While in India Drongomala got the inspiration
to play some of his favourite gospel songs with South Indian
musicians and friends. It was a whim in the remaining three
days in the country and was hurriedly arranged.
The musicians were more used to Hindu devotional recordings
and most had never heard any of the tracks being recorded for
the record. The musicians gave their heart and soul to the project
and their fresh ears on the melodies and moods of these classics
adds a new dimension to the traditional gospel greats.
The record is not something that should be classed as strictly
Christian or Hindu - the musicians themselves were a mix of Christian,
Hindu, Muslim and agnostic but all had the same goal of trying
to make a record about universal peace. We just happened to use
some old gospel songs to get there. We are pluralists. Music
and life itself is our religion.
The studio recording was also joined by painters capturing the
scene from which some paintings were done.
Press Gubbins:This is Drongomala's third record and it seems each record couldn't
be more different than the last. Enjoy this release - it has
big heart, a romantic sound and hits the Zeitgeist right in the
important bits.
Track List : Motherless
Child, Amazing Grace, Swing Low Sweet Chariot,
Old Time Religion, Down By The Riverside, Will the
Circle Be Unbroken, When the Saints Go Marchin In,
This may be the Last Time, Silent Night Future
Special Releases : Jesus Gonna Be Here, The Cross
Reviewed by John Daniels from http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk
Different and interesting are the adjectives which best describe this album. Recorded it would seem on a whim (or should that be in an inspired moment), during a visit to India, Drongomala brings together local artists and sounds to interpret gospel classics, and for the most part the mix of East and West works well, the styles and voices complementing each other. The Donovan-meets-George Harrison' sound is best heard on "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Other standout tracks are "Down By The Riverside", which brings us bluegrass sitar, "Amazing Grace" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". The collection is rounded off with a great version of "Silent Night", which brings the only direct mention of Christ on the album. I'm not sure where Drongomala stands himself, after all in the blurb he's quoted as saying, "Music and life itself is our religion." No matter, a project that brings together Christian, Hindu, Muslim and agnostic musicians with such a result gets my vote.
