Shivoham-The Quest

Chandriika Tandon, a wealthy businesswoman, musician and singer originally from Madras, India, produced this spiritually infused album with English and Sanskrit lyrics; very listenable with lovely choir work,harmonies and rhythms that fit together beautifully; mixture of Eastern and Western styles and modes provide an ecumenical devotional feel transcending time and place; reminds me a little of the Ravi Shankar/Philip Glass collaboration on “Passages”; my only criticism is that individual artists are not named

NO FCC's; Favorite tracks: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14

1-Song of Beginnings –4:00-- female singer in the foreground with “om” in the background and violins plus percussion

**2- Song of the Seeker –5:25 – gorgeous solo female voice with female choir backup in Hindi; male choir responds with English in a kind of medieval chant mode; then female voice switches to English lyrics

*3—Song of the Worldly Dance –4:00-- beat picks up with English chanting “wake up, life is sweet!” – very pretty wind instrument alternates with violins and chanting

4-- Song of Yearning—4:03-- English lyrics by female singer; sounds a bit like uplifting western musical tune except for mysterious swirling instrumental accompaniment which takes it to another dimension

5—Song of Destruction –4:00-- insistent repetitive beat, chords, and lyrics with choir and orchestra

*6-- Song of Compassion-Prayer –3:25-- female singer offers balm for the soul with drone underpinning; response by male chorus

*7- Song of Compassion –5:05- beautifully sung heartfelt Hindi lyrics with harmony

*8—Song of Surrender – 3:42 – guitar intro and accompaniment sounds Spanish, singer sounds Hindi, pretty fusion; catchy

*9- Song of the Seeker -Reprise-2:37 – plainsong feel amplified by English lyrics

10- Song of the Teacher –4:01 – more Indian sounding with Hindi lyrics and Indian orchestration; then abruptly switches to English pop song style; interesting; dazzling jazz piano

11-Song of Light –4:41—solo piano followed by female soloist with English lyrics

12-Song of the Spirit -3:52- pretty orchestration with Hindi and English lyrics

13-Song of Peace-4:05—piano motif is interwoven with choir singing in English

*14-Song of Blessings-4:12 –really moves – sounds almost South African with its swing and drums; joyful