Book: While my Guitar Gently Weeps re:raga marwa

[friar-park]

I just got this book for my birthday (the Simon Leng book), and on page 17 it mentions that Raga Marwa was George's favorite raga. I'd like to hear it. I've been searching the web looking for a cd with Raga Marwa on it with varying degrees of luck, mostly bad. Ustad Vilayat Khan has a cd with Raga Marwa on it, and there is a Pan Narayan that does also. Is anyone familiar with these artists, and/or can you recommend a recording of Raga Marwa to me? I haven't even been able to find one on WinMx (where's Audiogalaxy when you need it?).

[friar-park]

Oops, I meant Pandit Ram Narayan. Sorry.

[friar-park]

I adjusted my search on Amazon.com and found several, one by Ravi Shankar ("In New York" album). I'd still be interested in a discusssion of what differs from each recording. I have been listening to some Ravi Shankar, but don't know what exactly I'm listening to.

[Savoy Truffle]

Hmmm...I'm afraid I can't help you but it sounds very interesting. It would be great to hear and see how it compares with Marwa Blues.

Also, how is the Simon Leng book?

[SingingOm]

Originally Posted By friar-park:
I just got this book for my birthday (the Simon Leng book), and on page 17 it mentions that Raga Marwa was George's favorite raga. I'd like to hear it. I've been searching the web looking for a cd with Raga Marwa on it with varying degrees of luck, mostly bad. Ustad Vilayat Khan has a cd with Raga Marwa on it, and there is a Pan Narayan that does also. Is anyone familiar with these artists, and/or can you recommend a recording of Raga Marwa to me? I haven't even been able to find one on WinMx (where's Audiogalaxy when you need it?).<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Ravi's Raga Marwa is the final piece on his brilliant 'In New York' album, which is still available on CD. His rendition of the Marwa is 25 minutes long and was recorded in 1965.

Ustad Vilayat Khan is an incredible North Indian artist who can be found at www.navrasrecords.com (http://www.navrasrecords.com) (just type in his name in the search bar.)

(ok, this is freaky...just as I'm typing this a flyer was posted through my door for a Vilayat Khan concert at Union Chapel in London!)

Anyway, he's great, Lol. Many North Indian musicians have recorded Raga Marwa, but try Ravi's first.

[SingingOm]

Another of George's favourites was 'Call Of The Valley' by Shivkumar Sharma, Brijbushan Kabra and Hariprasad Chaurasia, which I would also recommend if you are interested in further listening.

[SingingOm]

Originally Posted By friar-park:
I adjusted my search on Amazon.com and found several, one by Ravi Shankar ("In New York" album). I'd still be interested in a discusssion of what differs from each recording. I have been listening to some Ravi Shankar, but don't know what exactly I'm listening to.<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Sorry, I overlooked this post. I only have Ravi's version so I don't know how they differ. Anyway I'd love to hear their versions so I'll try and track them down.

[ Mar 15, 2003, 05:19 AM: Message Edited By: SingingOm ]

[friar-park]

Thanks so much for the help I'm going to try Ravi's first and also check out Ustad Vilayat Khan (I just checked my door to see if anyone slipped something under it :--) ).

[friar-park]

Thanks so much for the help I'm going to try Ravi's first and also check out Ustad Vilayat Khan (I just checked my door to see if anyone slipped something under it :--) ).

[friar-park]

Originally Posted By Savoy Truffle:
Hmmm...I'm afraid I can't help you but it sounds very interesting. It would be great to hear and see how it compares with Marwa Blues.

Also, how is the Simon Leng book?<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">So far the book is great. I've just started it, but I do recommend it!

[SingingOm]

I just re-read this section of the book and its really interesting. John Barham says that this piece (or Barham's version of it), which both John Lennon and George liked, influenced Blue Jay Way.

[Hari's Chick]

Originally Posted By FPSHOT:
I have ordered this book (also one on behalf of Legs) and it is about to arrive this week, so I can join the reviews of the book soon.

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Right around the very time you posted this, I was out purchasing my copy. From thumbing through, it seems really nice. There is no nittery gossip (as in so many books!) just an assessment of George's work, with tons of info. Occasionally the author is critical of a song here or there (like he didn't like Bye Bye Love! graemlins/afraid3.gif ), but then everyone is entitled to a wrong opinion. graemlins/wink3.gif Overall, it seems great.

[beatlebangs1964]

I want to thank you all for this information. Now I know I HAVE to get that book!

[FPSHOT]

I have ordered this book (also one on behalf of Legs) and it is about to arrive this week, so I can join the reviews of the book soon.

As for the Marwa Raga, I have not found a download for that.

As to Ravi's music, I can recommand
- 3rd Movement Sitar Concerto No. 1
- Dadra (very good)
- Raga Bahar
- Veena Murali
- Chants of India in general

[friar-park]

I haven't tracked down any versions of Raga Marwa yet, but as a result of reading this book I found "A Meeting By A River" by Ry Cooder and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. I love it! Can anyone suggest anything else simliar by Cooder?

[FPSHOT]

I have located a 'Raga Marwa' by Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, who 'is known internationally as the greatest living master of the North Indian bamboo flute' according to a website.

This track is over 15 minutes long and has the bamboo flute leading, however with a sitar on the background playing a continuous 3 picks melody. If you listen enough you can hear some of Blue Jay Way or even Tomorrow Never Knows.

But with a lot of imagination, so I will look firther fot the Ravi track.

I have the book btw and I find it fantastic sofar. I do recognize parts of other books, but specially the inside stories behind the recordings, coming from e.g. Klaus, Badfinger and Leon Russel are great.

