Reviews (page 4 of 8)
I really liked the informative bits, as well as how well-paced it felt.
From Metallica to…Ravi Shankar. Wow. Felt like it was background music for a crowded street scene in an adventure movie (Indiana Jones and the Golden Sitar?) Did I appreciate it? Yes. Would I listen to again? As background music...
Personally not a fan of Indian music. I can appreciate it's cultural aspect
Beautiful music by a wonderful artist. As an Indian myself, very proud to see Ravi Shankar on the list. Love the Introduction, where he explains ragas and classical Indian music. Also nice how he demonstrates the ascending and descending basic scale of the raga at the beginning of each song. Thoroughly enjoyed this album. Best song: Dadra
This was really interesting! I didn't know I'd be getting Hindustani classical music lessons today. The sitar is such a cool instrument.
Each song starts like a how-to of each style of Indian raga followed by probably the most impressive rendition ever. I'm not too familiar with sitar players and Indian musicians, but I know Ravi Shankar because of the Beatles, but after listening, I would assume he is probably one of, if not the best, Indian musicians in the world. The legacy of his instruction is undoubtedly present in a lot of psychedelic music in the 1960s and probably influenced the rest of Rock history by further expanding subgenres and styles of music. Dádrá sounds reminds me a lot of Within You, Without You, by the Beatles. I am wondering if this is the raga they are playing. Very cool album and I liked hearing a little bit about how they are structured.
Interesting but not really my thing.
Interesting, especially his spoken explanations. Glad I heard this. Shankar is obviously a maestro in his genre. I’d heard Indian and sitar music but never really spent as much time really listening. I do think this record absolutely belongs on this list. But after a few tracks, the music got very repetitive.
Disappointing. I hoped I could like it at least a bit. Instead I got a headache. Note: When a man says that Western Man may not enjoy it due to it not having rhythm, he's not lying. 2 stars, mostly for the excellent sitar work, because that is literally the only thing going for the album.
Ravi Shankar learnt to play the sitar from Len Houmous when they met in an Indian Restaurant in Hammersmith in 1952. Len was taking a break from Korea. 1.0 2/5 Dadra
Excellent album. Great introduction into the music.
This album is really good. However, I liked so much Call of the Valley that I thought I would love this one – and maybe I'll do if I listen to it more –, but it hasn't been exactly the case. It has beautiful music, that's for sure, the album is enchanting. But I haven't enjoyed it that much, to be fair. It is really nice that the songs start with an explanation of the music, though. So, overall, it's an album I have to listen again, but a great musical experience.
india innit. Yaps a bit
Really interesting; the music theory explanations for the different techniques were awesome. The music also was great
Cool. Heard about this guy, first listen. I love the music lesson at the beginning! This is excellent music to listen while working. Gets you in a trance state. The last song was no frills. Well, maybe some frills, but my favorite. You know I love frills. This album is a 4 to 5.
I like how this is laid out like an instructional manual for playing the Sitar. Relaxing and interesting music.
Interesting and entertaining. I liked it.
How often do you get a walkthrough of the music before you actually hear it? Certainly gives you a deeper appreciation of the melody compositions, but it's still sitar music and sounds like its just made up as he goes, like experimental jazz
This kind of music is very hit or miss. If it entrances you, it's great. If it doesn't, it's boring. It didn't entrance me.
This feels like the token Indian guy pick. Still a fun listen though.
authentic, timeless yet ancient, and still modern. The explanations are really nice context and work in flow with the album. I would have liked more shorter songs, but very good.
Just quite hard to judge it without knowing a lot about the genre! Really good and cool that there are explainers in there - it's literally to intro Western audiences to the genre and it works! Enjoyable album.
Not for me.
No 2/5
It nice to listen but gets to blaaa after a while
Nice little introduction to Indian music
i love his this album both plays and explains the style of music being performed. Each track starts with an explanation of the Hindustani classical music being played and proceeds with a long and extended performance in that style. It's very informative and also incredibly complex in a fun yet engaging way.
Really cool educational-style album. I don't have too much to say as I'm sooooo out of my depth here, but it was fun comparing all the scales he talked about, how some sounded more suspenseful and some sounded more tranquil. I think in one of the scales he played there was a note that went back up in the descending part, and a note that went back down in the ascending part?? Crazy to hear in my white western ears. I want to highlight "Bhimpalasi", this one sounded the coolest to me. The scale introduction also made me think back to George Harrisons "Within You Without You" (that's a George song, not a Beatles song". A quick search doesnt tell me anything conclusive about it being in this scale, but it still sounded most similar of all the songs on here. Very cool concept, another happy day without classic rock. Also I ran a marathon today and this was a good mood setter for it all. 3/5 I enjoyed, woul've liked a visual accompaniment at times.
A few records back, there was another sitar focused album, which was a better album, but this was very educational. Probably won't listen to it again, but it was a good time. Mid 3
I feel like I'm in Desert Hills
Very nice
ware het niet dat het soms lang duurt, maar dit is zo slecht nog niet... ik kon het ook wel zonder de uitleg...
it’s not exactly an album, not sure what to make of this
Not exactly my cup of tea, but it was cool and educational. Maybe I'll throw it on with an incense or some shit some day
These lists have a problem and a fallacy, what are we evaluating? Jazz, pop, rock, folk, blues, world music, etc. or the opinion of some idiots who subjectively write books about the albums they consider to be the best. What is their criteria? In my opinion, this list should not include a large part of the albums listed. And others should be included. As for this album, I think it's great, but I don't have other Indian musicians, composers or performers that I can compare it to.
