Call of the Valley

Calming, soothing and perfectly named. I'm gonna put this on whenever I feel sad

Didn’t think I’d like this, but it’s surprisingly peaceful.

I am in love with this album. Truly, Call of the Valley is one of the most beautiful and serene albums I've ever heard. I'm enchanted, and I can't stop listening to it. Some is even ethereal sounding! This is proper Indian classical music, one that is untouched by western influence, which came heavily in the seventies and onward. Though a slide guitar and flute are present, I stand by my opinion. Those instruments increased the album's accessibility to western audiences but they didn't detract from the inherit Indian musical standards. Not to mention, I easily noticed the influence this album had on American and British musicians after its release, George Harrison as the one most impacted. And because I am a big Bollywood fan, Call of the Valley deeply reminds me of Bollywood historical dramas (Devdas in particular for my fellow Bollywood fans).

Beautiful. No complaints here. Reminds me that I haven't listened to Tony Scott's "Music For Zen Meditation (And Other Joys)" in a while.

This was lovely!

Beautiful traditional/classical Indian music, which was introduced to the Western audiences and became the most well known and most successful Indian album in the West. It has innovative guitar and the flute made it more acceptable than more traditional albums. It creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere which is very relaxing to listen to. Alone for its importance it deserves a lot of stars but personally I enjoyed it very much so it's a 5 from me.

This is only available on YouTube. It took me a while to get around to listening to it because of that and it will be rare that I get to listen to it in the future. This is a shame, as I've a lot of time for this album. It's very different to what I normally listen to, but makes perfect music to have on in the background while working or to relax to. I think a 5 is deserved here.

Classic

Thanks to the reviewers who sent me to the right recording on YouTube, instead of the wrong Spotify link. Loved this, played it a few times over the day. So full of expression. Can see why so many western musicians were excited by it.

Beautiful album, a blend of Indian and Western music. Hard to believe that this was made in 1967 because it still sounds fresh. Music to chill to, almost Ambient before Ambient was even a thing.

This is the type of stuff I was hoping for in this project. Great music that I probably wouldn't have heard otherwise. Thoroughly enjoyable. Will listen to again.

The most relaxing album ive ever listenend to

Such a vibe. Love all of these south asian albums

Lovely relaxing album, perfect when I was doing my long run

I love the textured sounds!

Never heard about this before, but just... wow. I was absolutely taken away by this. The album cover had me interested and turned out to very well convey the serenity you feel when listening to this album. I also read that it was supposed to represent a day as a an indian shepherd in Kashmir. This makes me really want to visit Kashmir. I haven't listened to much oriental music, but this feels like it managed to cater a bit to western tastes as well, with a nice blend of oriental instruments, acoustic guitar, some background pads, and acoustic drums elements. The album takes you on a very nice journey, quite similar to how soundtracks does. There is calm, excitement and tension weaved throughout the songs. Some jazz serve the same purpose to me as this does; to calm and put you in a nice state of mind. That can sometimes fly over your head, but I didn't feel any of that with this record. The melodies were really memorable and it kept my interest throughout the record. Overall I found this extremely nice to listen to and will come back many times I am sure. This might not objectively deserve 5 stars, but to me this was such a nice gem and revelation. Will try to seek out more similar music in the future for sure!

Finally, something interesting. More albums like this! This is an instrumental album that is both soothing and attention-grabbing. The melodies are at once unusual and familiar to a Western listener, especially with the mix of traditional instruments and guitar — it's immediately clear where George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and other 60s/70s rockers who dabbled in Eastern music got their inspiration from (and if George was a fan, I'm a fan). These sounds aren't totally foreign to anyone familiar with Balkan, Klezmer, or Middle Eastern music, which goes to show that we're all more connected than we sometimes think. Also, the history of how the slide guitar made its way from Hawaii to the southern US and on to India is fascinating. The third track (Nat Bhairav) was my favorite — that tabla beat makes you want to dance. The next track, Raga-Desh also had a really great groove about halfway through. The dynamic range on the title track is amazing — the flute takes up so much space and feels like it's right in the room with you. 5/5

Indian ragas and flute!

Just a lovely album. Great for working to.

i loved this. so beautiful and atmospheric. it was interesting especially to listen to this back to back with oracular spectacular because the mgmt album uses the same kind of bird/forest ambience effects that this one does. in a similar vein it's really easy to hear the influence that this album had on the beatles and other western artists in the 1960s, which of course i've read about but never actually heard in action. honestly a lot of classical/purely instrumental music can be a bit of a challenge for me to listen to, in the sense that i know it's good and/or interesting but i don't earnestly Enjoy it because it doesn't hold my interest for the length a whole album...but i genuinely enjoyed listening to this and i found it engaging throughout.

Quite lovely, I will have to track down a CD or download of the original version, I think. The complex melodies are really something special, and it's great to listen to something that comes from a different family tree than western music.

Track one is pretty psychedelic

Makes nice background music.

I liked this album! It was very chill vibes, and I love that the tracks tell a story. I really enjoyed the laid back nature-y vibes.

Beautiful.

Never knew how badly I needed to hear instrumental Indian subcontinental music. This is genuinely amazing. Makes me think of a lot of modern post-rock records as well.

There's a lot good to be said about this. But I'll leave that to other people.

This was such a delightful album! I’m so glad I was introduced to it!

Well this was totally fucking awesome. Just swept away into another dreamworld with this one, the instrumentation is just sooo lush that you really feel like you're bathing in sound. On the other hand though you have this melodic and harmonic writing that fills this floaty music with tension at a second's notice and constantly keeps you on your toes. I'd imagine this is music for old shut ins on the subcontinent the way that vivaldi is in the western world, but in drawing that comparison, I can enjoy and get lost in this album in the exact same way. I can totally see why this so heavily affected musicians in the 60s who were less familiar with other cultures music as it grabs you instantly and never loosens its grip for a second

Make sure you're listening to the real deal and not the 2007 recording by the same name. 1967: Brilliant. Perfect.

