Colors of India – Ganesh Kumaresh
Colours of India by Ganesh Kumaresh.
Colours of India is a fusion album that can rival some of the best fusion albums from India in the recent past. It was also my first review on my other music blog madrasbee where I review and write about music from the Indian sub-continent. If you thought Illayaraja’s “How to Name it” (1986), another very unpopular fusion album even among staunch Illayaraja fans, or “Conversations” from the late 80′s, the fusion album from L.Subramaniam and Stefan Grapelli were some of the finest fusion albums involving musicians in South India in the recent past, here’s an album that lives up to the reputation of a great fusion album. When it was launched I was sure it was going to be well received and certainly one that was going to be talked about for some time. However even the freshness or the recent release in 2003 doesn’t seem to be fetching the album its due credit and so it is here on great-anonymous-albums.com.
The notes on the website indicates that this is a live album. However that is apparent only on one song.
Brothers Ganesh and Kumaresh have been playing the violin since the age of 7 and 5 respectively. Sons of reputed musician Rajagopalan the early grooming helped them give over a 100 concerts by the time they were into their teens. Ganesh even starred in a K Balachander’s Tamil film in his later years.
The tunes on this album will please, elevate and soothe your mind.
Here’s a review of the songs starting with the best of the album.
1. “Taj Mahal” must be the first song you should be listening to. A beautiful instrumental befitting the monument. India has gifted the ultimate monument of love – the Taj Mahal – to the world. The composition ‘Tai Mahal,’ is set to the raga “Nalinakanti” is a tribute to the monument for which John Keats wrote “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
2. “Utsav”. Wait till you hear the vocals on “Utsav” based on the raga “Shuddha Dhanyasi”. You won’t believe that even vocals can get you on a natural high when Ganesh starts his singing. These two songs alone are worth the price of the CD. Ganesh-Kumaresh and company are going to be remembered for a long time for these two songs.
3. “Gambhira” is a lovely intro to what’s in store on the CD. The musicianship here is top notch. Arun is tight and fantastic on his drum set here. Some of this rolls and fills are a beauty to listen to, fast, furious and perfect.
‘Gambhira,’ is set to the raga “Gambhira Nattai” and according to the website composed as a tribute to that majesty of India.
4. Chanchal is a lovely jam in typical carnatic style showcasing the talents of the musicians without sacrificing composition. Starting as an ensemble and finishing off with solos from the percussionists this is a superb composition. ‘Chanchal’ in raga “Ranjani” is the one where the audience can be heard. A longer song but worth the listen to the amazing talents of the musicians. Arun’s drum solo is the last and what a treat it is.
5. “Ahimsa” is a delightful soft Hindi devotional song sung by Ganesh on non-violence that also calls and refers other religions.
6. “Colours of India” is the only spoilt song on this album. A long and out-of-place composition reflecting various music styles from around the country it fails to match the creativity and of the stellar compositions “Taj Mahal” and “Utsav”.
The musician who grabbed most of my attention was of course Arun Kumar. He made the drums sing and talk. There was so much meaning to the fast and furious playing.
Beg, borrow, steal, or buy this album. If you don’t have this album I suggest you make a bee line to your nearest music store and get it without fail. You could listen to complete samples on musicindiaonline.com.
The Artistes on the album: Ganesh-Violin and Vocals, Kumaresh-Violin, Keith Peters -Bass Guitar, Satish Kumar-Mridangum, Kanjira, Konaakol, Deena-Keyboard, Giridhar Udupa-Ghatam, Konnakol, Arun Kumar-Drums,Percussion and Moharsingh
I have had the privilege of watching them in two fusion concerts in Chennai and they hardly fail to disappoint. Ganesh and Kumaresh have gone to release two more fusion albums. Watch out for the reviews.
Buy Colours of India by Ganesh and Kumaresh from Amazon.com.
Great post. Just don’t forget the importance of the violin in the music scene! I think many bands can do better if they add a violin or two.
Sabrina, Thanks for stopping by and for the comment. More violin based music reviews are in the pipe line. Do keep checking. Mynta’s album “Tea Break” that I reviewed on great-anonymous-albums.com has great violin in it too. Check that post too.