Recordings

JATAKA: Stories & Music of Buddhist India

Released in 2006, this CD features four stories from the Buddhist tradition, translated and adapted by Margo, with musical accompaniment (guitar, mrdangam and other percussion instruments) by Doug MacKenzie:

1.    The Antelope Birth (Kurunga-miga Jataka) – A story of friendship.
2.    The Crow Birth (Kaka-Jataka) – What makes a true leader?
3.    The Story of the Mango (Amba-Jataka) – Generosity repaid.
4.    The Legend of Nalagiri – A raging elephant is tamed by the power of the Buddha’s loving-kindness.

Available for purchase by contacting Margo or from CDBaby.

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Reviews:

The Buddhist oral tradition has been reborn, thanks to this wonderful new rendition of Jataka stories by Margo McLoughlin. In pre-literate India the fables that make up the Jataka collection were the primary means of sharing the Buddha’s ethical teachings. On this disk Margo tells four of these stories, about friends helping each other in times of trouble, the unforeseen consequences of irresponsible behavior, and the power of generosity.

What sets this production apart from others is that Margo, in addition to being a gifted storyteller, took the time to study the Pali language and has given her own translation of the original texts. By doing so she has followed the idiom of the Pali very closely, leaving the occasional phrase untranslated. This offers remarkable access to the textures and nuances of the ancient storytellers. This is no mere retelling of the stories, but is a skillful performance, complete with restrained and effective musical accompaniment, of these long-lost gems of ancient Buddhist literature.

But don’t take my word for it: I recently had four tired, grumpy children (age 4-6) in the back of the car, absorbed in rapt, silent attention as they listened to Margo beautifully weave her story.
~ Andrew Olendzki for Inquiring Mind: A Semiannual Journal of the Vipassana Community Spring 2007

Margo's quality, tone of voice, musical arrangements and story narrative combine to create something new which resonates within the listener. It's like being within a song that has purpose and meaning.  Reaching my sons Sumedho and Pasanno was the ultimate test, but like all great storytellers, there's hidden truth there for adults too...
~ Rohan Kariyawasam, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Essex, UK

CD Release:

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the stories, and the wonderful calm that took me home left me wondering how different we all might be if we listened to even just one such story a day. 
(Michele, Victoria, BC)

Dear Margo,
Listening to your stories last night was wonderful for me. You have a lovely presence, a voice that invites me to the trance of believing that I am a child again, that is, a time when belief was suspended and magic happens, and I so enjoyed your choices of stories. (Sandra L., Victoria, BC)

That was a lovely evening Margo!  Your telling was delicious, the material absorbing, and the commentary – especially at the end – was fascinating.  I look forward to more!
(Anne G., Victoria, BC)