Intressant med lite förklaringar.
Enjoyed the music!
9/10… sitar music / india 👂
This one was very unique and informative. The music was strangely hypnotic and relaxing while complex and rich at the same time. Not my fav but very interesting nonetheless. My rate: 6 out 10
You’ve one sitar album, you’ve heard them all.
This indian guy explaining stuff long before the youtube indian guys explained stuff. but i'm not open for this music
Influential maybe but not my thing.
Mesmerizing music. The lessons are interesting. Put this one on and obliviate.
Oddly informative to begin and a little throughout. This really showcases the sitar, and I can understand why this may have been influential to western ears given that this released in the 50's. That's...pretty much it though. Might be best consumed as just an introduction to Indian music.
6/10
Delightful and educational! Absolutely an album that merits its place on the list.
Ravi Shankar is one of the greatest musical influencers and performers of all times. The Beatles and many other 60's performers utilized his sound and the world is better for it. Phenomenal album composed by a phenomenal musician and humanitarian.
Not my thang
The music was fine though I did not need a lesson on how they make it.
I respect the first song and explaining it; however, I didn’t like it.
This was pretty much guaranteed a 4 since I love the sitar, sounds super cool and funky and fresh. But then he gave explanations for what the structure is for the different songs and the overall structure of classical Indian music and that bumps this up to a 5. I could then listen and actually know what I was hearing, what was happening in the songs, the flow of them, rather than just listening to pleasant sounds.
while I enjoy listening to music from different cultures, this all sounded the same & blended together. and went on way too long.
We are truly in the dregs Fuck this. I'd rather not be in the same room as my phone when its playing this Why am I getting instructions? Is this the 50s version of skits? Artistically impressive, but awful to listen to
I would’ve rather listened to five Slayer albums in a row.
I appreciate the musicianship and impact, but my western brain just doesn’t connect emotionally to this. It’s pleasant, kinda shoothing really. Just not my journey.
One long long loooooong song. I bet its really hard to play though
It's ok.
I suppose this was interesting. But I am not sure there is a circumstance where I would listen again.
A bit too much of mansplaining ;) quite interesting though.
„Thank you if you appreciate the tuning so much, I hope you'll enjoy the playing more" Somehow I line it, but still don't get it.
Very rough to rate. Not really enjoyable to listen to, but obviously very artistically impressive.
Not my jam....
Amazing descriptions of Indian instrument scales and beat patterns. 5/5
I appreciate the tutorials on this album. But a little raga goes a long way for me.
This one is a challenge to rate because the music is really good, and the information is interesting, but I will choose another Shankar album if I want to listen to great Indian music. The best documentary album I’ve heard.
Meh.
Maybe not my type of music.
Didn't really make sitar music anymore accessible for me but particularly liked the last track Sindhi Shairavi.
This album is five minutes of Ravi telling you what is awesome about Indian traditional music and 48 minutes of him proving it. 4/5
I liked this. Him sharing some techniques was really cool. He described Indian music as being similar to jazz. And I think that's a very fair description
Got a little tired of this
not really my style 1.5/5
Vild verden der åbner sig, skal høres flere gange for at få nuancerne med… men er så vild med de trommer - tak til TOOL for at åbne op for denne verden, skal helt sikkert dyrkes noget mere.
I mediated while listening to this, and now I have reached enlightenment 3/5
3.5 - fantastic playing but it does get a little old by the end of the album
It is fine. The individual songs feel a little too long for how much goes on in them for my taste. Mid 3.
1. indian - 2 2. dadra - 3 3. bihag - 2.5 4. palazi - 3 5. baravi - 2
I appreciate the variety. Not my cup of tea, as it was a bit samey and unexciting.
80% Best: Dádrá; Bhimpalasi Must-Hear? If you are a fan or appreciator of world music, it's a sure. If you are used to western music and find world music not of interest, then no.
Ah, nice to see Ravi pop up. Not listened too much, but aware of him. And you know what, I could get used to all albums having an introduction like this!! It sounds so skilled and accomplished. Love the changes of rhythm and the all round flow of all the musicians involved. Feels improvised and organic, to a very high level. A different kind of album to enjoy and relate to. No top 40 tracks here and unsure how much I’d go back to it, but was a real pleasure and education. And an extra point for the ingenuity and intention x
Right, my aural palate is obviously crap because this sounds exactly like the last sitar one we had.
„the western listener should hear this without prejudice“ .. oder so ähnlich. aber das ist schwer, und selbst mit erklärungen harte völkerübergreifende kulturkost.
Weiss nicht, was dieses Album hier macht. Oder sind wir im Museum? Als nächstes bringen sie die Alder Bueben.
Gracias a George Harrison descubrimos la música india con sitar. Interesante.
9.7/10
This is the sound of a sitar.
a million hippie voices cried out in ecstacy
Technically impressive but not my type of music I probably have to be on something to truly enjoy it
The explanations/talking sections were interesting, but unneeded. The music explains itself.
i mean, props for trying but i really dont like this
Shanti Shanti Sitar, dear Ravi Shankar...habe meine Frühstücksroutine gleich auf Chai umgestellt. c
This is a really difficult album to review, or appreciate. My ears are totally untrained for this type of music. I guess the sitar-improvisations by Ravi Shankar are exceptional, but I have no reference. Also, the lack of melody and droning nature of the music, the total absence of structure (except the raga as basis) make it hard to distinguish the 'songs'. It's just there... Having said that, I liked this a lot better than I expected. The sitar playing sounds impressive, I like the tambura. It's just that I can't stand the sound of tabla. It makes me nervous as hell.
nah
Actually quite interesting. This was 1957. I feel like this exposes a cultural gap in my knowledge, because I feel like a lot of 'Indian music' sounds like this. But then if Indian music sounded like this 70 years ago, then I must have missed a lot.
