2003 SEPTEMBER 14 #257
I assume the Hare Krishnas are still considered a cult in this day and age. If not, some of us might think of worse things to call it. I came across several copies of this LP while living in the Cleveland / Akron area of Northeast Ohio which would indicate that these cats either did some serious gigging in that area at one time and sold a lot of copies or the local chapter was just giving this garbage away for free. I suspect the latter.
The name "Murari" is short for "Murari Sevaka", a farm community in rural Tennessee set up by the Krishnas so that those wishing to escape the ""hard struggle for existence" faced by us poor slobs who choose to use our brains and deal with the world could give up all their worldly possessions and finally do some LIVING for a change. Of course, should one discover that chanting gibberish all day long with no chance of a steak dinner after toiling in the fields for twelve hours isn't one's idea of "living", one might just find oneself in a bit of a predicament. However, with groovy recordings like this playing in the deprogramming center 24 hours a day, it is doubtful many of the converts minded too much. And, of course, they could also reflect that sacrifice of their worldly possessions helped maintain the high production values this recording received. A brief search on the internet reveals that the farm is still in existence but there are no pictures to be found and a website which is supposed contain information on Murari no longer exists. However, there are several listings for the address and phone number-perhaps they hope you will stop by for a visit.
- Matt Grayer
TT-3:01 / 2.8MB / 128kbps 44.1khz
from the self-titled LP (Desire Tree Records GH108) 1979
(Image courtesy of Matt Grayer)