#harisongs

[mysticalblizzardcolor]

HariSongs - Short Documentary on "Chants of India"

[harrisonstories]

MY WORLD: OLIVIA HARRISON

Olivia Harrison, the wife of the late Beatle George Harrison, talks about how George's collaborations with Indian musicians helped shape her own musical tastes

Among the pioneers who helped to popularise world music, few have done more or had more kudos than George Harrison. In the mid-60s, the Beatles’ guitarist took lessons from Ravi Shankar and introduced the exotic sound of the sitar to Western pop music fans via his songs with the Beatles.

As his wife for 25 years until his death in 2001, Olivia Harrison enjoyed a ringside seat at his collaborations with Shankar and other Indian musicians and they then explored a glorious range of other world music styles together, from Mexican corridos to Bulgarian folk music. Unsurprisingly, George’s influence permeates her playlist selections and her current project, releasing his archive of recordings by some of the greatest Indian musicians of the 20th century.“Being married to George gave me a crash course in Indian music,” she says. “George recorded many great Indian classical musicians, but he never revisited the recordings because he didn’t look back, he just kept moving forward. But I couldn’t sleep if I thought the tapes George made were going to degrade and never be heard. They’re a wonderful legacy.” The archive will be released on the HariSongs imprint, in conjunction with Craft Recordings, a division of Concord Music Group.

Olivia’s first taste of Indian music came when the likes of Shankar, flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and santoor player Shuvkumar Sharma stayed with Harrison when he was producing the 1974 album Shankar Family & Friends. “Those musicians were the finest exponents of their instruments and it was a divine experience. While they were staying, they did three nights of concerts, which George recorded. The tapes have just been sitting there and that’s what inspired me to do HariSongs,” she says.

Before their release, however, comes the reissue of two important but out-of-print Shankar recordings produced by George, both of which feature on Olivia’s playlist.

‘Raga Manj Khamaj’ was originally released on the album In Concert 1972, which was released on Apple the following year. Featuring a ‘dream team’ of Shankar on sitar, Ali Akbar Khan on sarod and Alla Rakha on tabla, it was recorded at New York’s Philharmonic Hall before Olivia knew Harrison. “I wish could have been there because it’s a great historic moment,” she says. “That was one of Ravi’s favourite ragas. I remember him talking about it.” By the time of her second Shankar choice, ‘Sarve Shaam’ from the 1996 Harrison-produced Chants of India, she had got to know him as a family friend. “You revered Ravi,” she says of the great man. “He carried with him that great tradition, but he was also a very modern man and had a great sense of humour.”

Partly recorded in India and partly at Harrison’s Friar Park home in Henley-on-Thames, Olivia recalls the recording sessions well. “Ravi was very specific about the mantras and how they were recorded and orchestrated and George really wanted people to understand the vibrations of those chants was beneficial to their well-being.”

The track on her playlist is a particularly poignant choice. “At the end of his life George said to me that all he could listen to was ‘Sarve Shaam’,” Olivia remembers. “After all the sounds and sights and tastes you experience over a lifetime, it came down to the purity of ‘Sarve Shaam’.” The piece was also performed as the opening blessing at the Concert for George memorial, held at London’s Albert Hall in 2002.

Two other Indian selections on Olivia’s playlist also carry memories of George. One of U Srinivas’ very first albums, Mandolin Ecstasy, was “one of George’s favourite albums,” she says. “I think he was only 15 or even younger at the time. We went to see him in concert and afterwards George had a chance to inspect his electric mandolin. He had one made just like it and tried to play like Srinivas. He’d have a go at anything.” A track from one of Srinivas’ later albums recorded on Real World features on this issue’s covermount CD.

‘Bhoop Ghara’ from Call of the Valley, recorded in 1967 by Shivkumar Sharma, Hariprasad Chaurasia and slide guitar player Brijbhusan Kabra, was “something George had on our juke box. We played it as a remedy in our home if you were feeling a certain way. Kabra was one of George’s heroes as a slide guitarist, up there with Ry Cooder.”

The Harrisons met Cooder through the American producer Russ Titelman, who also introduced them to another of Olivia’s playlist choices, ‘Kalimankou Denkou’ from the Mystère des Voix Bulgares Vol 1 album, first released on an obscure label in 1975 and a surprise world music hit when re-released on 4AD a decade later. “Russ brought the album with him when he was working with George and we loved it,” Olivia says. When several of the singers on the album, including Yanka Rupkina, were working in London as Trio Bulgarka, the Harrisons invited them to their Friar Park home to give a private concert. “Russ and George stood in the hall and harmonised with them. It was a very reverential experience.”