More of a lesson than an album but I enjoyed the music and the teaching.
Something different. A soothing and occasionally engaging intro to classical Indian music.
Not for me, thnx
Ravi Shankar is great at ragging a Sitar and making it sound insane. I couldn't ever mirror what this guy is playing. The explanations of how the Sitar and Indian Classical music work serve as a nice introduction, but take away from the album as a whole imo. Still, can't go wrong with any Ravi Shankar album consisting of some nice Raga's.
Made me dissociate and speed lol. I liked the music, but I felt like the explanation in song one was unnecessary.
I thought it was just okay… by the end my ears were just fatigued from the super metallic tones of the instruments, I was craving something smooth and warm to listen to afterwards, so ended up going for some D’Angelo. 4/10
I liked it, it was peaceful and a nice background. The ragas(?) were delicately balanced and played beautifully. My wife, however, hated it and made me turn it off
I just think it's neat
At first I was put off by how aimless and meandering the music is, but then I kind of started to appreciate that and sorta enjoyed the overall vibe.
I enjoyed the introduction to Indian music that Shankar provides in this album. Very nice album.
Good music, but didn't care for all the explanations. I get it for the time, but would rather just hear more of the music.
I surprisingly found this very listenable and interesting. I'm not sure I needed the instructions beforehand, but that seems like it would have been more helpful in 1957.
I liked the tidbits explaining what was going on throughout this album. But, I can say this is not for me. Sitar drones and idiomatic plucking thoroughly wore me out with as long as it went. If I’m rating purely on how much I enjoyed this record: 1/10 My wife asked me multiple times to turn it off.
He was a wonderful musician and teacher and it's unsurprising he had such an influence on the Western musicians of the 60s. Not the best produced album or anything, but I enjoyed his instructional bits at the start of each song and the music itself was excellent
Сильно не моє. Не люблю ситару та таку індійську музику
Не те щоб я дуже люблю саме індійську традицію і звук ситара, але дуже подобається як Раві Шанкар пояснює прям на альбомі якісь моменти типу розмірів, або гармоній. Це цікаво.
Really enjoyed this! The lessons at the top of the tracks were pretty cool too.
I thought this was fun! I love following directions
I read the top review, about the guy doin drugs and fucking a frog or something like that, and knew I needed to invite friends over to get stoned and listen. Did not disappoint. Will never listen again though.
It was cool to listen about sitar but like... this was half podcast half music... which then brings up the question of what qualifies for an album... which then also pisses me off because if we're including podcasts, the albums that are on the list should be amazing right? RIGHT? 3 because I am too simple to rate something that is as complex as both words and music
I like Three Ragas much more, but this is a great album, though the talking/discussions in An Introduction... does nothing for me. We have YouTube for these things nowadays. But once the players start just playing, it's exquisite. A very fine introduction to sounds of India.
I really appreciate the "intro to indian music" being included here. It really helps to get your mind into listening to a style of music which doesn't fit the usual pop or rock music beats. It's pretty amazing how many different ways you can get sound siut of the same instrument. It's pretty impressive honestly. And the improvisational style keeps is from becoming boring or repetitive. It's probably not something I'll come back to, it at least seldomly, but it has given me a new appreciation for a different style of music.
It was interesting to have him explain as he went along, but this was just a sitar solo that got old really fast.
Interesting listen.
49/1001 :: Ravi Shankar - The Sounds Of India Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Rating: 6 Fav Tracks: Dádrá Listen before you die: Yeah (for reference) The whole time I was listening to this all I could think of is what it would be like to listen to this with George Harrison and smoke hash. It’s a vibe and when you listen you can hear the influence it had over George and how it made its way into Beatles albums. Specifically Love To You on Revolver. There were direct lifts from these classic Indian sounds to that song and other Beatles songs. The album does some explaining before getting into songs which is a little weird but also helps provide context. So yeah, anyone who appreciates the Beatles should listen to this but I’m not sure I’d go back to this. While really interesting it’s just not my thing.
Interesting, but not for me.
Not a huge fan of sitar instrumentals. Craving butter chicken. I appreciate his legacy, especially headlining Woodstock and shaping the hippie's introduction into world music.
V interesting
man, this guy can shred a sitar. Funny thing is, the only reason the editors put this on the list is due to his influence on western artists like the Beatles. They could give a shit about Indian music.
I understand it's influence but it really is much too trance-inducing for me.