Very cool piece

Sometimes. These recommendations come at the perfect time. I was having a stressful day running late for a flight and started this record. Definitely improved my day. Definitely a personal rating!

Excellent playing throughout this album. It is very soothing music

Mesmerizingly beautiful. I could listen to this every day. I wish it was more accessible online though

Listened to the YouTube version. It is such a perfect album that I think about relistening to it all the time.

I'm not well-versed enough to truly appreciate this music but I love it to death.

Typical Indian classical music. I have always liked it as a background music. In a restaurant, when working, when reading, ... But never really dived any deeper into it. For me this album is exactly perfect for this kind of background music. And it gets better at every listening.

Beautiful. Just calming and lovely. The coolest part is when the santoor and the slide guitar come together. Both are played with such dexterity but also in perfect harmony. The flutes also bring such a positive vibe. Nomads in the Valley is the epitome of all this, if you need a specific example. This is the album you didn't know you needed, especially if you were having a bad day.

Ethereal soundscapes and atmosphere. This was a great way to start my morning. So relaxing and calm. I might come back to this just for how relaxing it is. Very good.

I listened to the remake on Spotify (since that's where the link took me) and the original on YouTube Music. The YouTube one is so much better! I love music like this in the background while I'm at work. 3/5 for the Spotify remake 5/5 for the original.

Digital release from '95 with bonus tracks: https://youtu.be/dPBY3vBFWmA?si=53pY4fECAS43cCyw Vinyl rip: https://youtu.be/yFWfF3Zow74?si=fd65ONw0GCMHa2Q8 I'll admit, this style of music is not the easiest to get into but this album is excellent and has a particular quality. I would easily purchase a copy if I could find it. It's also important to understand and see how these instruments function and are played which might give a greater appreciation and enjoyment of this.

This was beautiful, relaxing instrumental Indian music. Apparently the version on Apple Music is not the correct album, I had to find it on YouTube.

Caused an outer body experience and unlocked a new part of my soul 4.9

I'm a sucker for this. Reminds me of music from the game Civilization in terms of the worldliness but just generally very beautiful and hypnotizing kind of acoustic jams.

Super calming might listen to it for a very specific vibe

Music: "Call of the Valley" is a landmark album in the realm of Indian classical music. Released in 1967, it beautifully blends the distinct sounds of the santoor, flute, and guitar, creating a harmonious and meditative experience. Each instrument contributes to the overall texture of the music, showcasing the virtuosity of the performers. The santoor, played by Shivkumar Sharma, takes center stage, producing ethereal and resonant tones. The instrument's unique timbre adds a layer of depth to the compositions, creating a serene atmosphere. Hariprasad Chaurasia's flute weaves seamlessly with the santoor, offering a melodic counterpoint. Brij Bhushan Kabra's guitar, though unconventional in classical Indian music, complements the other instruments, adding a contemporary touch to the traditional compositions. The compositions exhibit a delicate balance between intricate melodic patterns and rhythmic structures, showcasing the musicians' technical prowess. The interplay of improvisation and structured compositions is a testament to the mastery of the artists. Production: For its time, the production of "Call of the Valley" was commendable. The album captures the essence of live performances, maintaining the authenticity of Indian classical music. The balance between the instruments is well-maintained, allowing each to shine individually while contributing to the collective musical experience. The recording quality, though not as advanced as contemporary standards, effectively captures the nuances of the instruments. The ambient sounds, such as the resonance of the santoor strings or the breath of the flute, add a natural and organic dimension to the recordings. Themes: "Call of the Valley" takes the listener on a sonic journey through the landscapes of the Kashmir Valley. The compositions evoke a sense of the serene beauty and cultural richness of the region. Each piece is named after different stages of the day, reflecting the moods and atmospheres associated with those times. The album's thematic coherence is a notable aspect, as it not only showcases the technical prowess of the musicians but also tells a musical story. The listener can almost visualize the changing scenes of the Kashmir Valley as they progress through the tracks. Influence: The impact of "Call of the Valley" extends beyond the realm of Indian classical music. The album played a crucial role in popularizing the santoor as a solo instrument and establishing its presence in the global music scene. The fusion of traditional instruments with contemporary elements opened new avenues for experimentation in Indian classical music. The success of "Call of the Valley" influenced subsequent generations of musicians, encouraging them to explore collaborative projects and experiment with instrumentation. It paved the way for the acceptance of diverse instruments in classical music, breaking away from traditional norms. Pros: Innovative Fusion: The amalgamation of santoor, flute, and guitar was groundbreaking, setting a precedent for fusion in Indian classical music. Expressive Performances: Each artist's performance is marked by emotional depth and technical brilliance, creating a captivating listening experience. Thematic Cohesion: The album's thematic approach adds a narrative dimension, making it more than a collection of individual compositions. Cultural Representation: "Call of the Valley" serves as a cultural ambassador, offering listeners a glimpse into the beauty of the Kashmir Valley. Cons: Recording Quality: While acceptable for its time, the recording quality may be considered dated by modern standards. Limited Variation: Some listeners may find the album lacks diversity in terms of rhythm and tempo across its tracks. Instrumental Focus: The absence of vocals may limit the appeal for those accustomed to lyrical content in music. In conclusion, "Call of the Valley" is a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of its genre. Its impact on Indian classical music and the global appreciation of traditional instruments is undeniable. While it has a few limitations, its innovative fusion, expressive performances, thematic cohesion, and cultural representation make it a timeless gem in the world of music.

Great folk/world album. Strings in focus.

In 2017, I traveled to Ladakh in the Jammu & Kashmir region after attending friends' wedding in Delhi. I'm pretty certain it was one of the most otherworldly and beautiful places I've ever been (do a Google image search of Tso Moriri and know that it actually looked like the photos. And not only from specific angles!) I know a large part of my admiration was because it was so unfamiliar and is now because I know how few US Americans have and will be able to travel there. Anyway. This music truly fits the type of gorgeous, pristine, and kind of dangerous vibes and kind of makes me understand why so many rock bands in the 60's incorporated elements of Indian music into their own.

