Dear listener,
What was your last time murmuring a prayer?
For me, it was this morning. When I say a prayer, I trespass into another dimension.
In this 2-part album "Thăng & Giáng" (Ascent & Descent), I interpolate a series of Vietnamese Buddhist and Catholic prayers. Some songs are my own lyrics, inspired by Buddhist practice. The primary instrument is my voice, with electronics, field recordings, bottle, bell and water.
When I research Buddhist chanting practice, one thing that struck me was that a sincere prayer is not a performance. Performance is secondary. A total commitment (body and mind) to the chant is primary. The point is to use our voice with vitality. And in turn, we wield power and subtly affect reality.
This album is free. If you feel moved, please donate to an organization of your choosing.
Let trespass together,
Sincerely yours,
Bao
- October 7, 2022
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This is part 1 of a 2-part 92 minute long album. Part 2 will be released on Friday, Oct 14.
Physical cassette tapes are available for purchase through
spleencoffin.com
Recorded in Baltimore and Vietnam
Field recordings from my balcony, overlooking a Buddhist temple in Vietnam and from the wood in Roland Lake park.
Special thanks to Andrew Keiper and Jason Sloan.
Prayers used:
Ngày Đêm An Lành, Buddhist prayer, taken from
langmai.org/phat-duong/thien-mon-nhat-tung/
Lạy Cha, Catholic prayer.
released October 7, 2022