Ragas

Ali Akbar Khan, Ravi Shankar

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 9, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1973
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fantasy
• ASIN: B000000XFA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,186 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This 1973 release presents some precious collaborative music from the mid-'60s by India's greatest sitar player, Ravi Shankar, and master sarod player Ali Akbar Khan, for an insightful snapshot of Indian classical music in America during the 1960s. If it's possible to "jam" on the sitar and sarod, that's what these two masters do on the first two tracks while drone and tabla dance in and out of their soulful, somewhat improvised, vignette. "Ragas Ramdar Dalhar" takes its sweet time in unfolding, sprinkling glorious tones like raindrops before jumping into waves of ecstatic sound when the tabla furiously chimes in. "Raga Malika" is a steady, melodious piece, churning on with lively tabla and vibrant sarod. The CD's sound quality, while not up to late-1990s standards, is certainly free of crackling and distortion. Very listenable and a wonderful slice of history. --Karen Karleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't worry about sound quality., March 30, 2000

By A Customer

First of all, "Music Fan from Alabama" is way too picky about sound quality. The sound on this CD may be a bit "dated" by "modern" standards, but it sounds just fine. The main point is that any minor concerns about sound quality are far outweighed by a truly treasurable and rare collaboration of two legendary musicians performing jugalbandi (duet). This is one of the very first recordings of Indian Music that I ever purchased (currently about 200 of my 3000 CD's are in this genre), and it is still one of my very favorites. Fantasy's presentation could be better, i.e. they should give a little more information about the historical recordings themselves, in addition to the melodramatic canned liner note dissertation about Indian Music, but this is still an essential CD for anyone who is interested in North Indian classical music. Track one, for example, is one of the most atmospheric and soulful recorded performances of Indian instrumental music one will ever hear, and is a glowing example of two musicians sounding as if they are of one mind (after all, Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan did have the same guru: Khansahib's father, the legendary Baba Allaudin Khansahib). The word "raga," in sanskrit, means "that which colors the mind," and these performances are a glowing example of that. If you are interested in starting a collection of Indian music, this will be one of the first few CD's you will want to purchase.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awe-inspiring musicianship, mediocre recording, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

For anyone who loves Indian music, this is the ultimate pairing. I first experienced Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar in the movie version of the concert for Bangla Desh, and was blown away by the interplay of these two musical geniuses. This is an entire album of that symbiosis. Perhaps the re-release of this album in a newer CD version will offer better sound quality, but my copy of the CD sounds a bit crisp, with a sensation of tape hiss (perhaps recorded in the field?). It's not a live concert, however, so the audience is not a distraction. In all, a disk I'd recommend highly.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best sitar music I have ever heard!!!, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This is my favorite kind of music. If you like sitar music than this is your c.d. I was introduced to it from Yoga class and now I can't get enough of it! Some day I want to go to India, but for now, this is as close as I'll get. This music is very cultural and beautiful. I congradulate the artist(s)!! I am only 13 but I love listenining to world music! I encourage you to try this c.d.!!