“We Share The Moon – Inspired Love Songs”
by Lissa Coffey and David Vito Gregoli
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
There is probably no better time for an album that is “all about love” to be released than on Valentine’s Day. “We Share The Moon – Inspired Love Songs” by Lissa Coffey and David Vito Gregoli is the follow-up to the duo’s groundbreaking album, “Song Divine: The Bhagavad Gita Rock Opera.”
The music on this ten-track album was inspired by the preeminent words of sages and saints such as Rumi, Hafiz, and Mirabai. Contemporary beats, beautiful vocals, captivating lyrics, and a sprinkling of Indian instruments, combine in a unique and engaging blend of ancient and modern, making the “East meets West” music on the album accessible and relatable to all.
Vocalist Leela Ladnier provided vocals for most of the songs, and a host of additional musical talent such as Donna DeLory and Natalie Nicole Gilbert, to name a few, contributed as well. Along with these, some exotic instrumentation such as sarangi, Irish bouzouki, sitar, and tabla, contribute to the uplifting overall ambiance of the music.
As well as producing, Gregoli contributed drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, sitar, percussion, Indian percussion, keyboards, piano, Irish bouzouki, and backing vocals to the mix. The compelling, inspirational words of Swami Vivekananda, the heartfelt sentiments of Sri Sarada Devi, and Mirabai are woven gracefully into the music, creating an eclectic, memorable, and rejuvenating recording.
Based near Los Angeles, David Vito Gregoli is internationally renowned as both a producer and guitar player, for his esoteric, exotic instrumentation and his infectious, genre-crossing grooves. He has written music for many films and television shows and has produced artists is several genres. Lissa Coffey is a songwriter, member of the Producer’s Guild (PGA), host, speaker, and the best-selling author of several books, including “Song Divine: A New Lyrical Rendition of the Bhagavad Gita.” Lissa has a deep background in Vedic studies and is well-known for her “Ancient Wisdom Modern Style” philosophy.
“We Share The Moon” opens with the upbeat “Written All Over Your Face,” with its infectious lyrics and spirit-elevating, Top 40, “New Age Pop” vibe. Beautifully done in every regard, this is truly delightful, and designed to help you graciously get through any of life’s challenges.
If ever a song could bring tears of joy, “We Share the Moon” is the one. The soothing ballad features not only special songbird, Leela Ladnier, but her father, Cooper Ladnier on tabla as well. It’s a song not just to be heard, but to be felt deeply in the heart and soul. Leela brings compelling emotion and depth to the lyrics, which are inspired by Bengali Saint Sri Sarada Devi. This is a beautiful, moving ballad that sweeps you away to a magical place where troubles cease to exist. And here, we are reminded so very beautifully, that “we share the moon.” Gorgeous.
“I Surrender” is equally, if not even more compelling with its “Let it all go. . .” messages. Starting off rather quietly, drawing us softly in, the song has great emotion and build:
“I fall to my knees. I beg you please. . .
Take my burdens, Take my sorrows, Take my grief.
This is my release – I see what can be.
Grant me wisdom, Grant me patience, Grant me peace. . .
There’s nothing else to do. . .I give it all to you. I surrender.”
We can’t address every track here, as I wish we could, and you will undoubtedly want to get the entire album rather than just a few songs, as the whole thing is wonderfully elevating to the spirit. Here are some other highlights:
“Krishna Govinda” is an enthusiastic, upbeat, optimistic piece that will have you up and dancing in no time. The beat is fun and full of life, the lyrics devotional, and the Leela’s vocals are again supremely delivered.
Donna De Lory’s sultry vocal performance is completely captivating on “Net of Love.” With lyrics inspired by the words of the Indian poet and saint, Mirabai, we find ourselves transported to a time and place where hearts are open, and we are free to simply express love.
The angelic vocals of Natalie Nicole Gilbert draw us softly in on “Listen,” Here, we feel our hearts gently opening. Just beautiful.
This not to be missed album closes out with the memorable, devotional, “pop” version of “Maha Mantra,” featuring Vishvambhar Sheth, Venu Bhanot, and Pankaj Mishra. It’s a gracefully flowing groove that will stick with you through your day and serve as a continual reminder of the universal love that we all share. Excellent in every way, to the moon and back, in fact.
Get “We Share The Moon” here: https://shorturl.at/dqT47
Official artist websites:
David Vito Gregoli: https://www.vitogregolimusic.com/
Lissa Coffey: https://www.coffeytalk.com/
