Composer, musician, singer/songwriter David Backstrom was a student of eastern music and philosophy since the sixties. He was initiated by Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas in 1970 into a form of yoga called "Nada Yoga" the yoga sound. He studied with various teachers and gurus and taught at th eUniversity of Hawaii, Hawaii Loa College and others. David toured, played, sang and written songs with Dan Fogelberg, Stevie Nicks, and Dave Mason, as well as writing music for movies and television. Backstrom was a featured male vocalist on the TV show "Star Search" representing Hawaii and owned the recording studio "Jungle Records" on Oahu where he co-produced Bla Pahinui's first solo album. He was also in the band Shankara
Albums
I Give You My Heart
If I give you my heart
Waters and Woods
Maybe I'm Afraid
Leader of the Band
I've got a dream
Willie
Lady of my dreams
Before you sleep
Into the Light Haleakala Dawn
Wind on Waves
First Flight
Misty Crater Moon
Haleakala Sunrise
Shankara Live Wanderer
Cost of Freedom
Waters and Woods
Tantruktum Devisuktum
Get Together / Wedding Song
My Sweet Lord
Jai Guru Dev (Across the Universe)
Gallery
Shankara
Shankara (the Giver of Joy): “Because he creates (kr) joy (sukha-sam), because he is the source of boundless joy, Siva, the supreme formless being, is named the Giver-of-joy (Shankara)”
The Shankara sound “World Hypno-Groove”, evolved from the seasoned ensemble of composer/singer songwriters Raj Agni and David Backstrom joined by rhythm master DJ Ged whose collaboration is evident in their well-produced CD “Ocean Of Love”. (The CD and all individual songs are available for purchase on this website).
The intrepid Maui, Hawaii-based band draws from a wealth of sonic textures provided by DJ Ged’s extraordinary command of the vintage Roland D2 “Groove Box”. Layered and textured into the mix are the rich vocal harmonies of Raj and David, who contribute their guitar and rhythmic expertise, and are joined by an array of Maui’s finest musicians adding depth and sizzle into their eclectic style.
Songs like “In Praise Of The Future”, the album opener, rip with strength and presence as the written word is pronounced articulating a powerful vision infused with meaning and deep spiritual emotion. The Coda reverberates with exquisite resonance as it intones, “Release your Soul to the Divine”.
A joyful mix of 14 original tunes demonstrates the range and depth of Shankara’s formidable offering, as the band sets out to bring its music to the street and deliver its message to all who are ready. For those who have ears to hear, the Shankara experience is an unforgettable journey into the heart of a music rich in spirit and passion.
BIOS
David Backstrom:
Recording artist, producer, composer, musician, singer/songwriter David Backstrom has been a student of eastern music and philosophy since the sixties and a practitioner of “Nada Yoga the yoga of sound. David has toured, played, sang and written songs with Dan Fogelberg, Stevie Nicks, Dave Mason as well as writing music for movies and television. Backstrom was a featured male vocalist on the TV Show Star Search” representing Hawaii and owned the recording studio “Jungle Records” on Oahu where he co-produced Bla Pahinui’s first solo album. David is a founding member of Shankara where he sings lead and vocal harmonies and plays guitar and keyboards. His previous recordings include “Shankara Live”
Raj Agni:
Recording artist, producer, composer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter Raj Agni has played eastern and western music extensively and since the early 1970s with kirtan performers such as Bhagawan Das, Krishna Das, and Jai Uttal. Raj Agni is a founding member of Shankara where he sings lead and vocal harmonies and plays guitar and Roland Handsonic Percussion Controller. Raj Agni's previous recordings include “Shankara Live”, “Bhav” and "Shakti Bhakti".
DJ Ged:
Performance DJ artist and Composer, Ged has been a regular fixture on the Maui Music scene. Integrating rhythmic skills on the Roland D2 Groove Box, Ged designs rhythmic and sonic textures that are the compositional basis for Shankara’s songs.
