WAH!: Hidden in the Name

Wah!

Hidden in the Name

© 2001 Wah! Music (659442050021)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Great grooves and percussion back awesome vocals singing mantras to Shiva, Ram, Krishna, and the Goddess.

notes

Hidden in the Name was the most challenging CD I have ever made. Created in the middle of a busy touring schedule, the CD was tracked, mixed and mastered within 3 months time. For 15 months straight, I had been on the road with Krishna Das, playing violin and bass for him. December was the month we were taking off, to rest and regroup. I wanted to go in the studio and record some of the tunes I had been hearing in my head while I had been on tour.

I called Girish (the tabla player) and asked him if he wanted to record some tunes. He agreed and we set a date for Thanksgiving weekend. My plan was to record the tabla and harmonium tracks first to establish the basic feel, and then overdub all the other tracks at a later time. Thanksgiving came around, and Girish said he couldn't make the session. His girlfriend was about to go into labor, and he wanted to be there for the birth of his child. That seemed reasonable. But, the days passed, and there still was no baby girl. Days turned into weeks, and she ended up being delivered over 2 weeks late. By the time we entered the studio, we only had a day or two to record. It was almost January, and my schedule with Krishna Das was about to resume with production of his new CD, Breath of the Heart.

The length of the songs was also questionable. If I let the chants go their full length (live versions), we would end up with only 4 songs on the CD. I decided to shorten the chants. We recorded Radhe Bhaj first, and I was able to keep it down to 5 minutes. Then we recorded Hare Ram Sita Ram and I just couldn't keep the standard. The song came in at over 15 minutes! It had a great vibe, but what to do? I just wanted to offer the chants as they were, to capture the energy of devotion which rested inside the music. I wanted to surrender to the chant, and play it however it wanted to come forth. After the 3rd song, I knew I was committed to a double CD (a risky idea according to record labels & distributors - too hard to sell). But I went ahead anyway. By the end of the day, I was about 15 minutes short of having enough music to fill two CDs. I had another half composed idea in my head, and so Radha Ramana Hari came forth. Recording these songs by composing them on the spot was a terrifying mix of devotion, skill, and "letting go."

Even though the CD was created in the midst of a heavy touring schedule and didn't boast the best production, it did carry a great deal of the devotional energy I was immersed in while touring.

Om Shanti, wah! more at... www.wahmusic.com

Editorial Reviews

Portland Kirtan Network/www.kirtanportland.com Everything about Wah!, and this CD, is unique: female bass player who loves reggae beats and sax rifs, and writes and sings very beautiful and moving devotional chants. It is Western music no doubt, but at its heart is the soul of bhakti mood and purpose, and the vocals and words are straight ahead, sing along chanting. This two CD set is a bargain at $22 and, if you read Wah's web site you will see how hard she works at being a performing musician as well as crafting well produced American style CD's. This is a musician's kirtan CD. July 2004

Green Man Review/Portland, ME
On Hidden in the Name, Wah! smartly invokes a more jam-based atmosphere. Good mid-tempo disc for whatever reason -- yoga, housework, sex, mushrooms.... 11/16/01

Fan Reviews

Yelena Sakalova/USA Dear Sister, I can't stop listening to you sing the chant to Ganapati. I knew instantly that your singing comes from a powerful connection to God and was so happy to receive your CD's. Thank you, thank you! Aum Ganesha, Aum Shanti!! 9/8/02


more at.... www.wahmusic.com

reviews

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  • Hidden in the Name
    author: Deb Helwig

    Awesome! Very centering/calming, but also with some danceable songs. The first day I played it, my kids just sat quietly nearby playing peacefully with each other for about 45 minutes. Love it!!!

  • awesome!
    author: EILEEN MURPHY

    I LOVE THIS CD. EVERY SONG IS INSPIRING. I USE THIS CD TO MAINTAIN MY CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH OUR MAKER. I SING THE MANTRAS IN MY CAR EVERYDAY. I LOVE THE BOOKLET THAT TELLS YOU WHAT THE CHANTS MEAN.

  • This is very inspiring to awaken the higher consciousness in the listener.
    author: Karen Rossi

    This music and the way the srtist expresses it is very uplifting for the evolving consciousness.

  • One of my most favorite albums of the last 7 years
    author: Kurt Matthys

    A wonderful CD. I've listened to it more than any other CD for the past 7 years. I never tire of it.

  • author: JO

    A beautiful CD with some very skillful and artistic interpretations of ancient chants - Wah's voice is haunting and soulful and her devotion shines through the music. Truly lovely!!

  • Breath taking
    author: Yashani

    I absolutly loved this CD its the 3rd in my collection and it just keeps getting better. I listen to it during my morning meditation, in the car when I'm driving, at work, and during my evening meditation. I can't get enough.

  • Infectous
    author: Kari

    I heard Song #6 only 1 month ago in a meditation-and I was so intrigued- I had to have it. I have been playing the CD over ever since- in my car, in my house, etc. I wake up humming the chants. The entire CD has changed my perspective, awareness and reactions to everyday life. All I can say is Thank You.

  • author: Jenny

    Love it! I first heard it in yoga class, but I listen to it at work to battle stress.

  • this CD makes everything better
    author: Lauren

    Hidden in the Name is addictive, soulful, transcendent. Playing these hypnotic chants over and over was the only way to calm my newborn daughter in her first months. Wah's voice and her arrangements of these entrancing songs make everything better. I highly recommend it to enhance your yoga practice and your (and your baby's!) life.

  • CD provides a great opportunity to pratice non-attachment
    author: Felix

    I first heard this CD in yoga and really gathered strength from it. After learning that my mother has terminal cancer I bought the CD because it lightened my heart during yoga. I have many CD's but the lyrics always give me something to think about to, to relate to. With Hidden in The Name, I can relax and just be present to the music.

  • author: Pam

    Great CD! My first chanting cd and it has really captured me. I would order from CD baby again!

  • This CD is "my coffee"; it helps pep me up.
    author: Jo

    I've played this CD over and over, and unlike any other CD I've had....it doesn't "get old" for me. I still hear it like it's a new CD. Certain songs on this CD just spark me up....and vuala....I'm reminded that I have happiness inside of me.

  • Hypnotically full of light
    author: Ann

    I bought the CD because of the chant Jai ma, which I had heard in yoga class & had left me feeling full of light. I still like that chant best but the others are great too and I am recommending the CD to my friends.

  • amazing music to uplift your soul
    author: Karen

    most amazing CD in my collection. perfect for work -sleep - meditation - yoga - biking - everything and yeah it's perfect for THAT also!

  • Wonderful CD, music is upliting and hearing it makes me happy!
    author: Beverly Winfield

    Wah! Hidden in the Name is a great CD - I love chants, and this CD delivers them in style, with grace and beauty! My friend saw WAH perform in Moorestown, NJ and recommended the CD, what a great find. My hats off to everyone involved, the music is uplifting, inspiring, and makes you feel good, what more can you ask for!

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