Yoga Journal, November 2010
DIAMONDS IN THE SUN
by Girish, www.GirishMusic.com
Diamonds in the Sun is a unique offering, even in the experimental realm of modern kirtan music. You might even forget you're listening to music that has its roots in India. That's not to say Girish doesn't give the tradition the respect it deserves. On the contrary: His love and inspiration are evident in this heartfelt recording.
Girish, a tabla player who has performed with many of today's top kirtan and mantra music artists, brings a modern acoustic Western sound to many songs. He performs many kirtan standards almost as ballads. Possessing a deeply soothing, almost sensual voice, he sings Sanskrit with palpable devotion and tenderness, as on "Lakshmi", a gorgeous slow sway to the deity. And his treatments of songs such as "Om Namah Shivaya", "Saraswati", and "Kali Durge" feel even more poignant for renderings that border on alt-country - lolling pedal-steel guitar and all.
Girish brought together a posse of kirtan allstars for this album, and the musical arrangements, featuring acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, sarangi, trumpet, cello, and mandolin, perfectly complement the textures of his voice. The melodic interplay between instrumentalists and vocalists is magnificent. Similarly sublime are the background vocals byDonna De Lory and C.C. White.
The Sanskrit verses and additional lyrics are consistently uplifting and heart opening: "We shine like diamonds in the sun/Every one of us" is the chorus in the title track. Girish's reverent cover of the Snatam Kaur classic "Long Time Sun" provides a rousing conclusion to the album.
Jeremy Lehrer
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