Customer Reviews

Ragas

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.!!

There is absolutely nothing that compares with this ... the music and the 'jugalbandi' (partnership) is just amazing. One has to understand the context really - Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan share the same Guru and while their stylstic approachs may be different, the essential development of the raag-s is the same. Also, both know the other very well and can almost anticipate each other's 'moves' - though I daresay anticipating Ustad Ali Akbar Khan is in the realm of fantasy! Buy this and all that you can get of the duo on a CD! Priceless.

They seem to be recorded from an Lp !! with slight bit of rumble and very slight crackle at the begining, however this is only evident at the quiet beginings and as the tracks progress any faults disapear, the sound for acoustic recordings in 1973 is actually pretty good, removing rumble and crackle nowadays is easy, i can do it from my computer, maybe they have lost the master tape.
They have left it 'naked' and not restricted the frequency which i agree with, all in all a masterpeice of playing with nearly as good as you are going to get recording from this period, some revieweres might actually think about getting better equipment !! all we need now is the 3 other great duets they did.

This album is of the best of Shankar as the album moves in a way different than that of any other that he has done, including his earlier works as well as his most recent. The album thrives in a realm of soothing, hypnotic, beautiful melodys and drones from the sitar as well as ryhthmic percussion from the Tabla.

Ben.
the 16 Year old.

Ravi Shankar introduced Indian music to the Western world. With the help of his friend, the late George Harrison, East met West in a spicy fusion. These "Ragas" date back to 1973,when master sitar player Sri Ravi Shankar collaborated with sarod player Ali Akbar Khan.

Their "Ragas" are meditative. Each piece is about 20 minutes long (five times the length of the average pop song!) They aren't readily accessible to the novice listener. They take time and patience. Each raga is for a different mood or time of day. The pieces meld into each other,like the passage from sunrise to sunset.

"Ragas" helped introduce me to world music. It's a sonic passage to India. Sit back, relax, and contemplate.

Although I am a relative new-commer to the Raga form, I highly recommend this CD for both the familiar and unfamiliar listener. The quality of the recording is fine; the quality of the music is exceptional.

Simply put, no words or review can do this recording justice. I urge you to find some time for yourself, close your eyes, shut down the other senses and take in this wonderful recording.

I do not claim to have listened to all of his CD's, but this is my favorite.