[SingingOm]

Glad your enjoying the book FPSHOT. I’ve already recommended Call Of The Valley, but I will do so again as it’s such a great album. A bit of info on Hariprasad Chaurasia: He appeared on the Dark Horse Tour, and on the two Dark Horse releases Shankar Family & friends and Music Festival from India. In Raga Mala, Ravi Shankar says when recording Shankar Family & friends in LA it was the first time he had brought Chaurasia to the US. His pic is on plate XXXIX in the photo section of I Me Mine. There’s also a CD by Cahurasia’s nephew Rakesh Chaurasia & Talvin Singh called Vira (brotherhood), which is really nice. I'll have to get hold of Hariprasad Chaurasia's Raga Marwa.

[FPSHOT]

Regarding Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, here is a link to a nice website I found.

It includes a complete history of Indian Classical Music with various links to artists

http://www.musicalnirvana.com/hindustani/hariprasad_chaurasia.html

The Raga Warwa should be on WinMX now whilst I left it in my file. It is listed as

Chandrakant - Raga Marwa

I hope.

[ Mar 26, 2003, 09:15 PM: Message Edited By: FPSHOT ]

[friar-park]

Originally Posted By FPSHOT:
Regarding Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, here is a link to a nice website I found.

It includes a complete history of Indian Classical Music with various links to artists

http://www.musicalnirvana.com/hindustani/hariprasad_chaurasia.html

The Raga Warwa should be on WinMX now whilst I left it in my file. It is listed as

Chandrakant - Raga Marwa

I hope.<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I'm searching for it now, but so far no luck. I have "A Meeting By The River" there as well.

[friar-park]

Originally Posted By FPSHOT:
The Raga Warwa should be on WinMX now whilst I left it in my file. It is listed as

Chandrakant - Raga Marwa

I hope.<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Is there any chance you could e-mail it to me directly? If so, e-mail me first and I'll give you a different e-mail address that has a bigger capacity.
Thanks!

[friar-park]

I have been able to download 76 percent of Ravi Shankar's Raga Marwa, and am in a que to download 'Chandrkant-Raga Marwa'. Plusa I have finally ordered Ravi's 'In New York' cd. Things are looking up!

[beatlebangs1964]

I read the book and recommend it.

[FPSHOT]

Same from my side, There are so many good inside references to the songs.

Simon Leng is not just writing things down from the sources he refers to, but he also has a lovely way of describing his own interpretation.

Like me, he probably has a long history with George's life and music, and the way of describing the thoughts about how a song became what it became, the words used in the lyrics, is something in which I recognize my own feelings. But he can describe it so wonderful and makes me listen to those songs again, to be able to confirm the feeling. Till now he has not disappointed me.

I love this book, specially for fans who have little Harribooks, this is certainly a traditional must-have.

There is so much to read, and unlike some other books where you often go through as ' ah yes, boring, I have read this all before,' this book really touches me.

He often describes things with really lovely words, which flow through the book like a slide guitar.

[ Apr 26, 2003, 11:40 AM: Message Edited By: FPSHOT ]

[beatlebangs1964]

Beautifully put, FPSHOT and I could not have said it better.

The book is written in a way that DOES flow "Within You, Without You" and the insights and inputs he offers about the former Beatle's songs are very interesting indeed. I like the way he describes the songs in detail and I also like the general tone of respect for George and his work that this book has.

This is a work that I think all Harrison fans will cherish and appreciate.

[IAN TATERSHALL]

Yeah the Leng book is pretty good though the lack of a chapter on the Brainwashed material was a slight disappointment. It was fairly complete aside from that however and it was good to see Mo, Shanghai Surprise and Ride Rajbun get worthwhile mentions. It works well as an extended discography, perhaps nothing more.

[friar-park]

Originally Posted By IAN TATERSHALL:
Yeah the Leng book is pretty good though the lack of a chapter on the Brainwashed material was a slight disappointment. <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I agree with you on this. He mentioned the album in the book, why couldn't he have pushed back the publication date and write on more chapter. Unless he's trying to guarantee sales for a second edition. Not quite in keeeping with George's values I'd say.

[Savoy Truffle]

Yes, that is a great story! I get a kick out of George interrupting his sax solo to bring him a cup of tea! So very George! It would have been heavenly to have been able to spend any time at all with George! "sigh"

[Siobhan]

Nice story, thanks FP! graemlins/smile1.gif

[FPSHOT]

There is a nice story from Jim Horn about recording with George at Friar Park ;

George made you feel at home, in his home, and I would see him at breakfast, discuss the day's news, have tea in the garden and go up to the studio whenever we felt like working.

He once had me sit on the toilet and play my soprano sax, and they miked it at the end of the hall for a distant sound and I thought they were kidding - we all had a good laugh.

Another time he stopped me in the middle of a sax solo and brought my 3pm tea - again I thought he was kidding.

[friar-park]

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Ravi's Raga Marwa is the final piece on his brilliant 'In New York' album, which is still available on CD. His rendition of the Marwa is 25 minutes long and was recorded in 1965.

Ustad Vilayat Khan is an incredible North Indian artist who can be found at www.navrasrecords.com (http://www.navrasrecords.com) (just type in his name in the search bar.)

(ok, this is freaky...just as I'm typing this a flyer was posted through my door for a Vilayat Khan concert at Union Chapel in London!)

Anyway, he's great, Lol. Many North Indian musicians have recorded Raga Marwa, but try Ravi's first.



Been re-reading this thread today.

Did you go to the concert at union Chapel? How was it?

I haven't gotten any of Vilayat Khan's cds yet, but I am downloading (attempting to at least) a concert at easytree.org.