THE STRANGEST THING HAPPENED
WHEN YOU WALKED IN THE DOOR
I KNEW YOU WERE SOMEONE
I HAD KNOWN BEFORE
THE FEELING I HAD
SENT SHIVERS UP MY SPINE
WAS THIS A CHANCE MEETING
OR WAS IT BY DESIGN
THOUGH I’VE ALWAYS KIND OF FELT
A SPECIAL DESTINY
YOUR WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR
CONFIRMED IT ALL TO ME
ONE LOOK IN YOUR EYES
I FELT THE POWER OF YOUR SOUL
NOW MY HEART BELONGS TO YOU
AND I KNOW YOU KNOW I KNOW
CH:
I KNOW THAT / I------------------------
AM A SERVANT TO THE POWER/ OF YOUR SOUL
I KNOW THAT / I------------------------
WILL STRIVE ALWAYS TO LOVE
A HIGHER GOAL
NOW I’M NOT ONE TO FOLLOW
EASILY A DESTINED PATH
BUT, EVERYTIME I THINK OF YOU
IT’S MORE THAN I CAN GRASP
YOUR KINDNESS AND COMPASSION
YOUR LOVING NATURE FLOWS
NOW EVERYWHERE I LOOK I SEE
THE GRACE THAT FAITH CAN SHOW
MY LIFE HAS CHANGED REMARKABLY
AND EVERY STEP I TAKE
IS PROCEEDED BY A GOODNESS
THAT IS MORE THAN I CAN MAKE
I’M GREATEFUL TO THE TEACHER
TO THE ONE WHO SHOWS THE WAY
AND EVERY CHANCE TO NOW EXPRESS
MY LOVE I HAVE TO SAY
CH:
IF THERE’S A PURPOSE OR A MEANING
TO MY LIFE ILL HAVE TO FIND
CAUSE EVERYDAY I LOOK WITHIN
TO SEE WHAT’S IN MY MIND
AND IF THERE IS A STRUGGLE
BETWEEN THE EVIL AND THE GOOD
I CALL UPON THE TEACHER
FOR THE GUIDANCE THAT I SHOULD
I DEDICATE MY EFFORTS NOW,
TO REACH THE HIGHER GROUND
YET TURN UPON MY PATH TO SHARE
THE BETTER WAY I’VE FOUND
AND IF BY CHANCE YOU LOOSE YOUR WAY
OR NEED A HELPING HAND
PLEASE CALL UPON THE TEACHER
FOR THE TEACHER UNDERSTANDS
ALL ALONE AGAIN IT SEEMS HAVE YOU RUN AWAY FROM ME
NEVER GONNA KNOW WHAT YOU CANNOT SEE
COME AND TAKE A TRIP WITH ME
ALL WE NEED TO FIND IS SOME PEACE OF MIND
YOU MAY KNOW THE REASON WHY
THE LONGER YOU WAIT THE LESS YOU’LL SEE SEARCHIN FOR SERENITY
CH:
FAR FROM THE FIGHT YOU BURN IN THE NIGHT
AND IN THE RAYS OF YOUR LIGHT WE ARE FREE
FOR TIME PASSES BY IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
FOR YOU ARE AN OCEAN OF PEACE
OPEN UP YOUR HEART THE WAY IS CLEAR
DON’T LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF FEAR
DARKNESS FALLS THE WORLD CAN’T SEE BLINDED BY HYPOCRISY
THE GIFT OF LOVE WILL CHART YOUR WAY
SAIL INTO THE OPEN SEA
THERE YOU’LL FIND THE MEANING CLEAR
THE PROPHETS WORDS WILL SOON APPEAR
CH:
BRIDGE
AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH
AMAMA UA NOA—THIS PRAYER HAS FLOWN
EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD
LET YOUR MIND AND SPIRIT FLY
JOY AND BLISS YOUR DESTINY
YOU CAN’T GO IF YOU DON’T TRY
BONSOIR, BONSOIR, BONSOIR, BONSOIR
EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD
OPEN TO THE ONE INSIDE
LISTEN SOFTLY TELL THE TALES
REPEAT IT LIKE A LULLABYE
SEND IT OUT INTO THE SKY
ALL AROUND THE WORLD-REPEAT
BONSOIR, BONSOIR, BONSOIR, BONSOIR
EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD
LISTEN TO THE VOICE INSIDE
SPEAKING WORDS THAT SET YOU FREE
SING THEM LIKE A HARMONY
SENT THEM OUT INTO THE SKY ALL AROUND THE WORLD
