Bali: Golden Rain

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The gradual reissue of the complete Nonesuch Explorer Series on CD continues with 13 albums of field recordings from the South Pacific and Indonesia. Producer David Lewiston's follow-up to his legendary Music from the Morning of the World opens with two chiming, irresistible gamelan tracks, which sound like a cross between a carillon struck by raindrops and half-time in heaven. But the final piece, "Kecak," is a mesmerizing 22-minute chant based upon the Ramayana, a 2,000-year-old epic. It is performed by 100 or more men, who squat in a circle facing one another. The tale of Rama and Sita's rescue by a friendly horde of monkeys is told via propulsive, interwoven shouts, cries, and exhortations. The work also serves as an exorcism, since demons move only in a straight line and are confused by jagged rhythms. A late-night FM radio favorite during the '60s, this piece is still an astonishing experience. --Christina Roden

Product Description
Nowhere is the richness of Balinese art more evident than in this glittering music, which employs a 25-piece orchestra of xylophone-like bronze-keyed instruments, tuned gongs, cymbals, drums and flutes. Recorded in Bali by David Lewiston, originally released in 1969. Slipcase. Nonesuch. 2003.

Bali: Golden Rain,Various Artists,Nonesuch,Bali,Balinese,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating:

my introduction to Balinese music

Bali: Golden Rain
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
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Bali: Music from the Morning of the World

Explorer: Bali - Gamelan & Kecak

Explorer: Bali - Music for the Shadow Play

Explorer: Java - Court Gamelan 2

ASIN: B000083GHM
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Tracks:

Gamelan Gong Kebjar: Hudjan Mas (Golden Rain)
Gamelan Gong Kebjar: Tumililingan (Bumblebee)
Ketjak: The Ramayana Monkey Chant

Amazon.com

The gradual reissue of the complete Nonesuch Explorer Series on CD continues with 13 albums of field recordings from the South Pacific and Indonesia. Producer David Lewiston's follow-up to his legendary Music from the Morning of the World opens with two chiming, irresistible gamelan tracks, which sound like a cross between a carillon struck by raindrops and half-time in heaven. But the final piece, "Kecak," is a mesmerizing 22-minute chant based upon the Ramayana, a 2,000-year-old epic. It is performed by 100 or more men, who squat in a circle facing one another. The tale of Rama and Sita's rescue by a friendly horde of monkeys is told via propulsive, interwoven shouts, cries, and exhortations. The work also serves as an exorcism, since demons move only in a straight line and are confused by jagged rhythms. A late-night FM radio favorite during the '60s, this piece is still an astonishing experience. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Nowhere is the richness of Balinese art more evident than in this glittering music, which employs a 25-piece orchestra of xylophone-like bronze-keyed instruments, tuned gongs, cymbals, drums and flutes. Recorded in Bali by David Lewiston, originally released in 1969. Slipcase. Nonesuch. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

my introduction to Balinese music.......2003-07-11

Like Ms Roden, I heard this not long after it was issued.
I remember one night partying and someone put this on. Let us say that I was in for quite a surprise when I first heard Kecak, or as the Balinese call it 'Cak'. This is a massive chorus of male voices singing powerful rhythms.

The gamelan piece is Gong Kebyar, which is the most common gamelan at the time of this recording. This performance is nothing special, there probably are others out that are more ambitious.

Going Kebyar of Gunung Sari, Bali
Average customer rating:
Going Kebyar of Gunung Sari, Bali
Golden Rain
Manufacturer: World Music Library
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
Bali | Indonesia | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001LVF
Release Date: 1995-07-18