Brenda McMorrow: CD Release

Brenda McMorrow celebrates the release of her latest album “My Heart Bows Down to You” with a Guelph show at Sukha Yoga Centre, 42 Wyndham St North #101C on Saturday September 26 at 7:30 p.m. Brenda’s unique blend of folk melodies, world rhythms and sacred Indian devotional music (Kirtan) has found an enthusiastic worldwide audience. Her tuneful, uplifting interpretations of traditional Sanskrit mantras lovingly melded with her own original lyrics and excerpts of poems by the Sufi mystic Rumi has produced music that is uplifting, inspiring and ultimately transformational. Ram Dass describes Brenda as having “a gift” – a gift to bring deeply spiritual but very accessible music to listeners worldwide. Joining Brenda for her Guelph CD release show will be Morgan Doctor (percussion) and Chris Gartner (bass) with backing vocals from Shannon Kingsbury & Tannis Slimmon.

Her latest album on Colorado-based White Swan Records has been influenced by some of the places Brenda has visited on her worldwide touring schedule. Time spent in Spain, Peru and Mexico inspired the introduction of Spanish lyrics in some songs, while yearly visits to India have helped nurture clarity and transformative growth within her songs. Produced by Warren Huart (James Blunt, Trevor Hall), this new recording was largely crowd-funded by Brenda’s own fans, and features the support of a talented cast of musicians and background singers on eleven sparkling original songs. The album liner notes include the original, ancient Sanskrit chants alongside the English and Spanish lyrics.

Kirtan (pronounced keer-tahn) is a practice of Bhakti Yoga (the Yoga of Devotion). It is a participatory form of singing which is expanding throughout North America as westerners discover its uplifting, healing and joyous effects. Open to participants of all religions or no religion at all, Kirtan is easy to learn. The lead singer sings simple and beautiful melodies and the crowd responds either by memory or by using lyric sheets provided. Kirtan is a beautiful opportunity for people to come together to open their hearts and chant the many names of the Divine, with the lines between musician and audience blurred. The audience members play a vital role in the music through their singing, clapping, dancing and the transformative devotional energy that they each bring to the experience. Brenda explains, “Singing together– chanting the Divine names – encourages our hearts to open and the beauty of our true beings to shine!”

“Brenda is a powerhouse: a strong and supple voice, sublime songwriting, a compassionate presence, steady wisdom, and a great sense of humor. Traveling and singing with her is incredibly fun. I’d follow her anywhere.”
– Dave Stringer, Kirtan Artist

My Heart Bows Down to You CD Release Celebration Kirtan Concert
Sukha Yoga Centre, 42 Wyndham St North #101C, Guelph ON N1H 4E6
Saturday September 26, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 availble from The Bookshelf or online. BUY TICKETS