home grown kirtanas

[HerServant]

 

Here's another kirtana.

 

This one has Hari playing mridanga and harmonica, me on harmonium and electronics and me, Hari, and Malini devi dasi on vocals. We recorded 3 or 4 tracks of all three of us singing to get that big sound.

 

Great sounds! I love it! ALL praises and glories be to Lord Hari! Hare Krsna! Hare Bol!

 

-- Well .. seems we've got a few musicians on the board ... here goes folks. You can check out my (one person at the moment) band "Her Servant" on myspace.

 

I am working on a compilation of musical stories called "Hymns of Sages".

 

The first track "Narada" is not exactly a Kirtan, but rather a devotion to God through His servant Narada.

 

The track "Narada" will be one of the heavier tracks on the forthcoming album. I recorded this on Garage Band. I play all tracks (though the guitar and vocals took me quite a few takes).

 

A lot more "mellow" stuff will follow but I wanted to create something that tried to musically depict Narada's trials traversing the forest, ... check it out.

 

(ps - you may notice that I used to be in a "Yes" cover band .. that was a long time ago)

 

http://www.myspace.com/herservantmusic

[Murali_Mohan_das]

HerServant, I can't wait to get home and check out your MySpace page (and your music). Unfortunately, we block MySpace (along with YouTube) at work.

 

I'm still trying to find one of my favorite "back-porch" live kirtan recordings, but, in the meanwhile, here is another from the Klim sessions:

 

Mahamantra 208

 

 

<table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=gold&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/08405c96-69d0-4d67-9f29-e85ea842ea00&theName=Klim - Mahamantra 208 [DEMO]&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=08405c96-69d0-4d67-9f29-e85ea842ea00"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/08405c96-69d0-4d67-9f29-e85ea842ea00/Klim---Mahamantra-208-[DEMO]/?widget=flash_player_esnips_gold"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

 

This one's a little more spare, with just vocals (me and Malini), electronics, mridanga (by Hari), and hand drum.

[Murali_Mohan_das]

Dina Doyal

 

<table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=gold&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/f61baf96-d341-4f10-93de-78ec6c0098af&theName=Klim - Dina Doyal [DEMO]&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=f61baf96-d341-4f10-93de-78ec6c0098af"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/f61baf96-d341-4f10-93de-78ec6c0098af/Klim---Dina-Doyal-[DEMO]/?widget=flash_player_esnips_gold"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

 

The last of the Klim sessions, this one has a bit of a swing feel and is a solo effort (just me and Paramatma ).

[mahak]

Thanks, HS. All the philosophizing in the world does not have an impact on yuga dharma, which not only means singing the names of god, but composing and singing the glorious pastimes, fame and glory of the supreme person. As I say, some may object, but ya gotta ask, "what else are you doing with your time, talent, etc." This movement is started to gradually infuse krsna consciousness in our lives. No one ever said to empty our cups, engage in penance with austerities that only serve to make one a nut case. No, we engage in a positive approach, where we utilize our talents in Their service. The cup always remains full, but by the gradual infusion of (from another topic) actions in Krsna consciousness, the full cup of pollution is gradually diluted with the pure nectar of yuga dharma. So, even though there may be specific and even noticeable discrepancies in such service, Krsna accepts the service. This is the process of sadhana bhakti, to inject krsna consciousness in our usually mundane activities.

 

We should get an "Audarya Fellowship Greatest hits" CD, sell it for big bucks, and use the money for worthwhile krsna conscious philantrophy and charities.

 

Thanx, HS, ys, mahaksadasa

 

PS Caves, eh? My next project is to take my harmonium deep within these 1900 bunkers near where I live, maybe even film it. The sound is awesome in there. Your music is very awesome. And I dont throw congrats around lie dat.

[Murali_Mohan_das]

 

Dina Doyal

 

Of course, it would be good to go back one day and add the rest of the verses ("Achyuta, Keshava, Sridhara, Madhava...").

 

Jai Govinda!!

