Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Hope for Enlightenment - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
2. Mantra of Padmasambhava [Remastered] - Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
3. Tsok Offering [Remastered] - Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
4. Calling the Lama from Afar [Remastered] - Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
5. Longevity Prayer to Kalu Rinpoche [Remastered] - Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
6. Chenresig [Remastered] - Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel

Disc 2:

1. Sacred Words of Liberation [Live][#][*] - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
2. Mantra of Padmasambhaval [Live][#][*] - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
3. Calling the Lama from Afar, Pt. 1 [Live][#][*] - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
4. Calling the Lama from Afar, Pt. 2 [Live][#][*] - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
5. Medicine Buddha Mantra [Live][#][*] - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
6. Offering Chant [Live][#][*] - Loy Ehrlich, Lama Gyurme, Jean-Philippe Rykiel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31974 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-12
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Amazon.com
Marking the 10th year since this popular Buddhist chant album was first released, this reissue ups the ante by featuring an expanded format. The first disc is a re-mastered version of the original album. The second features unreleased live performances by Gyurme and keyboardists Rykiel and Loy Ehrlich between 1995 and 2001, and it's this second disc that is truly intriguing. Recorded in caves, cathedrals, concert halls and open air festivals, the quality of the recordings is excellent. Mostly chanting and occasionally doing some long tones, Gyurme's voice again seemingly embodies a mix of the human and the holy during his prayers for healing, purification, liberation and peace--he's particularly spectacular on his solo intro to "The Mantra Of Padmasambhaval." Musically, Ehrlich seamless fills out Rykiel's ambient backgrounds, and two do a fine job accentuating the drama and majesty of Gyurme's voice, only overpowering it on the opening "Sacred Words Of Liberation." This is definitely a reissue that deserves to replace the original. --Tad Hendrickson

From Amazon.ca
Buddhist chants and mantras are all the rage in yoga circles these days. Get an appealing western singer, create new melodies that border on pop, dress them up in electronica and world fusion rhythms, and off you go. Instant karma! But back in 1994, Jean-Philippe Rykiel took a different approach, bringing orchestral sensibilities to the chants of Lama Gyurme, a Buddhist monk from Bhutan. A blind French keyboardist who has worked with artists as varied as Jon Hassell and Salif Keita, Rykiel's approach to Gyurme's chants ranges from simple keyboard pads to more elaborate productions like "Hope for Enlightenment," with its majestic, faux-orchestra arrangement. But even the pads can be deceptively effective, as on the nearly 25 minutes of "Calling the Lama from Afar," in which synthesizers swell, change timbre, and turn from ruminative grumbles to quietly soaring angels as Lama Gyurme recites his prayers. The Lama's Chants was originally released in 1994; this reissue includes the original disc plus a second disc of live performances. Although Rykiel avoids many clichés, his arrangements aren't as inventive as those of Steve Tibbetts on his albums with the Tibetan nun Choying Drolma, Cho and Selwa. Tibbetts paints with meticulous detail and organic design, while Rykiel settles for broad swathes and easy accompaniment. His arrangements are sensitive to Gyurme, but unlike the chants themselves, some of the sounds are dated, especially the Jan Hammer-like lead synth on "Offering Chant." --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

wonderful for meditation and quiet times!
I really like lisening to buddhist chants,this cd is very good the lama chants well; and in most of the songs the added instruments adds to the chant.however in some of the tracks I find it overpowers the chanting.my favorite tracks are the ones with little or no added instrumental music.In all a good purchase and a very nice addition to my sacred music collection.
Om Mani Padme Hung.......to all.

6 stars on a 5 scale
I own 5 or 6 Tibetan chant cd's or tapes. This one is definitely among my favorites. I have been meditating twice daily since 1975. I now meditate while playing "Lama's Chant". I agree with the reviewer that occasionally the music comes close to overpowering the chant. On the other hand the music probably helps "newcomers" to Tibetan chanting connect. My favorite is track 4 on disc #1: "Calling The Lama From Afar". I applaud the quality of the chant and the quality of the music. I encourage ANYONE to listen to this CD- I think it is WONDERFUL!

A beautiful sound!
Tibetan Buddhism is a deeply-felt line of Buddhism. To me, it is sincere, and very compassionate, and loving. The sound of Lama Gyurme is amazing, and very soothing. I definitely recommend this CD for meditation or even general listening. If I listen to it while driving, I feel obligated to relax, and I feel better (driving is stressful/scary for me, so this helps). The way the chanting flows is really smooth (not at all forceful), and it has a lovely rhythm. I like European monk chanting too; Tibetan is deeper both in tone and feeling, like it's speaking to your roots. It's therapeutic, relaxing, and beautiful.