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CD Reviews

Bhagavan Das: Ah
Dharmaware, 2003

“Bhagavan Das never had anything better to do than call up Mystic Mama on the Mantric Telephone.”
—Allen Ginsberg

The re-mastering and release of Bhagavan Das’ classic 1972 chanting album Ah fills a big gap in the available collection of Indian-inspired chant records. Bhagavan Das is the Jimi Hendrix of kirtan masters. He’s loose, inspired, utterly free-form—mellifluously yelling names of God, adorations of Shakti, and adulations to his guru.
When Bhagavan Das got back from 8 years of moseying on India’s guru circuit, he was immediately a celebrity among the ever-eager hippy seeker set. He started putting on be-in kirtans from coast to coast with help from some of the luminaries of the era: Trungpa Rinpoche, Ram Das, Allen Ginsburg, Peter Max.
But first he had to be discovered. That happened in India, where after half a decade of wandering as a hippy sanyasin in an exotic paradise, he met the psychedelic herald Richard Alpert who was immediately enamored with the 24-year-old Californian golden boy cum explorer of yogic practices. Alpert turned Bhagavan Das on to some very pure LSD and Bhagavan Das turned Alpert on to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba. After a brief run through the mill of the ashram Alpert emerged a new man with a new name—Ram Das. RD proceeded stateside to introduce an Indian devotional tradition, and Bhagavan Das, to an insatiable American audience.

With the re-release of Ah we get the first recordings made on Bhagavan Das’ own return from India, organized by Allen Ginsburg, Peter Max and Ram Das. Some of the historic recordings were made at Hendrix’ studio Electric Ladyland, with Led Zeppelin in the studio next door recording Zofo. The sound is raw, profound, marked by a charming combination of hedonism and aspiration to transcend, which, one might say, characterizes the spirit of the time.

Ah includes a 2002 video interview with Bhagavan Das about the making of the record, as well as extensive far-out liner notes, photographs, and an excellent recipe for masala chai that alone makes the CD a worthwhile acquisition.

—Jason Stern

John Menegon: Search Light
Music in the Mountains, 2003

Bass for your face! John M’s newest release Search Light is a powerful example of what happens when the leader of a group is holding a bass. Everything stays funky. Whether it is a slinky down-tempo ballad groove or a straight-up swing, this cd kept me dancing—this is not always the case with jazz. Maybe, it’s simple: keeping the bass nice and high in the mix, or augmenting the rhythm section with two excellent drummers, Tani Tabbal and Mark McLean. Basically, I think it comes down to this: when you have a strong well rounded bassist like John Menegon composing, arranging, and laying down the serious low-end vibes, the music naturally flows out and around and back again seeking its root. This cd debuts nine of Menegon’s original compositions, which is another refreshing element in this release. It is, of course, essential to know your musical history inside and out. It is a very special thing when you come out of the womb and release your own material to inspire your peers and future listeners alike. John is capable of this and this is certainly owing to his accompanying many legends of jazz. He is currently playing with the groups of renowned tenor saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman and Dewey Redman (who is featured on Search Light). He has also recently released a Misterioso with the great Jack DeJonette on drums, Kenny Burell on guitar, and Teri Roiger on vocals. As I mentioned before, Dewey Redman (tenor sax) is featured on four tracks (my favorite is track one, “Back Road Shuffle,” a deliciously funky romp) and his deep history in jazz certainly adds a distinctive flavor to the mix. The rest of the group consists of Jack Gunther (sax/flute), Mark Dziuba filling out the rhythm section on guitar, and the etheric Teri Roiger on vocals. The two tracks featuring Roiger—“Search Light” and “Sacred Ground”—are sublime and dreamlike. “Search Light” has no words and starts with John calling the melody on bass, which is then echoed by Roiger and the guitarist Dzuiba. This is a brilliant release full of rich composition and arrangement. Without actually scoring the music for you in this review, the most important thing I can say is, go buy it, and let John Menegon’s Search Light brighten your soul.

John Menegon will be hosting a cd release party for Search Light on Saturday, March 1 at Rosendale Café, featuring Dewey Redman.

—John Trent