I feel bad for the psalms. Their music, the tunes supposed to accompany them, has been lost to us. Though you may call me sacrilegious, I do not believe that they alone possess sanctifying power.
Idan Raichel is a household name in his homeland, due to his nonpartisan blending of Jewish and Muslim artists on record and stage. When he was asked to curate a series at the Tel Aviv Opera House, his first call went to the young African Muslim.
As we renew our Lenten resolutions at the midpoint of this season, perhaps we might consider doing so as Pope Paul III did centuries ago -- reflecting on Michelangelo's Last Judgment.
In U2's retelling, restoration comes through both humanitarian efforts and divine intervention. The promise and hope of both is that all will "live in safety."
There's no doubt the pitch around the holidays is elevated. But perhaps, when we make conscious efforts to lower the pitch, the music we make in our lives will be that much more beautiful.
His Sufi passion and his music remain alive among the initiated. Soon, perhaps, Seyed Khalil Alinejad will become known throughout the world, as he and his legacy deserve.
It's hard not to expect greatness from a man who has brought the world so many great things. Ravi Shankar nearly single-handedly introduced America to the classical Indian tradition a half-century ago.
Here are two song with imagined lyrical details about Prince Siddhartha's decision to leave his wife, child and kingdom, as well as the training he underwent leading to his eventual experience of awakening.
As a scientist and an atheist, how can I come to terms with my own spiritual reverence toward some instances of music?
The study of religion and literature grew quite naturally out of the curiosities and interests first nurtured by Bob Dylan's music, and without that seminal encounter with a 1967 album ... well, who knows.
With Jeff Bridges' new album, Dudeists have music to go along with their scriptures. Could a Dudeist liturgy be on the horizon as well?
It would be hard to turn Malian desert blues into a glitzy stratagem, though I'm sure with the genre's growing popularity some will try. Tinariwen does not partake in such foolishness.
One might imagine that a song written by a dying boy would be sad and full of regret -- but the song is inspiring, courageous and shows his profound belief in God.
Given that the vast majority of American Buddhists are converts and spend years circling around meditational deities such as Tārā, how do we listen to songs written with her mantra as the lyrics?
Free speech, open dialogue and respect for those who differ ought to be prized values in any society, and when absent, travesties like the horrific reactions to "The Satanic Verses" occur.
Is the "best Christian album of the year" from a man who famously described himself in a long-ago lyric as one part of "one-and-one-half wandering Jews"?