Not something I'll listen to regularly, but worth listening to for historical and musical history. Absolutely belongs on this list
# Playlist Track - An Introduction to Indian Music # Notes - A fabulously interesting experience. Taking an start out, as it's not really great album to listen all the time. Pretty situational stuff. - Still, definitely recommend the experience! Really takes you to a wholly different soundscape.
rare pozycja, krazek z 57 ktory jak sam tytul wskazuje stara sie wytlumaczyc muzyke indyjska, ktora nazywa sie hindustani na nasze, na 53 minutach 5 trakow z czego pierwszy jest swoistym intro zeby zapoznac sluchacza z instrumentami, ktorych na calym nagraniu jest trzy sitarka, tabla do bebnienia i tanpura rowniez do szarpania jak sitar, pan ravi tlumaczy o co w ogole chodzi w ich muzyce, co najbardziej mi utkwilo mi z tego wywodu to porownanie do jazzowania i chyba nawet to slysze po dzisiejszym seansie, bo o ile zazwyczaj takie indyjskie klimaty sie zaslyszalo jedynie na jakims obskornym rokowaniu ala beatlesowym czy smiesznym filmiku, tak 50 minut bombardowania uszu takim brzmieniem uswiadamia czlowieka jak unikalne i inne sa indie nawet pod wzgledem muzycznym, ciekawy jestem jaka jest ocena tej pozycji na stronie, bo narstroje anty indyjskie na zachodzie sa chyba nowym goracym trendem nienawisci jesli chodzi o mniejszosci, ale samemu pomimo czilowania godzinnego w prawdziwie indyjskich warunkach wiecej niz dwoch gwiazdkow nie dam, bo poza ciezko szukac tam momentow, a jedynie wylewajacy sie klimat orientalizmu
Thanks to George Harrison and Brian Jones, I’m a sucker for a sitar and Ravi Shankar is one of (if not the) greatest. I enjoyed his little bits of info before the songs and the playing of the instrument itself is so lovely to listen to!
Putting an "intro to India for westoids" album on this list is fucking embarrassing. India has musical legends and hits already - put them on this list. Stunner of an album though. Four stars only because of my comment about Dimery and his lack of shame about his choices.
I am not a sitar fan, not even a little. The sound isn't relaxing to me and in my brain it doesn't comfortably fit into modern music. He introduced Indian music to an entirely new audience, so he gets credit and kudos for that. But musically this is a zero on my scale of interests. 1 star for influence and being a name I instantly recognize as a music fan. Musically it's just noise, sound from a forgotten time, or from a country I have no connection to. The repetition would put me in a padded room, he may be a shredder on sitar but its such a shitty instrument.
Really enjoyed the discussion of how the songs are structured, made it fun to follow along.
It's certainly interesting from a curiosity perspective - I actually enjoyed listening to it as a nice calming background for my thoughts. Not something I expect to listen to very often but I do see it has its place.
I don't enjoy indian music other than some rock music sitar. I am very appreciative of Ravi Shankar's influence on George Harrison though
Historically I understood why this album on the list but it is almost unlistenable..
I fw this heavy. It's unique, good, and instructional. Very groovy sitar.
fun and interesting, sounds good for nearly 70 years old
Interesante, algo nuevo pero no de mi gusto, escuchable 😁
Pretty good for what it is but I won’t be back
Yeah no thanks.
2. Like the music. The explanatory thing on the album is not my vibe.
> The Beatles
The Sounds Of India is something that does what it sets out to do fine enough but isn't very good as an album. This album was made as a way for the Indian sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar as a way to introduce and explain Hindustani classical music to the rest of the world. I say it does a pretty decent job at that as it does explain some of the characteristics of this kind of music in an intuitive and easy to follow way. However, as an album, it falls flat. Once the novelty of this being a unique genre wears off, it just becomes really repetitive and the songs become really hard to differentiate from each other. This album does it's job as a introduction and explanation of Hindustani classical music well enough but as an album, it leaves a lot to be desired. Best Song: An Introduction to Indian Music Worst Song: Sindhi-Bhairavi
I kept waiting for The Beatles to come in.
"Além de seu valor musical, "The Sounds of India" é considerado um documento histórico importante por sua contribuição para a introdução da música clássica indiana no cenário musical ocidental". Mas...é muito enjoativo e cansativo.
probably the furthest i've drifted from anything i'd usually listen to. i enjoyed this waaaay more than i thought i would. you HAVE to go in with an open mind - don't try and compare it to western music. this album helped me find a true appreciation for this style of music. i loved how the first track is the artist explaining the basics behind indian music - he makes music that is so complex and sophisticated sound so beautifully simple. i can't see myself listening to it again but i feel like i've learnt so much from listening to it even just once. as a huge fan of percussion, the drums (which i know as the tabla, the dholak and the djembe) lie so neatly beneath the sitar's melodies.
He tells me about indian rhythms its cool
I really enjoyed this and could hear his influence in the Beatles.
I respect him ig but sitar is not my thing
One of the type of albums I'm here for.
Bad
This was a chore.
Oof. I would not have made it through this except I used it as a soundtrack for a video game. I could not have listened just for listening's sake. It was interesting but too much. 2 stars.
Felt educational. I didn’t actually learn anything, but I enjoyed the feeling nonetheless
Yeah, I had no interest in this album. One listen is enough for anyone. I will never revisit it.
I'm glad to get this instead of some dad rock. It was alright, educational but I felt pretty indifferent about it.
4 out of 5. I've always loved the sound of the sitar and hearing it from one of the greatest players was fantastic. This album needs to have a higher average rating than it does now.
Amazing. I have never really just relaxed my mind and listened to the music of Ravi Shankar before. Highly recommended. Even the dogs liked it.
A bit too monotonous for me, though he's probably a good player.
I know I’ve said in other reviews that certain albums are good for newcomers, but this album is literally a great starting point if you want to get into traditional and classical Indian music. Ravi Shankar actually gives you instructions on how to enjoy the music and understand it. He explains the different instruments and beat counts. I personally found the album pretty enjoyable, but it’s not really a genre I usually listen to, so right now, a lot of it sounds kind of stereotypical and the same to me.
pretty neat album. obviously i know ravi from his adjacency to the beatles, and in particular, george harrison. but this album predates the beatles by many years. but what's neat here is that you can definitely see the influence on george and the beatles. there are even passages that sound remarkably close to beatles songs. you have to wonder if this album in particular was a huge influence on george. but beatles aside, this is a really neat album! hindustani music has such a wealth of interesting sounds and rhythms. what i found particularly interesting is this album is clearly made with the intent for western audiences to listen to it, so ravi does a lot of explanations of how the music works and is constructed. very neat!
