Adam Bauer
Wonderville is Adam Bauer’s second solo kirtan album, following 2014’s critically acclaimed Shyam Lila. Adam coproduced this album of all-new chants (and one cover). The broad range on this devotional celebration moves from warm and tender to robust and rooted.
Bauer’s voice expresses his deeply intimate expression of devotion through sacred mantra chanting. The album presents Bauer’s vocals and harmonium in the context of a rich collaboration of traditional Indian instrumentation (tabla, pakhawaj, bansuri, sarod) and of classic Americana (mandolin, pedal steel, guitars) and features piano, cello, and other instruments played by masters of their craft. Adam makes each of these chants and the expression therein totally his own, with a gentle insistence that penetrates the space, closing the gap between singer and listener. Very likely you’ll be inspired to sing along or at least hum loudly. With a lineup that includes Hans Christian, Steve Gorn, Visvambhar Sheth, Kendra Current, Lakshmi Devi, Sandy Griffith, and others, it’s no wonder that the high-frequency musical flow is palpable and contagious. It’s a downright hoedown at times, and at other times soars high to the sky of ecstasy.
Featuring chants to Krishna, Shiva, and Ganesh, Wonderville presents Bauer for the first time integrating English lyrics into his songs, and showcases an interpretation of an all-English song that has melted hearts around the world since being included in his epic live performances. Adam has brewed up a heady stew, whistling while he works it, stirring and seasoning in all the right places with reverence and authenticity. The lengthy tracks allow plenty of room for development and artistic freedom to be explored and, for the most part, perfectly landed. People get ready, there’s a chant train a’comin’—y’all hop on board, ya hear?
IAmAdamBauer.com • Mantralogy.com
—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)