Customer Reviews

At the Woodstock

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, this may have been recorded at Woodstock, but it is not rock, pop, folk or any other "popular" music. Also, because it was recorded at an overcrowded concert in the middle of a farm, during a rainstorm, the recording itself is not the best. That being said, this album contains some brilliant playing. Ravi is spectacular, Alla Rakha is unbelivable, especially on his solo, and the interplay between them at the climax of Raga Manj Khamaj is breathtaking.

The three songs on the disc are not snippets, the shortest being over 8 minutes, and they require intent listening to appreciate, but it's worth it.

Like pretty much every performer at any Woodstock, this is not Ravi's best work. From the original, he entertained a lot of muddy, naked humans who cheered for him probably because it was the "groovy thing to do." Similar things have happened throughout his history; on "The Concert For Bangla Desh" he and his players received applause following a minute of twanings caused by tuning the Indian instruments. In those days, people wanted pop whether they admitted it or not. Something wonderful happened since then, however: pop got old. These days we have acts like Silverchair and the Goo Goo Dolls and so many imitators that it's hard to keep track of them all. Now we want a true original, which is exactly what Ravi is and always was. He wasn't always very accessible, but he was unmistakable. This effort is often quite monotonous and droning however, so I recommend searching elsewhere for your Ravi needs. The highlights disc of his "In Celebration" box gives a good account of the history of his music, and "Chants Of India" is quite poppy and accessible (relatively...) so I'd scoop them up first. Woodstock collecters will swoop this right up as rightfully they should...he was an interesting addition to a sort of overrated event. Ravi fans will get more of the same, but this isn't quite as interesting as most of what you'll find on "In Celebration" or "The Sound Of India." I recommend the "Concert For Bangla Desh" first to kinda check him out, it has a pretty good piece called "Bangla Duhn" with better sound quality (I THINK this is the same, but it may be better than what I have) plus rock 'n' roll and folk performances by George Harrison, Bob Dylan and others. Ravi is best taken slowly and in moderation, a single disc of just sitar, tablas and such may be a bit too hard to take.

Ravi Shankar/ Ravi Shankar at The Woodstock Festival: First, let me say that you should not be paying over $25 for this CD (at the most). In 2011, this CD is being listed used at over $100! That is ridiculous. This album is good, but it ain't THAT good. I am a big fan of Ravi Shankar's work and a fan of the Woodstock Festival as well, but I bought this CD several years ago for seven dollars. I am glad I bought it, but if it had not been an economy disc, I would have passed it by. If you do not have this CD, wait for it to be re-released (if it ever is). It is better not to have this album at all than to pay a rip-off price.

Now, secondly, as to the performance itself; As stated, Ravi Shankar is an India music icon, a world class master of the Sitar. This CD gives his entire performance at Woodstock and it is very good, but it is not his best concert (Even with the fine Tabla solo by Alla Rakha). This is a solid four-star performance.