[Murali_Mohan_das]

Oh, and I forgot to mention the karatals (played with a bit of swing as well, and looped to perfection)!

 

Also, some shakers--it's interesting to note what I call "spare"

 

 

Of course, it would be good to go back one day and add the rest of the verses ("Achyuta, Keshava, Sridhara, Madhava...").

 

Jai Govinda!!

[mahak]

I gotta a bit of floydness hidden away in my dusty casettes. HS is quite gilmore.

[HerServant]

 

I gotta a bit of floydness hidden away in my dusty casettes. HS is quite gilmore.

 

 

yah .. thanks bro .. but I bet you are a better guitarist than I (some those guitar tracks are actually keyboards

 

I will be in touch soon.

[Murali_Mohan_das]

I grabbed "Narada" (HerServant) and "Angel of Mercy" (linked by Guruvani) for later listening (trying not to wake my bed-mate at the moment).

 

Thanks for the mercy!

[Murali_Mohan_das]

"Narada" is awesome, HerServant!!!

 

I must admit, I'm not the biggest Yes fan (prog-rock, in general is too mental for my tastes), but this song is delightful, heart-felt, and rich with melody.

 

It's not *too* hard at all,though it's certainly driving and energetic.

 

Keep them coming!

 

--MMd

 

 

Great sounds! I love it! ALL praises and glories be to Lord Hari! Hare Krsna! Hare Bol!

 

-- Well .. seems we've got a few musicians on the board ... here goes folks. You can check out my (one person at the moment) band "Her Servant" on myspace.

 

I am working on a compilation of musical stories called "Hymns of Sages".

 

The first track "Narada" is not exactly a Kirtan, but rather a devotion to God through His servant Narada.

 

The track "Narada" will be one of the heavier tracks on the forthcoming album. I recorded this on Garage Band. I play all tracks (though the guitar and vocals took me quite a few takes).

 

A lot more "mellow" stuff will follow but I wanted to create something that tried to musically depict Narada's trials traversing the forest, ... check it out.

 

(ps - you may notice that I used to be in a "Yes" cover band .. that was a long time ago)

 

http://www.myspace.com/herservantmusic

[Murali_Mohan_das]

Wow!! This piece makes my work seem like child's play. Very touching!

 

 

Here is the sweet sound my heart longs for.

 

http://www.lisalynne.com/audio/loveandpeace_angelofmercy.mp3

 

think of Krishna the flute player and Radha on her stringed instrument when you listen.

 

I cry...... and cry and cry....

[Guruvani]

 

Wow!! This piece makes my work seem like child's play. Very touching!

At this stage of my life I relish such sweet, soft and contemplative flute music.

About 11 years ago I was in a hard rock type band with some Hare Krishna types including Ramadasa Abhirama das the renowned ISKCON artist.

 

We played HARD rock stuff with devotional lyrics.

I wrote most of the songs for the band and arranged the basic chords.

 

Now, I am so far away from that space that it cannot be described.

I have lived hard, taken lots of bumps and bruises and evolved to a much more solemn mood.

 

I don't like music that excites.

I like music that soothes my tortured soul.

So, that is how I come to appreciate the flute music of George Torterell who is also a Gainesville resident.

 

Otherwise, I am also an avid fan of the smooth jazz genre.

 

I keep thinking to someday put some devotional lyrics to some of my favorite music.

 

It might just be a flight of fancy.

 

But, the rock music has totally fallen out of favor in my life and I cannot stand to listen to that kind of music anymore.

 

But, no doubt, some of Srila Prabhupada bhajans on harmonium are about as soothing and pleasing sounds that can enter the ears.

[Murali_Mohan_das]

 

Otherwise, I am also an avid fan of the smooth jazz genre.

 

Oh, no!!! Say it isn't so!

 

In 9th grade, I wrote an English paper claiming that Boomers who grew up with Rock 'n Roll who switched to smooth jazz ought to be shot (to put them out of their own misery).

 

Then, on the last leg of my recent cross-country drive, I found myself enjoying some smooth jazz on a San Francisco station.