Familiar with him from his collaboration with Glass. Interesting that the album starts with an explanation of Indian music for a Western audience. I enjoyed it.
Long form, patient music that unfolds gradually and experiencially. Gorgeous meditative stuff, it works perfectly to quiet the world and let you focus in and zone out. While the improvisations and melodic flair give you something to pay attention to consciously the the repetitions and drones encourage the mind to wander, a delicate balance of presence and abscence. The drumming and rhythms intensify and relax building and releasing tension.
What’s cool is that this is a primer for Indian music. As long as you open your mind and enjoy the music, it’s a wonderful record to listen to.
I love Indian music and I love learning so the explanations about the structure of the music is very interesting. Easy 5.
Pretty jazzy sitar playing, but it's hard for me to get into when it's only two instruments the whole time
It was a good album. Never listened to anything like it, but I kinda enjoyed it.
Appreciated the attempt at teaching the music. Definitely helped me understand what was going on more and kicked it up a star.
This probably isn’t going to be a crowd favorite, and that’s fine. It’s not background music, and it doesn’t try to be. But even if it doesn’t land on your personal playlist, there’s no denying the impact Ravi Shankar had through albums like this. This record is a primer on Indian classical music, delivered by one of its most important figures. Ravi didn’t just play the sitar—he opened a door for the rest of the world to hear it. Without him, there’s a good chance George Harrison never picks one up, and we never get songs like “Norwegian Wood.” Ravi taught George personally and later partnered with him to create the Concert for Bangladesh, which helped set the blueprint for the modern charity concert.
I'm not sure if I listened to music or a tutorial about music.
I don't think as an art piece it's too interesting, but I like the form of it - a presentation of the culture.
I do not have the minimum requirement to listen to sitar music and judge it. Personally, I think it is pleasant and wonderful to listen to as background. But I don't have enough knowledge to analyze it further. 3.5/5
Good sitar playing is just good music. Simple as that. The music on this album specifically is really transportive. I had a hard time really discerning what he was explaining, but the things that I did actually pick up was fun to learn about! Favorite Song(s): Dadra
Stinky album.
🤔😑
The spoken-word introductions are more baffling than helpful to me. But the music is absorbing. So, so good.
Very interesting. Not something I'd ever seek out. Bhimpalasi is a bop.
Hashish
"Everything is in 4/4 if you don't count like a dumb nerd." All joking asalad, this was a unique of sound with a calming vibe. You can feel that this music originates from the meditation mecca with the trance-y sitar sliding around the notes and the minimal percussion drums filtering in from time to time. Good background music while I'm playing No Man's Sky and warping through systems in my starship, but not really something that "hooks" me to seek out a specific track to listen to again.
I have very little experience with Indian music. I did have a Best of Ravi Shankar CD back in the day, but it got very little play and I don't remember it much at all. So really, my entire experience revolves around George Harrison, and the opening music track so closely resembles Within You Without You that I have to feel like it was a direct inspiration for George. Overall, it was a very enjoyable listen, but not one to keep focus on, more of a 'you know what, this is pretty great' as you are doing something else. It might be a little too samey to really focus on, but again, I'm not any sort of expert. I enjoyed it and will listen again in time, but for overall rating, it is stuck in the midrange, a 3 from me.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this album. Very zen.
Interesting to be that an instructional album made the list. Was a cool listen. I had to look up if he taught the beatles but I guess they just walked into a citar store and learned.
Dadra was a fun one, but not enough for me to save. If I could give half ratings, this would be a solid 3.5, but unfortunately not enough to push into a 4 for me 1 - would not listen to again 2 - if some one played it, I'd probably just zone it out 3 - didn't hate it, didn't love it 4 - saved some songs from the album 5 - would buy the album or already own it
Got kinda good at the end
girl bye
I feel like after a listen or two, if you’re not using the album to learn, the instructional segments pulls you out of the zone the instrumental segments were pulling me into. I appreciate the album but not sure how often I would listen to this album as a whole.
Very enjoyable! Could listen to this for a while and it is very relaxing.
A great introduction to the music of India. Ravi was clearly a master of his art. Fun to listen to, and you can absolutely see how this music clearly influenced the kinds of noodling we see in later years in Rock music. Probably one or two listens is enough for me though.
Sitar Phish
What!?
4/5
I'm all for non western music in this list. I had call ofvthe valley just yesterday and the day after I get sounds of India which walks a same rope, and my dumb ass had to listen back to back cus I didn't make time yesterday. This was a bit much truth be told but ultimately a pleasure to listen to.
Hindustani classical music as a 50 minute solo in sitar.
I love albums like this. Def want to relisten
Had no idea this existed, really interesting.
I enjoy variety and i delight in something new so this has its place. I didnt mind the wandering sound and the playing is obviously well done. My 2 issues are 1) its so alien to me i couldnt listen to this in an other way than an academic way, 2) its not really an album, more an introduction to a musical style
I enjoyed this album much more than I expected. Guess I'm into Indian traditional drone music now.
I very much appreciate the uniqueness of this album while having no interest in listening to it again.
