Search - Hariprasad, Zakir Hussain :: Venu

Good -- but not the best

Zak Kramer | Ohio | 08/15/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First, I must say I am a great fan of Hariprasad-ji. There is simply no other bansuri player with such divine tone and magnificent phrasing -- and few musicians of any kind with such depth and expressiveness. That being said, this is not among my favorite recordings of Hariprasad-ji. Don't get me wrong -- it is beautiful, and the playing is excellent, but I would expect no less from these two artists. However, I prefer the recordings that he did for the Nimbus label. "Four Dhuns" is the easiest to get [...]; "Rag Bhimpalasi" is also available. Made much more recently, the Nimbus recordings showcase a more mature artist, with greater subtlety and more inspired -- and inspirational -- melodies.Also, while another reviewer praised the acoustics and ambiance of this recording, I would have to disagree. Yes, the natural reverb of the Stone House is good, but there are a few places where it sounds as if there are people talking in the background, and there is the occasional pop or click, as if something was dropped or a mic was tapped. Given the entrancing nature of this music, I found that very jarring. The timbre of the bansuri also sounds, to me, more harsh than it does in some of the later recordings.Don't get me wrong -- these are comparatively minor, nit-picky details, and how can you not like a CD by two such masters? However, for a first recording of Hariprasad-ji's work, I would point towards "Four Dhuns" or "Rag Bhimpalasi." If you want to hear a more current pairing between these two artists, you might like the first Remember Shakti CD, which is also live. I can hear the purists cringing now -- it is a fusion CD -- but it is among the finest of the genre."

Sublime!

06/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What Zakir Hussain and Hari Prasad Chaurasia have recorded here is nothing short of sublime. For those unfamiliar to music of this kind, this recording is an excellent introduction. Brilliant virtuosity and outstanding musicianship are enhanced by an unique acoustical setting and tasteful recording methods to render this one of the best recordings under the Rykodisc label. The warmth of tone and expressful phrasing of Hari Prasad are only accompianied by the droning tambura on the first half and later joined by the mastery of Zakir Hussain on the tabla in the second half. The energetic nature of this music surprisingly brings one to stillness...a stillness that is well suited for pre- or post-meditation listening. Listen and you'll see. OM Shanthi, Peace."

Stunning!

S. Karulkar | 12/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the great recordings. Both masters at their finest. Recommended to anyone interested in classical Indian music."