HOLY MADMAN LIVE!

ffm.to/holymadman-live
When I reflect upon the beautiful and very dear friends who have passed beyond this temporal plane of material existence, several names regularly float to the top of my vast and churning inner ocean. Invariably one name in particular seems to most often make its way to the top of this ancient list of loss and tears.
The first time I met Shyam Das he knocked on the door of my little cottage in West Berkeley, California, introduced himself, came in and asked for chai and said he wouldn’t leave until we sang kirtan together. I’d never met or heard of him before!!! As you might guess, I was a little taken aback, but I made chai and we talked for a while and then I took him to my little garage turned temple and we sang for what felt like hours. And, from that moment, Shyam became one of my closest friends. When he relocated to the Woodstock area we stayed in constant touch, sending each other spontaneous devotional poems in the style of the medieval Indian lovelorn mystics who wept burning tears calling for their beloved.
When Shyam Das died in India in 2013 my heart broke! A friend called me to tell me the news and I immediately broke into deep and wracking tears. All the spiritual texts give us beautiful hints of what happens after death, but I haven’t read or seen anything that prepares us for the horrible sense of loss that we experience when a loved one dies, especially when that death is sudden and unexpected.
But, to this day, Shyam Das so often calls me to remember him. “Sing with me right now, Jai Gopal”, he says! And of course, I heed that call. And with that remembrance comes pain as well as sweetness - the two sides of Bhakti. The longing and the presence.
I wrote this melody for the Maha Mantra several years ago purely as a dedication to my dear brother, and named it ‘Holy Madman: In Remembrance of Shyam Das’. We released it with no fanfare or promotion, thinking that whoever was meant to hear it would indeed hear it.
The song was so precious to me that I never performed it live. Not once! Until April 13th at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley when I had a very strong inner call to share it. I performed it with the most lovely and gentle band of my dreams. Brianna Prajna Vieira sang and played harmonium; Jahnavi Harrison sang and played violin; Jason ‘JJ’ Jones played upright bass and sang; and I pulled out my fretless banjo and sang. The vibe was simply heavenly, blissful! And I felt Shyam Das sitting beside me, singing along!
I don’t often release live recordings, but, after JJ mixed the track, we all felt that it was important to offer it to you all. Our world is in such a time of chaos and suffering. Let’s share our love, prayers and songs far and wide.
HOLY MADMAN LIVE! will be released on all streaming platforms on July 10th.
Credits:
Jai Uttal, featuring Brianna Prajna Vieira, Jahnavi Harrison & Jason “JJ” Jones
Live recording by Brian Walker & Tesser Call at Freight & Salvage, in Berkeley, California on April 13th, 2024.
Jai Uttal - fretless banjo & lead vocal.
Brianna Prajna Vieira - harmonium & vocal.
Jahnavi Harrison - violin & vocal.
Jason Jones - upright bass & vocal.
Mixed by Jason Jones.
Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper at TurtleTone Studios.
Photo by Stephanie Mohan.
Graphic Design by Nubia Teixeira.
Composed by Jai Uttal PawanaSutaMusic/BMI ©️2022
And what I wrote for the original release:
In remembrance of Shyam Das.
India has an ancient tradition of honoring and revering what they call ‘Holy Madmen’, individuals who are filled to the brim with the ecstasy of divine presence. Often these men and women will sing, dance and recite spontaneous poetry. Considered ‘crazy’ by the mainstream, they are a living treasure to those with eyes that can see past the surface. My dear friend Shyamdas (1953-2013) was a holy madman, an inspiration to all and a brother to me. This song is a love letter to him.
jaiuttal.com/

[@madankumarchowdhary8213]

🌷🔥🌹🌷🔥KRISHNA🌹🌷🔥🌹🌷🔥KRISHNA🌹🌷🔥🌹🌷🔥HARE HATR🌹🌷🔥🌹🌷🔥🌹🌷🔥🌹

[@gabrielamasala]

Epic Holy Names Mystical, Musical Devotion! I Love the evolution & Bhakti heart in every note! Thank you!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@NubiaTeixeiraDevotionalYoga]

It is such a beautiful tune and offering Jai ! Thanks

[@sandeepswarupjena]

Jaya SitaRam Jaya Hanuman Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram

[@Baldevi]

A truly Lovley and Loving tribute to Shyam Das and Sri Krishna, thank you for sharing this Live, this was such a gift!

[@runtigerun]

@jaiuttal ~ Such beautiful words remembering those who indelibly touch our lives for a flicker in time. Bless all you wonderful souls who leave the Earth a better place for being here and leaving your legacies. Hare Krishna Hare Rama. Peace 🙏

[@Mantras-and-Mystics]

Thank you Jai! I very much appreciate your divine work. 💙

[@AmirPaiss]

So heartfelt, inspiring and epicly beautiful 💜💜💜

[@swamianandtilopa5507]

Only gratitude 🙏 ❤️

[@fenwizard5454]

This made me cry. Always a good sign!

[@rachelrawlinson2821]

David would have loved this! 💓💞💖

[@JD-dh2cu]

thanks jai! very nice of you to tell the story and to share it all! in appreciation....anjaneya

[@gailjohnson2324]

🙏💖

[@rachelrawlinson2821]

I Love!! congrats Jai!

[@mohitraghav4182]

When are you coming to India