The Sounds of India is an album by Ravi Shankar which introduces and explains Hindustani classical music to Western audiences.
It is regarded today as being of historical interest for showing both Shankar's musical skills and his interest in teaching the West about classical Indian music.
Released by Columbia Records in 1957, it was influenced by Ali Akbar Khan's The Sounds of India, and recorded and produced by George Avakian in 1957 at Columbia's New York studio.
The album was recorded for Columbia Records in their New York studio in 1957, and produced by Miles Davis's producer George Avakian.
It was influenced by and followed the style of Ali Akbar Khan's The Sounds of India album, in which Khan introduces and explains the music he is playing.
One of the early works of art created for the West by the Grandfather of World Music.
This album stands as an early attempt to teach the curious western listener about the complexity and beauty of Indian music.
Composer Alan Hovhaness provides some rather thorough liner notes describing the systems involved in Indian classical music (with the focus clearly on Hindustani forms), and goes into some detail on the finer points of the four ragas performed (Maru-Bihag, Bhimpalasi, Sindhi-Bhairavi, and Pancham-se-Gara, which is played during the piece titled "Dadra," actually a tala).
Throughout the album, short lessons in the forms and techniques are given by Shankar himself before the various pieces are performed.
For sheer musicality, something like The Genius of Ravi Shankar might be a better choice for a look at the earlier years, but for a historical document of both Shankar's amazing abilities, as well as his love of spreading the word for his music and teaching others, this album is perhaps better.
For collectors, both albums would be wonderful additions to the collection, as early examples of World Music making its way into the non-native markets quite successfully.
Give this one a number of listens for the music itself, and maybe a spare just for the history in it.
Tracks
- An Introduction to Indian Music - 4:13
- Dádrá - 10:30
- Máru-Bihág - 11:44
- Bhimpalási - 12:13
- Sindhi-Bhairavi - 15:00
Personnel
Companies, etc.
- Record Company – The Gramophone Company Of India (Private) Limited – 33EIX. 5015
Notes
Released: 1966
Vinyl LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Pitman pressing
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Indian Classical, Hindustani
Length: 53:40
Label - Columbia Records
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