BEST OF BOBBY CALLENDER

BEST OF BOBBY CALLENDER IRIS MUSIC GROUP-IMG 277 PRODUCED BY ALAN LORBER

This collection returns to the Indo-Prog/Rock repertoire of the essential mystical works of Bobby Callender. The Best Of is drawn from Callender’s “Rainbow” and “The Way” albums, both of which were produced by Alan Lorber.

"Rainbow" was a suite of 9 compositions with lyrics dictating a mood relating to orchestral colors of a rainbow. The music styles range from Raga to Jazz, R&B to Klezmer, Baroque to Modern with anecdotal stories about nature, spiritual self, and society in 1968, many with twist endings.

"The Way" was created as the soundtrack for a live multi-media Indian narrative/ballet theatrical production based on the Hindu First Book of Experiences, which was portrayed on-stage by actors and leading Indian dancers. Produced by Alan Lorber, it was performed in various New York venues in 1971. The beautiful, flowing episodic "Story Of Rasha & Dhara” is the central theme of the work.

The great studio musicians featured in both albums include the late sitarist Collin Walcott, formerly lead of Oregon and Codona; Don Robertson, tamboura; Paul Harris organ, piano and harpsichord; with the more Western rhythm section featuring drummer Bernard Purdie; guitarists Eric Gale, and Hugh McCracken of Paul McCartney’s Wings.

There is a bonus cut, “Raga Man”, not originally in either album, which is a dark, pulsating track with a spiritual interlude and explosive “bansuri” (wooden flute) improvisation.

Both the “Rainbow” and “The Way” albums are also available as CD reissues on the Iris Music Group label.

FROM "RAINBOW": 1. NATURE (4:32) 2. SADE MASOCH (2:56) 3. AUTUMN (3:09) 4. A MAN (4:12) 5. RAGA MAN (BONUS) (6:29)

FROM "THE WAY: 6. STORY OF RASHA & DHARA (4:44) 7. SATYAGRAHA (6:17) 8. TRANSMIGRATION (3:30) 9. LORD, AM I DREAMING? (2:43) 10. HARI OM & DEVA CHANTS (4:03) 11. GOING BAK (4:50)