BONSOIR, BONSOIR, BONSOIR, BONSOIR
EVERYONE AROUND THE WOLRD
LISTEN TO MY LULLABYE
YOU CAN SING THE HARMONY
RELEASE YOUR LOVE INTO THE SKY
ALL AROUND THE WORLD
REPEAT
WHEN THE MANIFESTING VISION
IS ABOUT TO BE UNFOLD
AND ALL THE ENERGIZING PATTERNS
TO BE TOLD
THEN AWAKEN FROM THE SEAT
OF SILENT SLEEPING FIRE
WREST THE CURE BURING BRIGHT
ORIENTAL IN DESIRE
SHAKE ME THROUGH SPIRAL FOUNTAIN
BURN AWAY THE DARK AND DOUBT
LIFT THE VEIL BEFORE THE VISIONARY
MOUNTAIN
PLACE MY BODY ON THE ALTER
AS A SACRIFICAL LAMB
I GIVE IT FREELY NOW THAT ALL I AM
I WILL THEN UNDERSTAND
CH:
LET YOUR LOVE FLOW INTO THE RIVER
ON IT’S WAY TO UNION WITH THE SEA
KEEP YOUR SOUL IN JOY SURROUNDED
THEN MOVE ON TO ETERNITY
I RAISE MY EYES TO MEET THE GAZE
IN WHICH COMPASSION OVERFLOWS
STRIPPED BEFORE THE BEAM OF BALANCE
WHERE ALL KNOWS
AND EVERYTHING THAT ONCE WAS ME
CONSUMED AS IN A FLAME
I THEN CROSS THE VOID OF IGNORANCE
AND LEARN TO SPEAK THE NAME
WHEN THE SPHERES RESOUND IN HEAVEN
AND YOU LEARN TO HEAR THE CALL
THEN YOU KNOW THAT YOU MUST OFFER
THE GIFT OF LIGHT TO ALL
AND PREPARE THE WAY FOR ENERGIES
EXALTED IN THEIR NAME
AS THE SEVEN SEALS BEFORE THE THRONE
ARE OPENED AND REMAIN
IF YOU COULD SEE THE WORLD THRU MY EYES
YOU’D SEE A WORLD MADE OF SWEETNESS AND LOVE
CAUSE I NO LONGER SEE THE LIES DECIET AND DESPAIR
OF THE WORLD
I’M BLIND TO ALL PAIN, FEAR AND SUFFERING
I CANNOT HEAR SCREAMS OF ANGUISH
OR THE MOANING OF THE CONFUSED
AND I WON’T LOOK AT WAR OR FIGHTING
THE SPECTOR OF DEATH DOES NOT KNOCK AT MY DOOR
CH:
CAUSE I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR LOVE
YES, I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR LOVE
IN MY HEART I CAN FEEL ONLY LOVE
IN MY SOUL, I ONLY KNOW, ONLY LOVE
IF I COULD SEE THE WORLD THROUGH YOUR EYES
ID SEE A WORLD OF CONFUSION AND PAIN
EVEN THOUGH YOU OWN IT ALL
THE MONEY, THE LAND, THE GUNS
YOUR HEART HAS GROWN COLD FROM CRUELTY AND GREED
YOU’LL NEVER FIND INNER PEACE,
OR THE GOODNESS OF GRACE
CAUSE YOU SET THE WORLD ON FIRE
YOU’LL BURN WITH IT
SO I CALL OUT TO ALL, THE TIME HAS COME
CH:
IF YOU COULD SEE THE WORLD THRU MY EYES
YOU’D SEE A WORLD MADE OF SWEETNESS AND LOVE
CAUSE I NO LONGER SEE THE LIES DECIET AND DESPAIR
OF THE WORLD
I’M BLIND TO ALL PAIN, FEAR AND SUFFERING
I CANNOT HEAR SCREAMS OF ANGUISH
OR THE MOANING OF THE CONFUSED
AND I WON’T LOOK AT WAR OR FIGHTING
BUT MY HEART WON’T GROW COLD
FROM THE CREULTY OF MAN
THERE’S A WOMAN WHO’S PLAYING WITH YOUR SOUL
SHE IS PLAYING YOUR HEARTSTRINGS LIKE A BOW
SHE WILL FIND THEM AND NEVER LET THEM GO
TAKE YOU PLACES YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU’D GO
____________________________
CH:
SHE ACTS FROM KINDNESS
CONCERN FOR ALL LIVING
HER LOVE IS ENDLESS
AND CONSTANTLY GIVING
ACTS OF COMPASSION
SHOW LOVE TO ALL BEINGS
NO ONE CAN STAND
UNREVEALED TO HER SEEING
_______________________________
WORDS OF WISDOM FLOW EVER FROM HER HEART
SHE WILL NEVER REJECT OR CAUSE TO PART
