Gamelan records

[babycart]

Just looking at Funktionaire's recent post in the Ethnic Finds thread

I like a bit of gamelan, and also came to it via 23 Skidoo and 80s exotica, but I've only got a couple of records.



Great slow side-long track on this, although my son calls it "dead people music". I've got the Balinese one, too, but find that a bit hectic.


Islands In Between

One of my favourite travelogue records which I had as a cassette but was released on vinyl a year or two ago. It has two library tracks which obviously aren´t authentic, but fit in. Full of frogs croaking, dogs barking, crickets chirping and a jaw harp solo.

I've seen the Nonesuch lps a couple of times in Spain, and will pick them up next time. Any other recommendations?

[Tsundoku]

I really rate the Sunda music LP on Ocora. It's a different tradition, and a lot less grand (i.e small ensembles playing at home, rather than large orchestras in the Royal Courts) but is still very beautiful and shares sonic similarities with gamelan.

[Tsundoku]

One I didn't rate - the Son of Lion gamelan LP on Folkways. They're a New York based gamelan ensemble but I thought their LP didn't have the complexity of native Javanese gamelan. More kinda experiments in minimal composition so much less enjoyable.

[amidar]

Was just about to post 'Music from the Morning of the World' by 'David Lewinston' I assume just holding a tape recorder then realised its on nonsuch! It's currently residing in an LP frame on the wall to try and correct some warpage I caused by leaving it in the conservatory.

Isn't there quite an old one on EMI called 'Music from Bali', yep found it dont know how it is for Gamelan action mind you: https://www.discogs.com/Various-Bali...elease/1095828 not much by the looks.

[jakartajive]

There are three main strands to gamelan: Sundanese, Javanese and Balinese, and they're all very different to each other.
I'll try to find some time to give more examples.

[amidar]

I was sort of realising that as I was looking up that album. I seem to default to Bali when someone mentions 'Gamelan'. I'd be interested in some different examples mate.

There are three main strands to gamelan: Sundanese, Javanese and Balinese, and they're all very different to each other.
I'll try to find some time to give more examples.

[treeboy]

I found an ep in amongst the boxes of 45s I've been sorting through which might be of interest. It's on Rabbit Brand records, and was made in India. #RET.534, first published 1964. Tunes are; National anthem, National song, Maha Roeks, Maha Chai. On the cover it says side one is played by the Air Force Band, and side 2 is played by Pipet Orchestra. 4 tunes on each side, so they both have a stab at the same tunes. The Air Force band side is pretty uninspiring. The "Pipet Orchestra" side is more interesting, especially the 3rd & 4th tunes. On this side, on the label it says, played by Pi Phat. I googled Pi Phat and found this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piphat

A chazza find from a long long time ago. I think I only played the Air Force Band side when I got it, and it was only today that I actually played the flip, and was pleasantly surprised.
Just took a piccy.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Sonovox]

I have 'Gamelan Music From Bali' in the same Philips Privilege series, which I think is pretty good. The best ones I've heard are the Nonesuch Balinese ones - Golden Rain and Music For The Shadow Play both of which I would recommend wholeheartedly. The Ramayana monkey chant on Golden Rain is bound to be a big hit in any household.

I've never had the same response to Javanese gamelan. It may be just the specific records I've had, which were all Javanese court music, but I can't summon up any enthusiasm for them.

The only other thing that springs to mind is the composer Lou Harrison was a Gamelan enthusiast and composed a number of pieces for the instruments - specific pieces for specific sets of instruments I think. Have to revisit those. It's likely that Alan Hovhaness also used gamelan at some point but his catalogue of works is so huge I have yet to stumble upon them...

[Sonovox]

Lou Harrison composition including gamelan (and other instruments):

Elsewhere he also used tuned metal junk a la Harry Partch which sounds a bit gamelan-y.

[Grim Lounge Cowboy]

Shere Khan recently recommended some Lou Harrison. I've been listening to Quetzalcoatal on Youtube;possible gamelan influence, despite the name. Saw this at the library sale without knowing what it was. Hoping it will resurface.

[treeboy]

That library sale goes on and keeps delivering F. Sounds dangerous.

[Big Youth]

Regarding Balinese I picked up this a few weeks ago -



Nice for a while then I have to admit it started to grate.

[babycart]

The Sundanese stuff sounds very interesting. Never heard any of that.

Touch have put the Islands Inbetween tape (without the library tracks) up on Youtube if anyone fancies a listen. it kept me company for years.

side 1

side 2

[Rich Hero]

German gamelan.

[Cacapo]

Regarding Balinese I picked up this a few weeks ago -



Nice for a while then I have to admit it started to grate.

Left this a while ago for lack of funds. Good to know I dont have to lose sleep over that.