5 posts tagged “music”
New on The Worst Horse: an interview with Dharma-musician Ravenna Michalsen, who's just self-released her 2nd CD. The interview includes two mp3s, which you can download, or just click and listen to them while you read the lyrics (or the rest of the interview).
Just go to our homepage: http://theworsthorse.net
Just go to our homepage: http://theworsthorse.net
Thanks to reader Dan Barry, who recently wrote to the Horse with some of his thoughts on "good dharmic tunes."
First up is the album you see on the left, "Suzuki," by the excellent electronic act (and I mean that in the best way), Tosca. I've been meaning to put this up for forever -- I LOVE this album -- but somehow just never did. Let's let Dan do the explaining:
"[Tosca's disc is called "Suzuki,"] after/dedicated to Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. (From whom The Worst Horse got its name, at least indirectly. - ed.) It's good, chilled-out lounge in the vein of Thievery Corporation and Kruder & Dorfmeister. The front cover features the two members of the group in bathrobes, with their bodies Photoshopped out -- I cracked a big grin when I figured out it was a 'no self' reference."
Dan also sent on a couple of other music tips:
I have a job as a music critic, and so I've come across several musicians who are overtly or covertly dharmic. Just thought I'd share.
Dredg's 2002 album "El Cielo" is a really complex alt-rock disc (they get compared to Tool a lot in that sense, even though they sound quite different). One track is called "Sanzen," and another interlude features soft breathing in the background.
And, Dan writes, "Bill Madden released a disc about a year ago called 'Gone' that has some explicit Buddhist themes on it as well. (He even has the wheel of the dharma on the covers!) Also, interestingly, Jimmy Chamberlin, drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins, played drums on this disc. Really solid folk rock."
Thanks, Dan. What a great contribution!
And while we're at it:
Ravenna Michaelson's new album Dharmasong is now out. Ravenna's very cool; she cites Joan Baez, Motown, and Milarepa among her influences. We just got a copy of Dharmasong, and hope to give you our thoughts on it soon. Or you can hear tracks yourself, here.
Ravenna's new website will be up soon, and you know we'll letcha know about it.
First up is the album you see on the left, "Suzuki," by the excellent electronic act (and I mean that in the best way), Tosca. I've been meaning to put this up for forever -- I LOVE this album -- but somehow just never did. Let's let Dan do the explaining:
"[Tosca's disc is called "Suzuki,"] after/dedicated to Shunryu Suzuki-roshi. (From whom The Worst Horse got its name, at least indirectly. - ed.) It's good, chilled-out lounge in the vein of Thievery Corporation and Kruder & Dorfmeister. The front cover features the two members of the group in bathrobes, with their bodies Photoshopped out -- I cracked a big grin when I figured out it was a 'no self' reference."
Dan also sent on a couple of other music tips:
I have a job as a music critic, and so I've come across several musicians who are overtly or covertly dharmic. Just thought I'd share.
Dredg's 2002 album "El Cielo" is a really complex alt-rock disc (they get compared to Tool a lot in that sense, even though they sound quite different). One track is called "Sanzen," and another interlude features soft breathing in the background.
And, Dan writes, "Bill Madden released a disc about a year ago called 'Gone' that has some explicit Buddhist themes on it as well. (He even has the wheel of the dharma on the covers!) Also, interestingly, Jimmy Chamberlin, drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins, played drums on this disc. Really solid folk rock."
Thanks, Dan. What a great contribution!
And while we're at it:
Ravenna Michaelson's new album Dharmasong is now out. Ravenna's very cool; she cites Joan Baez, Motown, and Milarepa among her influences. We just got a copy of Dharmasong, and hope to give you our thoughts on it soon. Or you can hear tracks yourself, here.
Ravenna's new website will be up soon, and you know we'll letcha know about it.
Just sharing this with you -- a video that will give you a sample of music from the excellent hip-hop duo, Shambhala.
Imagine if the Wu-Tang Clan stopped talking about guns and drugs and instead started talking about enlightenment. That's, in a nutshell, Shambhala. Their record, "The Lotus of..." (from which this track comes) is pretty much bulletproof.
And their new album is coming soon. Frankly, I can't wait. As they write: "wer'e experimenting with a few new sounds -- more melodies and different instruments. This time around, we really want to deliver the full Shambhala experience. Expect a few surprises and changes in direction, but have no fear -- this is Shambhala 2.0 - it's all an UPGRADE."
That's hard to believe.
It's gonna smoke!
Imagine if the Wu-Tang Clan stopped talking about guns and drugs and instead started talking about enlightenment. That's, in a nutshell, Shambhala. Their record, "The Lotus of..." (from which this track comes) is pretty much bulletproof.
And their new album is coming soon. Frankly, I can't wait. As they write: "wer'e experimenting with a few new sounds -- more melodies and different instruments. This time around, we really want to deliver the full Shambhala experience. Expect a few surprises and changes in direction, but have no fear -- this is Shambhala 2.0 - it's all an UPGRADE."
That's hard to believe.
It's gonna smoke!
Just got this CD, "Revolution of Compassion," in the mail. Wasn't sure what to make of it. Will admit to a mix of high hopes and skepticism.
