Customer Reviews

Monsoon Featuring Sheila Chandra

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is one of the favorite in my collection.
I play it over and over and over.

I was first blown away by the song "Eyes" when I heard
it on an alternative music station back in 1983. I went
right to the store and purchased "Third Eye" by Monsoon
(on vinyl) as an import. Since then, I'd been searching
for the same album as a CD.

This CD features the entire "Third Eye" album, plus
several additional tracks, and is retitled "Monsoon,
featuring Sheila Chandra."

Throughout, this CD cases traditional Indian instruments
and sounds, but toned down from the ordinary Indian style
which is very fast and loud. The stylings of Monsoon
take on a very relaxing mode, whether played softly or
loudly. Sheila Chandra's melodic voice carries this
music beautifully, while the background scores drone
hypnotically.

This CD also features a fascinating remake of the Beatles'
"Tomorrow Never Knows" from their "Revolver" album.

If one wants to "take a gamble" and purchase a CD of
music they've never heard before, this may be one worth
trying.

Sheila Chandra is the music industry's unsung heroine (forgive the terrible pun here!) but honestly I am surprised this woman with her beautiful voice, catchy lyrics and dynamic interpretation of music are not more mainstream. Her CDs are almost impossible to get hold of in the UK and I am often forced to buy imports which cost an arm and a leg! Her song "Sunset over the Ganges" is exquisite, and the song "Ever So Lonely" is a fantastic mix of East meets West. Okay so that is a cliche but in this case it is true. If you don't believe, do yourself a favour and buy this album, you won't regret it I promise you.

Recorded in 1982, this release established Monsoon, Sheila Chandra and the IndiPop label as the cream of British/Indian pop. Mixing ragas with rock and sitars with guitars, Chandra's voice sails above them like some mythical being. In later releases she would get more in touch with her traditional Indian and Celtic past, but on this release demonstrates a real pop making sensibility which is infectious and ear-fetching. This is one of those recordings that *ought* to be better known than it is. Highly recommended.

Yes indeed, recorded in 1982, but not released until after the band had broken up due to a disagreement with their label, Polygram, the Monsoon album, entitled "Third Eye", was a brilliant synthesis of traditional Hindi music with Western dance beats. It spawned the English hit "Ever So Lonely" and received college radio airplay for their remake of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows". I looked for the original album, when it first came out, fruitlessly for several years. When I finally found it, it immediately became one of my favorite albums...and one my whole family (including my parents, who I was sure made a point of hating everything I liked) could happily listen to while driving long distances. I'd been looking to get "Third Eye" on CD forever, it seems. This CD, not the "Third Eye" album, contains all the songs on the original album in some form or other plus the singles' b-sides and remixes. I was upset at first that the original version of "Shakti (the Meaning of Within)" isn't included on this CD, instead opting for an extended dance remixed version, but the inclusion of "Indian Princess", a song I only heard once on the radio and which isn't on the original "Third Eye" album, overcame my disappointment. I eventually found a CD copy of the original "Third Eye" album and am very happy indeed. Now, all I need is Sheila Chandra's "Quiet" album, and I'm set for life!

One of the greatest Indi-pop albums of all time. That this version has the different versions of "ever so lonely" is a further enhancement. "you can't take me with you" is also a great song. But best played loud.

Sheila Chandra does indeed have a beautiful voice. Having heard the sample of her voice on Bliss with other great Real World Records artists, I looked to buy more of Sheila Chandra. Unfortunately, I picked Monsoon; looking at the title, I now realize that featuring Sheila Chandra is much smaller and there's good reason.

This album features her early singing: the music of the pop 80's and there is plenty of pop 80's sound here with a slight twist. A clap machine, tablas, and electronic noise along with some other Indian instruments behind a beautiful voice make for an odd combination. For the most part, it's a unique sound to pop music. The cover of the Beatles' Tomorrow Never Knows is pretty good with plenty of tabla pounding. And with over 20 minutes of Ever So Lonely and its remixes, you better like this song or a large chunk of the CD won't be playable for you. (I don't.)

If you're looking for something more "international" in flavor, this album is not for you. If you like the sound of typical 80's pop music, you should enjoy Monsoon. If you want more Sheila Chandra than pop music, this album is definitely not for you.

I got to say, this is absolutely one of the best CDs I've ever heard, a beautiful synthesis of British (pop) beats and Indian music. Shiela Chandra's (sp?) voice is seductive as well. I highly recommend it. enjoy!

I was expecting something much cooler than what's here. Most of the songs are closer to cheesy world pop than either good world music or Sheila Chandra's pure, clean singing. It's interesting to hear an early version of Ever So Lonely, but I like the version on Moonsung much better. It's significant that the final track, an instrumental remix of Ever So Lonely, is better than the full version with her singing. In retrospect, Richard Morgan's two-star review here on Amazon is pretty accurate.

Out On My Own is a better pop-oriented, big-production album. Moonsung has much more presence and personality, though you won't do any dancing to it. If you like Sheila with more atmospherics, ABoneCroneDrone is a lovely, wonderful album, probably my favorite of hers.

Monsoon is a unique blend of Western Pop and clasical Indian sounds with the illumination of Sheila Chandra's beautiful voice.
Anyone that has an appreciation for traditional Indian sounds highlighted with Western pop sounds will truly enjoy listening to this album. Monsoon is radiant and it is too bad that this is the only album that it put out since from there on Sheila Chandra has pursued a solo career.
Tracks that are definitely worth listening to are Third Eye and Tikka TV, And I you, the instrumental Kashmir, Susnet over the Ganges, and don't forget the clever remake of The Beattles Tommorrow Never Knows that feautures a unique and interesting combination of sounds. Monsoon is a true gem and will not dissapoint the devoted to beautiful music.

The younger voice of Sheila Chandra featured in 80's pop sound with unique Indian instrumentals. Enjoyable listening and great dancing beats. It is enjoyable to hear Sheila's sweet, youthful rendition of our favorite "Ever So Lonely".