Brenda McMorrow
Guelph, Ontario, Canada | MAJOR
Music
Press
From April, '09 LA YOGA CD reveiw of "Ameya":
"With "Ameya", McMorrow delivers a vibrant folky approach to kirtan (devotional chanting). I really respect and enjoyed her authentic inflections and her graceful song-writing skills. Her beautiful voice is accompanied with rhythmic strokes from a guitar and assisted by highly skilled harmonies that would be really interesting to hear live. I really have to emphasize this aspect of McMorrow's performance on this album. The harmonies are excellent. McMorrow has a Natalie Merchant type of singing style, and the music is roots oriented. In this regard, the tunes are not fronted with the classic harmonium, but with an acoustic guitar, which works well within the constructs of her work.
The album is very consistent and does not throw any odd surprises into the continuum of songs, which is good. Ameya has a heterogeneous flow to it, and it works well for what McMorrow is putting out there. The record does work and the energy is sweet, which is most likely the result of working with Ben Leinbach, who is one of the finest spiritual music producers in the business.
I recommend this album for chanting enthusiasts. This album will work really well for Yoga classes too. Though it isn't necessarily kundalini-based, the songs here certainly feel influenced by that pull."
brendamcmorrow.com
MRM
LAYOGA
- Michael R. Mollura is a writer, music composer, and event promoter who is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
michaelmollura.com - LA YOGA Magazine
Discography
2010 - "Love Abounds" White Swan Records
2008 - "Ameya"
2006 - "Infinite Possibilities"
1996 - "Dance With the Living" (Julia Propeller)
1993 - "Go On Back" (Julia Propeller)
Photos
Bio
Brenda McMorrow is a Canadian singer/songwriter whose fascination with the transformational power of music has drawn her to explore and study sound and chant traditions first-hand across the planet. Brenda began in the '90's folk/rock band Julia Propeller - a campus radio and CBC favourite – opening for and sharing festival rosters with acts like Bruce Cockburn and Ani Difranco, touring extensively and releasing two celebrated albums.
As her love of meditation, yoga and sound healing deepened, she began integrating it into all of her musical offerings. During a transformational musical experience in India in 2006, Brenda became aware that her next step musically would be to combine her own songwriting with sacred devotional chants in a unique way. Since then she has been following the divine wave of energy, expanding further and further into the joyful world of Bhakti yoga. White Swan Records (Deva Premal/MC Yogi) has recognized the beautiful appeal of Brenda's music and has recently released Brenda's 2nd devotional chant album entitled "Love Abounds" following their January, 2010 release of her first chant album "Ameya".
About the Players and the Live Performances:
Brenda and her group of musical yoginis and yogis perform devotional songs and Kirtan "call and response", inviting the audience to join them in invoking the blissful connection that sound can create between the physical and spiritual realms. Brenda performs on vocals and acoustic guitar with an array of guest musicians, including percussionists Roberto Menegoni (Crash Test Dummies, Barenaked Ladies) and Morgan Doctor (David Newman, The Clicks); singer/harmonium player Allison Menegoni; and bassist Chris Gartner (Tasa, Swaha).
About Kirtan:
Kirtan (from the Sanskrit word for singing) is expanding rapidly throughout North America as westerners discover it’s uplifting, healing and joyous effects. Open to participants of all religions or no religion at all, Kirtan is easy to learn and participate in. The lead singer sings simple and beautiful melodies and the crowd responds either by memory or by using lyric sheets provided.
www.brendamcmorrow.com
www.myspace.com/brendamcmorrow
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