Peace of My Heart
Available on CD/Digitally
“Peace of My Heart” was originally born out of a request from a yoga teacher who works with children on the Autism Spectrum. She found playing Krishna Das’s music for the children to be helpful, but noticed that when the pace sped up, some children were moved out of balance, physically and emotionally. She longed for some chants that would help these children. The result is nearly two hours of deeply moving, meditative and artfully restrained new recordings. Forgoing the ecstatic tempo changes so common to temple-style kirtan, these 6 new tracks move slowly and deliberately. The song to song steadiness is both striking and soothing, and Krishna Das’s voice, sounding richer and deeper than ever, is as emotionally impactful as ever. There is a lot to love here for fans and newcomers alike. There are new chant offerings mixed with familiar tunes. “The Blue Krishna Waltz” is a deep reimagining of the “Krishna Waltz” that originally appeared on “One Track Heart” 20 years ago. “Jai Shiva Omkara” borrows an unmistakably traditional North Indian aarti melody that, in Krishna Das’s ultra-present delivery, feels as recognizable as our own breath. Hanuman Bhajan revives a delightful chant calling out to this Being in full service to the Divine. The last track is a beautiful ever-deepening invocation of the Great Mother in Her varied forms and Names. Fans will also recognize stellar musical contributions from longtime band members Arjun Bruggeman, Mark Egan, David Nichtern, Nina Rao, Noah Hoffeld, and Genevieve Walker. It is an ensemble forged by years on the road and in studios together, and that experience, coupled with Krishna Das’s sincerity and resolve in the practice, his faith in the Divine Names he chants, is what enables the group to craft and hold such a sacred space musically. Perhaps what’s most notable about “Peace of My Heart,” is that in creating a record envisioned as a balm to bring comfort to children on the autistic spectrum, Krishna Das has constructed an album for all to take refuge in – for relaxation, meditation, breathwork, spa, and driving without getting a speeding ticket!
“Krishna Das is an example of someone whose heartsongs open the channels to God.”
~RAM DASS, Love Serve Remember Foundation
“I’ve met many people who regularly turn to Krishna Das’s chanting for hope when in sorrow, a sense of belonging when feeling adrift, and for the sheer joy of recalling the power of love. I’m just like that too.” ~ SHARON SALZBERG, Founder Insight Mediation
“A fun, yet serious man with a voice that could move a mountain to Dance.” ~ WAYLON VIA WALK THE TALK SHOW, ELEPHANT JOURNAL
“The music begins and, five seconds later, I feel like I’m… home.” ~ JESSIE KORNBLUTH, THE HEADBUTLER
“Hailed as yoga’s “rock star,” Krishna Das put sacred Sanskrit mantras on the music map.” ~ ALAN DI PERNA, GRAMMY.COM
Krishna Das Short Bio:
Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das ” known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD ” has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60’s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Given the name Krishna Das, KD began to chant as part of following the path of Bhakti yoga, the yoga of devotion. After two and a half years with Maharaj-ji, returned to USA – alas, six months after his return, word came that Maharaj-ji had died. He took solace in music, finding peace and strength in both his Bhakti yoga practice as well as in such heroes as Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, and Bruce Springsteen (whom he laughingly calls “the Bodhisattva of New Jersey”). KD also co-founded Triloka Records, a California-based label specializing in world music, releasing such artists as Jai Uttal, sarod virtuoso Ali Akbar Khan, and legendary jazz musician/composer Jackie McLean. In 1994, KD started leading chant at Jivamukti Yoga Center, NYC, with an ever-growing audience of yoga students that has led him to chant with people all around the world. In February 2013, Krishna Das performed at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles, CA streamed online to millions of viewers. The award-winning film ‘One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das’ has been in over 100 US cities, over 10 countries worldwide and is available on DVD everywhere. Krishna Das, through his non-stop touring and his extensive, widely loved and acclaimed catalog of recordings, has been an ambassador for the practice of kirtan, awakening thousands of newcomers to the deeply healing sadhana of chanting. His tireless efforts over the years have brought this practice not only to yoga studios and traditional bhakti communities, but to underserved populations as well, including prisoners, trauma victims and recovery communities. In this spirit, Krishna Das’s latest release, his 16th album, “Peace of My Heart,” is conceptualized and recorded specifically with special needs children in mind.
“The chanting just hits you and you want to be a part of it,” KD promises. “That’s the point of this whole thing. That’s what cuts through all the ‘stuff’. You get lit up. You don’t have to know what it means.”
Track List:
- Prema Hare Ram [24:35]
- The Blue Krishna Waltz [19:55]
- Jai Shiva Omkara [18:11]
- Hanuman Bhajan [26:44]
- Om Sri Matre Namaha [16:03]
Credits:
Krishna Das: Producer, Composer
Jay Messina: Producer, Engineer
(P) 2018 Krishna Das Music
(C) 2018 Krishna Das Music