Stunningly gorgeous. Indian classical music has a mystique and beauty all its own.

Well after all the discovery and digging in to the information regarding the version on the streaming sites actually not being the real version, and then settling in to a well worn sounding recording pulled straight from vinyl on YouTube, this album delivers. It's beautiful and peaceful and serene. I really love Indian Music and can get in to the ragas for sure. Excellent record.

Viiiiiiiiiiiiiibes. Yeah just really good vibes.

I listened to this straight on a walk and it felt like an odd montage. Great music, blends effortlessly.

Listend all the way through a few times today. Solid album. Nice production. Wild on headphones. Rag Piloo and Dhun-Mishra Kirwani Are my favorite tracks. Would listen again.

Very cool and unique!! I love being exposed to music from around the world and from other cultures! Awesome!

Lush, gorgeous instrumentals that are just great for chilling. I have long been a fan of Hindustani classical music. I had not heard of this album before but wasn't surprised to learn of the artists who have been influenced by this work

I'm a newbie with Indian classical music, but I love what I've heard so far. This album is absolutely gorgeous.

Starts off with Ode to the Sun God, I got the feeling like it was going to be a modern synth-and-pads spa album. It quickly shifts to a dulcimer lead journey through 'the valley'. Middle eastern inspired chord structures with western jazz influences. Ode to the Sun God is a grab-bag of musical experiences: electronic, acoustic, middle eastern, jazz, call-and-response...it manages to contain all of this in a single track successfully, creating a immersive journey which feels authentic...not chintzy. Within the first track, I'm hooked to continue listening. This is the type of discovery I was hoping for from this album generator.

This is really incredible. The flute and guitar sound really great. The atmospheric and traditional Indian sound is extremely cool.

This album is great, I just wish it weren’t so relaxing as I listen to these at work and this made me want to lay down in a field somewhere.

Really enjoyed this

Great Indian instrumentals

Whilst I dont particularly enjoy instrumentals this was very soothing and relaxing to listen to

Sublime experience somewhat ruined by having to listen to it on YouTube (FOUR ads in the first track alone). I say sublime, because it somehow fit perfectly with taking a train through a frozen prairie, leaving the bustle of city life behind me if only for a day. March 28, 2023

Really enjoyed this one. Beautiful soundscapes with unique instruments blended together perfectly. Reminds me of a video game soundtrack

10/10

i didnt know i needed to hear this but i did, i really really really did...thanks🫣😭😭😭😭😅

Awesome album, regarded by many as the best classical Indian album made. A little confusing as it's not the same Call of the Valley as is on Spotify (although the cover is the same) but I found it on YouTube easily enough.

Very captivating record, and (speaking for myself) a great introduction into a genre of cultural music that may have gone unappreciated otherwise. This may be my ignorance speaking since, as stated above, I've never attentively listened to Indian classical, but I caught hints of international influence throughout the album that made the listening experience engaging.

Pako.

Peace.

No one told me teleportation existed, and then I just happened to be transported to a beautiful river valley in a fantasy setting.

One of very few albums that I can call lush without also calling it dense. The instrumentals feel very full and complete, but there aren't an excessive amount of layers. I think the front half is more captivating than the back due to its construction and its more serene ambiance and inclusion of nature sounds. This is one of the more niche albums on this list, but I thoroughly enjoy its inclusion. I am not sure that it is a must listen for everyone, but for anyone that likes instrumental songs or ambient music in general, I think this is a must listen. I am also not usually partial to the flute, but I really do like it in this. I wrote some of this review while listening, but now that I am nearing its end, I think I will give it a five. The back half, while less good, is still pretty great. Highlights: 1, 2, 3, and 5.

really had me feeling like a shepherd in a himalayan valley. 9/10. i especially liked Ode to the Sun God and The Shepherd Girl

9/10. Really quite good, and very palatable to my Western tastes. Just like it says on the box.

Very good work music. Refreshing but not too distracting

Amazing instrumental world album

I'm guessing there probably wasn't much like this when it came out, and it still sounds fresh and vibrant. Occasionally gets a bit Muzaky, but I don't think this detracts from the album overall.

nice album

BEST FOR CODING

A wonderful piece of art that shows how music is the best way to explore the world.

Took a nap to this and it was the most peaceful 55 mins of my life

Really good indian sitar music, with western influences

absolutely delightful would listen again and again

love it

Índia mano...

Traditional Indian flute and sitar

A lovely discovery! I could see myself continuing to return to this.

4/5

calmy balmy smooth

Love this music. Incredible musicians. Just crazy spiritual transcendent talent. But I rarely feel like listening to it. Made for an interesting day at work. 4.81

Hard to find, but very relaxing different.

Überraschend trifft es sehr gut. Die Art der Musik ist nicht meine typische Lieblingsmusik. Aber es ist sphärisch, entspannend. Und am Ende habe ich das komplette Album gehört und es ist wirklich gut gemachte Musik. Würde ich es jeden Tag hören wollen? Eher nein, aber zum entspannen und als Vertreter dieses Genre ist es Top. 4/5

Ah, beautiful Indian ragas by master musicians. Tabla, my favorite. The sounds of classical Hindustani music are just so beguiling. It’s a 4 rather than 5 for me, as I simply love the sound, but the record itself didn’t distinguish itself as better than others I’ve heard.

Albums like this is why I'm doing this.

Very calming but not boring. Quite a beautiful album with a lot of great musical depth. The album cover fits well.

I'd never ever go out of my way to go look for Hindustani classical music, but it's a hella relaxing listen.

I enjoy instrumental albums, so I'm going to guess my rating will be higher than the global These are some talented musicians I simultaneously feel zen and like I want to dance I'm not a fan of 20 minute songs I enjoyed this recommendation, will definitely go on my focus playlist

Its a cool album for what it is - classical Indian music. Now, as neither a fan of traditional classical music nor an Indian, its a bit out of my element. However, I would vibe the fuck out with this if I was stoned.

I enjoyed this album, it was a refreshing change and nice to listen to something a little more 'World music' (probably not a WOKE term today!)