Although born in Los Angeles, Olivia’s grandparents came from Guanajuato in Mexico. “I grew up with Mexican music and watched Mexican movies and my father played guitar and sang and recorded in the 30s,” she says. In 2016, Olivia presented a Songlines Music Award to the Mexican singer Lila Downs for her album Balas y Chocolate. “I didn’t know much about her until then, but I saw her perform and what a force!” Olivia says. “Last year I brought over a mariachi orchestra and we had a private concert at Friar Park because I got tired of waiting 30 years for someone else to do it. It was my way to let my friends experience that music – which was what George was always trying to do. He wanted people to understand and be moved by the music that he loved.”

Her playlist ends with a unique version of George’s 1968 song ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ by the ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro. She discovered his version when it went viral on YouTube in 2006. It has since received 15 million views. “Lots of people wrote to me or sent me a link saying ‘have you seen this?’ I was really floored by it,” she says. “Jake is a master and I then saw him play it one Christmas in Honolulu with an orchestra and it was beautiful. George wasn’t around to hear Jake’s version but he would have loved it.”

- Nigel Williamson, Songlines (May 2018) [x]

[beatlesblogger]

George Harrison Estate Launches New Record Label

George Harrison Estate Launches New Record Label

The estate of George Harrison has just announced a new record label which will be dedicated to re-issuing some of the Indian classical and World music that George so dearly loved.

The label, called HariSongs, is kicking off by making two titles avaialble to stream or download: In Concert 1972, featuring virtuoso’s Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan recorded live at New York’s Philharmonic Hall; and

[michaelcastner]

#Repost @georgeharrisonofficial ・・・ Sarve Shaam, featured on Ravi Shankar's Chants of India, is a #mantra that invokes peace, happiness and well-being for all. Watch the full lyric video on @youtube. #sarveshaam #wednesdaywisdom #ravishankar #chantsofindia #producedbygeorgeharrison #harisongs

[rollingstonemag]

Un nouvel article a été publié sur https://www.rollingstone.fr/la-succession-de-george-harrison-annonce-la-creation-du-label-harisongs/

La succession de George Harrison annonce la création du label HariSongs

Un nouveau label, HariSongs, a été fondé, sous le nom de George Harrison. Il se concentrera principalement autour de la musique indienne 

La succession de George Harrison a lancé une nouvelle maison de disques, HariSongs, qui se concentrera sur la musique classique indienne et la musique du monde. Le label a été lancé en partenariat avec Craft Recordings et publiera des extraits exclusifs venant de la famille d’Harrison, sans oublier les nombreuses collaborations que l’ancien membre des Beatles a pu réaliser avec un certain nombre de musiciens indiens de renoms.

D’après les informations communiquées, les deux premiers projets du label seront des rééditions de deux disques plus disponibles sur le marché actuellement : un album live de Ravi Shankar et Ali Akbar Khan, « In Concert 1972 » ainsi que la collaboration de Shankar avec Harrison, « Chants of India ». Les deux albums sont disponibles en streaming et en téléchargement dès aujourd’hui.

George Harrison a découvert la culture indienne en 1965, alors que les Beatles tournait le clip du single « Help ». Il se passionne de la sitar et rentre en contact avec l’un de ses pionniers : Shankar. Le début d’une relation enrichissante, aussi bien amicalement que professionnellement.

« Chants of India » a été composé en 1997 dans les studios d’Angel Records. Harrison a produit l’album, que Shankar a enregistré à Madras, en Inde et à Henley-on-Thames en Angleterre (d’où leur rencontre). Bien entendu, l’audio de cette réédition a été récupérée et remasterisée à partir des bandes numériques originales.

La promotion d’HariSongs a également partagé un court documentaire sur la réalisation de l’album, qui comprend notamment des archives d’interviews avec Shankar et Harrison. Dans cette vidéo, Shankar parle de la nature profondément personnelle et spirituelle des « mantras » qui composent l’album, et de ce qu’il a fallu faire pour adapter cette aura en chansons. De plus, il fait part de la joie immense de voir deux genres musicaux s’allier pour sonner de manière unique. « J’ai travaillé très dur et c’est pourquoi il m’a fallu beaucoup de temps pour faire ce disque, j’ai dû faire beaucoup d’auto-évaluation », déclare le musicien. « C’est étrange de voir des musiciens de rock-pop avec des sitars. J’étais confus au début. Quand George Harrison est venu me voir, je ne savais pas quoi penser. Je n’aurais jamais imaginé que notre rencontre provoquerait une telle explosion et que la musique indienne apparaîtrait soudainement sur la scène pop », termine Shankar.

[fullaccessmagazine]

George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

The estate of George Harrison has launched a new record label, HariSongs, that will focus on Indian classical and world music. The label was launched in partnership with Craft Recordings and will cull releases from the Harrison family archives, including the former Beatle’s collaborations with some of the most famous Indian musicians.

