Download this song at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/clearstrings2 


The four of us—Paddy, Arvind, Deven, and Gopi—met years ago in grad school at the Indian Institute of Management in Calcutta, India, and became close friends. Soon after we met, Paddy, Arvind, and Deven founded a rock band called the Joka Band Stand (named after a bus route) that remains a vibrant musical expression on campus. Our professional lives had since scattered us around the world—Singapore, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago. We had remained in touch with each other and with our music, and decided to come together recently in a creative project and record a song.

Written and composed by Paddy, the song, Kirtan Blues, speaks to our need for spirituality in an era of increasing social inequality and religious conflict worldwide.

This song was born from a vision and reflects who we are—global wanderers, adventurous spirits through different musical traditions, curious experimenters, and most importantly, believers in the fact that life is short, and that while you do something for a living, you also need to do something for a life. We recorded this song over several months, with individual tracks being laid down across the world from wherever we were.

The blues originated in the African American communities in the Deep South of the United States around the end of the 19th century. The blues form is characterized by a call and 
response pattern, a trance like rhythm, and a repetitive effect. Kirtan, which originated in India’s Bhakti yoga (yoga of love) devotional traditions, also follows a call and response chant form. Both Kirtan and the blues contain stories, narratives, and ballads. Both are spiritual in nature. 

This is our dedication, offering, and gift to each of you who has touched and influenced us in some way. It’s also our way of showing our gratitude and love to our friends and families who have supported us all these years and kept the flame alive. 

Thank you, Shukriya, Nandri, Gracias, Merci, Shukran, kuwashukuru. Peace and music.

Kirtan Blues:

Paddy : Vocals, Guitars
Arvind: Drums, Percussion
Deven: Bass
Gopi: Vocal chants, tanpura, chimes

clearstrings@gmail.com

Kirtan Blues

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I am a singer/guitarist from Chicago. I have been composing and performing music for over 30 years. I play electric and acoustic guitar in blues, rock, and folk-rock styles. 

I was born and raised in Calcutta, India, and am deeply influenced by the lyrical style of John Lennon and Paul Simon, the vocal style of Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen, and the guitar style of Stevie Ray, Mark Knopfler, and Dickey Betts.

I write songs about issues that move me - relationships, social inequality, women and animal rights.

My songs can be downloaded from CD Baby - visit http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Clearstrings

You can learn about my music at  
https://www.youtube.com/user/clearstrings/
https://www.facebook.com/clearstringsmusic and https://www.facebook.com/Soundbyte.rock.

Peace and Music.

Paddy

Clearstrings

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