3/5. Interesting. I liked the asides where he explained the scales and rhythms of Indian music.
Even with the instructions, I still couldn't get it.
Wszystko spoko, ale po co instruktaż na tej płycie? W razie jakbym nagle zapragnęła zostać wirtuozem tego instumentu? Reszta albumu jest ok, chociaż momentami trochę monotonna. Wszystko zlewa się w jeden wielki kawałek. No ale Beatlesi go kochali. Plus jest ojcem Nory Jones - samo to zasługuje na gwiazdkę więcej. 5.5/10
How weird that after listening to a previous sitar album presented by this project, I declared in my notes that a whole album of sitar music was just too much. Now that I'm on the second playing of this album by Ravi Shankar, I have to retract that earlier statement, as I'm enjoying this one too much. So I guess it depends on who is playing the sitar and what they are playing. This one I could certainly listen to again and again. Ravi Shankar must be a true master of Indian music, making it understandable how he so successfully popularised the sitar's sound among a western audience.
Gave it a shot, lot of it sounded the same, that’s just the sitar.
I like it when he goes fast, but as pretty as this is, not a single motif stuck, and the teaching stuff sabotages any chance to drift in.
I appreciate the effort Mr Shankar has gone to here, and I can follow the explanations but the music itself is still almost featureless to these Western ears. I was crassly forcing some of the segments into a "Within You, Without You" shape while listening, shamefully..
Amazing. Almost hypnotizing music. Works like one whole track. Could listen to it on repeat. 9,25/10. fav songs : Sindhi-Bhairavi
Never heard this before. I understand that it is an influential album, so I'm okay with it being on this list. But I don't plan on listening to it again.
Interesting but not musically that engaging.
It's nice to have some non western music in this project. Indian music theory, for instance, 14 beat rhythm cycles with pentatonic and heptatonic scales overlaying the beats and converging on beat one does make my head hurt to think about. A surprising amount of complexity mixed in with the improvisation. For my personal enjoyment this was a about a 3; you just have to go with it. But does this album belong on this list? Absolutely, 5.
Glad to be exposed to this in its deliberate, expositional manner. I have a western ear for music though: it's interesting but not ... comfortable.
Appreciate that I am now more educated in Indian music, but this didn't do much for me.
2.0/i can respect the genre and the influence it has but it's just not for me
He is certainly a master of his craft- But it isn't anything I have a desire to listen to for any extended period of time.
Nothing against it. Reminds me of the Beatles, obviously. But it is enchanting in its own ways.
Kinda liked the lecture-like explanation mixed in.
No thank you not a sound I enjoy listening to. You can tell this man is talented, dedicated, and passionate about his craft of music though. So props to him as well as the listeners that enjoy this music.
Not sure what to do with this. Is this our 3rd Shankar family project? 4th if you include Norah Jones? If I’m going to listen to Ravi I think it’ll be this, traditional Indian music. That said, I don’t think I will be. 3 stars?
Not my first time through this and definitely not my last either. With that said, this can be a challenging 53 minutes. Each time I listen this specific record, I imagine how mind bending it mustve been to have had a copy of this in the west. The instruments are so deeply set in a different world. That makes Ravis introduction to some conceptual stuff all the more charming and genuinely interesting. I probably wrote this in a different review already. I highly recommend playing a sitar and tabla if you ever see one around. They are super fun instruments with so much feel/configuration.
I mean, I'm not a big raga guy, but I guess as far as ragas go, this is top shelf stuff. Nets out at "fine background music" (unless you're my wife, who immediately demanded I turn it off when she came into the room). But she would have done that for most music
Cool to learn a bit about the form. I like the sort of directors cut vibe to the album, and wish we could get that for some of the shitty albums on this list. “Hey mates this is Robbie Williams, and this song is supposed to make you wish you didn’t have ears.” It’s interesting to think about how taste is a product of environment. If I grew up in India and heard non diatonic music like this all the time, would this still be a challenging listen, or would I have be like hell yeah, the classics! Three stars in terms of an interesting artifact, but two if I’m being honest about my need to return.
not for me
really nice but I have to read about this music
will i listen again soon - no did i enjoy it - hell yes conclusion - 3/5
Can see the huge impact and influence Ravi has on a lot of music I enjoy, but this genre is not at all for me, with every single track hugely outstaying it's welcome
Not only is this album obviously hugely influential and important, it is beautiful, and best of all the first track is “an introduction to Indian music.” What a fabulously practical and illuminating addition to the album.
-It’s easy to see how this made the list and how influential Indian music has been in rock and blues and r&b -I really liked the commentary but this felt more like a Indian music for dummies, like a language course -by the nature of the sitar and has he explained, it’s quite repetitive
Part of me wondered should I be meditating to this? While another part thought where’s my bong and a giant stack of naan and pot of vindaloo?
The explanations of how to play the sitar are cool, but it’s not for me. 3.5 stars.
More albums should have the artist explaining the mechanics of their songs. In some ways, I enjoyed those explanations more than the music itself.
3.5* 83*
XD Indian music Dramat
first listen great stuff but the instructional side takes away from the flow
Lowkey mesmerizing, this guy shreds, never gonna listen again but gotta tip my cap
I picked this up on vinyl at a 2nd hand record stall about 30 years ago - great to see it on this list
Rating: 3.5/10 Nah.
An incredible talent
Super interesting album. I had thought it would be good in the background while I worked but I ended up paying way more attention than I had expected. I’m not sure I would listen to this full album again but I would enjoy hearing specific songs as part of a mix
Love this so much. There are more fun Ravi albums out there, but I like the instructional approach on this one. Also the Man for sure.
