Multi-instrumentalist and Indian Classical maestro Dan Blanchard has created the most unique musical mashup I can ever recall experiencing: An Indian Classical Christmas Album!
If you’re curious as you read this description, this album is most absolutely for you.
The Spirit of Christmas: A Love Letter to the Holiday Spirit
Dan Blanchard’s album The Spirit Of Christmas is an authentic love letter from a world-class Eastern music composer to the most beautiful depths of the Holiday Spirit.
Trained in the highly respected instrument the santoor by Indian classical master Pandit Satish Vyas, Dan has included a high pedigree of collaborators to embark with him on this special journey intersecting East and West. The extraordinary high league of musicians includes: Sheela Bringi, Deepak Ramapriyan, Leonice Shinneman, Dave Cipriani, and others. They help make Dan’s vision come to life and become nothing short of believable.
Carols on The Spirit of Christmas
Even a skeptic would be hard pressed to not have the walls fall by the time Sheela Bringi’s soaring bansuri flute solo comes on to light up “Silent Night.”
The Christmas classics are all here and interpreted through Dan’s Indian Classical lens, including “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” and even “Joy To The World.”
I found my spirit soaring when “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” came on. And I found my interest peaked during Dan’s unique rendition of “Ode to Joy (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony).” The musicality on display here is absolutely excellent.
Dan has indeed created the ultimate Christmas album for yogis. He does it by bringing extraordinary class and sincerity to the work. I take my hat off to him for his sense of adventure and his leading example of bringing fantastic craft and a deep authenticity to his calling.
Shiva Baum is a record producer and peak performance coach. With an expertise in sacred mantra chanting, he is the head of music programming for the world renown yoga music festivals Bhakti Fest and Shakti Fest. He lives in Topanga Canyon. Find him on Facebook.