Double CD. "Chants to calm the mind and ease the heart."
Peace of My Heart was originally born out of a request from a yoga teacher who works with children on the Autism Spectrum. She found playing Krishna Das's music for the children to be helpful, but noticed that when the pace sped up, some children were moved out of balance, physically and emotionally. She longed for some chants that would help these children.  The result is nearly two hours of deeply moving, meditative and artfully restrained new recordings. Forgoing the ecstatic tempo changes so common to temple-style kirtan, these 6 new tracks move slowly and deliberately. The song to song steadiness is both striking and soothing, and Krishna Das's voice, sounding richer and deeper than ever, is as emotionally impactful as ever.  There is a lot to love here for fans and newcomers alike. There are new chant offerings mixed with familiar tunes. The Blue Krishna Waltz is a deep reimagining of the Krishna Waltz that originally appeared on One Track Heart 20 years ago. Jai Shiva Omkara borrows an unmistakably traditional North Indian aarti melody that, in Krishna Das s ultra-present delivery, feels as recognizable as our own breath. Hanuman Bhajan revives a delightful chant calling out to this Being in full service to the Divine. The last track is a beautiful ever-deepening invocation of the Great Mother in Her varied forms and Names. Fans will also recognize stellar musical contributions from longtime band members Arjun Bruggeman, Mark Egan, David Nichtern, Nina Rao, Noah Hoffeld, and Genevieve Walker. It is an ensemble forged by years on the road and in studios together, and that experience, coupled with Krishna Das s sincerity and resolve in the practice, his faith in the Divine Names he chants, is what enables the group to craft and hold such a sacred space musically. Perhaps what's most notable about Peace of My Heart, is that in creating a record envisioned as a balm to bring comfort to children on the autistic spectrum, Krishna Das has constructed an album for all to take refuge in for relaxation, meditation, breathwork, spa, and driving without getting a speeding ticket!