Japa

IF YOU ARE A KIRTAN FAN you just might love this guy. I know I do, and I will continue to purchase his CD's and attend his kirtans whenever possible. His expressive voice and mulitiude of un-kirtan-like instruments really works for me. This particular album has a young relative, Allie Stringer, singing with him and her voice makes this the BEST of the Stringer CD's (both of them). Now I've had people ask why he doesn't just stay soft and devotional. Well, he likes to get the energy rising so that you can't help but get up and rattle your bones a little bit. If you like that kind of kirtan music, check him out. I'd rather see him live than Krishna Das. For real.

New to Stringer's music, I am pleasantly surprised by these soulful chants. Initially the songs struck me as a bit too short(all of them are less than 10 minutes long) so I was inclined to give only a four star rating, but despite their brevity these chants are beautiful---especially the last four. I now wish I had given this recording a five star rating.Because the chants are so short, those new to kirtan may find this recording to be a gentle entry into kirtan. While I am enjoying all the chants, one stands out for me over and above the rest. It's the final chant, Shanti Om. This is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful chant I've ever heard. The first time I heard this chant its depth and intensity drew me inward and expanded my awareness, if only for a short time.

Dave Stringer's music is full of bubbling exuberance on this well-produced "call and response" kirtan album that includes backups by Donna de Lory and others of equally amazing talent.You won't pick these tunes at bedtime or when you're sitting down to meditate - but for yoga practice, housework, or rocking out in the car with the windows rolled down, this CD can't be beat!

This is one of the best kirtan CDs ever recorded. It doesn't get any better than Stringer's "Hey Shiva Shankara." Stringer and Krishna Das set the standard for the whole genre.