It was recorded by Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo, a female Western Dharma teacher of the Nyingma School, with Broooklyn's "Totally Killing It" productions. As her bio reads, she was "the first Western woman recognized and enthroned as a Tulku or reincarnate lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. [... She was] recognized by HH Penor Rinpoche, HH Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche and Dzongang Rinpoche."
The verdict? Haven't heard it all yet, but -- so far, so good! It's got a sort of ethno-techno vibe, with a dubby world flavor, but many of the lyrics are concerned with the dharma (cultivating bodhicitta and wisdom; understanding emptiness), and even feature (sometimes exclusively) actual Tibetan mantras. The album is dedicated "to the liberation and awakenings of all sentient beings." (It's always refreshing to own a CD wherein all the thank-yous are not to agents and sponsors.)
Gonna keep listening to it, and hopefully, give it a more proper review sometime in the near-ish future. In the meantime, if you wanna buy it yourself, go here. (You can also hear bits of it here and on Jetsunma's MySpace page.) There's a lot of new Buddhist-inspired music coming down the pike: Shambhala. Firstborn. Pacific Sky Burial. And this. The Horse wants to cover it all if we can.
So stay tuned.
PS: Extra-credit points go to Ursula Ward, who's half of Totally Killing It, and designed the CD package. It looks DAMNED good!
It was recorded by Jetsunma Akhon Lhamo, a female Western Dharma teacher of the Nyingma School, with Broooklyn's "Totally Killing It" productions. As her bio reads, she was "the first Western woman recognized and enthroned as a Tulku or reincarnate lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. [... She was] recognized by HH Penor Rinpoche, HH Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche and Dzongang Rinpoche."
The verdict? Haven't heard it all yet, but -- so far, so good! It's got a sort of ethno-techno vibe, with a dubby world flavor, but many of the lyrics are concerned with the dharma (cultivating bodhicitta and wisdom; understanding emptiness), and even feature (sometimes exclusively) actual Tibetan mantras. The album is dedicated "to the liberation and awakenings of all sentient beings." (It's always refreshing to own a CD wherein all the thank-yous are not to agents and sponsors.)
Gonna keep listening to it, and hopefully, give it a more proper review sometime in the near-ish future. In the meantime, if you wanna buy it yourself, go here. (You can also hear bits of it here and on Jetsunma's MySpace page.) There's a lot of new Buddhist-inspired music coming down the pike: Shambhala. Firstborn. Pacific Sky Burial. And this. The Horse wants to cover it all if we can.
So stay tuned.
PS: Extra-credit points go to Ursula Ward, who's half of Totally Killing It, and designed the CD package. It looks DAMNED good!
A week or so ago, we told you a little about Lou Reed's meditation and tai chi practice. (Scroll to see it.) Thought we'd tell you a little more.
In 1975, Lou Reed reached the heights of his own infamy with the release of Metal Machine Music, a double-LP—remember those?—of nothing but buzzing, screeching, loopy guitar feedback. Composed and recorded in what must have been the most speed-drenched episode of the musician’s life, MMM was met with equal parts adoration and revulsion.
These days, though, the always-adventuring Reed is not nearly so divisive. Hence, Hudson River Wind Meditations, his new album of “meditation music.” Lou’s songwriting has been of course famously reflective throughout most of his career (Metal Machine Music aside), but HRWM marks a true departure.
The album’s four wordless tracks were originally recorded by Reed to aid him in his tai chi and meditation practices, much of which were taught to him by Master Ren Guang-Yi (for whom Lou provided music and narration for an instructional tai chi DVD), and acupuncturist Dr. Shelley Peng.
His newest meditative arts teacher is Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche—though Reed is careful not to call himself a Buddhist. Explaining his relationship to Mingyur, he told the UK’s Times: “He teaches Buddhist philosophy so I’m a student of Buddhist philosophy. If he was teaching table tennis I would learn that.” However he does or doesn’t describe himself, it’s exciting to see Lou’s world and art continue to expand, especially to a longtime fan such as myself. Hopefully, he’ll put his newest insights into lyrics, next.
In 1975, Lou Reed reached the heights of his own infamy with the release of Metal Machine Music, a double-LP—remember those?—of nothing but buzzing, screeching, loopy guitar feedback. Composed and recorded in what must have been the most speed-drenched episode of the musician’s life, MMM was met with equal parts adoration and revulsion.
These days, though, the always-adventuring Reed is not nearly so divisive. Hence, Hudson River Wind Meditations, his new album of “meditation music.” Lou’s songwriting has been of course famously reflective throughout most of his career (Metal Machine Music aside), but HRWM marks a true departure.
The album’s four wordless tracks were originally recorded by Reed to aid him in his tai chi and meditation practices, much of which were taught to him by Master Ren Guang-Yi (for whom Lou provided music and narration for an instructional tai chi DVD), and acupuncturist Dr. Shelley Peng.
His newest meditative arts teacher is Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche—though Reed is careful not to call himself a Buddhist. Explaining his relationship to Mingyur, he told the UK’s Times: “He teaches Buddhist philosophy so I’m a student of Buddhist philosophy. If he was teaching table tennis I would learn that.” However he does or doesn’t describe himself, it’s exciting to see Lou’s world and art continue to expand, especially to a longtime fan such as myself. Hopefully, he’ll put his newest insights into lyrics, next.
