Pandit (master) Debashish Bhattacharya is one of the world?s most remarkable slide guitarists and this album represents the culmination of a lifetime of intensive study, performance and innovation. All the guitars heard on... more » 3: Calcutta Slide-Guitar are unique instruments designed by Debashish himself, a Trinity of Guitars ? Chaturangui, Gandharvi and Anandi ? representing three generations of instruments, while also continuing a thousand-year tradition of music. 3: Calcutta Slide-Guitar dazzles the listener with hypnotic patterns and stunning music shaped from Debashish?s original three-finger picking technique.« less
Pandit (master) Debashish Bhattacharya is one of the world?s most remarkable slide guitarists and this album represents the culmination of a lifetime of intensive study, performance and innovation. All the guitars heard on 3: Calcutta Slide-Guitar are unique instruments designed by Debashish himself, a Trinity of Guitars ? Chaturangui, Gandharvi and Anandi ? representing three generations of instruments, while also continuing a thousand-year tradition of music. 3: Calcutta Slide-Guitar dazzles the listener with hypnotic patterns and stunning music shaped from Debashish?s original three-finger picking technique.
CD Reviews
Transcendent and life-changing
Tom Austin | Sonoma County, Ca USA | 06/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"That editorial review is, for a change, right on the money. For those already familiar with Indian classical music, this CD needs no explanation: Debashish is one of the finest servants of the raga breathing today, and hearing him explore these pieces with his brother Subhashis on tabla is an experience not to be missed. "Telepathic" is not too strong of a word to describe their interplay. The pieces chosen here mesh equally well together, from the light joyfulness of Aanandam (played on the anandi), building in primal intensity through the night time gandharvi pieces of Prema Chakor and Nata Raaj, and, bursting into brilliant morning sunshine with the chaturangui pieces, Usha, Prabha, and Maha Shakti. To listen closely to these pieces in order is a transcendent experience resulting in a higher state of consciousness which persists long after the notes have died away.
For those who have not heard Debashish before, you are missing out. He is quite possibly the finest guitarist breathing today. For those steeped in western guitar, imagine a player with the speed and precision to make any speed-metal virtuoso hang his head in shame, while packing so much soul and emotion into each and every note that B. B. King would burst out in tears on hearing it. Don't be intimidated by "Indian classical music". This music is alive and sensual, and you don't need a degree in music theory to "get it". Just put it on, feel the groove, and be carried away. This CD will change the way you listen to music forever.
"
Much too much too much
Dr. Tim J. Edensor | Manchester UK, | 05/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This music is so astonishingly beautiful it should be reserved for rare moments. Sometimes, I find it too emotional and as other reviewers have suggested, it combines genius musicianship with sublime improvisation. Indian music like this seems to put great emphasis on the pure beauty of single notes, bent and polished into moments of magic. My record of 2005 by miles, a treasure generously given to the world."
Astonishingly beautiful.
Paul Caton | NUI Galway, Ireland | 01/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This will bring tears to your eyes and you will thank whichever deities you believe in that there are musicians like this in the world. Bhattacharya's love for and devotion to his musical heritage rings out of every note. If, like me, you are trying to learn guitar, this will inspire and move you. As the previous reviewer suggested, forget about whether you think Indian classical music is your "thing" or not; this transcends any genre boundaries and speaks to all of us."
Almost like hearing Ravi Shankar and John Fahey combining fo
Aquarius Records | San Francisco | 02/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Be ready to be blown away by absolute total beauty! Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya is one of the best slide guitar players on the planet. He creates his own guitars which he plays ragas on. He is credited as the first person to put resonating strings on a slide guitar back in the 1970's and also the first to put chickaree (drone) strings on the front. His three-finger picking technique allows him the ability to have lightning speed and most importantly create the hypnotic patterns that radiate throughout this record. While the technical aspect of what he does is so spectacular, it's the fact that he transcends his instrument, which is what truly makes Bhattacharya a special artist. You can't help but just get lost in the hypnotic quality of his playing and the ability of the music to take you off the ground. It's almost like hearing Ravi Shankar and John Fahey combining forces to see how breathtaking a record they could make together. While Debashish Bhattacharya's name might not be on the tip of people's tongues like the aforementioned are, here's hoping once this record is heard that he will be. Highly recommended!"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1