Blue Incantation

Amazon.com
Though this musically rich album, recorded in 1995, casts a net wide enough to appeal to lovers of Eastern music as well as fans of the Grateful Dead, it's no bland crossover mix. The self-assured, virtuosic guitarist Sanjay Mishra is a thoroughly engaging artist, able to weave multivoiced strands from his MIDI classical guitar together into dancing, organic shapes. The blend of traditional Indian tabla, bamboo flute, and Western instruments--with hints of raga scales in Mishra's remarkable compositions--alternately brings to mind a sun-kissed, promising dawn (the positive flow of energy in "My Meditation") and a surrounding cloud of serenity ("Before Summer Rain"). In what turned out to be one of his final projects, Jerry Garcia collaborates on three of the tracks. His openness to new sounds and to jamming with musicians of all stripes contributes an amazing chemistry, especially in "Clouds," where Garcia's lovingly shaped phrases dovetail with Mishra's guitar in a moving lyrical embrace. You can hear this either as an unintended lament or a blissful acceptance of the peace that passes understanding--either way it's an unforgettable document. --Tom May

Product Description
A blend of Eastern and Western Styles. One of Jerry Garcia's last recordings.

Blue Incantation

Tracks:

My Meditation
Monsoon
For Julia
Allegro
Clouds
Passage Into Dawn
Self Portrait
Bach In Time
Nocturne/Evening Chant
Before Summer Rain

Amazon.com

Though this musically rich album, recorded in 1995, casts a net wide enough to appeal to lovers of Eastern music as well as fans of the Grateful Dead, it's no bland crossover mix. The self-assured, virtuosic guitarist Sanjay Mishra is a thoroughly engaging artist, able to weave multivoiced strands from his MIDI classical guitar together into dancing, organic shapes. The blend of traditional Indian tabla, bamboo flute, and Western instruments--with hints of raga scales in Mishra's remarkable compositions--alternately brings to mind a sun-kissed, promising dawn (the positive flow of energy in "My Meditation") and a surrounding cloud of serenity ("Before Summer Rain"). In what turned out to be one of his final projects, Jerry Garcia collaborates on three of the tracks. His openness to new sounds and to jamming with musicians of all stripes contributes an amazing chemistry, especially in "Clouds," where Garcia's lovingly shaped phrases dovetail with Mishra's guitar in a moving lyrical embrace. You can hear this either as an unintended lament or a blissful acceptance of the peace that passes understanding--either way it's an unforgettable document. --Tom May

Album Description

A blend of Eastern and Western Styles. One of Jerry Garcia's last recordings.

Customer Reviews:

incredible music, but not jerry's best.......2004-04-04

This is a great gateway album to indian music. A few of the tracks are absolutely mindblowing compositions that take you on a journey winding through time and space. However, Jerry Garcia's additions are the weakest part of the album. He plays electric guitar, sits in the background playing long notes while sanjay noodles endlessly. Makes Jerry look bad. This album is worth it by all means if nothing else, just for the song "Julia", which flies sky high with electrical energy that makes the body shake, the eyes roll back in the head...

Staying Power.......2003-11-10

Most artists who are popularized at any given moment in history are vastly overated. Sanjay Mishra... particularly as evidenced in his 'Blue Incantation' album, is not one of those artists. The creative and thoughtful balance of this man's craft will be as fresh tomorrow as any of the known European composers are today.

desert island cd.......2001-06-18

this would be one of my desert island cds--its that good. garcia aside, mishra composes beautiful timeless songs. " for julia" and the last track on the album are chilling. "clouds", the ballad w/garcia is one of jerry's finest recorded moments---passionate & emotional--recorded before his death. this is the type of album anyone in the "new age/world" genre wish they could create. its moody, dark, inspirational, melodic, meditative, well-crafted, and sublime without the phony empty musicianship of the kitaro/yanni/tesh world. when u wake up in the morning, put this cd on, sit in a comfortable chair, drink that hot cup o' joe/tea, and be happy that you made this one-of-a-kind purchase.

Strong mood, but lacking substance.......2001-03-20

The ambiance of this album is pleasant, but the rest falls short. Mishra's attempt to fuse classical, eastern, and new age styles leaves the effort somewhat directionless and not a strong example of either genre. The collaboration with Jerry Garcia was another legitimate attempt to cross-market, but Garcia's contribution is minimal and very weak compared to his other work. There are a couple stong songs here, but most lean to heavily on Garcia's namesake or just lack emotional and compositional substance.

Eastern Influences or Dead Influences?.......2000-08-29

This CD is a wonderful treat for those who enjoy Traditional Indian music and all of the variations born of that ancient culture. What struck me most (after the delightful solos by both guitarists) was the similarity to SHAKTI with John McLaughlin. Handful of Beauty is the Mclaughlin album I refer you to. Both albums span the spectrum from joyful, dancing frenzy to the sorrowful moaning of spiritual yearning.

Average customer rating:

Legacy of John Barnes Chance

Legacy of John Barnes Chance

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Symphonies 3 4 & 7
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Vincent Persichetti
Giannini: Symphony No. 3; Praeludium and Allegro; Variations and Fugue

ASIN: B0009Y26C2
Release Date: 2005-07-01

Tracks:

Incantation and Dance
Introduction and Capriccio
Symhony No. 2
Blue Lake Overture
Elegy
Variations on a Korean Folk Song

Product Description

Albany Records is proud to release what is a long-overdue memorial to one of the finest American composers of wind ensemble music. Chance was a gifted composer, teacher and administrator who died a tragic death by accidental electrocution at the age of 39. He studied theory and composition with Kent Kennan, Clifton Williams and Paul Pisk. If you are familiar with the Â“old schoolÂ” of band music, Chance is as fine a representative as any. His music is brash, exciting, and highly energetic in the way you remember from those works you heard on those great old Mercury recordings with the late Frederick Fennell. Ironically, though such works as the Blue Lake Overture and Variations on a Korean Folk-Song have been in the active band repertory for years, this is the first major commercial release entirely devoted to his music, a Â“greatest hitsÂ” package in fact. Standing out in particular is the Symphony No. 2, perhaps the best work of its kind since the Persichetti Symphony (No. 6) for Band. Based on a four-note motif of C#-D-F-E, the music whips up a remarkable amount of tension and excitement, especially in the last movement. The authoritative performances are under Stephen K. Steele, who began directing the Band Department at Illinois State University in 1987. Under his direction, the Wind Symphony has performed for state and national conventions, including the 1990 American Bandmasters Association and the 1993 and 2001 College Band Directors National Association. Steele and the Wind Symphony can also be heard on two previous releases, TROY500 (music of Persichetti, Syler, Zaninelli and Maslanka) and TROY600 (music of Maslanka and Hagen). Albany has had great success with our catalog of wind music, and we feel this new release, honoring John Barnes Chance, is one of finest.

Customer Reviews:

Legacy of John Barnes Chance.......2006-02-25

A great collection of music that captures a snap shot of a gifted composer. A great addition to any library of band music.