[Nightfly]

Ravi Shankar is a world famous musician who is sometimes most well
known for his association with The Beatles in the late 60's,particularly
George Harrison who was his student. But Ravi Shankar is more than
hype, generated by the media.He is a Master of the The Indian
instrument The Sitar, one of the most difficult string instruments
to play.In India he is a master classical composer of the style
called Raga.Raga (means "color or mood") is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded and then those note are inverted
and created from, which is the foundation for future improvisations always
relating back to the main structured melody..Very much like Bach's Well
Tempered Clavier which is the same exercise in music and is considered
the beginning of musical improvisation and a primer for musicians(jazz)
to study.These Ragas represent different parts of the day and events in
nature and are very spiritual pieces of music by themselves.
Ravi's Sitar is always accompanied by two master drummers
one is called a Tabala and the other a Tamboura and together
they make a beautiful music that is very foreign to the Western
ear.This is not background music,this is music that requests your attention.
But if given,I believe there are treasures to be discovered:
These are My Recommends:

"The Sounds Of India"....On this one Ravi speaks and breaks down
and explains his music ..while not very exciting it is good place to start.

Ravi Shankar (1966)...this is the only other one on Sparks I can recommend
that gives a good sampling of his traditional playing.

Three Ragas ...Amazing only on Emusic

If you go to Monterey Pop Festival ...Download the Ravi Shankar portion
of the show very inspiring playing..

CDs to look for:
Ravi Shankar Live at Carnegie Hall
Ravi Shankar Live In NY (Philharmonic)
Live at Woodstock

and My Favorite "Homage to Mahatma Gandhi" ... Beautiful
and his works with composer Phillip Glass

[Dave C]

Hi Nightfly and thanks for another excellent review. I am trying out the new site (Find MILLIons of SONGs and download music online!) to download one of Ravi's albums (Sound of the Sitar). Probably should have gone for one of the ones you have suggested first, but this is the only one the new site has got. If I like the sound of this one, I will try some of the others,
Cheers,
Dave C

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Ravi Shankar is a world famous musician who is sometimes most well
known for his association with The Beatles in the late 60's,particularly
George Harrison who was his student. But Ravi Shankar is more than
hype, generated by the media.He is a Master of the The Indian
instrument The Sitar, one of the most difficult string instruments
to play.In India he is a master classical composer of the style
called Raga.Raga (means "color or mood") is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded and then those note are inverted
and created from, which is the foundation for future improvisations always
relating back to the main structured melody..Very much like Bach's Well
Tempered Clavier which is the same exercise in music and is considered
the beginning of musical improvisation and a primer for musicians(jazz)
to study.These Ragas represent different parts of the day and events in
nature and are very spiritual pieces of music by themselves.
Ravi's Sitar is always accompanied by two master drummers
one is called a Tabala and the other a Tamboura and together
they make a beautiful music that is very foreign to the Western
ear.This is not background music,this is music that requests your attention.
But if given,I believe there are treasures to be discovered:
These are My Recommends:

"The Sounds Of India"....On this one Ravi speaks and breaks down
and explains his music ..while not very exciting it is good place to start.

Ravi Shankar (1966)...this is the only other one on Sparks I can recommend
that gives a good sampling of his traditional playing.

Three Ragas ...Amazing only on Emusic

If you go to Monterey Pop Festival ...Download the Ravi Shankar portion
of the show very inspiring playing..

CDs to look for:
Ravi Shankar Live at Carnegie Hall
Ravi Shankar Live In NY (Philharmonic)
Live at Woodstock

and My Favorite "Homage to Mahatma Gandhi" ... Beautiful
and his works with composer Phillip Glass

Hi Nightfly - There I go asking for a few recommends and end up with not only a discography but also a detailed explanation of musical disciplines and technique surrounding Raga - Blimey, with you, one pays a dime and get fifty dollars back
Thanks for all the thought and passion that has clearly gone into this. I'll do some searching around tomorrow and let you know what I end up with.

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Hirs Ute

Hi Nightfly - There I go asking for a few recommends and end up with not only a discography but also a detailed explanation of musical disciplines and technique surrounding Raga - Blimey, with you, one pays a dime and get fifty dollars back
Thanks for all the thought and passion that has clearly gone into this. I'll do some searching around tomorrow and let you know what I end up with.

