Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers (CD on New Earth Records)

Band: Beyond
Label: New Earth Records
Title: Buddhist and Christian Prayers

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Band:Beyond
Title:Buddhist and Christian Prayers
Reviewed By:Lisa Torem
Date Published:04/09/2010

Label:New Earth Records
Format:CD
Release Year:Label
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“Bringing together corresponding pieces from Christian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, as has been done here, will allow listeners to share in these prayers, stirring thoughts of deeper respect and peace in their lives,” comments His Holiness The Dalai Lama, in regards to ‘Beyond-Buddhist and Christian Prayers’, a 15 track CD collaboration composed and performed by two vocalists; Dechen Shak-Dagsay, a Tibetan Buddhist, and Regula Curti, who, already well acquainted with Buddhist and Hindu prayers in the tradition of the Sikhs, goes on to celebrates traditional and original Christian prayers.

Prominent to this mystical, musical mix, is the talented Tina Turner, who recites readings and chants, at crucial cadence points, which enhances the album’s melismatic sonic landscape. In addition, Turner’s full-bodied voice threads meaningful insights throughout; “Love inspires and empowers us to do great things and makes us a better person to love,” she reminds us with genuine warmth during one of the project’s interludes.

In 1993, Turner’s autobiography, ‘I, Tina’ was made into a feature film, 'What’s Love Got To Do With It'. As this dramatic tour de force closes, the camera lens shows the dynamic entertainer chanting the words to the Lotus Sutra, “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” which is a mantra she credits with transforming her life; the performer of such hits as ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘Private Dancer’ has been a practising Buddhist for more than 30 years.

The soulful singer’s intermittent chanting of this mantra in sonorous tones, however, is merely one aspect of the project’s foray into uncharted waters. The delicious melody of ‘Dance with the Devine’ and the spellbinding, but raw beauty of the classic ‘Ave Maria’ also contribute to give the project an unprecedented look as spiritual messages from the text of universal religions come together passionately.

Shak-Dagsay, like Turner, has had to overcome major personal obstacles. Along with her family, she fled to India in 1959 escaping the Chinese occupation of Tibet, then settled in Switzerland in 1963. She has released four CDs with New Earth Records, since 2005 and has been appointed Ambassador of Peace for the Tibetan people. The well-travelled singer, “For us Tibetans, reciting or singing mantras is one of the most effective ways of quickly producing a peaceful state of mind.”

The collaboration of these spiritually committed performers and their resultant compositions is stellar. The elegant, though subtle interplay of language, including Latin and Tibetan, the slight shifts of mood, the powerful, though reflective affirmations uttered by Turner and the all-around collective optimism makes the Beyond project one worth exploring deeply with an open mind and compassionate heart.

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Elegant and worth exploring collaboration between Christian and Buddhist vocalists, which includes the first studio appearance from Tina Turner, who is a practising Buddhist, in over a decade

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Buddhist and Christian Prayers - CD
Elegant and worth exploring collaboration between Christian and Buddhist vocalists, which includes the first studio appearance from Tina Turner, who is a practising Buddhist, in over a decade

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