| Description |
This is a 24-bit/44.1 kHz transcription using high-end analog equipment of a full-length performance by Ravi Shankar of Raga Jogeshwari, with alap, jor, jhala, and two gats in Tala Jhaptal (2+3+2+3 beats) and Tala Ektal (4+4+2+2), accompanied by Alla Rakha on tabla. It is one of at least three LPs featuring this pair of master musicians released by Deutsche Grammophon in 1979-1981, brilliantly recorded by Wolfgang Mitelhner and (in this case) produced by Dr. Rudolf Werner. I could only find one of those (Homage to Mahatma Gandhi) in print on CD.
This recording features a mature and seasoned Ravi Shankar, still at the height of his powers at age 59, but several years after becoming such a hit in the western world in the 1960s. He exhibits the finely nuanced rhythms and precise tonal control that have always been characteristic of his style, playing in these recordings with a calm assurance that reminds me of Sonny Rollins' recordings for RCA in the early 1960s.
The recording is ideal, with as much detail as one could want, nice balance, and no rough edges. Unlike many recordings of Indian classical music, the sitar and tabla are not squarely isolated in the two stereo channels, but emerge naturalistically out of the locations that they presumably occupied during the recording session. The LP transcribed for this torrent is in exemplary condition throughout.
I have recently uploaded several other 24-bit LP transcriptions of comparable quality, and will be doing more in the near future. You can find them by clicking on my user id. In the coming days, I will be uploading at least one other transcription of Indian classical music.
Equipment used for A/D conversion: Lyra Helikon phono cartridge, Linn LP12/Lingo turntable, Linn Ittok tonearm, Audioquest LeoPard tonearm cable, PS Audio PS2 preamplifier, Kimber PBJ interconnect, M-Audio Audiophile USB A/D converter.
01 - Alap [13:37]
02 - Jor [12:42]
03 - Gat I in Tala Jhaptal [17:07]
04 - Gat II in Tala Ektal [6:42]
NOTE: To the best of my knowledge, this recording is not currently available commercially. If you know otherwise, please let me know ASAP, as I do not wish any artists to be deprived of the royalties that they so richly deserve.
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Indian classical music on sitar and tabla
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