Customer Reviews

Live at Monterey - 1967

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

 

 

It's unfortunate that the overall rating of such a great album has to be dropped by a star and a half by somebody who doesn't even own it. The fact of the matter, is that this is an incredible piece of work by two of the greatest musicians ever to grace the planet earth. Alla Rakha commands your attention through his playing, and anyone who needs to be told that two albums with different titles and song listings are in fact two different albums may not be ready for this music in the first place...

This review is probably going to be restricted to the first number "Raag Todi", the morning raag. With Raviji, one gets hundred percent music no dead air at all. The alaap, or the begening is so intense here, it gives you a feeling that you've just got some life changing news, or the earth under you has shaken. It is amazing how he got the music across to the western ear. These recordings from the sixties are recommended to students of Indian Classical music because one gets to hear the heart of the raag.

This is by far the best live recording of Ravi Shankar. The selections cover an extraordinary range of emotion. The slow sensuous opening piece and the joyous ecstasy of the final raga are unparalelled. The energy of the crowd and the unique quality of the times merged magically with the music in these performances