Thanks to the reviews which said the wrong album is linked - Apple music is wrong too! I enjoyed this album, what a great find!

trying to find the real version of the album was such a nightmare and im still not even sure if was listening to the real one. crazy how much texture and atmosphere they were able to get out of only 4 instruments. really gorgeous stuff

Overall: 7/10 I found this to be very beautiful and charming. It's great for relaxing and while it was hard to stay fully engaged the entire time, there were lots of moments that made me stop and pay extra close attention to. Fav Song: Raga Pahadi

Stunningly pretty

We had a slow morning in bathrobes drinking coffee in the 90 degree heat outside. This was the perfect album for that particular circumstance.

Really liked this one, great performances and a sound I don’t have nearly enough experience with

Just very meditative and pleasant to listen to

I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is Indian classical music, very similar to Ravi Shankar for my foreign ears. I am very happy to see more classical Indian artists other than Ravi Shankar on this list. I would listen again.

Much better background music than any jazz on this list

Great background music

10/10 album cover

This is some good shit tbh, I kinda want to listen to this non-stop whilst I work. 4/5

Very landscaping soundstrack. Might be back at some point.

Seriously compelling if you can give it the time

Hard to rate this. Better when in correct order

Beautiful stuff

This had to be the best Indian music album i’ve ever heard - by which i mean the only Inidan music album I’ve listened to. I can hear where Talvin Singh got his ideas from for his OK album (maybe he sampled from this? The Shepherd Girl track sounds familiar). Anyways, nice enough album. Probably not on high rotation on my record player but that probaly does it a disservice. I might be wrong but there have been several albums on here because they have changed the genre, mixed styles where not previously done, so i wonder if this album is one of those - blending some western guitar with Indian instruments. It works well. The musicians seem to know their craft and i can appreciate the texture they create, their tight playing, etc.

Экзотично, духовно.

fuckin beautiful. the music & the artwork. I can see why people have spiritual experiences in India. mostly it makes me wanna play civ 5 tho 8 / 10

Skön bakgrundsmusik. Cool med fusion mellan raga och sextiotalspop, fast mest raga istället för tvärtom som hos Beatles m fl. En fyra

I picked a good night to cook butter chicken

I was skeptical of this but it's a really relaxing record to listen to, some describe like a musical cleanse which I'd agree with. Really made my day this one, shame its not on streaming services but I'll have to download a copy for future listens!

"Call of the Valley" is hauntingly beautiful, transporting the listener to rustic landscapes of valleys, hills and streams. I wasn't expecting to like this, but was drawn into the album's sincerity and the pictures of life it evokes.

Really nice stuff. I'm glad the list does include SOME music from outside the Western canon - this is pure Hindustani classical, all tabla and sitar in the traditional ways, and it's great! I love getting lost in the droney rhythms. Side note, the release history of this album is extremely strange, especially factoring in the "fake" version released by Shivkumar's son in 2012, which is apparently just a really bad new age release.

I really enjoyed this. Beautiful instrumentals which even offset the annoying ads I had to watch on YouTube. I probably won’t listen again, but who cares?

What a wonderful, mesmerizing listen. Albums like these frequently remind me that India has some of the most unique and pleasant instruments out there! Can't blame the numerous white boys who worked the sitar into Western music over the years.

yess! instrumental albums for the win!

Op Spotify staat een rerecording, dus naar Youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1zzVqrCEeU&list=RDO1zzVqrCEeU ) gaan we dan maar! Psychedelische Indiase jazz, dat is dus precies waar ik deze lijst voor ben begonnen ooit. Voor vreemde muziek die ik anders echt nooit zou tegenkomen! Blijkbaar vond en de heiligen(Beatles leden en Dylan) dit een fantastisch album. Waarschijnlijk is dat deels de reden waarom het er op staat. Het is prima, ik vind het goed wegluisteren, duurt niet al te lang en er zit geen vocals op. Dit album druipt van de sfeer, dat is zeker duidelijk en binnen no-time is duidelijk uit welk land dit album komt. Erg fijn om eens iets te hebben dat buiten de 'gebaande' paden valt en echt iets anders is. Het is absoluut een soort trip dit, niet altijd vind ik het een even prettige trip want mijn god is dit soms een chaotische bak aan muziek. Maar in kleine stukken zoals het titelnummer? Dan is dit echt heel mooi eigenlijk! Hoe geef je zoiets dan een rating? zou ik het snel nog eens aanzetten? Eerlijk gezegd niet, daarvoor voelt dit echt veel te chaotisch en heftig voor. Maar ben ik blij dat ik het heb gehoord voor ik doodga? Best wel eigenlijk! Dit was best een goed stuk muziek en iets wat ik zonder deze lijst zeer waarschijnlijk nooit had gehoord. 4 sterren dan maar? 4 sterren dan maar! FAVO: Call of the valley, maar eigenlijk is dit een album dat je ook echt zo moet luisteren.

I am totally unqualified to judge this one as I know very little about Hindustani music. However, it is very pretty. And it does feel like it conveys a shepherd’s day. The album was very influential, apparently. I could imagine hearing it in an eclectic new age-y shop. Album 23, March 21, 2026

So relaxing, I'll definitely listen to this again.

1st time for me and had no prior knowledge of albumn or artists. Enjoyable, can see how this inspired a lot of western artists of the same era.

This was very pleasant, easy listening. Great to have on in the background while working. I have a newfound appreciation for traditional Indian instruments and musical traditions.

A very good album. No matter where I am in the world this would likely transport me to a healing place. Perfect for those walking amongst us who like to appropriate breathwork or yoga from South Asian culture. Probably a good soundtrack to have on if someone was having a bad trip.

Beautiful music. It’s hard to compare an album like this to the bull on this list which is more mainstream, but music made well is always great.

Had to negotiate with YouTube to find the right album, but that never killed anyone. Well, it’s beautiful. I do hear the valley calling. The pieces are striking, melodic, structured but not repetitive and they avoid being too long or winding. Makes me want to be outside by the lake. I kind of wish the list had more stuff like this on it (“stuff” meaning music from around the world rather than just “The West”); this is the kind of listening experience that actually makes me feel like my horizons are expanded. Calming and stirring at once.

