Whitehall
05-10-2006, 02:58 AM
Just got back from attending Ravi Shankar's Farewell Tour in Santa Cruz. I can only remember two or three occasions where I've been as moved by a performance as tonight.
The first set was an ensemble lead by his daughter on sitar - about 8 musicians in all. They played music that was more "popular" and current compared to the classical Indian music. It was great, highly accessable without being crass; especially good was the male vocalist who has a fine, dee, smooth voice.
After intermission, Ravi came on with his daughter on sitar and Tanmoy Bose on drums (tabla) with a couple of backup people. This set was the classics. While the daughter is one great sitar picker, the Master can make one note a symphony - he is just that much above all other musicians. He's in his 80's, old and frail but he can still play but this is his retirement tour.
I was deeply moved.
A couple of wicked thoughts came to mind afterwards:
1) Have the daughters met and whose career will last longer and be more productive? Norah will make more money, of course.
2) What would "Dueling Banjos" sound like with two sitars?
PS - Santa Cruz has the most rude, most uncouth audience! New Yorkers are more polite! It seems half the people there flunked out of kindergarten and missed those important lessons about sharing, taking ones turn, and being considerate of others.
The first set was an ensemble lead by his daughter on sitar - about 8 musicians in all. They played music that was more "popular" and current compared to the classical Indian music. It was great, highly accessable without being crass; especially good was the male vocalist who has a fine, dee, smooth voice.
After intermission, Ravi came on with his daughter on sitar and Tanmoy Bose on drums (tabla) with a couple of backup people. This set was the classics. While the daughter is one great sitar picker, the Master can make one note a symphony - he is just that much above all other musicians. He's in his 80's, old and frail but he can still play but this is his retirement tour.
I was deeply moved.
A couple of wicked thoughts came to mind afterwards:
1) Have the daughters met and whose career will last longer and be more productive? Norah will make more money, of course.
2) What would "Dueling Banjos" sound like with two sitars?
PS - Santa Cruz has the most rude, most uncouth audience! New Yorkers are more polite! It seems half the people there flunked out of kindergarten and missed those important lessons about sharing, taking ones turn, and being considerate of others.