Ustad Asad Ali Khan - Raga Behag / Shuddha Kalyan - Rudra Veena - Rudra Vina New York 1977

Dear Friends, Music Lovers & Musicians, next recording from the audio archive is a really memorable concert Ustad Asad Ali Khan played on his USA Tour in 1977. This performance of Raga Behag is one the few existing recordings in which Ustadji explores one Raga over a length of almost two hours. Being on travel with Khansahib he became quite excited when we ones spoke about this concert. In times where most concerts performances are limited to formats of lesser then one hour or at least a display of an entertaining Raga medley is expected by the ‘always something new’ thirsty crowd, he really missed occasions and an audience which would ask for this deep diving into one Raga’s soul. Of course hour long performances do not guaranty any depth in exploration and a master musician can awake a Raga with a few phrases to bright life. Still the meditative character of a Dhrupad performance invites the set out for long journey on the river of the eternal sound… If you are familiar with the recordings from Ustadjis later years you might notice here the even more dynamic drive in the Thok Jhalla section which was typical for his young years playing. Pandit Gopal Das Panse who traveled with Khansahib on this tour accompanies the final Sooltaal composition in Shuddha Kalyan on Pakhawaj – a real contrast ending after the extended Alap, Jhor and Jhala before. Please bear the limited audio quality of this recording. Especially in the composition part where the mice caught mainly the Pakhawaj the equipment shows its limitations. Let’s be thankful that this gem exists anyway. Enjoy! Carsten