Ravi Shankar sounds like a prison attack move. "Man, I got ravi shankared out in the yard yesterday. I can barely walk now." The length of this album is practically unbearable since each of the 4 tracks (bypassing the first one since Ravi is providing an introduction to Indian Music) bleed into each other. The only way you can tell there is a separation is that Ravi feels the need to explain even more the difference of these sounds, and then proceeds to play the same fucking 10 minute song again. This sounded like the generic soundtrack to any movie where our reluctant hero has to enter a dusty and rarely visited international bodega in a neighborhood most white people avoid featuring teas, balms, and salves to cure every ailment under the sun. The music is neither bad nor good; it is... unnecessary.
I get the cultural place this album has, but this is one long sitar song. It is neither good, nor awe-inspiring and is most certainly not necessary on this list.
I really enjoy the Intro to Indian Music at the beginning to help those of us who are unfamiliar with this music! It was nice music, but not my style.
The actual music is fine but i dont really want the explanatory detail. Not sure i will ever revisit this album but kind of enjoyed the experience of listening to it at least once
Albums shouldn’t be instruction manuals.
This got off to a great start when I realised it was 5 tracks but 53 minutes, and one of those tracks was greyed out on Amazon, so I had to find it on YouTube. Plus the only track on Sgt. Pepper I have never liked is the one inspired by Ravi Shankar. But Ravi told me I had to listen with an open mind, so I really did try... Less an album to listen to for entertainment and more a sitar lesson, I can absolutely see they're skilled musicians but it's just not for me. I would rather listen to his daughter (sorry Ravi, but Come Away With Me is a lovely song). 2/5
Ya know what, I was sure I wouldn't enjoy this, but I was totally wrong. The music on this album is really really good. Maybe a little understated at times, but it's really apparent that this was made for a western audience. If the educational sound bites weren't enough, then the simplicity of this album should surely be enough to make it clear that it's trying to draw in an atypical audience. I liked this a lot. It did feel like I was watching some of those weirder scenes from Courage the Cowardly Dog at points, but I found it very charming
I didn’t expect to vibe so hard with an album that opens like a masterclass lecture. The artist's explanations of ragas are surprisingly engaging, and once the music kicks in, it’s hypnotic. “Raga Bhimpalasi" is an absolute banger. It builds slowly, looping and swirling until it feels like time is melting. Yes, it’s definitely a departure from the usual rock/post-punk parade, but this was a welcome palate cleanser—sophisticated, spiritual, and strangely catchy. Who knew a 20-minute raga could slap?
molto interessante
..
2 sterne
I didn't enjoy it at all, but literally just having an album which is not from the US or UK makes me want to give this 5 stars. I will settle somewhere in the middle, but not without repeating that there should be more international albums!
Never listened to an instructional album before. Big fan of the sitar sound, the droning appeals to me.
Undoubtedly novel to western tastes at the time. Now this music is infused in the culture across the UK. Exemplary playing but overall not earth shattering.
Enjoyable, not a style of music I've listened to before. Will probably revisit at some point. 3/5
I don't usually listen to Indian music, but this was interesting. Also the explanations were interesting and quite impressive what one can do with such an instrument
meh
I didn’t expect to learn Indian music theory today but here we are. This was actually pretty calming to listen to while working.
Would be lying if I said I loved it, but I do love the approach! Super cool
I appreciate the tutorial. I enjoyed it, but despite his efforts, it still sounded all the same to my western ear. Maybe if I listened to it a few more times, but I don’t think I’m going to.
Naahr
The little bit of a music theory lesson was troll. Now I know the sounds of India!
Just not terribly listenable, especially at an album length.
I know The Beatles were very influenced by this guy so they get extra points for that but I literally cannot think of a situation where i would listen to this again. 5/10 Favourite: Dádrá Least Favourite: Bhimpalási
Important? sure... enjoyable? for me, not so much.
First album I’m not gonna finish. I listened to the first track and that was more than enough to know that this is by far the worst album I got so far
It was pretty and interesting. I also enjoyed the explanation at the beginning.
The sound of the sitar is very enchanting. I lit some incense and totally grooved out. I wish more bands would explain their scales and time signatures before every song. It's cool that we are getting some world music in this project. Maybe the next album will be some Tibetan Ritual Music, Balinese Gamelan, or some Aboriginal Aussies doing didgeridoo diddies. C'mon Album Generator, hit me with that world music challenge! Don't even make me get out my Ramayana Monkey Chant album. Props, Ravi really shreds it.
One of the many things I love about this project is getting exposed to world music I’d never know about otherwise. One spin through was enough of this particular album for me, but the sounds were cool and it was fun that he was explaining the music as he went along.
I'm glad this album is on the list, its exposed me to something new and broadened my musical scope. That said, I didn't enjoy it that much. It was good while working but didn't engage me too much. I enjoyed the narration to call out some differences.
It's unusual and breaks all my rules about what albums should qualify but I actually enjoyed the songs.
Honestly quite good— I was doubtful when I heard the first track (about letting go off your preconceptions from western music, which I assumed were subconscious since I didn’t know the terms), but this was definitely cool. A real get lost in the sauce record
Believe it or not, I own this one on CD (thanks Andy). When Ravi talks, this has some major Wes Anderson energy. It’s interesting to learn about the structure of Indian music, I wouldn’t have really thought about the time signatures being different, but it makes sense. It made me consider music to be more like language in the sense that it evolved differently in different cultures. As far as the music is concerned, my guy was definitely jamming. It was very impressive, but probably not something that I will return to with any frequency. I am glad I heard it though.
