The embellished notes of a raga and the shimmering words of a poem spring from intuition, both often composed on the spot, both often surprising the maker who accepts such surprises as gifts, one from the “raga-deity,” the other from the muse.

When a musician plays or sings a fresh pattern of notes from a raga, the knowledgeable audience responds with voice and gesture. When a poet strings together words in a musical cadence the minds and hearts of listeners too will quicken:

How suddenly the somber comes undone

ravished by radiance from the suspended sun

In our raga poems we strive to evoke the elemental emotions or moods which cannot be described but can be experienced as aesthetic phenomenon, in the reactions and anticipations of our own bodies and minds.

This album was born out of years of collaboration between Gordon and Joel in Vermont and in India. Around 2015-2016, they created a performance titled 'Madhuram: the Sweetness of Krishna' in which Gordon recited traditional bhakti (devotional) poetry while a dancer enacted the emotions and actions of the poem and Joel reacted to the movements of the dancer on the Indian slide guitar. Partly the inspiration for this came from Gordon's experience touring with poet Robert Bly as a musical accompanist to Bly's spontaneous style, incorporating world musical instruments with poetry readings. 

 

Flute, recitation and poems by Gordon Korstange

Indian slide guitar played by Joel 'Veena' Eisenkramer

Produced by Joel 'Veena' Eisenkramer & Vidhi Salla Root Cellar Sound 2023.

Recorded 11 November 2022 by Vidhi Salla and Joel Eisenkramer at Root Cellar Sound, Guilford, Vermont USA with one AEA R88 stereo ribbon and a Peluso 2247 LE for the voice.

Mastered by Tom Hutten, Bionic Mastering, Vermont USA

Special thanks to Vidhi Salla, Matthew Hall, Jeanne Korstange, Wendy Redlinger, Antti Vahteri, Stu Fuchs

Cover photo by Sam Thomas, inside left panel and back cover photos by Vidhi Salla

 

JoelVeena.com

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Raga Poems by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

Raga Poems

Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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Raga Poems
by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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The embellished notes of a raga and the shimmering words of a poem spring from intuition, both often composed on the spot, both often surprising the maker who accepts such surprises as gifts, one from the “raga-deity,” Read more

The embellished notes of a raga and the shimmering words of a poem spring from intuition, both often composed on the spot, both often surprising the maker who accepts such surprises as gifts, one from the “raga-deity,” the other from the muse.

When a musician plays or sings a fresh pattern of notes from a raga, the knowledgeable audience responds with voice and gesture. When a poet strings together words in a musical cadence the minds and hearts of listeners too will quicken:

How suddenly the somber comes undone ravished by radiance from the suspended sun

In our raga poems we strive to evoke the elemental emotions or moods which cannot be described but can be experienced as aesthetic phenomenon, in the reactions and anticipations of our own bodies and minds. credits released September 29, 2023

Flute, recitation and poems by Gordon Korstange Indian slide guitar by Joel 'Veena' Eisenkramer

Produced by Joel Eisenkramer & Vidhi Salla Root Cellar Sound 2023 Recorded 11 November 2022 by Vidhi Salla and Joel Eisenkramer at Root Cellar Sound, Guilford, Vermont USA with one AEA R88 stereo ribbon and a Peluso 2247 for the voice. Mastered by Tom Hutten, Bionic Mastering, Vermont USA

Special thanks to Vidhi Salla, Matthew Hall, Jeanne Korstange, Wendy Redlinger, Antti Vahteri, Stu Fuchs, Ongtupqa

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  1. 1
    Mango (Raga Mohanam) 4:01
    Mango (Raga Mohanam)
    by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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  2. 2
    The House in the Woods (Raga Charukesi) 4:03
    The House in the Woods (Raga Charukesi)
    by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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  3. 3
    We Are Controlled (Raga Malkauns) 6:36
    We Are Controlled (Raga Malkauns)
    by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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  4. 4
    Mosquito (Raga Madhuvanti) 5:52
    Mosquito (Raga Madhuvanti)
    by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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  5. 5
    In the Yard (Raga Megh) 5:46
    In the Yard (Raga Megh)
    by Gordon Korstange & Joel Veena

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