Krsna Culture in Music, Part 11
BY: JAHNAVA DEVI
May 20, 2012 — CANADA (SUN) — Reprising a 2006 Sun series on the cultural impact of Krsna Consciousness on the western music scene.
In this segment of "Krsna Culture in Music", we look at the Beatles/Apple Records phenomenon, which helped to fan the flames of Krsna Consciousness around the world through the medium of popular music.
Wikipedia writes: "The Radha Krsna Temple was the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in London from the late 1960s. The temple came to prominence when The Beatles and especially George Harrison started to publicly express their interest in Eastern philosophy and Krishna consciousness. The Radha Krsna Temple was also the name of an album of devotional music issued by the Temple on The Beatles' Apple Records label. The album was produced by George Harrison.
The Radha Krsna Temple at 7 Bury Place, London was the initial headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in the UK from the late 1960s. In previous articles in this series, we included many examples of the devotees' presence at UK and American rock concerts that was undoubtedly inspired thanks to the Apple phenomenon."
The Radha Krsna Temple Album
In April 1970 an eponymously titled album was released by "Radha Krsna Temple" on Apple Records produced by George Harrison featuring devotional music. The album sleeve pictures the deities situated in the original temple from whom the temple name derives; these have now been moved to the ISKCON temple on Soho Square in London where they are known as 'Radha-Londonishvara'.
The band consisted of George Harrison on harmonium, guitar and bass guitar, Tamal Krishna Goswami on flute, Harivilas, Yamuna, Jivananda, Lilavati, Yogesvara on lead vocals, and assembled Hare Krishna devotees feature on vocals, mirdanga and kartals. All songs on the album were arranged by Mukunda Goswami.
The The Radha Krsna Temple album featured the following tracks:
1. "Govinda" -4:43
2. "Sri Guruvastakam" -3:12
3. "Sri Ishopanishad" -4:03
4. "Bhaja Bhakata-Arati" -8:24
5. "Bhajahu Re Mana" -8:53
6. "Hare Krishna Mantra" -3:33
7. "Govinda Jaya Jaya" -5:57
The track "Govinda" is played every morning at all of the ISKCON temples around the world, to greet the deities. This was on the request of Srila Prabhupada. The album was later reissued as Goddess of Fortune on the Spiritual Sky record label, and is now available as The Radha-Krishna Temple Album. Both "Govinda" and "Hare Krishna Mantra" were also released as singles. All royalties went to ISKCON."
Additional information about George Harrison's participation with the Krsna Consciousness movement can be found at the end of this article.
Original UK pressing of the Radha Krsna Temple album, 1970 on Apple Sapcor 18. Includes an advertising insert for Krsna book, with introduction by George Harrison. 1971 Singapore issue had this same cover (title not printed on front cover).
1971 UK pressing on Apple Sapcor 18. ' PECKO' inscribed in the dead wax space on side one. Album back cover and LP label pictured.
1993 UK Digitally Remastered Apple issue. Comes with gategold sleeve, featuring photos, info and track listing within the gatefold. The album has 8 tracks, including one bonus track.
And of course, the ubuquitious 8-track, of the original 1971 release.
Next Section
Hare Krsna Mantra Album
