them to the level of moving meditation. Not to be missed.