I can imagine that when this hit the west in the 60s it would have been a revelation. Indian music is now more common and accessible so it's lost some of that, but this is still a decent record. As you might expect, it's very pastoral and atmospheric. For me that means this probably isn't something I'd regularly listen to, but it's an interesting entry on the list

I enjoyed this but probably don’t know enough to appreciate the full nuances of classical Hindustani music

Yes it does all run together, but I think that's you know kind of the point. Very relaxing and compelling entry in this genre.

As others have said - it's worth it to find the real album on YouTube. This album starts off super peaceful and chill. Like I can imagine having this play in the background while just lounging around the house on a warm afternoon. I can't pretend to 'get' this kind of music at all, I haven't experienced any of that culture, and even the language of this music is unfamiliar to me. But I love it. I've always loved tabla, such a distinct and intricate kind of drumming. And who doesn't like a sitar? I wish there were more albums like this on the list. The list is heavy on Brit pop and synthwave, it's really light on actual non-western albums. This album is something I probably never would have listened to had it not come up today even though I really like this kind of music. I just don't think about playing it that much. But I really enjoyed it, I wish it had been longer. 4/5

An instrumental version of this sort of thing is a fuckton better than anything with vocals. A very zen listening experience, something I never would have listened to without this project.

Soothing instrumentals, very reminiscent of a sounds nature video complete with rushing water and chirping birds.

This is my birthday album, and the difference between what is on YouTube and Spotify and like night and day! Spotify's version is too...modern for me. YouTube's version is more haunting and atmospheric, a way better version and hands down deserves a 4 than Spotify giving it a 2.

Great to hear this.

Ayyyy I actually got to the end of this one. 4/5 you can really hear the Beatles influence on this one 👀👀👀. I can see myself listening to this in certain instances but I doubt I’ll ever look at the cd collection and say out loud “yo lemme listen to that shivkumar Sharma album”

Ladies and gentlemen.. we're floating in India. This is actually a pretty cool album in the sense that it blends Indian instruments with a shoegaze Western style. The feeling it gives me is similar to some modern experimental albums, yet the feeling is passed on with completely different instruments and sounds.

While I may not go out of my way to listen to this frequently, it was actually great working music and unique. Giving it a 4 because it’s something different.

Very chill and relaxing album. Didn't listen to the one on spotify but went to youtube for the more original. Got very sleepy at how soothing it was.

4/5 Incredibly chill. I'd never heard Indian classical music before, but I enjoyed this greatly.

Soothing

wow it sounds like ost for a game. very incredible and national for 1967, AND THE COVER IS MEOW.

Now THIS is why I am doing this project. What a cool find. Combines Western rhythms and instruments with Indian instruments. Nomads in the Valley is a standout.

really good, still wishing this was weezer though…

Coldplay left me well, cold

Interesting crossover of Indian and Western instruments, good for taking us westerners to the edge of our comfort zone. An intriguing listen and I may revisit even though it's not really my thing.

I loved this on YouTube, thanks to the great commenters that let us know. This is a great album thar I will definitely listen to again a lot in the future. All music, no lyrics. All great!

Ich fand das wirklich schön. Ein ganz tolles 99%-Instrumentalalbum. Würde sich gut als Hintergrundmusik in so manchen Pen & Paper Runden anbieten.

Incredibly Beautiful

good quite gooed

Listened while driving to and from my parents' place. Always nice to get reminders that there's a whole world out there and that Western music isn't the be all and end all. Really interesting album to listen to and just beautiful all around.

Hypnotischer Musik die viel Interpretation nachziehen lässt.

i am not equipped to talk about music like this but i did enjoy this album. hate to be this guy but reminds me of a day at Animal Kingdom

This was pretty great, really unique as this list goes and a there's a lot of beauty here. It really transported me.

This one was surprisely good, i wasnt expect to be a instrumental album. It pass the vibe of asian folk, wich i like. But the album doenst reduce to it, and the songs are very atmospherical. I like it.

4.5 Namaste

My first time hearing classical Indian music. It was surprisingly great. It's peaceful and calming, I'll probably listen to it again while studying.

Like the Samba album I have no idea how to compare the quality of this with other albums like it. That said I do love a good hammered dulcimer. I don't know if enjoy is the right word but I could talk myself into handing out pamphlets at the airport like the Hare Krishnas with this playing in the back of my head.

I found this to be a very interesting album. It's not something I'd give my full attention to when re-listening, but I'd put it on in my house while doing housework or something, and I can appreciate what it was doing and the influence and introducdtion that it was to many people.

I had to put this one off for a while since finding this album was particularly difficult. Someone lovely made a playlist of the album for 1001 listeners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4jQqwFCgA&list=PLowQCq3Ss89iB354d2wQJdHigAxjYqsbL Very interesting listen, something I enjoyed having on in the background while I worked. I'm afraid I don't think I'm versed enough in the subcontinent or its' music/culture to be able to appreciate this one as much as I could. It's SO refreshing to be able to listen to something unique and fresh, though. I can't really fault anything in this outside of it could probably be a bit boring, I certainly would not want to sit down in an empty room with just this thing on and nothing else - it didn't engage me that much. That being said, there was a lot to unpack in here, I really enjoyed the drums, and whatever that guitar-keyboardy thing (I have no fucking clue what you'd call it) that shone through on this record was really good. I imagine the thing is super hard to play so this most likely showcases a lot of talent, hence its place on here. Quite a nice listen, albeit LONG - and one I'll be coming back to when I need to pump out some quarterlies.

Normally with this type of music, I feel like the vocals are what make it the hardest for me to digest. So the fact that this was all instrumental made it more enjoyable for me. I like the weird water drop noise on Raga (Desh). Overall relaxing. I feel like this would normally get a 3 but I'm in a good mood today so this is getting 4 stars.

Lovely classic Indian fare.

