Search - Snehasish Mozumder :: Mandolin Dreams: North Indian Mandolin & Tabla

Different...but good.

Moses Alexander | Alabama, USA | 05/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having heard the music of South Indian (carnatic) mandolin player U. Srinivas (and he plays electric mandolin), I just had to check out his northern (Hindustani) counterpart. First of all, his mandolin isn't exactly like the typical western mandolin. It is a little bigger, probably what we in the west would call a mandola (not as big as a mandocello though) so the sound is more bass heavy. Mozumder takes on the rainy season raga "Desh" and does quite a nice job with it. He captures the mood of the raga nicely the anticipation and longing for the rain from the release of the heat. He is a patient player, and one that slowly develops the raga, not relying on so many of the flashier current trends in Indian music. If for nothing else but originality, this CD is certainly worthy of a place in the collection of an Indian music fan or a mandolin afficianado. The refreshing thing about it is, that its not gimmicky. The CD doesn't wear thin after repeated listenings. I've had it for several years and still frequently listen to it.I also believe with mandolin being more familiar to the western aural palette, that this CD is easier for westerners to digest, but their is certainly enough substance for those knowledgeable about Indian music. There are also two dhuns (folk tunes) on this disc, so the music is a bit "lighter" if you will and not as long and heavy as a 70 minute sitar recital.For creativeness, style and good playing, you can't lose with this disc."

A Stirring Work

S. Jogia | San Francisco, California | 12/11/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mandonlin Dreams is a beautiful, evocative experience. The indian Mandolin sounds quite different from both the sitar and the western mandolin, and has a nice rich sound. Just turn out the lights, put it on, and let your worries slip away."

Tranquilizing rainy day ragas

S. Jogia | 11/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music is tranquil but not sleepy. The ragas kind of remind me of old John Fahey (though of course the Indian subcontinent put out this kind of music a couple millennia before Blind Joe Death cut his first E-string). If you still reach for Cooder-Bhatt's "Meeting By The River," get a hold of this recording and rejoice. Quietly."