 

I guess I done growed up (a smidge)!

[Guruvani]

 

Oh, no!!! Say it isn't so!

 

 

Son, I am HUGE into smooth jazz.

Smooth Jazz is the ultimate genre of music.

 

http://sky.fm/wma/smoothjazz.asx

[Murali_Mohan_das]

Well, I asked for an Alesis io26 audio interface as a birthday present, and I got it a few days early.

 

Last night, I sat down for my first real test. There wasn't much time (the kids were watching Scooby Doo before bed), so I quickly recorded a kirtan to a chord progression from a song I wrote a few years back. The microphone used was the AKG C3000B (one of my most prized possessions), and the track consists of classical guitar, shaker, guiro (fish), lead classical guitar, and a few vocal tracks.

 

Since it was rushed, it's a bit sloppy, and there are some rough notes in there, but, overall, I'm pleased with how it turned out (technically, at least; now I just need to find some genuine devotion).

 

Hari Bol!!

 

Solo kirtan from last night:

 

Embedded:

<table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=gold&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589&theName=Mahamantra 608&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589/Mahamantra-608/?widget=flash_player_esnips_gold"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

Link:

http://www.esnips.com/doc/d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589/Mahamantra-608

[HerServant]

 

Well, I asked for an Alesis io26 audio interface as a birthday present, and I got it a few days early.

 

Last night, I sat down for my first real test. There wasn't much time (the kids were watching Scooby Doo before bed), so I quickly recorded a kirtan to a chord progression from a song I wrote a few years back. The microphone used was the AKG C3000B (one of my most prized possessions), and the track consists of classical guitar, shaker, guiro (fish), lead classical guitar, and a few vocal tracks.

 

Since it was rushed, it's a bit sloppy, and there are some rough notes in there, but, overall, I'm pleased with how it turned out (technically, at least; now I just need to find some genuine devotion).

 

Hari Bol!!

 

Solo kirtan from last night:

 

Embedded:

<table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=gold&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589&theName=Mahamantra 608&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589/Mahamantra-608/?widget=flash_player_esnips_gold"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

Link:

http://www.esnips.com/doc/d14e40e1-38be-439d-b251-e5ff536c8589/Mahamantra-608

 

Jammin' on it now. Glat to hear a bit about your set up. I also have an AKG (C1000) .. . its the best . I bought it about 10 years ago at the Guitar Center in Sunnyvale. I had a battery in it for 5 years and it never leaked lost battery life! I opened my mic to record Narada literally 8 years after storage, turned it on and it worked!

 

I think I am going to start working on something right now to contribute to our Hare Krsna Hare Nam thread

 

Thanks brother

[Murali_Mohan_das]

Glad you like it!

 

I've been wanting a pair of C1000's to use as stereo drum overheads for a while now. I'll probably have to settle for cheap Chinese knock-offs though, for now.

 

I'm glad you're inspired. You've been inspiring me! Sunnyvale, eh? Not too far away to get together and jam (assuming you haven't moved to Timbuktu since then ). Too bad Mahaksa-ji's so far to the North.

 

Bolo Hari!

 

 

Jammin' on it now. Glat to hear a bit about your set up. I also have an AKG (C1000) .. . its the best . I bought it about 10 years ago at the Guitar Center in Sunnyvale. I had a battery in it for 5 years and it never leaked lost battery life! I opened my mic to record Narada literally 8 years after storage, turned it on and it worked!

 

I think I am going to start working on something right now to contribute to our Hare Krsna Hare Nam thread

 

Thanks brother

[Murali_Mohan_das]

I can't wait to hear what the Lord inspires in you, HerServant.

 

Musically, I could say I'm in a rut. I've kind of gotten stuck in 4-chord progressions, one chord for each measure. I could use a good infusion of prog-rock sensibility (what to speak of humility, devotion, etc.).

[mahak]

Because its nice to have music while we type.

 

http://www.esnips.com/doc/d295d61e-baf9-4c35-ae2a-2f2ff5e296ce/06

[mahak]

Hare krsna. Ill continue here, because yuga dharma is taking place here.