As others have mentioned, this album was somewhat difficult to track down. The only version on Spotify and Tidal was a later recording from Shivkumar Sharma’s son. I ultimately found the original on YouTube and I’m glad I did. It was a beautiful album. Apparently, this was the album that introduced the western world to Indian music. It certainly deserves its place on this list. For those who don’t know, part of the reason music like this sounds unique is the use of microtones. Most of western music is based on 12 equal steps (semitones) within an octave, whereas Indian music is based on 22 microtones per octave. This alternative approach has influenced experimental western music, from the Beetles in the 60s to modern bands like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Historical importance aside, this album really drew me in. It was nice for the project to generate something truly different.

8/10 very beautiful to listen to

I’m on the banks of the Ganges.

Not in any way something I would think to listen to, and I have been missing out, it is is really quite hypnotising. I have no idea how it compares to anything similar but I would very happily return to this beautifully evocative and quite serene music.

Nice and relaxing and enjoyable! Good morning music

Very enjoyable! Definitely different than a lot of the offerings I've had from the list so far. Some tracks can get a bit repetitive, but overall a nice listen!

Good although I wouldn’t listen to it on my own

Very cool international effort - shining a light on a culture in an accessible way.

Interesting and pleasant to listen too. I enjoyed this very much. A new type of music for me and one that I wouldn't seek out. That said I did enjoy this being included in the list.

Peaceful. Relaxing. Calming.

The exact type of thing you’d want the generator to introduce you to. A calm and beautiful album that conjures up the countryside perfectly.

honestly a really peaceful instrumental record

It took me a while to get into this, but Call Of The Valley really grew on me. I love the call and response between the three musicians. They really told a story with each song/raga. While I was listening I could see landscapes. (Thanks to previous reviewers for the YouTube tip!)

Mulla on aina ollut salainen perversio mystiseen etnomusaan. Intialaisessa on aina joku lievästi hiertänyt mutta täähän oli kuin pitkä lounas Tikkurilan Sagarmathassa. Alko heti intialainen kuminanäkkäri maistumaan suussa ja kurkkua polttelemaan, lävästään siitä hyvästä 4 punasta täplää silmien väliin.

Versions on Spotify/Apple are the wrong ones. Qobuz and YouTube have the authentic versions. The LP cover art used here on the generator is the wrong one as well. That said, this is a lovely record.

Hell yeah, finally something to break up the absolute slog this list can be of generic dad rock albums. Beautiful music, incredible talent, something completely new.

ooooh indian music...okay I thought I was going to enjoy this but it's a little funky. I don't know I guess it's giving me a good zen vibe. And in fact it took me back to a time in my life that was absolutely magical. When Marisol and I were falling in love with each other. So for that I am going to give this a higher ratin than I would have otherwise. 4 stars.

Honestly have never heard of this before.

Man was this really beautiful. Have listened to a fair bit of Ravi Shankar but am largely unfamiliar with other classical Indian music. Gonna add this to my library. 4 stare after one listen but I feel like it’s a record I will go back to multiple times

I really liked this. It certainly succeeded in the stated goal of taking me on a meditative journey. I was doing other tasks and I kind of zoned in and out and it was the perfect accompaniment. I found myself picturing a shepherd going about his day. If it wasn’t for the YouTube thing I could totally see myself putting this on to chill out and calm the anxious brain. Wouldn’t be quite the same with ads blasting in every so often though

Classical Indian music was new to western ears back when this was released. It proved highly influential on many musicians and helped introduce a different palette to western music

Wow, interesting album. Very difficult to rate, but I will certainly return to. More as calming background music, but still enough things of interest for more active listening too. I particularly liked "The Shepherd Girl". 3.5* rounded up.

There is no way I would have ever heard this album in my life without this list. So while this list sucks often, it sometimes does pull out beautiful taste expanding albums like these. And it turns out I really enjoy calming Indian acoustic music. This album was quite literally if pastoral was a sound though and I think that is beautiful.

This sounds so timeless

Love to see a bit of variety on the list and some world music too. Call of the Valley is such a pleasant calming album

The one reviewer who said listen to this on YouTube was correct. The Spotify version isn't the right one. Baller album.

Kovaa intiamaalailua! 4/5

Ymmärrän kyllä miks esim. Beatles meni tästä sekaisin. Kaunis levy.

I was excited to see some non-western music on the list and to explore the sitar sound more and this album did not disappoint. It was both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I’m not familiar with any artist other than Ravi Shankar, but based on the complexity, I’d have to say Shivkumar Sharma is one of the best.

Lowered my blood pressure to my surprise.

4.2

-really beautiful -reminded me of kirtan, had some tabla, beautiful flute instrument -calming, background music

What a lovely listen. I can see why this crossed boundaries and had the influence it did. I would definitely buy this if I came across a physical copy. Must listen #232.

relaxing.

Another reason to be here! Something completely different. I did feel that a few of the songs sounded like zither tributes to well known songs but couldn't quite place the song names! Fun listen though!

Pretty relaxing 😌 But nothing much more to add to that. May revisit this one when im drawing/reading.

Interesting and new to me

найс, вайбово, сохранил.

Fantastic stuff. Everyone should have to listen to this at least once

Spacey drugsmuziek

I was really able to follow the storyline—refreshing, foreboading, and oh so expressive along the way.

nice background sitar/guitar

A nice chill change of pace.

im a sucker for instrumentals

Music I would hear at the good Indian restaurant (complimentary)

wow this is something else idk i loved the flutes a lot

Should add to civ game.

Lovely, contemplative, meaningful/mystical – everything one wants from what was once called world music. This cat Sharma provided the soundtrack for one's multiple trips to India in early aughts, so fondly remembered (especially "Dogri Folk Tune," which is not on this record).

Would be good meditation music. Took the advice of reviews and listened to the Youtube version

3.8 // Indian instrumental music. I can absolutely see how this influenced The Beatles and others. Once you hear this you understand how those groups thought to experiment with their instruments a little more. That being said, the music itself is relaxing, but doesn't hit me extremely hard. It, of no fault of its own, suffers from being from a culture different from one I know, so I can't connect with it enough to give it a higher score.

