Nonesuch Explorer Series / Java: Court Gamelan
Album: Java: Court Gamelan   Collection:World
Artist:Nonesuch Explorer Series   Added:Sep 2003
Label:Nonesuch Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2004-05-03 Pull Date: 2004-07-05 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Jul 4 Jun 27 May 23 May 16 May 9
Airplays: 1 1 1 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Jan 31, 2019: Cafe Nakhil
Gending 2, Ketawang
4. May 21, 2004: "No Cover, No Minimum In Your Ear..." subbing for Fo
Gending 2
2. Jun 29, 2004: "Live-In Your Ear..." Studio Z Broadcast pt.1
Gending 1
5. May 14, 2004: No Cover, No Minimum
Ketawang
3. Jun 20, 2004: The Sheltering Sky
Ketawang
6. May 08, 2004: 15 Miles til Sunday
Ketawang

Album Review
Fo
Reviewed 2004-04-28
“Java: Court Gamelan"
Nonesuch Explorer, 1971

WOW! The royal court music of Yogyakarta, in central Java, is revealed in this field recording. There are four court ensembles in the region, each with a distinct style. This one is the Paku Alaman, and its sound is large and rich. The ensemble uses gongs, xylophones, strings, drums, a flute, and two vocal groups. The liner notes give one of the clearest explanations of gamelan I’ve ever seen.

(Trivia: copies of the first track are currently leaving the solar system as part of the famous "golden records" on board the Voyager space probes!)

Fo’s picks: 1, 3

1. 04:46 – haunting, slow, many layers sliding over each other. Gorgeous hypnotic gongs, contrasting male & female vocals… simply incredible music!

2. 18:28 – slow, somber choral piece, vocals a bit harsh. Not much variation over time.

3. 19:40 – fabulous meditative atmosphere: gongs, female voice, slow and quiet with great depth (the space must be huge), completely sucks you in! Quick end.

4. 02:07 – pretty gongs at a deliberate pace, speeds and slows. I wish it were longer.

[ Fo ] - 4/28/04

Track Listing
1. Ketawang   3. Gending 2
2. Gending 1   4. Bubaran