I appreciate the intro, but it's not for me.
Oh, did I enjoy this album. Ravi Shankar is an icon. Without his dream to bring Indian music (particularly Hindustani classical music) to Western audiences, perhaps many musicians wouldn't have incorporated the sitar into their sixties and seventies psychedelia. Maybe George Harrison never would have incorporated Indian elements into his music. Who knows what could have happened, because Indian music has had such an impact on the Western world because of Shankar since the late fifties. In this album in particular, Shankar walks the listener through the basics while revealing calming and beautiful music. The beginner course concept is endearing, too.
I mean, judging by the way people rate Indian and other Eastern music on this project, it seems rather appropriate that this album would open with a track that basically equates to an Indian music tutorial. Honestly, this album is mostly a highlight of sitar, and I liked that. But then again, I like sitar, and man is Ravi Shankar good on that instrument! A lot of people have rated this album fairly low, but I see lots of praise for the Western musicians who were inspired by Ravi Shankar and use his methods and style. He might as well be a rockstar, shredding on that sitar (and he definitely IS shredding on it). That's the type of influence we are talking about.
These are some Indian ragas alright. I like Ravi Shankar (I like his daughters a bit better), and this is an interesting album and historical artifact. Not sure I'd pull it out to listen to often, but I like how he tries to explain to the western audience what the hell they're about to hear.
I tried but couldn't get into this.
Just not for me. The narration was annoying.
endnu et megasjovt valg fra Indien. Det lyder da meget godt men det er generelt ikke noget, jeg synes er super interessant at lytte til
Lød rigtig godt! Det var meget sjovt med de der introduktioner til indisk musik (selvom jeg ikke rigtig forstår det mere end jeg gjorde før), men synes da egentlig godt bogen ku ha valgt en af de mere anerkendte Ravi Shankar plader som ikke er produceret specifikt til et ikke-indisk publikum. Forholdet til ikke-vestlig musik er sgu lidt sketchy.
I appreciated the lesson to learn more about the genre, but it was still a very hard listen. It gave a bit more context to some of the King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's microtonal explorations (KG, LW)
I enjoyed the music a good deal, I am a fan of sitar and Raga as a whole. The introductions I understand, but they took me out of the music. Also, the last song just kind of... ended. Or was that just me? There was no finality to it. Still, a good introduction to Shankar IMO. Most of the songs I did not notice the length as they flew by. Top tracks: "Dadra," "Maru-Bihag"
I enjoyed this album. Ravi Shankar is probably the most well-known sitarist of the last century. And for good reason, he is a sitar god. I love his playing. I also really enjoyed his teaching notes in the introduction and the start of the other songs (excluding Dadra). Maybe there could have been more variety to the sound or he could've been accompanied by a few more instruments. But I dug it.
I can appreciate how talented Ravi Shankar is, the historical significance of this album, and I even enjoy this music style, but ultimately this is just background music to me. I don't even disagree with its inclusion in the 1001, I just can't rate it higher than a 3 - something that was fine but I wouldn't seek it out again.
Oh man, I love the Beatles! Ha ha just kidding, anyways, this is good but there are better Ravi Shankar albums out there. It's interesting to think about how this was the record that ask the cool kids in the 60s listened to though. I also like the explanations, and kind of want to hear that on like a rap compilation. Kendrick Lamar explaining what bars are or 2chainz explaining ad-libs. Altogether a fun introduction, the historical interest balances out the outdated production. I mean, I would listen to one of his other albums again first before listening to this again if it weren't for the historical significance. 4 stars.
Good but I’m not sure I’m in the right state of mind for Indian music there’s so much listening I have to do before I look for something completely new. Interesting though I liked it
I have respect for the playing. It’s just not my thing. There’s some real talent there.
Did I enjoy this? No. Was it an interesting exploration into the music of another culture? Yes. Whilst I can appreciate the talent, I really found this a slog to get through. Maybe I need to listen to more to fully appreciate it. Either way, not a fun listen, but plus one for the educational parts.
It's not bad music, but I don't want to listen to it.
There was a lot of talent here there's not denying that... however i also so badly didn't want to hear any of this
Reminds me that placing a numerical value on music is all relative - how an album or song compares to the area of music it is talking to. Thus, it is silly placing a value on this, for which I have no reference point. Really enjoyed listening to new music though, and appreciated the explanation of the music throughout. I'll give an arbitrary 3*, glad to have listened and happy it was on this list.
ni lo ewcuche. no es mi tipo
first 1 star, not quite what i expected haha
Was interesting to hear more about that style of music and the music itself was fun as well. 4 stars
Ravi - the father of the great Norah Jones. While I appreciate the artistry of his music, I am not of fan of sitar music in this large of a dose.
It's a breath of fresh air to get something on this list that didn't come from the US or Britain. This was a nice introduction to Indian music by Ravi Shankar, who is clearly a virtuoso with the sitar. I'm not used to this kind of music so it was a little hard to really get into it but I still enjoyed it.
I liked how he introduced the format and structure of Indian music, I definitely respect it a lot but not sure if I'd go back to it much as an album
Cool listen, extra star for being informative
Fun, an educational bit, and then music I never would have listened to otherwise.
Good stuff. I liked the explanation in the beginning. I am a huge Beatles fan and the influence Ravi had on george makes me like it a bit more
go back to school with Ravi
Didn't love the music but did appreciate the educational aspect