 

Some contend that Srila Prabhupada was all about religion establishment and temple building, but this is never his program. Everything he does is to facillitate the chanting of hare krsna. All this idea about establishing the pancaaritika system, well, thats fine and dandy, for another age. The temples were established to facillitate chanting. Without chanting, temples are homes of gossip, faultfinding, control trips, you name it.

 

Why is associatioin with devotees important in this age? because we chant hare krsna together, no other reason. We do not associate with one another to talk about how misguided our godbrothers are, whats new in the guru supermarket, or any of this other dry stuff.

 

I was going to start another thread, but decided against it. My hare krsna thread was about time, about how little of it we have left even in the best of circumstances. Some say than one cannot just chant and that Srila Prabhupada never taught us to just chant. But this is exactly what his desire is. Not make a bunch of money to support religious nonsense and craete further factionalization. He established temples and even the introduction of deity worship, this is facility fopr us to chant. What else is there to do at a temple? What other reason would one come to such a place? If not for sravanam, kirtanam, visnoh smaranam, well, yall can drown yourselves in such things.

 

So, get along with your created systems for initiation, the program of my spiritual master is to have us chant, kalau nasteva nasteva nasteve gatih anyatha. The choice is rathere simple, and there is still time, but maybe not a tomorrow.

 

hare krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

[Murali_Mohan_das]

Solo Kirtan, upbeat Rock 'n Roll stylee.

 

Drums (trap set), acoustic guitar, and vocals recorded four days ago; bass, electric guitar (rhythm, slide and lead) recorded this morning.

 

Embedded:

<table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=gold&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/5443f1b6-6333-4532-9a32-93587ff7a6ff&theName=Murali Mohan das (AKA Maitreya) - Mahamantra 808&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=5443f1b6-6333-4532-9a32-93587ff7a6ff"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/5443f1b6-6333-4532-9a32-93587ff7a6ff/Murali-Mohan-das-(AKA-Maitreya)---Mahamantra-808/?widget=flash_player_esnips_gold"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

 

Link:

http://www.esnips.com/doc/5443f1b6-6333-4532-9a32-93587ff7a6ff/Murali-Mohan-das-(AKA-Maitreya)---Mahamantra-808

[Murali_Mohan_das]

I thought I had "borrowed" the chord progression for "Mahamantra 808" from this song of mine (or my alter-ego), but, listening to it again (for the first time in a while), I think one of the chords is different. Also, the recordings have much different feels to them.

 

Afraid to Fly

by MM

 

<table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=gold&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/12540d51-9ff9-4e39-a7e7-eb42e3f53181&theName=Maitreya - Afraid to Fly&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=12540d51-9ff9-4e39-a7e7-eb42e3f53181"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/12540d51-9ff9-4e39-a7e7-eb42e3f53181/Maitreya---Afraid-to-Fly/?widget=flash_player_esnips_gold"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

 

Perhaps this cigarette

Will keep me from flying away

It hasn't happened yet

But it could happen any day

 

Am I a fool to trust

This curling smoke will protect me

And not just waste my time

And sap me of my energy

 

Chorus:

Just why am I afraid to fly

It's not like I've a thing to lose if I die

What's wrong with way up high

There's no pit of loneliness in the sky

 

Perhaps this pair of wings

Will last only so many days

Before they're broken down

By time and ultraviolet rays

 

But I will raise this voice

To Heavens with my thanks and praise

Pray these wings carry me

On towards Your brightly shining face

 

Chorus 2:

Just why did I never fly

All those hours wasted struggling to get by

It's heaven way up high

There's a star of kindness in the sky

 

Pass me a cigarette

And I'll tell you another lie

There's no one listening

When you break down and start to cry

 

Suffering is not a term

In the equations we live by

There's no peace for you to find

And all your friends are in your mind

 

Chorus 3:

Fly Fly Fly Fly

You silly bird as hard as you try

You'll never break through

Until I open that window for you

[mahak]

bumped so as to hear while typing other things