ONLY UNION WITH GODDESS IS HER GOAL
ONLY MERGING IN ONENESS - HARE BOL
_______________________________
SHE WILL READ FROM YOUR HEARTS OPEN BOOK
UNCONDITIONAL LOVING AS SHE LOOKS
THEN SHELL GUIDE YOU TO HIGHER STATES OF MIND
INNER VISION, THE SPIRIT’S PATH YOU’LL FIND
A GENTLE STAR SHINES IN THE EARLY EVENING SKY
RELEASING RAYS OF LOVE FROM A THRONE ESTABLISHED HIGH
THE ONE WHOSE VEIL NOW SHROUDS A FORM
TOO BRILLIANT TO REVEAL
WILL SHOW PERFECTION MANIFEST
AND IN A FLOWER HEAL
CH:
BAJAMANA MY MY MA
OH MY MOTHER MY MY MA
OH MY MOTHER MY MY MA
MOTHER DIVINE PLEASE HELP US NOW
WE SEND OUR HOPES AND CRIES
THE AGE IN WHICH WE LIVE IS HARD
OUR PATIENCE, HAS BEEN TRIED
TO DO SOME GOOD IN LIFE
AS WE ARE TESTED EVERY DAY
AND EVEN WHEN WE FAIL YOU
IN OUR HEARTS, TO YOU WE PRAY
CH:
YOU’RE IN MY HEART, YOU’RE IN MY SOUL, YOU’RE IN MY DREAMS---I CAN’T LET GO----
YOURE IN MY EYES, YOU’RE IN MY SMILE, YOU’RE IN MY CRYS, ---THERE’S NO TOMMORROW-----
WALK BESIDE ME, WALK BESIDE ME, WALK BESIDE ME
SOMEDAY WHEN YOU ARE DREAMING
OF A FUTURE FAR AWAY
YOU’LL THINK ABOUT THE MOTHER’S LOVE
AND IN YOUR HEART SHE’LL STAY
CAUSE RARELY WILL YOU FIND A LOVE
THAT GROWS WITHIN ALL HEARTS
THE MOTHER’S LOVE IS BOUNDLESS,
FROM HER LOVE YOU’LL NEVER PART
CH:
WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE SOMETIMES I FEEL I SHOULD RUN AWAY, THEN I KNOW IT’S YOU I SEE LOOKIN BACK AT ME INSIDE THE SEA
THEN MY LIFE JUST FLIES AWAY FLIES AWAY
WAY OFF IN THE DISTANCE, I CAN HEAR YOUR SPIRIT SCREAM------OH LORD OH LORD OH LORD OH LORD OH LORD ARE YOU CALLIN ME
CH:
OH MY LORD I’M READY, OH MY LORD I’M READY
OH MY LORD I’M READY, OH MY LORD I’M READY
SHALLOW WORDS FROM PILGRIMS MAKES MY HEART CRY SPEAK THE TRUTH YOU SO CALLED MEN OF GOD OR YOU WILL BURN IN THE FIRE OF THE LIGHT----DISPEL THE DARKNESS
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA, OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
SIVAYA NAMAH HA SHIVAYA NAMAH OM
SUN LIGHTS UP THE DAYTIME MOON LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT
I LIGHT UP WHEN GOD CALLS MY NAME CAUSE I KNOW HE GONNA TREAT ME RIGHT—OH FATHER
CH:
I CAN HEAR YOUR VOICE CALLIN IN THE DEEP DARK REACHES OF THE NIGHT
LET YOUR TRUTH BE KNOWN TO ME
MY HEAR IS OPEN AND WAITING FOR YOUR LIGHT
DISPEL THE DARKNESS
TAKE A LOOK AROUND, LISTEN TO THE SOUND
OF THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE IN
TRY TO FIND A WAY, TO QUITE DOWN YOUR DAY
AND BE THANKFULL FOR WHAT YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN
TURN OFF THE TV, REMOVE THE INJURY
FROM THE MIND IN WHICH YOU LIVE
FIND A QUIET PLACE, TO RECEIVE THE GRACE
IT’S THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW YOURE THERE
CH:
UNITE YOUR HEARTS, REVEAL YOUR SOULS
TIME TO MOVE, AGAINST ALL ODDS—
LET’S DANCE
EVERYBODY LET’S DANCE
OYE, OYE, OYE, DONDE ESTAS
OYE, OYE, OYE, MIA AMORE
IT STARTED A LONG TIME AGO,
WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG AND DID NOT KNOW.
