Balvinder Singh is currently in India right now learning Sarangi and planning to release a new album mid year (2008). So stay tuned to hear when it is released! In the mean time take a few long deep breaths in and out, and listen to the below shabad. Let your worries and stress melt away….
The sun was beautiful, shining warmly on the Los Angeles neighborhood nestled between the two busy streets of Fairfax and Beverly. I was using some free time between recording sessions on my upcoming children’s album to take a walk. One of my favorite things to do is look at houses and lawns. It’s a fascination for me, really. I love to see beautiful homes and gardens, and in LA there are so many that it is just pure entertainment. As I walked, I was enraptured by the beautiful white roses climbing up white picket fences, the perfectly manicured lawns, the fancy gates with pathway lighting, the exotic orange flowers that look like flamingo heads, and the beautiful windows and stone-laden driveways. I wove in and out of the quiet streets for quite some time, feeling serene and meditative, and then I took a turn and suddenly found myself right in the middle of one of the busiest streets in LA. What a shock.
My mother (Satkirin Kaur) just came out with a beautiful new CD titled "Ignite Your Light". I have been listening to it often since I got it in December. The CD was made to use for meditation and has directions for each meditation included with the CD.
Here is one of my favorite tracks from the CD for your listening pleasure:
I just got a copy of the new Snatam Kaur Live in Concert Album today and as soon as I got home I started watching the DVD 45 min video documentary (Path of Peace) which is part of this album. It was so inspiring to watch and see the "behind the scenes" of the Celebrate Peace Tour (Snatam Kaur and company) which meant to bring peace to people all over and from all backgrounds. Narayan snuggled up on the couch as I held Charanjeet Kaur in my lap sitting on the floor. The sounds and music made everyone (including Charanjeet) quite and relaxed. It was quite nice.
I then embarked on the next phase of my evening relaxation listening to the Audio CD of Snatam Kaur Live in Concert. I still had my parental duties to take care of so while listening to the CD after dinner I got the kids in the bathtub, cleaned them off, gave Charanjeet her nightly massage and dressed in pajamas. Near the middle of the CD when the kids were all taken care of I put on my wireless headphones and got "in the zone" lying on the couch listening to the music. All I can say is "aaaaahhhhhh". I melted away.
So, if you don’t have a copy of this new album head on over to SpiritVoyage.com to get one! (If you order before Oct 26th you can 20% off if you use the promo Code: autumn17 at checkout)
In related news: On Oct. 30th here in Santa Fe, New Mexico Snatam Kaur will be performing at The Yogi Bhajan Library of Teachings Benefit Concert and CD Release Party! (Even if you are not local this might just be a great chance for you to come visit us!)
This summer Chardikala Jatha released two great new CDs! They haven’t been online for sale so I didn’t mention it earlier. Many of you have seen videos of them teaching, playing kirtan at Harimandir Sahib, or downloaded live mp3 files of live recordings. I have received many emails of people asking about CDs, so hear you go!
The first CD is "Mantras from Jaap Sahib". The length of the tracks are 31 minutes, 31 min and 11 minutes which are ideal times for meditating. The first track is Ajai Alai, then Gobinday Mukhanday, and last is Chatar Chakar Varti. The mantras are played in a very up-beat and energetic pace great for meditation. You can order the CD and hear audio samples here.
The second CD is a Sadhana Music CD meant for meditation in the morning. The CD includes seven different audio tracks for chanting with. This is one of the CDs that I meditate and chant along with in the morning. It is sung in classical raag and has beautiful instrumentation. Some of the tracks are: Mul Mantra, Rakhe Rakhan Haar and Waheguru Simran. You can order the CD and hear audio samples here.
If you don’t already have their older CDs you can also check out:
Earlier this summer a new CD came out by Sat Hari Singh (Germany) called "Servant of the Heart". Sat Hari Singh just came for a visit from Germany for the Khalsa Council Meetings here in Espanola, and he gave me a copy of this CD. On this CD my friend Hari Bhajan Kaur sings along with Sat Hari Singh, however the last track on the CD is a solo song with just her. This is an awesome track! Normally I would wait till the CD was for sale online before posting anything here, but I couldn’t help it. The last CD track titled "Sarab Nirantar" which is from a section of the So Purkh, written by Guru Ram Das and is in the Rehiras prayer/bani. This track has an upbeat yet meditative energy to it. Ever since I got this CD I have been playing it over and over. I force myself to listen to something else for a while so I don’t "burn it out". I guess I am a music junkie when it comes to good music!
Here is a sneak peak of this one audio track from the Cd for your listening pleasure. Listening on the computer doesn’t do it justice. When I hear it in my car driving it’s like my car lifts off the ground I go to another planet .The below audio is only part of the full song and is not available for download. The CD is for sale at SpiritVoyage.
Translation of the Words : "You are constant in each and every heart, and in all things. O Dear lord, you are the one. Some are givers, and some are beggars. This is all your wondrous play. You yourself are the giver, and you yourself are the enjoyer. I know no other than you. You are the supreme lord God, limitless and infinite. What virtues of yours can I speak of and describe? Unto those who serve you, unto those who serve you, dear lord, sevany Nanak is a sacrifice." - Guru Ram Das ji (So purkhs)
"Recorded at concert halls, churches and yoga studios as Snatam Kaur and her ensemble traveled across North America, you’ll hear performances which soar to the heights of these sacred spaces and find a home in the hearts of their audiences. Join in the magical experience of Snatam Kaur Live in Concert. Also includes a bonus DVD, Path of Peace, that intimately chronicles this tour.
This album fulfills years of requests for Snatam Kaur to capture the experience of her live performances on CD. There is something mystical that happens at her concerts that is represented in these songs.
The album opens with Azure Salver, a prayer translated in the book Peace Lagoon (Sukhmani Sahib). This song has been a favorite at her concerts, but has never been recorded before. This song is hilighted by the clarity of Snatam’s voice, the poetry of the lyrics, and the expert instrumental accompaniment."
