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Review

This CD album by Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur presents live recordings of two concerts organized by R H Bengiri in 1982, one in his house and another in Cricket Club of India, Bombay. One of the most influential vocalists of later part of the 20th century, Pt. Mansur, was a legend in his own life time. He is accompanied on the tabla by Ustad Nizamuddin Khan.

This CD shows clearly why even private live recordings of old masters is so much better than new prestine studio or live recordings of current artists. The first track which was recorded in a private house in an informal small concert (bhaitak) is so lively, so intimate and so exhilarating, it is difficult to beleave it is a 20 year old private recording of a 72 year old (then) singer. Raag Savani is a favourite of Pt Mansur and he takes up a composition of his guru Ustad Manjhi Khan (son of Ustad Alladiya Khan), as he proudly states in the middle a couple of times. The treatment by Mansur is totally unrestrained and technically brilliant. This is one more reason why private recordings can be so good, the artist surrounded by familiar circle of close friends and fans would be unrestrained and try to sing at his creative best. Naturally the track gets the highest rating of 5 stars.

In contrast the second track is dead serious, overflowing with gravity and shows the versatality of the great maestro. The raaga is a varient to the ancient Bhairav called Shivmat Bhairav (see Parrikar on Bhairav). The composition Prathama Allah is by the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana founder Ustad Alladiya Khan himself. Mansur's treatment of the composition is an aknowledged classic and he does a great job here too. He betrays no signs of age nor any ill effects of decades of bidi smoking. In dhruth part of the raaga, Mansur takes up the bandish Tori Bari Phool Rahi. Vocal support of Rajashekar Mansur is adequate, so is the steady hand of Ustad Nizamuddin Khan.

I wish more such good old recordings are hunted down by the labels and released. Keeping such treasures away from the rasika-s is almost a crime.

Overall 4.5 stars for the music and 3.5 stars for the recording. Highly Recommended.

CD Information

Tracks

Nu.	Title	Bandish	Time	Music	Recording
1.1	Raaga Savani - Vilambit Jhaptaal	Deva Deva Satsang	32:22
1.2	Raaga Shivmat Bhairav - Teen Taal	Pratham Allah Tori Bari Phool Rahi	27:42

Liner Notes

Good liner notes with profiles of the artists, introduction to ICM, the music and a glossary. In English and Fresh.