Customer Reviews

Legacy-16th-18th Century Music

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD consists of a chock full of superb music. I was greatly moved by the HORI and TARANA numbers. The harmonium and cello, yes cello, interventions are consistent with the music. Nothing more need be said regarding Ali Akbar Khan's sarode interludes - they are just fantastic. Asha Bhosle's voice and intonations are better than in the past when there was a tendency to screech through certain passages. One caveat though - there is a noticeable hiss on this recording. However, this does not deter from making this a must have CD for your collection.

I ordered this CD expecting something else (perhaps I didn't scrutinize the description well enough?) and upon opening the package and reading what it was I thought I would be dissapointed; I was wrong.

This truly is beautiful music; despite what these very picky purists feel about it. I have always thought Asha's voice was great and she keeps that up on this release. There is not much in terms of improv for Ali Akbar Khan, as he is mostly keeping as accompanyment to the vocal but it is a great combination; especially when things speed up. The instrumentation, mixing, and everything about the production of this CD is perfect; no complaints. I say that being a former record production major with my very scrutinizing ears.

The highlights of this cd (for me at least) are Chaudhury's tabla playing, and the way the cello compliments this style of music so beautifully.

If you are an STRICT purist for north Indian classical music this might not be for you, however, if you are a bit more open-minded about your music and would just like to hear some wonderfully asthetic and deep sounds then I would highly reccomend this.

I bought this for Asha Bhosle. Her thumri renditions were disappointing in Shyam Benegal's Sardari Begum, I was hoping for a positive change. While I still cherish this compilation, in terms of its classical value it does not go much far.

This CD is ABOUT Asha Bhosle. No Questions Asked. the music is only here to serve her gorgeous and divine voice. Asha Bhosle is my favorite singer in the world. Where do i start- this songstress has held her appeal over 5 decades and STILL continues to sizzle and reign as the Nightingale of India. On this album, she must have rendered her vocals at the age of 64- so her voice is not the perky, chickadee-like voice of her youth that she is WORLD-RENOWNED for. however, the singing is still lovely, but i wouldn't use this CD as the landmark by which to go in terms of judging her voice. Having recorded over 12,000 songs in her lifetime, she has a myriad of them in which her voice is young, bright, and sparkling- barely 12 years old til her 30's- in which her voice retained its freshness. Now, age has taken an edge on her voice, which has changed over time, but certainly not faded. I think my favorite song here was Tarana in Adana. i found this classical CD slightly monotonous- but this doesn't keep me from being her biggest fan in the world! For strictly indian-classical music buffs, this is surely a must have. For any Asha Bhosle diehard fans, the fact that it is a must have goes without say.

This CD has some really wonderful music. Asha Bhosle is beautiful in all her songs. I particularly adore the Tarana in Adana and Hori in Kukubh Bilawal. If you love Asha for her non-caberet/rock-n-roll songs, then you will love this CD. ...

As I listen to this CD more and more --- Oh! How it grows on you!. The Dhrupad is magnificient -- the "Ektal" has such grand rendition, it seems out of the world! When you'll hear the Tarana in Mian ki Malhar, don't loose yourself dancing in the pitter patter of the rain--for along comes the thunder "Kat dham! Tum tirakata! .." -- a beautiful song really. The Tarana in Bhupali takes you around for a spin -- I mean literally! I adore all the taranas on this one. Really nice.

This is an exceptional CD blending the voice and Sarod in a hauntingly melodic combination.

If you like classical indian music and traditional Indian singing then you will love this. You may know Asha Bhosle from dozens of Bollywood films or have heard her on 1 giant leap (which is great!) but here she really shines like the sun and the moon!

I am a great fan of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and of Asha Bhosle . To find the two of them working together on a classical album was peraphs a real coup. I played this CD only once on my Radio programme and decided to keep it off Air. Having listened to it a numerous times I felt that this CD is a lost opertunity on a grand scale. To have these two great masters working together and yet one over shadowing the other is, truly a travisty of justice. I loved the content , the musical selections , yet feel that Ashas'Classical ability is not allowed to flow. Asha ,no doubt , a living legend , is perhaps the most versitile singer there has ever been , her repotoire ranges from ghazals , romantic variations, semi classical themes , and her most popular lable , a cabaret singer( for films of course !). Ustad Ali Akbar Khan , well what can one say of this legend?. Is there any milestone in the world of indian Classical music he hasn't surpassed?.

To my mind this should have been a great classical master bringing out the best ability of Asha Boshle to sing real Classical compositions. Singing Tarana compositions, for a brilliant singer seem a waste in such a collaboration .A composition Alap , jor ...gat in one beautifully selected raga would have made this CD worth its' weight in gold. Asha Boshle would have proved her classical abilities(as if it needed proving !) , and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan would have made yet another mark , that of allowing Asha To sing Classical as never before.

Being a purist I really do feel that this is a lost opertunity but as a collection of short compositions ,and if you don't take in to account the two great masters featured , it is a well put together cd. If you are planing to buy it because of Asha Bhosle or Ustad Ali Akbar Khan , Think Again. ...

My views of April 2001 have still not changed re LEGACY ALBUM .

However my e mail address has changed to I will be very happy to hear from anyone regarding my review or about indian classical music in general.

I present a radio prog on BBC Radio in luton England dedicated to
keeping the traditions of indian Classical Music alive.