Chant: Spirit in Sound

Robert Gass & On Wings Of Song

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 27, 2001)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Spring Hill
• ASIN: B00000IJH5
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,236 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
You might think that Robert Gass's collection Chant: Spirit in Sound would be monotonous and annoying, but in fact this two-CD set is anything but. Gathering together all forms of chant--from Hawaiian ensemble the Brothers Kanilau to the Armenian Haissmavourk Choir, along with more obvious but no less poignant selections of Islamic and Native American music--Gass produces an outstanding meditative tool. As he says, "Chant is the worship and celebration of the sacred through vocalization." If approached with this in mind, this collection lifts spirits and centers the soul. The diversity is so rich on the "Ecstasy" disc that highlights are difficult to single out: the Hindu chant of "Om Namah Shivaya" over modern dance beats is worth note as well as "Allah, Allah, Allah," an ominous Sufi devotional song. The second disc, titled "The Journey Within," is more reserved and slowly paced but nevertheless heavenly. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and wide ranging spiritual music, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

Robert Gass has culled the best of chant from the best artists around the world. Some you may know of, like Krishna Das and some you certainly won't. But as an introduction to the range of haunting, entreating, exciting world of spirit-moving music (which is what chant is) I can think of no better introduction. Its a pity that you can't listen to samples on Amazon, but tracks like Polorum Regina are truely the music of angels. As well as benedictine chant and native American Indian chant (genres you may expect) there are sounds that will be new to you, but will meet a spiritual need you barely knew you had. A FANTASTIC introduction to world spiritual music.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Eclectic Look at the Sounds that Move our Soul, July 3, 2001

By	"magicmerlin" (Colorado Springs, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

If you were expecting to travel down a solitary path, progressing from chant to chant with a single sense of unity, Chant by Robert Gass may not be the first choice for you in exploring the impact of spiritual harmonics. It is eclectic, and in its eclecticism you have a chance to experience the diversity of man's devotion to the 'one true God' as he experiences it. In this eclecticism you are pulled in many directions and find yourself frequently deciding in your mind, "I like this one, I don't like that one." About the third play through you then begin to experience the beauty of diversity. Then you are willing and eager to listen to all of God's names and you experience the joy that diversity can bring.

Chant is for the patient and the commited aspirant, who seeks a deeper truth in understanding the 'sound of God'.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, diverse spiritual music, April 1, 2001

By A Customer

I purchased this album because I received Robert Gass' Om Namah Shivaya album last year as a gift, and I enjoyed it tremendously. Well, this new album Chant is filled with surprises - spirtual music from all over the world. It is no wonder that so many spirtual traditions practice chanting: it is uplifting to listen to. But besides it's spirtual value, it is just darned good music. It is no wonder that my children (ages: 6 months and 3 years) have taken to this album. Fantastic. Thank you Robert Gass...