Laurie Anderson explores The Tibetan Book Of The Dead on Songs From The Bardo

Originally performed during an improvised concert at New York’s Rubin Museum of Art.

Laurie Anderson is back with a new album, Songs From The Bardo. Enlisting the talents of Tibetan artist Tenzin Choegyal and Jesse Paris Smith – daughter of Patti Smith, the experimental icon explores The Tibetan Book Of The Dead over 14 tracks of instrumental music and spoken word.

Originally performed during a largely improvised concert at New York’s Rubin Museum of Art, Pitchfork notes that the recorded version includes additional instrumentation from cellist Rubin Kodheli and percussionist Shahzad Ismaily.

“I have tried to channel the wisdom and traditions of my ancestors through my music in a very contemporary way while holding the depth of my lineage”, explains Choegyal in the album’s liner notes. The Tibetan vocalist and multi-instrumentalist contributes vocals, lingbu (a Tibetan bamboo flute), dranyen (a stringed Tibetan instrument), singing bowls, and gong to Songs From the Bardo.

Head here for more info in advance of its 27th September release via Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, check out the cover art and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

2. Heart Sutra Song – Gone Beyond

3. Awakened One

4. The Three Jewels

5. Brilliant Lights

6. Listen Without Distraction

7. Gong

8. Dancing With the Crescent Knife

9. Jigten

10. Natural Form of Emptiness

11. Lotus Born, No Need to Fear

12. Dividing Line

13. Moon in the Water

14. Awakened Heart