VA - Paris to Calcutta, Men and Music on the Desert Road [2018] (4 x CDs)

DEBEN BHATTACHARYA

VA - Paris to Calcutta, Men and Music on the Desert Road [2018] (4 x CDs)

Imagine embarking on a magical journey from the romantic city of Paris to the vibrant streets of Calcutta, all through the power of music. That’s exactly what you get with the CD box set “Paris to Calcutta: Men and Music on the Desert Road”. This isn’t just any box set, it’s a musical time machine crafted by the multi-talented Deben Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya, a poet, filmmaker, musicologist, and a lover of traditional music, took an overland journey from France to India in 1955. His goal? To capture the soul-stirring music along the Desert Road from Europe into India. This box set is evidence of Bhattacharya’s dedication and passion for traditional music. It features over 4 hours of music, all recorded in 1955. The music is a rich tapestry of sounds from Bedouin camps, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Pakistan, and Greece. Each track is a window into the diverse musical traditions of these regions, offering listeners an immersive experience.  In addition to the music, the box set includes Bhattacharya’s original recording notes, musical transcriptions, and a poetic travelogue written during his journey. These elements provide valuable context and insight into the music and the cultures it represents.

The influence of Bhattacharya’s work is profound. His vast number of LPs, CDs, videos, and radio shows of traditional music from various regions have shaped how we listen to the world. This box set is an exploration of cultural diversity and a celebration of human creativity.

“Paris to Calcutta: Men and Music on the Desert Road” is a gold mine for anyone interested in folk and world music traditions. It offers an amazing glimpse into a time long gone and is a reflection of Bhattacharya’s pioneering work in the field of ethnomusicology. So, if you’re ready to embark on a musical journey like no other, this box set is your ticket! (B)

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Track lists

CD01

01 Students Of The Salonica Quaker Girl's School - Dance Of Jerissos (Ierissos) 2:51

02 Saban Akdao [Cümbüs] - Çiftetelli (Gazel) 9:39

03 Hasan Sayin [Singer]; Reza Argin [Zurna]; Jumma Ali [Dhavul] - Untitled (Roadside) 2:45

04 Vakkas Kaplan [Zurna]; Feizi Kaplan [Dhavul] - Mahlo: Song Of The Highway Men 2:44

05 Hüseyin Eroglu [Vocal & Cura Saz] - Karacaoglan 5:16

06 Raif Karsligil [Unaccompanied Vocals] - Karayilan (Black Snake) 5:01

07 Imam And Congregation Of The Mosque At Kilis - Mevludin Nebevi (The Prophet's Birth) 5:36

08 Unknown Artist - Folksong From Outebeh, Vocal And Rababa (One Stringed Fiddle) 4:28

09 Unknown Artist - Bedouin Melody, Shebbabeh And Darabuka 3:38

10 Unknown Artist - Bedouin Dance From Katana 2:30

11 Dervish Worshippers In The House Of Sheikh Saud Mawlawi - Maqam Rasd (In Praise Of The Prophet) 2:06

12 Unknown Artist - Sabah, Played On The Ney (flute) 2:20

13 Nour Hanbali [Qanun]; Antone Noweh [Oud]; Doureid Laham [Darabuka] (Feat. Bashraf Sama'i Taatyus & Andalusi Muwashshah) - Suite In Maqam Rasd Featuring Bashraf Sama'i Taatyus And Andalusi Muwashshah 13:50

CD02

01 Unknown Artist - Taqsim (Improvisation On Violin) 3:20

02 Hazim [Rebab] - Ballad Of The Shahlaan Family 10:16

03 Unidentified Coffee Grinders (Two Different Grinders, Switching Hands Halfway Through) - Bedouin Coffee Grinding Beats 6:24

04 Suleiman And Friends [Accompained By Rebab] - Hijeni (A Love Song Often Sung While Riding Away On A Horse) 6:16

05 Al-Haj Hashim Mohammad Al-Rejab [Santoor]; Shu'aib Ibrahim [Joza]; Abdul-Karim Al-Azawi [Dumbuk] - Sharqi Dokah (Love Song) 8:40

06 Shu'aib Ibrahim [Joza] - Taqsim In Maqam Ajam 3:50

07 Al-Haj Hashim Mohammad Al-Rejab [Santoor]; Shu'aib Ibrahim [Joza]; Abdul-Karim Al-Azawi [Dumbuk] - Maqam Hadidi 3:45

08 Khalil Akrawi [Vocal & Spoon] - Kasam-E-Meru (Excerpt From A 25-Minute Piece) 1:49

09 Ostad Zareen Panje Bel - Tar Solo In Humayun Dastgah 10:46

CD03

01 Gulfa-E-Ghani And Zareef [Zarb] - Train Rhythm Imitation 2:03

02 Ostad Abol-Hassan Saba - Setar Improvisation In Mahour Dastgah 2:40

03 Sher Khoda [Zarb] - Shahnama 13:38

04 Darioosh Sefvat - Santoor Solo In Isfahan Dastgah 10:20

05 Hamedanian [Zarb] - Baba Karam 12:36

06 Shapoore Delshadi - Tar Solo In Isfahan Dastgah 6:36

07 Eskandare Ebrahimi And Orchestra - Humayun 16:07

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