June 17, 2019

Bismillah Khan and VG Jog: Shehnai and Violin [EASD 1299] an LP recorded and released in India in 1965

Here is a delightful jugalbandi from 1965, one of at least two which this pair of musicians recorded for HMV/EMI.

This record came to me from my friend Axel, who had access to unsold stock from a former importer. Therefore it was in immaculate condition. Unfortunately, the recording itself seems to have a very small amount of distortion in a few louder passages. This might be a mastering problem or may be the result of using worn out stampers (a common practice in Indian LP manufacturing, unfortunately). The fadeouts are quite abrupt as well. This is probably not very noticeable for most people.

side one: Raga Jaijaivanti
side two: Raga Bahar

Bismillah Khan: shehnai
VG Jog: violin
Mahapurush Mishra: tabla








Equipment used in transfer: 
Preparation: Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 minutes in pure clean water
Turntable: Audio-technica AT-LP-1240
Cartridge: Audio-technica AT440MLb
Pre-amplification: Vintage refurbished Pioneer SX-780.
Recorder: Sony PCM-M10 at 24bit/96kHz resolution
Software: AudacityClickRepair, and xAct



downloads:

24bit, 96kHz FLAC files (906 MB)

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (257 MB)


320 kbps mp3 files (108 MB)




Here is a good explanation of what FLAC files are and why you should be listening to them if you can.



Below is a video concert of VG Jog and Zakir Hussain from the archives of Basant Bahar, who are still promoting concerts in California. Definitely check out their wonderful YouTube channel!




12 comments:

  1. Dear Richard
    Thanks for this high quality rip of this LP. According to Discogs and also the LP's labels, this LP was released in 1965, rather than 1969. The same LP was also released in UK in 1965 as ASD 2312 "Music from India Series, Vol. 3" with a different cover picture

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  2. I did note that Discogs has it listed as being released in 1965. They are not always accurate. After looking closely at my scans of the labels, however, I believe that it does say 1965. Thanks!

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  3. Also I have ASD 2312 — this copy was in much better physical shape. The cover is better looking in this edition, I must say!

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  4. So beautiful! Thank you very much!

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  5. I thank you in FLAC, never MP3 - lol...

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  6. Hey can u please find & post this album by Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar "In The Jaipur-Atrauli Tradition" ‎(Rhythm House, 1984). It has one of the greatest Yaman alaps ever. Thanks

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  7. Thanks Richard , thought you and your readers might like to know that Tawfiq aka Axel Elbin of Oriental Traditional Music from LPs & Cassettes , passed away in April of this year... he shall be missed!

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    1. That is very sad news to the people who knew or benefited from knowing Axel. I had multiple commercial transactions with him, both as buyer (many of the LPs featured here were purchased from him) and seller (he sold copies of CDs from my small label to his email list customers) and exchanged maybe 100 emails with him. He was an excellent exemplar as a blogger as well as a person and I know he will be missed.

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    2. This is devastating news....He was a good friend of mine and we had exchanged many fantastic classical gems over the last couple years. Though I had never met him and only interacted with him via e-mail, I had always wanted to go see him on a Europe trip and thank him personally for all his contributions over the years. Most of the greats who kept these great older traditions alive have now passed on. May his soul rest in peace and now that he is in a higher place I'm sure he'll know how grateful the world is to him and his selfless ways.

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    3. Very bad news. That's too sad. His blog and mailing list provided many good and valuable hints. Unfortunately I never met him personally. Time to say (once again): thank you, dear Alex. I will remember him well. May he rest in peace

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    4. I am happy to find a place to pay tribute to this blogger whose activity and quality of work seem irreplaceable. Thank you, Tawfiq/Axel, wherever you are now.

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  8. Very very sad news Indeed. Even I am an inian, but the music I heard on his website was much more better than what I got here. I had offered to give him couple of LPs I ahve , which to me were worth to hear. He kindly responded that he has so much to put on his blog that he is able to accept it. Million thanks to his soul for what he did for Indian Classical music that even any Indian have not done.

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