The Blue Spirit Retreat Center presented the first of two public concerts of New Age recording artists Deva Premal and Miten to an appreciative audience March 31, as part of the Center's effort to share its roster of acclaimed artists and spiritual leaders with the local community.

Deva Premal's soaring and melodic soprano renditions of Sanskrit mantras became a staple in yoga studios after the release of their breakthrough "The Essence" in 1998. However, it was mostly Miten's songcraft that was on display Thursday night. The British guitarist and singer-songwriter got the crowd rocking with a soulful version of the blues classic "You Gotta Move."

Missing from the set was anything from "The Essence," although German-born Premal recounted how it was recorded in her mother's house, where she was born and raised listening to mantras such as the Gayatri.

The two hour set included a tuneful but not over-melodic mix of kirtans and Miten's folk songs, such as the tranquil "White Cloud White Swan" from their recording Strength of a Rose, in a relaxed setting surrounded by adoring followers. The couple was well-assisted by Nepalese flute player Manose, who also contributed floating vocals, as well as a demonstration of the overtone singing mastered by Tibetan monks.

The trio performed a song from their recent recording in Australia with the Gyuto Tibetan monks, titled "Tibetan Mantras for a Turbulent World." As sonically advanced as overtone singing is, it still sounds a lot like a chorus of Costa Rican frogs on a wet night.

Tickets for the 8 pm concert on April 14 at Blue Spirit's SkyMindHall are $25, for more information.
( Deva Premal and Miten Offer Concert in Nosara article )

Deva Premal and Miten before the concert that they gave at Blue Spirit in Nosara. The couple met in India in 1990.

Miten, Deva Premal and Manose before the concert that they gave at Blue Spirit in Nosara.

Prayer beads.


Flutes and cymbal that Manose played during the concert that was given at Blue Spirit in Nosara.

Miten used to be rock singer and songwriter. Since 1991, he has been touring with Deva Premal.

Nepalese bansuri flautist Manose started playing flute with Madan Dev Bhatta, a disciple of Ustad Bishmillah Khan.

Deva Premal, of Germany, is known for her spiritual New Age music.

Deva Premal is talking to one of her listeners after the concert that they gave at Blue Spirit in Nosara.