Brilliant will defo listen to more

Beautiful stuff, all Rama no drama! Apparently about a day in the life of a Shepherd so also one of the earliest concept albums? Not that it would be obvious from the music..

I’ll admit, I never really sought out Indian classical music growing up. Something about it felt off-limits - as a child, I feel like (in America) "foreign music was weird and goofy." Maybe it was my small town upbringing. Maybe because, as I grew older, I associated it more with massage parlors, yoga studios, or incense-clouded head shops than with something I’d actually listen to. But Call of the Valley surprised me. It’s genuinely beautiful. It’s carefully composed, melodic, and intentionally structured to tell a story without words. It invites you in, gently. There’s a meditative quality to it, but also a quiet emotional arc. It’s the kind of album you can put on, let play in the background, and then suddenly realize you’ve been completely absorbed. You lose time in it.

Really gorgeous Hindi music, the stuff that makes you realize that the sounds we associate so heavily with ambient nowadays were treaded much earlier than the mid '70s in eastern music (and jazz music honestly). That's as clear as day on this album, and just a few minutes into the first movement. It's really the reverb nature of the Santoor that amplifies that effect - it's one of those hauntingly gorgeous eastern instruments that just naturally are very lush, not unlike the Gamelan. And honestly, it manages to sound even better when paired with the very loose guitar playing here. Ambient pieces aside, you still get these more traditional drum-driven grooves throughout this album, which are great, especially when that tabla goes absolutely nuts in the final minutes of that first movement. I think I ended up enjoying the groovier moments here overall. While I did admittedly let this hang in the background for most of its duration while I was running some errands, I did still enjoy it quite a bit, if not more than I would've otherwise, in that context.

𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 is a serene and evocative journey through the sounds of Kashmir, performed by three masters: Shivkumar Sharma on the shimmering santur, Hariprasad Chaurasia on bansuri, and Brij Bhushan Kabra on slide guitar. For many western listeners, the santur will be a revelation — its crystalline tones, blended with flute and guitar, create a soundscape that feels both timeless and fresh. While rooted in classical ragas, the music flows gently and accessibly, making it one of the most inviting introductions to Indian classical music. A beautiful and meditative record, deserving of its reputation.

I slept like a baby after listening to this last night. It's a shame it isn't available on Spotify. I could see myself coming back to this

Really dug this one. I can definitely see why it influenced bands like The Beatles in the 60’s on incorporating Indian instruments.

This is a decent poppish Indian/world music album that will give people what they want. One could argue that this here is all bit too soft and playing too much into what us westerners want. Someone like Ravi Shankar, also known here in the west, might be more challenging, true, but it gives you more. Why do I rate it 4 stars though? Because it IS good for what it is. For all the stuff that's nice atmospheric background stuff on this list, this one here ranks really high.

After so many albums and genres I am already familiar with, it was a breath of fresh air to hear something completely different. I have no knowledge about traditional/classical Indian music so I am very glad that this was recommended.

This was great. I have always enjoyed this Indian style of music, and this really scratched that itch. Awesome stuff.

Gorgeous sounds and artwork. I'm in a spa (complimentary)

Unfortunately I’ve only heard this album in Indian restaurants. That’s my fault, not the album’s.

The Good: We know who’s calling us… The Bad: It’s not a booty call… The Ugly: nothing, as it’s a purdy valley! Amazingly non-offensive, relaxing background music. I managed to get a load of work done, and will definitely want to play this album again in the future when it’s night time and I am trying to catch-up… So, 4*… because the like the Call of the Valley

Finally something interesting

Soothing storybook soundscapes.

Not sure if it was due to the remaster I listened to, but it was extremely clear with surprisingly pop-y rhythms paired with Indian instruments and scales. Atmospheric without being boring.

Æ kan skjønne at det va spennanes og interessant i sin tid, men æ vil jo håpe på at også indisk musikk har gjort nokka anna siden den gang. På ingen måte fornærmanes, men ikke nokka øret festa sæ ved. Det festa sæ mest ved at tittelen på plata e på engelsk, egentlig, sett med 2025-øyne føles det som et rart valg.

Trippy peaceful energetic Indian instrumentals

Interessante sound

Nice. Very nice.

This was good. Great background music. Would definitely listen again.

This is exactly the sort of album that there should be more of on this list. It’s an improvised piece based on traditional Indian musical raga forms, telling the story of a day in the life of a shepherd. As well as the evocative sounds of the tabla and santor, there are also guitars and flutes which made this a crossover between Indian and Western music and influenced people like George Harrison and David Crosby. The YouTube link has the original album: https://youtu.be/yFWfF3Zow74

While I’m pretty hopeless in differentiating any one piece of Indian music from another, I was very engaged with this and enjoying the album. I even thought I started to recognize components of composition, melodies and structure, within the music. Not sure if that is a function of my getting slightly more familiar with this style or this being particularly accessible, but what could’ve been a difficult entry was a pleasant immersion.

I lack the knowledge, context, or even language to say anything even remotely intelligent about this music. All I can say is I dig it. It's peaceful and chill. It's not as demanding a listen as some Ravi Shankar music I've heard, but it also doesn't sound like "easy listening." So, I guess a 4 is as good a rating as any.

Beautifully meditative.

The santoor in this is quite impressive. Definitely feels like the music in a movie as they head out on a journey of discovery when you get the sweeping travel shots through the mountains and forest roads. On occasion the camera will go into the cab of the Jeep, because it's always a Jeep, and show the protagonists chatting or pointing at some wildlife out the window

This was really nice to listen to while I was working.

Really relaxing soundscapes

This one was much more fun than I thought it would be!! #albumsky #musicsky #musicchallenge 3.5/5

Definitely zoning out music.

🎧Am I enlightened now?

