Customer Reviews

Zen Kiss

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

 

 

I can listen to most of the songs on this CD over and over again. Waiting, Shehnai Song, En Mireal del Penal, A Sailor's Life, Abbess Hildegard, and Kafi Noir are all good and often mesmerizing. My favorite is the haunting Love is a Killing Thing.

You have to hear Speaking in Tongues III and Speaking in Tongues IV at least once so that you can marvel at Chandra's vocal inventiveness. But you may grow weary of them after a couple listenings. I always skip these songs now.

La Sagesse (Women, I'm Calling You) and Woman and Child are two feminist anthems that you'll either love or hate. Depending upon your viewpoint, the lyrics are either profound or sophomoric. I skip them every time. But then, I'm a guy.

This is the type of CD that playlists were made for. Edit out the songs you don't like, set the player on continuous play, and enjoy.

Shiela blends east and west tonal values into some very enchanting melodies. Her voice is very realxing to listen to, yet she displays an incredible versatility in tone and articulation. Its the kind of recording that exists well in the background, but you will want to set aside some time to listen to the lyrics and composition.

This album showcases the vocal talents of Sheila Chandra in much the same way as its "companion" disc, Weaving My Ancestors' Voices -- thinly layered drones (which pointed the way towards her best work in this area on ABoneCroneDrone) and breathy semi-a cappela vocals.
While this disc pretty much is a carbon copy of Weaving... it lacks a really strong track such as Ever So Lonely/Eyes/Ocean. Still, tracks such as Kafi Noir, A Sailor's Life and Love It Is A Killing Thing are very nice pieces.
Taken together, the best tracks on this album and Weaving... would have made for a wonderful album. Some tracks are skippable (moreso here than on Weaving...) while others enchant. And there is not a lot of variety, which can make some of the tracks begin to sound like others. Hit and miss. Still, Chandra's voice is wonderfully spellbinding. And that helps push this disc to 3 stars.

If you like powerful female singers, then The Zen Kiss is a must!Shelia Chandra is a strong and unique artist. I can't wait to order her other albums.

I 1st heard a track of Sheila Chandra at a bookstore near home;selection "Quiet 8" and it felt soothing to listen to. I decided to listen to more tracks of hers at this site and "Zen Kiss"lp that had a good variety of sounds. I listen to it in the car, especially when I'm stuck in rush hour traffic and it has a calming affect on me. I also listen to it sometimes when I meditate.

I love her and this album, very fine modern vocal work! Chandra is great music for meditation. Move over "Women of Rock", Chandra embodies TRUE woman power!

Chandra's rich and articulate voice penetrates the soul. This album nourishes the listener (...).

I WAS INTRODUCED TO THIS ALBUM BY MY HIGH SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR. HE WAS AMAZED AT HOW SHEILA CHANDRA PERFORMED AND I BECAME ENTHRALLED AS WELL. EVERYTIME SHE PERFORMS THESE CREATIONS, THEY ARE THE SAME, THAT IS AMAZING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SPEAKING IN TONGUES TRACKS.