Customer Reviews

Conversations

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is one of the best fusion albums ever done, the blending of jazz and carnatic in this one is simply superb and is a pioneering work with some of the top names in the field. It kind of gave a framework for a different feel and structure to fusion pieces (others like shakti were also excellent but a different flavour) The pieces have a good carnatic raga scale and superimposed jazz rythms over classical talas (beat cycles). But the best blend of the jazz/carnatic rythms were done in spanish wave, which is earlier than this album. Both the violinists are brilliant and in the paganini caprice piece, its almost impossible to find any trace of india classical style in the violin playing although dr. subramaniam had played it. Every piece in this is a classic.

This is one of the few albums I'll never be bored of. I have always been an L Subramaniam fan. If you like this album, you probably would like his "Live concert with Yehudi Menuhin in celebration of 40 years of Indian independence".

I have been looking for a CD of this piece for 22 years! My cassete tape is about dead. Any fan of Stephane Grapelli will want this CD. Anyone who has not heard the quirky jazz violin of Dr. L Subramaniam is bound to become a fan after hearing this. Trained as a cardiac surgeon, Dr. L. reverted to his true love, jazz violin. If you can get past the "repetitive" themes of his pieces and into the "God knows how many octaves" uniqueness of his works you will be hooked forever. Grapelli compliments Dr. L. in a way no other violinist could. Together, they make Charlie Daniels look like a seventh-grade music student.

This is definitely one of LSubs best works. His East-West fusion style and his use of the violin as the lead instrument is very soothing and melodious. Would highly recommend this CD for anyone looking for a more jazzy style rather than a classical violin style.

Contrary to what puritans would think, I believe that Fusion music has immense potential, to unite the world in rhythms and textures of ordinary vibrations transformed into something blessed, by the hands of Masters like the (late) Stephane G. and Subramaniam L. This album will not only help you understand the nuances and subtleties of Carnatic music, but also realize that blending of musical styles leads to inspired contemplation, and not confusion. Buy it.

The Construction, and Delivery of the Piece Walking in a Dream is perhaps the finest piece of Jazz One can hear.

Dr. L. Subramanium & Stephane Grapelli build up to the Violin solo which makes your hair stand on end.

A Must for all music Lovers.

David Raj

This album is a musical creation of two of the greatest maestros of the violin as they interphase with each other on a rare and unique fusion platform.

Grate CD! Grate music. Bring my soll out. Only one disapointment. Best songs from the vinal record missing on it.

Conversations is an outstanding and probably the best fusion album by Dr.L.Subramaniam or by any fusion artiste for that matter and would definitely qualify as one of the greatest fusion albums of all time.Every composition is mind blowing.But the one's that really stand out are 'Don't Leave me','illusions', 'Walking in a dream' and the title track 'Conversations' which probably is the best violin conversation that can be heard in a fusion album.There is so much of depth in L.subramaniam's and Stephane Grapelli's playing that virtually makes Jean Luc Ponty sound like a novice.A must buy for any serious violin or fusion enthusiast.All Jean Luc ponty fans could give this a try.

This is beautiful soaring music that is rich in tone color and has stood up well over 20 years of listening. It makes great traveling music, both literally and metaphysically, and it's better than the sum of its parts. While I've always found Grapelli a little old school and L. Subramanium a bit dark and repetitive, together they have produced soaring music typical of new age and other 1980s music, but grounded with the strong fundamentals of classical training combined with the lightness and agility that is Stephane Grapelli's hallmark. And there is more variety of style than you might get from a single artist. This is attributable not only to the combined talents of these two accomplished violinists, but to virtuoso piano, synthesizer and drum work that adds depth and richness to the music. Where else could you find electronic synthesizer music on one song followed by a virtuoso Paganini violin solo on the next? Yet none of this would work without beautiful melodies, which this album has in abundance.
A word of warning, however, if you don't like electronic music in general or Jean-luc Ponty in particular, you probably won't enjoy this music as much as I continue to.