Bali: Golden Rain
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2004-01-30
Reviewed 2004-01-30
NONESUCH EXPLORER – Bali: Golden Rain
Nonesuch, 1969
INDONESIA – The first two tracks are examples of kebjar, the dominant style of Balinese gamelan music. The word “kebjar” means to burst into flame, and that’s exactly what these tracks do, settling into little trancelike periods and then EXPLODING into whirlwinds of metallic clangs and crashes! These are recent compositions (1950s/60s), and so have a somewhat modern feel. Track 3 is a long but still truncated recording of the famous Ramayana Monkey Chant.
Audio qulaity is not stellar, but these are 1966 field recordings, so it is what it is.
ALL TRACKS EXCELLENT!
1. 6:05 – furious bursts of gongs & xylophones, shattering like glass. Variable tempo, strong rhythms. Yow!
2. 10:11 – more carefully structured than track 1. Bursts at beginning, middle, and end, with deliberately paced sections in between. Flute in the background adds some depth.
3. 2:11 – 200 men squatting in a circle, chanting and chattering like monkeys! It’s a ceremonial reenactment of a mythological battle between Prince Rama and King Ravana, as recorded in the the Ramayana epic. Used as a form of exorcism.
[ Fo ] - 1/30/04
Nonesuch, 1969
INDONESIA – The first two tracks are examples of kebjar, the dominant style of Balinese gamelan music. The word “kebjar” means to burst into flame, and that’s exactly what these tracks do, settling into little trancelike periods and then EXPLODING into whirlwinds of metallic clangs and crashes! These are recent compositions (1950s/60s), and so have a somewhat modern feel. Track 3 is a long but still truncated recording of the famous Ramayana Monkey Chant.
Audio qulaity is not stellar, but these are 1966 field recordings, so it is what it is.
ALL TRACKS EXCELLENT!
1. 6:05 – furious bursts of gongs & xylophones, shattering like glass. Variable tempo, strong rhythms. Yow!
2. 10:11 – more carefully structured than track 1. Bursts at beginning, middle, and end, with deliberately paced sections in between. Flute in the background adds some depth.
3. 2:11 – 200 men squatting in a circle, chanting and chattering like monkeys! It’s a ceremonial reenactment of a mythological battle between Prince Rama and King Ravana, as recorded in the the Ramayana epic. Used as a form of exorcism.
[ Fo ] - 1/30/04
Recent airplay
Ketjak: the Ramayana Monkeyt
The Sunset Life — Nov 13, 2014
Ketjak: the Ramayana Monkey Chant
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Hudjan Mas
Emphysema For Emphasis — Feb 27, 2009
Hudjan Mas
Baptism of Solitude — Feb 27, 2008
Ketjak: the Ramayana Monkeyt
I once was a world citizen — Aug 18, 2005
Ketjak: the Ramayana Monkeyt
"MHz-In Your Ear..." Keep The Music going — Apr 03, 2004
Charting
2004-02-02 — 2004-04-05
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Apr 4 | 1 |
| Mar 28 | 1 |
| Feb 22 | 1 |
| Feb 8 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Hudjan Mas | ||
| 2. | Tumililangan | ||
| 3. | Ketjak: the Ramayana Monkeyt |