Explorer Series: Bali, Gamelan & Kecak

Various Artists (Artist), David Lewiston (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 1989)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005IZI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,362 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #3 in Music > World Music > Far East & Asia > Indonesia > Bali

Track Listings

1. Opening Parade, Bali Arts Festival

2. Gamelan Gong Sekaha Sadha Budaya

3. Genggong Duet

4. Genggong Batur Sari, Batuan

5. Gamelan Salunding, Tenganan

6. Sadha Budaya Gamelan Gong Suling

7. Gender Wayang: Sukawati

8. Sekaha Ganda Sari, Bona

9. Gamelan Gong Kebyar Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia, Den Pasar

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Recorded Balinese Music, July 29, 2002

By 

Christopher Forbes "weirdears" (Brooklyn,, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Explorer Series: Bali, Gamelan & Kecak (Audio CD)

This recording is a treasure. It presents a wide variety of Balinese music, from a gamelan parade, through small group "chamber music" to the large ensemble music and even a smattering of Kecak. The music is all expertly played by a wide variety of gamelan ensembles, so you get a sampling of the subtle variety of this music. It is also the best engineered field recording that I've ever heard. Unlike many of the Lyrichord and early Nonesuch Explorer series Balinese recordings, this one is digital and doesn't sound as if it was recorded on a dictaphone. Particularly with Balinese music, this is important. You want to hear all the overtones of this magical music.

If you are curious about Balinese gamelan, or if you are an afficienado, this is an essential CD.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ancient modern music, August 25, 2000

By 

philip kaffen (seattle, wa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Explorer Series: Bali, Gamelan & Kecak (Audio CD)

In his amazing book Ocean of Sound, David Toop opens with a chapter on the meeting of western composers (especially Debussy) with the sounds of the Indonesian Gamelan (which are essentially orchestras of various sizes). Situating the nexus of much modern music in this meeting by finding strains of these sounds in minimalists like Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and John Cage, but also stretching into the filmic realms of Ryuchi Sakamoto, the electronics of Loop Guru, and the Free Jazz of Don Cherry, just to name a few he cites, Toop indicates the range of influence of this amazing music. David Lewiston's 1987 recordings on this compilation jubiliantly reflect this diversity, even in the fascinating opening track of various ensembles passing by in a parade showcasing the sounds of cymbals, gongs, drums, flutes, metallophones, wooden cowbells, and countless other mostly percussive sounds. The rest of the tracks on the CD are equally varied. The third track, for example, Genggong Duet, takes place with the Balinese Jew's Harp, and could almost sound like the electronic squiggles of some electronic outfits like mouse on mars or matmos; the fourth track, a Frog Song which is produced through a piece of palm bark and sounds like a reed instrument, could pass for a free-jazz improvisation. Another exciting highlight would be the 8th track, a Kecak piece that tells the Indian Legend of Hanuman. Familiar to anyone whose seen the film Baraka, this is a piece where a large group sits in a circle, moving, swaying, and chanting, tjak tjak tajk, in furious rhythm. Like the Master Musicians of Jajouka, whom William Burroughs called a "2000 year old rock band," this music sounds both ancient and progressive at the same time. An excellent introduction based on variety alone, but with digital recording, these sounds are surprisingly clean. For anyone curious about Balinese music, this would be a great place to start.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balinese anthology, April 8, 2004

By 

David Bonesteel (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Explorer Series: Bali, Gamelan & Kecak (Audio CD)

This disc is a very clean recording of a variety of Balinese musical styles. I bought the disc because I enjoy gamelan music, but it includes much more than that. The liner notes provide comprehensive information on the musical styles represented and make interesting and instructive reading for a dilettante like myself. Some tracks are peaceful and contemplative, others are frenetic and energizing, but all are fascinating to hear. Highly recommended.