The label’s first two projects will be reissues of two…

[eppysboys]

. giggling at ravi shankar's bio on the harisongs official website (run by the george harrison estate) referring to his collaborations with 'the Beatles’ guitarist George Harrison' um idk

👀

[theoldstyleman]

HariSongs - Short Documentary on "Chants of India"

[kzk101ntwrk]

The Deals: BMG Enters Global Pact With George Harrison's Dark Horse Records, Mxmtoon Signs With AWAL & More

The Deals: BMG Enters Global Pact With George Harrison’s Dark Horse Records, Mxmtoon Signs With AWAL & More

BMG has formed a new multi-faceted global partnership with Dark Horse Records, the George Harrison-founded label now led by Harrison’s son Dhani Harrison and manager David Zonshine, it was announced Wednesday (Jan. 22).

The deal will include releases from the catalogs of Dark Horse Records, Harrison’s Indian label imprint HariSongs and The Clash frontman Joe Strummer’s solo output, including his…

[clayton-hutson]

George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

The estate of George Harrison has launched a new record label, HariSongs, that will focus on Indian classical and world music. The label was launched in partnership with Craft Recordings and will cull releases from the Harrison family archives, including the former Beatle's collaborations with some of

This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

from Rolling Stone Latest Music News https://ift.tt/2JxjnM4 via IFTTT

[ruseg]

Tweeted

I bought some of Ravi’s records & although my intellect didn’t really know what was happening, just the pure sound of it appealed to me so much. It hit a spot in me very deep and I just recognized it somehow. #GeorgeQuote @ragaravishankar #HariSongs pic.twitter.com/CTfNXLxd3z

— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) May 26, 2018

[beatlesblogger]

BMG Signs Deal with George Harrison's Dark Horse Records

BMG Signs Deal with George Harrison’s Dark Horse Records

Billboard and Music Week are reporting that music distributor and publisher BMG has formed a new multi-faceted worldwide distribution partnership with Dark Horse Records, the George Harrison-founded record label now led by his son, Dhani Harrison.

The deal not only includes releases from the back-catalogue of Dark Horse, but also Harrison’s Indian label imprint, HariSongs. It’ll also include the…

[howardmackenzie75]

George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

The estate of George Harrison has launched a new record label, HariSongs, that will focus on Indian classical and world music. The label was launched in partnership with Craft Recordings and will cull releases from the Harrison family archives, including the former Beatle's collaborations with some of

This article originally appeared on www.rollingstone.com: George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

from Rolling Stone Latest Sports and Music and Movies and Politics and Culture News https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/george-harrison-estate-launches-label-for-indian-classical-music-w519576

[musicofourheart]

May All Be Happy

May All Be Happy

Ravi Shankar “Sarve Shaam” (Official Lyric/Mantra Video)

I found this soothing video in my YouTube stream this morning and just had to share this song with lyrics and meditative graphics.

Give yourself five minutes to enrich your spirit. Om

Give yourself five minutes to enrich your spirit. Om

Taken from Chants of India by Ravi…

[fullaccessdetroit]

George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

George Harrison Estate Launches Label for Indian Classical Music

The estate of George Harrison has launched a new record label, HariSongs, that will focus on Indian classical and world music. The label was launched in partnership with Craft Recordings and will cull releases from the Harrison family archives, including the former Beatle’s collaborations with some of the most famous Indian musicians.

The label’s first two projects will be reissues of two…

[krispyweiss]

Harrison Estate Launches HariSongs Label

“It’s like where you go inside to your own temple,” George Harrison said of the music his friend and mentor Ravi Shankar made, “to calm you down in order to clear the mind and be at peace.”

His comments come in a four-minute documentary made for Shankar’s 1997 album Chants of India. The record’s been re-released on the George Harrison Estate’s new HariSongs label, launched to celebrate Indian classical music - music the Beatles guitarist believed could “help as a balance towards a peaceful daily life.”

In addition to Chants of India, the label is also making Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan’s In Concert 1972 available for download and streaming. Both LPs had been out of print

“As the music’s going on, that is the prayer,” Harrison says.

The doc - posted to YouTube to promote HariSongs - intersperses scenes from India with Shankar and Harrison talking together and working in the studio.

“I didn’t know (Shankar) at all,” Harrison said of being exposed to the sitar player’s music. “But the thing that really blew me away, was - I thought, ‘He’s just such an amazing player.’”

Harrison called his quest for knowledge a selfish endeavor - a way of going to church or going to temple while still doing “one’s duty” of being a musician. Shankar, meanwhile, was concerned about teaching Harrison because mantras are to be kept personal - but he relented.

“Meeting (Harrison) changed my view completely,” Shankar says. “He was so interested. And he seemed so serious for wanting to pursue his knowledge for sitar and other music. That’s how it started.”

“The world is a much smaller place,” Harrison said. “You have the integrity of the chants, but presented in a way where the average person who’s not familiar with them will hear it as a musical thing. The mantras are really for specific things.”

“They’re all for good things,” Shankar responds. “Good health. Well-being. Peace. Love.”

HariSongs, in partnership with Craft Recordings, plans to release additional titles from Harrison’s personal archive of Indian classical and world music. More info at: Harisongs.com

4/30/18