Improvisations (Ravi Shankar album) explained

Improvisations
Type:studio
Artist:Ravi Shankar
Cover:improvisations.jpg
Released:1962
Recorded:1962
Genre:Hindustani classical, World fusion, Indo jazz
Length:39:42
Label:World Pacific (LP), Angel (CD)
Producer:Richard Bock
Prev Title:India's Master Musician
Prev Year:1959
Next Title:India's Most Distinguished Musician In Concert
Next Year:1962

Improvisations is a 1962 LP album by Ravi Shankar. The opening piece is based on music from Shankar's score for Satyajit Ray's 1955 movie Pather Panchali with flutist Bud Shank playing in Indian style. Shankar composed "Fire Night" influenced by the 1961 Los Angeles fires and the song features jazz musicians Shank (flute) and Gary Peacock (bass) improvising over Indian percussion instruments. There is a clear free jazz influence on tracks like Karnataki (Raga Kirvani).[1] The concluding ragas are in classical Indian style: the first raga, Kirvani, with South Indian origin, and the second, Rageshri, with North Indian origin. The album was released in CD format by Angel Records in 1999 and has been described as a "visionary recording" by AllMusic reviewer Heather Phares.[2]

Track listing

  1. "Improvisation on the Theme Music from Pather Panchali" – 7:07
  2. "Fire Night" – 4:37
  3. "Karnataki (Raga Kirvani)" – 6:43
  4. "Raga Rageshri: Part 1 (Alap)" – 6:50
  5. "Raga Rageshri: Part 2 (Jor)" – 11:01
  6. "Raga Rageshri: Part 3 (Gat)" – 3:24

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wiser . Danny . 4 July 2020 . INDIA: Improvisations - Ravi Shankar . 25 October 2023 . 200worldalbums.com . en.
  2. Improvisations. Ravi Shankar. 1962. Robert E.. Brown. Robert E. Brown. liner notes. World Pacific.