Right now I am listening to ...

<<Thought I needed to listen to somthing fast...>>

LOL @ unleash_me, you're a true junkie like the rest of us!

Some days I wake up craving a particular album (or worse, a song that I was dreaming of).. it maddens me no end if I can't find it.

Last listened to:
In Memoriam - Begum Akhtar (LP)

Posthumous recordings, the last batch of studio tracks released after she passed away..

Some of these tracks I've never seen on CD, which is a sorry comment on music publishing in this country.

>>>...Bhimsen or other contemporaries which i feel are accurate but too mechanical for my taste.

I am glad I found someone who shares my experience. There are so many classical singers who put technicality over the soul of the music, there are a very few who can live the raga and pull you in too. Girija Devi is one of them.

>>Begum Akhtar (LP)
I agree these Begum Akthar LPs are unparalleled. Anyone who understands the language needs to listen to them. Actually it might be worth learning the language to listen to these gems!

Thanks,
Sharad

Ruenigma wrote-
"Bhimsen or other contemporaries which i feel are accurate but too mechanical for my taste"
This is the first time I've read/heard Pt Bhimsen Joshi described in these terms!
I've attended a lot of his concerts/have a big collection of his music but have never felt about his virtuosity in these terms...
Listening to-
Beethoven * Mendelssohn Violin concetos-Jascha Heifetz !!!Boston SO-Charles Munch.
A dream Album ,highly recommended, will transport you.
BTW,if you want a free Classical music sampler from a Norwegian Audiophile recordings company, log onto 2L sampler CD 2007 , fill up some details & submit;they'll ship it to you in a few days .Its on a a black'audiophile 'CD medium & has some very nice tracks, very well recorded.
I got this link courtesy a member of another forum & was surprised how fast it was delivered.

Kamal - The keyword here is "for my taste", so don't take it otherwise. I do seem to share the same feeling to some extent. Though there are other singers (whom I would not name), who are just technical and do not convey the feelings at all. They are not even perfect in what they are doing. At least Pt Bhimsen Joshi is perfect in his singing and sticks to his style. If you go to recitals regularly, I am sure you would have encountered singers who are too busy counting the beats and struggling to get the notes right. Eventually they do achieve this, but they were too busy to be aware of the words or mood they were supposed to convey. This style of signing has become a school in itself and is not considered bad by people who follow that style.
As each raga in Indian classical music has a designated "time" and "mood". It is as important to communicate that through the rendition, as it is to use the right notes, but that is much more difficult to achieve and measure.

If this is the first time you've read/heard Pt Bhimsen Joshi described in these terms, reading this might help.
A quote from JYOTIRMAYA SHARMA after visiting Pandit Bhimsen Joshi:

Over the years, I have often wondered whether the richness of his voice overshadowed the essence of his musicality. Perhaps, the voice and its magic made him forget the need for bhaava in his performance. Many recordings of his today sound mechanical, a bit too perfect, and extremely predictable. Perhaps the voice ensnared both the artist as well as the listener. But I put my scepticism aside — artists in India must be worshipped not critically evaluated. I pay my respects and introduce myself. I recount a few of the anecdotes of the Baroda days and he remembers them all.

Thanks,
sharad

Thats exactly what i meant sharad and Kamalji,

I am in no way demeaning Panditji here. Its just that i did not feel that he expresses the feelings of a particular raaga and the lyrics thereof and sticks religiosly to the mathematics of the rendition.

On the contrary listen to Pt. Kumar Gandharva if you get a chance, and you'll know what i mean to convey.

All said and done the indian classical music scenario does definitely need people like Bhimsenji to continue to tradition in its purest of forms. Had a chance to listen the now frail maestro sing at the Sawai Gandharva Festival this year. He could barely walk to the stage and was going to sing for 5 minutes, however somwhow he got the power to sing and regalled the audience for around 20-22 minutes. It was a moment to remember.

Smedhavi,that really the first time I've read someone describe Pandit Bhimsen Joshiji .a mechanical singer;I don't agree, but its a free country & each to his own.
I have always been transported while hearing him & I regard him as a great in the Hindustani classical scene.
Now if you were to describe Pt Jasraj as a predictable singer,I would'nt disagree.
Since both of you appear to be fans of hindustani classical stuff, how about sharing your impressions of other stalwarts? It could be interesting.
BTW, didyou notice the last part of my post?

Songs of Eric Clapton : All Blues'd Up.....covers by Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Larry McCray..... GREAT!!!

The best of Corrs good songs . not a great recording though.

tharun

I did and jumped on the opportunity, they say they'll be shipping in 15 days.

Among other stalwarts i count Pt. Kumar Gandharva in high regard. Ever got chance to listen to any of his renderings?

Lover boy: LoveStory 2050 (SPL reading in signature)