Sri [Single]

Shantala: Heather & Benjy Wertheimer (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 1, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Wolf Cub Music
• ASIN: B000X80BN0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,839 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Sri (pronounced shree) is the long-awaited follow-up to The Love Window, the immensely popular kirtan CD from Shantala (Benjy and Heather Wertheimer). Benjy Wertheimer s exquisite Indian classical music is featured in his vocals, esraj and tabla, and he creates a powerful percussion experience with world-wide influences on djembe, congas, frame drum, and other percussion. Heather leads sacred chanting on this CD with crystalline vocals from the heart and soul of devotional music. Guest artists include Krishna Das, Snatam Kaur, Gina Salá, and Joe Jencks on vocals, Steve Gorn and Manose on bamboo flute, Jami Sieber on cello and electric cello, John Friend on kartols, Michael Mandrell on guitar, David Trasoff on sarode, Morgan Doctor on udu and hang, Leraine Horstmanshoff on didgeridoo, and others.
The magical journey of r carries the listener with love and ease into the ancient yoga of sacred chanting, kirtan, inviting the listener to sing along in spiritual practice or to simply resonate in the sacred ambiance created by the CD. From the ancient language of Sanskrit, the word r is one of the many names of the Goddess and of the divine beauty of the universe. The mantras and chants on the CD r are in Sanskrit, English and Hebrew including Baba Hanuman (composed by Krishna Das), Om Namo Bhagavate/Because the One I Love (English lyrics and melody by Gina Sala), Hineni, r Ram Jaya Ram, and Holy Ma, which is a symphonic musical reflection of the divine feminine.
As the duo Shantala, Benjy and Heather Wertheimer lead kirtan (sacred chanting) worldwide, bringing audiences sacred lyrics, soul-stirring vocals, and exotic instrumentation. Kirtan is celebration of spirit through the chanting of sacred names carrying participants into a state of heightened awareness, bliss, and devotion. The audience is invited to participate fully through call-and-response, dance, and meditation. The weaving of Benjy's Indian classical singing and instrumentation with Heather's soaring vocals is fresh, original, and profoundly moving. Together they create a beautiful music full of passion and reverence. Shantala has performed and recorded internationally with such sacred music luminaries as Krishna Das, Deva Premal and Miten, and Jai Uttal.
Heather Wertheimer is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who draws on her special love of both music and yoga to lead devotional chanting for yoga workshops and spiritual gatherings. Heather has toured in the U.S. and abroad with her husband Benjy, Steve Gorn, Manose, and Deva Premal and Miten. Heather's debut CD with Shantala, Church of Sky, was named one of the top ten albums of 2004 by New Age Retailer and has aired on radio stations nationwide. In April 2003, she and Benjy released The Love Window, a well-loved collection of sacred chants that has become a classic among yoga practitioners.
Benjy Wertheimer is an award-winning songwriter, vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist (tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards). Benjy has toured and recorded with such artists as Krishna Das, Deva Premal and Miten, Jai Uttal, Walter Becker (Steely Dan), and virtuoso guitarist Michael Mandrell. He has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. A founding member of the internationally acclaimed Ancient Future world fusion music ensemble, Benjy toured the U.S., Canada, and Japan with renowned bamboo flute master GS Sachdev. He studied Indian classical music for over 25 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar). Benjy's music receives extensive airplay around the world, and his CD Circle of Fire reached #1 on the New Age radio charts in November 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This music goes deep into your soul., September 13, 2008

By 

snowqueen (Rocky Mountain Region, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sri (Audio CD)

A friend invited me to a concert this week given by Benjy and Heather Wertheimer. I had never heard of them and really had no idea what to expect. Well, I was blown away!!! It was some of the most inspirational, uplifting music I have ever heard. I have always loved traditional Indian music, especially when there is tabla involved. With the addition of Benjy and Heather's voices and talent, the music is taken to an even higher level.

After the concert, I bought a few of their CDs. I have been listening to this one in particular a few times a day since. In fact, I am listening to it as I write. I am getting ready to have a baby in the next few weeks and plan to use this music during labor. It is incredibly relaxing and hypnotic. For those of you that listen to the samples of the tracks on Amazon, just know that the samples end before the percussion begins which I think is the best part of each track...the tabla and other drums pick up the pace of each piece and add a whole new depth and rhythm.

If you like this music and EVER get a chance to see them live, please go. They are even better live than on their CDs, and that is saying A LOT because the CDs are so good.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must For All Lovers of Devotional Music, January 28, 2008

By 

Michigan yogini (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sri (Audio CD)

This is a stellar compilation of Kirtan music. Benjy and Heather are a beautiful, soulful, and talented couple. I have had the privelege to attend several of their Kirtan sessions. Their beauty and committment to sharing their spirit with the world comes through brilliantly in this CD.
Highly recommended !

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleasant, March 5, 2011

By 

Rebecca L. Callahan - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sri (MP3 Download)

My prenatal yoga teacher used this music in her classes. It is very relaxing. I used it as part of my "birthing soundtrack"!