YOU THOUGHT THAT LIFE WAS JUST A HOLIDAY-
YOU TURNED YOUR CHEEK THE OTHER WAY.
AS TIME PASSED BY YOU CAME TO SEE
THE SORROW OF REALITY
YOU TOOK YOUR PLACE AMOUNG THE STRONG
BUT DEEP INSIDE YOUR HEART WAS TORN.
CH: 2X
OH GIVE ME YOUR HEART , GIRL
OH GIVE ME YOUR HEART , GIRL
ILL SHOW YOU WHAT LOVE CAN DO
THE YEARS FLEW BY WITHOUT A LOVE—
CONFUSED AND TIRED YOU JUST GAVE UP.
THEN SUDDENLY YOU CAME TO ME
TO A SHINING ISLAND IN THE SEA
CH: 1X
I KNOW THAT I CAN FIND A WAY
TO MAKE YOU LAUGH AND SING AND PLAY.
FORGET FORGIVE THE PAST IS GONE
I’M WITH YOU NOW, I’M WITH YOU NOW, I’M WITH YOU NOW
SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO SAY
BUT I CAN’T FIND THE WORDS THE PHRASE
TO TELL YOU OF MY LOVE FOR YOU
RISING TIDES OF TIME STAND STILL.
LIFE’S S GOES QUICK AND THEN YOU DIE
HEAR WHAT I SAY
WORK HARD TO GET RICH AND DIE
HEAR WHAT I SAY
YOUTH FADES YOU’LL GET OLD AND DIE
HEAR WHAT I SAY
MOSTLY YOU’LL BE BOUGHT AND SOLD
HEAR WHAT I SAY
CH: HEAR WHAT I SAY 3X
SHOULD BE,
YOU’D BE BORN FULLY FORMED
BLESSED WITH WEALTH AND EXCELLENT HEALTH
COMPLETELY AWARE, WITH OUT A CARE
THEN YOU’D GROW GET YOUNGER AND YOUNGER
SWEETER, KINDER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL
WITH EACH PASSING DAY
REGRESS TO AN INNOCENT CHILD, AN INFANT UNDEFILED
THEN, CRAWL SILENTLY INTO YOUR MOTHER’S WOMB,
AND DISAPPEAR IN A MOMENT OF RAPTURE AND BLISS
BUT LIFE DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY
INSTEAD,
WE’RE BORN HELPLESS AND IN NEED
MAKE MISTAKES, CRY IN HUMILIATION
WORK LIKE DOGS TO BUY THINGS WE REALLY DON’T NEED
GET MARRIED, HAVE KIDS, A HOUSE, A CAR, JOBS RESPONSIBILTY AND LOADS OF STRESS
THEN, WE GET TIRED GROW EVER WEAK AND FORGETFUL
AND EVENTUALLY BECOME SENILE, INCOUNTINENT HELPLESS AND WITHER AWAY TO DIE IN OBLIVIAN
YES, LIFE WORKS THAT WAY
