The Syrian Maqams - Recorded by Deben Bhattacharya

The Syrian Maqams - The Living Tradition

Recorded and Produced by Deben Bhattacharya

Argo - ZFB 58 - P.1972

Side A

A1 Bashraf Sama'i Taatiyus

A2 Taqsim on Nay

A3 Taqsim on Violine

A4 Ajam on Buzuk

Side B

B1 Hijaz

B2 Rasd

B3 Taqsim on 'Ud

A1,A3, B1-B3 Recorded in Damascus 1955

A2,A4 Recorded in Damascus 1960

Named Musicians:

Badruddin Halibie, ney A2

Joudad Halibie, qanun A1

Muhammad Jabban, ud A1,B3

Muhammed Abdul Karim, buzuk A4

Music ▼ +

Music from Iran - 1955 recordings by Deben Bhattacharya

Music from Iran - The Living Tradition

Recorded and Produced by Deben Bhattacharya

Argo - ZFB 51 - P.1971

Side A

A1 Shur on Santour - Hossein Saba 7'39

A2 Shur on Tar - Jabad Aliyani 13'15

Side B

B1 Shahnama - Recitation from book of Kings by Firdowsi 14'01

B2 Mahour on Setar - Eskandare Ebrahimi 8'17

A1, B1, Recorded 1955, Tehran

A2, B2, Recorded 1955, Meshed

Another of Deben Bhattacharya's early recordings from 1955. Magnificent music and certainly pioneering work of this budding fieldrecorder. I often find that the earliest recordings have a most delicate atmosphere and having now listened to many of his recordings in a row, I certainly prefer the recordings he did in the Indian subcontinent and Asia Minor to the ones in Eastern Europe. There are definitely some gems there as well but in my opinion less so. Maybe I am just biased because I like Indian, Persian and Arabic music so much. In some days you will be able to judge for yourself. Just one or two more LP's before we go to Europe.

Music ▼ +

Religions of India - rec. Deben Bhattacharya

Religions of India - The Living Traditions

Recordings and sleevenotes by Deben Bhattacharya

Argo - ZFB 55 - P.1971

Side A

A1 Temple Bells and drums 1'43

A2 Vedic Chants - Pandit Durga Prasad 3'13

A3 Raga Asavari - Hori Dhamari-ke-pad - Dhruvadas Maharaj 5'38

A4 Kazhagam 2'53

A5 Mariyamman Padal 2'30

A6 Mira's Bhajan 3'35

Side B

B1 Namo tatsat - Pali prayer - Buddhist 3'42

B2 Tibetan prayer - Buddhist 5'35

B3 Pali prayer - Buddhist 4'35

B4 In praise of Guru Nanak - Sikh 6'36

A1, A6, Recorded 1954, Varanasi (Benares)

A2 Recorded 1968, Amer (Jaipur)

A3 Recorded 1968, Brindavan

A4, A5, Recorded 1962, Dehli

B1, B2 Recorded 1968, Sarnath

B3 Recorded 1954, Calcutta

B4 Recorded 1955, Amritsar

Some more of the earlier field recordings by Deben Bhattacharya that not only are valuable historical documents but also makes good listening. Again some of these recordings are very moving and makes for good time travels. I especially enjoy the Sikhs praising Guru Nanak.

Music ▼ +