There was something nice and peaceful about it, but it didn't hit me like for some other people

Thanks to the previous reviewers, I knew to listen on YouTube and I'm glad a did. This was a relaxing piece of music that really did feel like a journey from morning to night as intended. 4/5

I dig this. It's a nice departure from my standard listening. So easy to get lost in the consideration of the rhythms and melodies not normally present in western music. Love the tabla work throughout.

Cool and calming

Gorgeous

A great discovery

Good vibe. Didn’t know about it. Happy I do now.

This had a very nice calm feel to it, along with being accomplished and professional. Not exactly my cup of tea, but hearing it, I understand a bit of how a band like The Beatles could go to India and have their mind blown.

These songs are beautiful.

Beautiful album. I'm thankful that I read a handful of reviews and found that the spotify version is not the actual recording. I listened on Youtube and enjoyed it far more than on spotify.

Peaceful and tranquil. A flowing, meditative suite that gently unfolds.

Delightful. I kept the opening track.

Made me feel like I was milking a cow in the middle of a field in Mongolia

This was fun. I like getting more variety in this list, and this felt very different.

> The Beatles

Sublime

i do feel called by the valley

they were making ff7 soundtrack back in the 60s so crazy

Nice, mellow listening.

I can absolutely see how this album influenced the psychedelic 60's music that came after this music's popularization. The instruments are unique and the album good for light background music, but the remastered edition overstays its welcome by quite a bit.

Having watched many movies from India, I'm vaguely familiar with the music. I like it generally particularly the older, traditional style. So I liked this album and found it an interesting. Yes, a newer, remade album from 2016 is on Spotify and, yes, I prefer the 1968 version. I would not say the remake is garbage as some have stated in their reviews. If you know enough to say it's bad, then peace be upon you. I don't have that knowledge and would offer a theory. I think it might be remade to the current tastes of Indian listeners. And/or the guy wanted to honor his father but not just make it again note for note. Just a thought. But what do I know.

When I heard the first couple of notes, I was like oh my God, but by the end, I was like oh my God, this is pretty good

good classical, dulcimer based music. Better than the Mall

Really chill, awesome world music with primary sounds from India, but there seemed to also be some Spanish guitar riffs and possibly Latin rhythms.

Very chill. It has that "make Indian music palatable to white people" feel that was around in the 60's. You could grade or read to this (or really, nap to it) and have a good time.

Shivkumar Sharma - Call of the Valley Great, this is one of the reasons i’m doing this project: to hear things I might never hear otherwise. Have had this on all day, sometimes in the foreground, sometimes in tbe background, it’s been a good day! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well this is absolutely beautiful.

Very pretty and soothing music. I enjoyed the mixture of nature with instrumental.

Nice music

Don't think I'm gonna be returning tp this one too many times but it was a crazy journey. Loved it.

Sygt afslappende. Stor fornøjelse, godt med noget anderledes

Ok svært at finde det egentlige album! Hørte bare alle 70 minutter af den lange udgave på Spotify for det var pisselækkert. Ved ikke noget om den her slags musik men great time

My ability to rate this suffers from my limited exposure to the form. I’ve listened to Indian music for a long time, but I’m not a student. This music is so expressive, soothing, exciting. Always tasteful. Just beautiful— now I have a new artist to follow! Still, I think there are Indian musicians that I’d listen to before I listen to this album — Ravi Shankar, Roop Verma, and Arjun Verma come to mind.

Took note from other reviews here and listened to the original album recording on Youtube rather than the weird re-recording that is available on Spotify. I dipped my toes into the Spotify version and it was notably different and worse. The original was very good, a suite of pastoral and contemplative ragas - the addition of the flute was a bit much for me at times but I reliably love a tabla beat drop.

Firstly - neither Spotify nor Tidal have the proper version of this album, you need to go to YouTube. This is not a style of music I'm familiar with, so I can't say how it compares to others in the genre, but I enjoyed it. Relaxing and interesting, without straying so far from western styles and tunings that it sounds off key. I was worried it might get a bit 'new age pan pipes', but no - just calming, peaceful, tranquil. 4 on a first listen, but could easily reach 5 on repetition.

Þurfti að hlusta á Youtube, veit ekki hvað lögin heita, þekkti þau ekki almennilega í sundur og viðurkenni fúslega að ég hlustaði ekki alltaf af óskiptri athygli. En þetta er mjög flottur hljóðheimur og ánægjuleg hlustun fyrir því.

Beautiful, soothing and a perfect example of using music for great storytelling.

Lovely. Delightful music. Vaguely new-agey. And I mean that as a compliment. This type of album is pretty much why I'm doing this 1001 album thing. I've never heard of it and would never have tried it. Now, I like Call of the Valley. Great cover art.

Good background music, especially if you are doing a bit of yoga. I appreciate this as it is a good entry point to Indian classical music.

I’d never heard of this album, but I’m glad I have now. The composition, artistry and themes are wonderful, the mix of influences just works so well. Loved it.

I liked this. Chill Indian music.

I will listen again unique

Is this the background music of every spa in America?

Regarding the Spotify link: Couldn’t make it through this one. I typically like music of this sort, and there’s some interesting stuff, but it’s really best for falling asleep or something. Edited to add: I found the whole proper version of this album on the YouTube. I highly recommend it-solid classical Indian jams. I can see why it was influential.

No expectations going in. Super great. Easy to get lost in the sauce.

I have very little frame of reference for deciding if this is amazing or completely average. I haven't had many instrumental albums so far, so that alone was nice. It's a style of music that no algorithm would have recommended to me, and that I would not have picked myself, but I really enjoyed it.

As an Indian, I wasn’t familiar with this but really enjoyed it!

I liked this.

I really enjoyed this!

This is the sort of thing that I love to see from lists like 1001. An album that not very many people, certainly not many in the West, would ever find, let alone listen to. This is a great odyssey of Indian/Hindustani Classical, introduced by the steady movements of the first part, and exemplified by the spiritual and explorative epics of the second part. There is so much traditional and indeed contemporary music from across the globe that’s so rarely heard by Westerners, and this is such a shame as it often has vastly different musicality to that of Western Classical. I will certainly be seeking more where this came from.