DAVE STRINGER: Divas & Devas

Dave Stringer

Divas & Devas

© 2007 Dave Stringer / Magnetic Melodies / BMI

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Romantic duets on spiritual themes, with East Indian and Western orchestral arrangements.

notes

Divas & Devas is a CD of East Indian bhajans, sung as male-female duets, in Sanskrit, Hindi and Marathi. The overall feeling is romantic, with the intimate interplay of masculine and feminine gesturing toward the larger relationship of the human and the divine. The arrangements also echo this duality, employing traditional Indian instruments such as tablas, sarangi and santoor, along with Western instruments such as vibes, cello, trumpet, flute, mandolin and lap steel.
You can play the CD for spiritual effect if you like, but it also works great as a soundtrack for making love.

Eight of the songs are a collaboration between me and a different diva ( I use this term with great affection and respect): Donna Delory, Dasi Karnamrita, C.C. White, Kim Waters, Sat-Kartar, Suzanne Sterling, Wah!, and Joni Allen. Each singer is evocative of different qualties, with my voice as the through-line. The opening song is an ensemble piece on which all of the divas sing with me.

I was first exposed to the tradition of Indian devotional song when I lived at Gurudev Siddha Peeth in Ganshpuri, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Many notable bhajan and qawaali singers passed through the ashram, and I was very moved by the ecstasy and the stillness that radiated from them. The words they sang were written in India centuries ago during the era of the bhakti poet-saints, but they still spoke to me in a voice that seemed clear and modern, and these words continue to inform my thinking and my practice. In this recording, I have set some of these poems to my own original musical compositions. Other songs come directly from the rich musical tradition that has been transmitted to me through the lineage of Siddha Yoga.

The English word diva conveys a number of shades of meaning, some complimentary and some pejorative, ranging from accomplished artist through demanding ego. The origin of the term, however, is the Sanskrit word deva, which means luminous, shining, god, or heavenly one. And it is toward this original meaning that much artistic expression ultimately points. For me then, the title of this CD, ‘Divas and Devas’, refers to the relationship of our limited sense of self to the expansive awareness that we call divine love, as one reaches toward the other.

reviews

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  • Devas and Divas
    author: Kit Lsngdon

    This is a fantastic album. I love it. All the singers are very lovely and I play it all the time. I especially love the one with Suzanne Sterling.

  • Divas & Devas
    author: Carrie Claypool

    The first time hearing a track from this on the website, I was in my office. I immediately shut my door and started dancing. The energy moved through my body and I came alive. I ordered the CD and really love it!

  • Divas & Devas
    author: Lisa berkovits

    Lovely, Gorgeous, Divine!!!

  • Divas & Devas
    author: HEATHER WILLIAMSON

    What a beautiful, gorgeous and evocative CD, Dave. A friend from Long Beach played it for me, and I immediately fell in love with it, especially Samba Sadashiva and Arati Karu. Friends are going to be getting this CD as a gift from me!! Thanks for your gifts, Dave and those of the other artists as well.

  • Great With Shaktis!!
    author: Tim Shullberg

    Dave, hey! I was wondering what was up, but Juliet asked for your CD for her birthday, so I hooked it up. We played it at the party and everyone was knocked out. Especially nice the pieces with Kim and Donna, but the whole album is excellent. Dhanyavaad.

  • author: Shirley Ulaky

    I received your Divas and Devas CD and it was beautiful. I particularly liked the Arati Karu selection, although all the arrangements were wonderful. I was fortunate to attend your Kirtan at Three Rivers Yoga in Pittsburgh and wish you every success.

  • Divas and Devas
    author: Bhadrakali

    Great job, Dave. Love all your CD's. See you in OMaha Thursday nite. Melanie

  • Vocal Union
    author: Daniel Rindfuss

    Another strong theme album from a kirtan western master. The Gunghata track brings a perfect match of Dave's earthly rich vocals with the heavenly balance of Donna Delory angelic voice.

  • divas and devas
    author: Linda Saccoccio (Radha)

    Dave Stringer continues to mature and evolve in his presence and voice. This new CD of duets is rich and deep. It takes one on a journey of opening the heart expansively. The mingling voices and instruments echo reverence and transcendence. Dave and the Divas have woven a luxurious fabric together!

  • Music from Heaven
    author: Todd Carpenter

    Mesmerizing and beautiful. Your voice seems to harmonize perfectly with all nine of your talented singers. Thanks for sharing your gift with us. Please let us know when all 10 of you will be touring together :-)

  • divas & devas
    author: marjorie abramson

    Dave Stringer's music is always powerful, but this CD goes so much further than his previous recordings. This music is achingly beautiful..... far beyond traditional new age yoga music. Dave's soul, heart and gut are in every track, along with that of the nine Divas who have contributed to this amazing gift for all of us to enjoy.

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