Track Listing

1. Rain of Blessings
2. Offering Chant
3. Medicine Buddha Mantra
4. Sacred Words of Liberation
5. Prayer to Sangye Menla
6. Chenrezi Pure Land Prayer
7. Six Syllable Mantra of the Whit Lotus Lord
8. Refuge and Sevenfold Offering
9. Offering Chant [Unplugged Version]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #147119 in Music
• Released on: 2000-03-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Tibetan lama Gyurme reunites with French composer Jean-Philippe Rykiel for an album of Vajra chant and New Age synth ambience. The result is an at-times lovely, at-times cheesy collection that decorates the monk's already perfect chant with ornaments of tingling bell synth and washes of sound. The appealing quality is Lama Gyurme's simple voice that, in raw, unadorned tones, creates a spiritual purity, which is often, but not always, reflected in the musical accompaniment of Rykiel. Such pieces as "The Six Syllable Mantra of the White Lotus Lord" and "Sacred Words of Liberation" work well in their seamless fusing of the Lama's long notes with the constant humming of the cosmos through metallic ambient synth, occasionally recalling the "Om" of Buddhist chant. Where the album lacks is in its Westernization of this traditional spiritual ritual, as on "Offering Chant" and its accompanying unplugged version, the latter of which has a sympathetic piano reminiscent of sentimental American pop. Still, it's a useful collection for those interested in the vocal praying of the Buddhist tradition. --Karen K. Hugg

Customer Reviews

Cheesy! I think not.
I am now into my seventh listening in the first day of owning this CD. The Amazon reviewer said it might be cheesy, or at least have some cheesy bits. Certainly the keyboard and synth might be seen as a little out of character, but this interesting blend I think makes the performances easier on Westernized ears. Regardless, the overall effect is overwhelming, in a nice and joyous way. Rich, dynamic, and unusual are terms that come quickly to mind. Lama Gyurme's voice is deep and honest and Rykiel's backing does not intrude upon that. It is a beautiful marriage of sound. I confess that listening to it for the first time, with the volume up as one reviewer suggested, brought me to tears from time to time. Whatever transgressions you may find that the synth produces you will also find yourself forgiving all by the last track, an unplugged reprise of track two. Enjoy it. Play it often.

Excellent blend of music
I am not usually a big fan of taking sacred music and adding modern accompaniment to it (a la Enigma), but this is well done and almost unobtrusive. The chants are deep, in fact I got goosebumps from the unplugged version of the offering chant.

This album is neither too new-agey, too jazzy, or too anything. This is excellent work respectful of the religious nature of the chant while remaining musically interesting

Soothing. Excellent for meditation.
Lama Gyurme's chants and Jean-Phillippe Rykiel's syntehsizer music work together wonderfully in this CD. Lama Gyurme's chant isn't exactly like the Gyoto monks I was use to hearing from Tibet. His chant was much more soothing, almost like he was "singing" under his breath. Gyoto monks can blow your eardrums away and can be rough to listen too, but not so with Lama Gyurme. His voice combined with the synthesizer creates a very relaxing ambience, and I found it great to meditate to. I wish I understood what Lama Gyurme was saying, but regardless, this CD is a true gem for those looking for relaxing music.