Hirs,

You struck a chord with me when you mentioned Ravi Shankar..I am
a student and love improvisation myself..and these are some of the
basics and foundations to improv. for all musicians including the Dead
to Coltrane who have been influenced by the Raga form.
A Love Supreme ..a master work by John Coltrane was based on a Raga
Eight Miles High by the Byrds....was based on a opening Raga melody

Dave: If that one doesn't do it for you that one is a bit more
mellow and introspective..so don't give up on that one.

Also when listening to a Raga hang in there ..they mostly start
out slow and then build up in the middle to a showcase
of speed and agility.

and thank you for your kind words,

[Dave C]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Dave: If that one doesn't do it for you that one is a bit more
mellow and introspective..so don't give up on that one.

Hi Nightfly,
to be honest, I was not really expecting to like this album, so I am very pleased with the outcome. I agreed that it is mellow and introspective, but I think that more often than not, that is the kind of music that I like. I am just in the process of downloading 'The Sounds Of India',
Cheers,
Dave C

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Dave C

Hi Nightfly,
to be honest, I was not really expecting to like this album, so I am very pleased with the outcome. I agreed that it is mellow and introspective, but I think that more often than not, that is the kind of music that I like. I am just in the process of downloading 'The Sounds Of India',
Cheers,
Dave C

I'm downloading "Ravi Shankar" (1967) and "West Meets East: The Historic Shankar Menuhin Collection" (1967) ( identified on MM as "Menuhin Meets Shankar" ) as I type. The later being safe haven for the violinish in me.

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I'm downloading "Ravi Shankar" (1967) and "West Meets East: The Historic Shankar Menuhin Collection" (1967) ( identified on MM as "Menuhin Meets Shankar" ) as I type. The later being safe haven for the violinish in me.

Actually, I just read that there were three separate recording sessions between Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar. The one identified as "Menuhin Meets Shankar" (and available on MM) is the first one. "West Meets East" samples from all three.

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I'm downloading "Ravi Shankar" (1967) and "West Meets East: The Historic Shankar Menuhin Collection" (1967) ( identified on MM as "Menuhin Meets Shankar" ) as I type. The later being safe haven for the violinish in me.

Yes, I Love that album one of the first of its kind where
Eastern and Western musicians come together and there have been
many more great success's since..But these are 2 great masters
of their instruments.It grabs you in from the beginning..
I didn't recommend it because I was staying in the
more traditional groove. Ravi Shankar has also been a great experimenter..
and he has done many successful beautiful soundtracks..one to a Japanese
movie with him and Japanese muscians...stunning.
Can't find it in my collection..
I may have to find it somewhere and download it...now I want to listen to it.

If anybody come accross it let me know......Thanks.

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Dave C

Hi Nightfly,
to be honest, I was not really expecting to like this album, so I am very pleased with the outcome. I agreed that it is mellow and introspective, but I think that more often than not, that is the kind of music that I like. I am just in the process of downloading 'The Sounds Of India',
Cheers,
Dave C

Hey Dave,

Really glad you liked it..it is quite beautiful,I also like that album.
But many Westerner's like to hear when he plays fast as well
and tell me they were bored when listening to the only "slow" ones.
Those are my favorites.
I admire your patience and taste.

Take care,

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Yes, I Love that album one of the first of its kind where
Eastern and Western musicians come together and there have been
many more great success's since..But these are 2 great masters
of their instruments.It grabs you in from the beginning..
I didn't recommend it because I was staying in the
more traditional groove. Ravi Shankar has also been a great experimenter..
and he has done many successful beautiful soundtracks..one to a Japanese
movie with him and Japanese muscians...stunning.
Can't find it in my collection..
I may have to find it somewhere and download it...now I want to listen to it.

If anybody come accross it let me know......Thanks.

That's why I downloaded one of each - a "traditional" album, and something "traditional" to me - the violin. I am absolutely mesmerized so far. It's got a certain hypnotic quality to it that is hard to describe.


Also, now I recall an earlier thread where we discussing the merits of our music collections. It was something along the lines of "mine is bigger than yours", right? I remember you saying that sometimes you can't find some items you know you have and up buying them again. Then years later when they are discovered, they are either collector's items, or go to the wellbeing of the community That said - I think you should keep looking for the one you can't find! It's there somewhere!