- Audio CD
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Import
- Label: France (Megaphon)
- ASIN: B000067FFF
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
If the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" is one of the classic examples of raga rock (emphasis on rock), fusing the ancient Indian modal pattern of raga with western rock & roll, Susheela Raman's remarkable debut Salt Rain could well be described as raga blues, (emphasis on raga). Trained to sing classical Indian music from childhood, the Londoner by birth began experimenting with the vocal style of American blues in adolescence, finding in her early 20s a richly exotic multi-textured sound. African rhythms, Asian-chordal dissonance and a deep womanly voice make for an intoxicating listening experience. Rather than run together as an ineffective mishmash of multicultural styles, Raman and her crew of musicians with origins in Romania, Greece, Spain and Kenya offer a sound like a masala-Gypsy-klezmer band with one foot in the delta. Familiar as the soaring voice of Joi, Raman is an intensely exciting new voice not in just world music, but in music as a whole. Salt Rain is both bountiful and devastatingly beautiful. --Paige La Grone
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This beautiful debut album is hard to define. Raman was brought up on classical Indian music, but with a band comprised of Indian, European and African musicians, she leads us into some more modern twists on the traditional sounds.
Her songs sound new and fresh, yet mellow and bluesy, with relaxed tunes like "Nagumomo" interspersed with more plaintive vocals. She has taken many traditional ethnic songs and cut them back or pepped them up to make them her own, as well writing the haunting songs "Woman" and "Salt Rain" about her own family experiences. Every song tells a tale and stands along as a gorgeous sound, while the lyrics slip between English, Hindi and Tamil.
The high point of the album for me is the final track, "Song to the Siren". (She also covers "Trust in me" from the Jungle Book, making it twisted and alluring.) This Tim Buckley classic has been covered a number of times but none so movingly as by Raman - she has brought purpose to cover versions. A beautiful close to a stunning album.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is music to soothe the soul and make your spirit sing. 'Devastatingly beautiful' one of the other reviews said. That's about right. Susheela has a voice of breathtaking clarity and masterful range and control that she uses to wonderful effect on this CD. There's a huge range of musical styles here but not a dud track on it - every single track stands in its own right as a work of beauty. The other instrumentalists are unreservedly excellent - especially the bass - and they all play in such an understated way as to let the wonderful melodies speak rather than clutter them with too much embellishment. This is music as good as it gets. Truly sublime and magical.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a great album. I saw Susheela live in Glasgow and she was brilliant. Some people criticise her for covering the song Bolo Bolo, claiming that "Ms. Raman's version is exacrable, almost unrecognizable unless one knows the words." Yes, it is very different, but thats what makes it good. She is different, and a breath of fresh air.
I would recommend this album to people who like to 'chill' - you know what i mean. Listen to this and enjoy its effect on your mind.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
hypnotic sound
I had heard of Susheela Raman, but hadn't bought her music before this album. Had it on in the car regularly, and everyone who heard it immediately said 'who's that?'. Read more
Published 11 months ago by J. D. Stewart
Sheer magic!
This is just such a brilliant, wonderful record - both Susheela's incredibly beautful voice and the superb support from her guitarist and partner Sam Mills. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2007 by John Landell Mills
GENIUS
This was my first introduction to Sushila Raman. I later had the privilege of seeing and hearing her live. She is a genius. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2007 by Mrs. C. A. Bird
Magical - a favourite for years to come
No words will do this album justice - it's in a league of it's own so you should just BUY it. Susheela's beautiful voice, surrounded by classical Indian styles, is mesmerising. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2001
turkey, and not the country
Much is made in the album notes of this woman's training in various forms of classical Indian music. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2001
a slice of turkey
Much is made in the album notes of this woman's training in various forms of classical Indian music. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2001
An album that takes you a land of fairy tales
Susheela Raman manages to fuse a indian music with the mellowness of Mazzy Star, combined with her soft velvety voice, sometimes rising to authority, is most superb. Read more
Published on 27 April 2001
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