Who would have thought it? :)

http://www.acappellanews.com/archive/001889.html

An obscure group of monks near Vienna.... suddenly rocket to superstardom :) well..not quite...

My question is: What is this telling us about the spiritual condition...longing...yearning.... thinking of the Westerner?

Why would a Gregorian chant, unreleased CD go gangbusters and top the US classical charts.

or... reach number 7 on the European pop charts?

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/stories/2008/2360806.htm

"Monks go platinum" :) sounds like some kind of oxymoron doesn't it

Nothing.

But it might say something about modern Western marketing.

What does it say about Western society that XTC can make a fortune out of 'Dear God'?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk41Gbjljfo

and that Sarah McLachlan can make another fortune out of covering it years later?

What can the Village People, or Kylie Minogue, or System of a Down, or Nirvana, or AC/DC, or Gwen Stefani tell us about ourselves?

Or Rammstein?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w9EksAo5hY

Western Society:

GODLESS and loving it.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7l5kQWjhyeg&feature=related

:D

Dear Polycarp,

I'm not at all surprised that the
Gregorian Chant music has once again
become popular. It is very spiritual.

I have a collection of tapes,
"Canto Gregoriano." (Coro De Monjes
Del Monasterio Benedictino De Santo
Domingo De Silos).

I enjoy listening to the tapes
especially whenever I need to stress out.
Its amazing the calming effect
the music has.

Perhaps, that's why the music has come back in vogue.
People today, lead such busy, hectic lives.

We could all use some calmness in our lives.

And what better way than with beautiful music
from an ancient oral tradition.

You've never listened to them then have you. I currently own all of the Gregorian CD's and their success is simple. They have Monks, who train for no less than eight years at their art, chanting popular songs from the last 4 decades to a rock ballad type beat. While this may seem like the worst thing that can possibly be done it fits perfectly together. This music is unique in that it brings the songs that people love in a new and sometimes better format, it is very calming and is not in the slightest spiritual as has been suggested.

But I could write forever about why it is good enough to get into the charts, if you wish to know why listen to it yourself. I suggest, because it is my personal favourite, Moment of Peace.