Middle of the Road

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Don't Be Afraid to Cry - Bus,

3. Come/Do/Move - Bus

4. Keep Life Right - Bus,

5. Echonomy - Bus

6. Middle of the Road - Bus,

7. MC Rhino - Bus

8. Freestyle - Bus

9. Clappin - Bus

10. Offroad - Bus

11. On My Treasure Island - Bus,

Middle of the Road

Average customer rating:

Lost Songs of the Silk Road
Opened my eyes again
Seductive and mesmerizing...a welcome escape!

Lost Songs Of The Silk Road
Ghazal
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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As Night Falls On The Silk Road
The Rain
Moon Rise Over the Silk Road
Night Silence Desert
Without You

ASIN: B000000E4I
Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

The Saga Of The Rising Sun
Come With Me
You Are My Moon
Safar/Journey

Amazon.com

The word ghazal means a type of Persian (Iranian) poetry and also describes an old style of romantic ballad often sung in India. The classical music traditions of Iran and India both feature complex scales and rhythms that demand a lifetime of study. However, they are highly compatible with each other, and combining them allows for fresh insights and deeper pleasures. Shujaat Hussain Kahn is the son of the legendary sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan, and his own command of the multistringed instrument is a wondrous thing. He is joined by Iran's Kayhan Kalhor, a master of the kamancheh, a spiked violin with a woodsy tone, and the setar, a small lute thought to be a prototype of the sitar. The brilliant tabla drummer Swapan Chaudhuri rounds out an all-star trio. Together they make exciting, accessible, richly melodic music that will delight listeners of all tastes and backgrounds. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Lost Songs of the Silk Road.......2007-02-24

It came on time in great conditon. I have listened to it several times.

Opened my eyes again.......2003-11-09

This music openned my eyes again. After hearing part of it on Public Radio while driving on the highway, I had to stop in an Indian music store in Chicago to get it.

Seductive and mesmerizing...a welcome escape!.......1998-10-17

I found that this music grows on you with repeated listening. It ebbs and flows, and before you know it you're transported to another time and place, not readily found in today's world. The fusion of Indian and Persian influences works surprisingly well. The vocal is an enchanting complement to the two exotic instruments. Not to be missed!

Average customer rating:

Meditative reflective music
repetitious-repertoire....
Soothing to the soul...
Kayhan Kalhor/Shujaat Husain Khan masters of improvisation
Amazing

As Night Falls On The Silk Road
Ghazal
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lost Songs Of The Silk Road
The Rain
Moon Rise Over the Silk Road
Night Silence Desert
Without You

ASIN: B00000AFQ3
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

My Eyes, My Heart
Between Dawn And Dawn A New Truth
Snowy Mountains
Traces Of The Beloved

Amazon.com

This is the second release to feature the exceptional collaboration between Persian and Indian musical masters and it is every bit as good. Kayhan Kalhor is a consummate player of the kamancheh (Persian spike fiddle). In Kalhor's hands this instrument has a range of expression from gentle melancholy to fiery passion. Shujaat Hussain Khan is the masterful sitarist of this musical meeting. His pure tone and technique create watery cascades of notes, and at other times, eruptions of bright sparks of sound. Swapan Chaudhuri, tabla virtuoso, provides the rhythmic foundation and deft percussive ornamentation. The four long pieces on this title are rich treasure troves of classical technique and dazzling improvisation. The marvelous interplay between the bowed kamancheh, the plucked sitar, the struck tabla, and the warm vocals, exemplify not only the meeting of the remarkable minds of the musicians, but also the joining of two rich musical traditions finding harmonious common ground. --Jeff Grubb

Customer Reviews:

Meditative reflective music.......2007-03-27

I got this disc on the recomendation and result of reading some of the reviews here, most notably by "peperflower." As a result I was very satisfied and play this disc whenever I need that break from reality to ease into another state of mind;it always works. The colloboration of Persian and Indian music that is meditative is an experience that should be experienced by all world music lovers. The peaceful harmonies are foreign but familiar. If you read the names of the songs you get the picture. The improvisation by the musicians and mesmerizing vocals is perfect music for reflection. The tablas and sitar couple beautifully with the kamancheh(spike fiddle) to create an ancient sound that is timeless. This music takes you on a journey; on a soujourn of the soul and it's inner workings. Somehow peace comes through all the surrounding chaos of our existence when you listen to your heartbeat and the music of Kayhan Kalhor & Shujarat Husain Khan. This is a masterpiece of improvisation that rivlaies the greatest jazz and blues musicians of the western world. Listen to this disc and find your peace. Peace be with you.

repetitious-repertoire...........2005-08-18

I found Ghazal's live recording -The Rain- to be a mesmerizing fusion of Persian music with Indian Raga(5-stars). But I have been disappointed with other recordings that I have sought out,for the simple reason that I find Ghazal's repertoire to be surprisingly limited.This disc for example has only the 3rd track that is "new",the other 3 tracks are variations of what is on the live recording. Same melodic lines with fresh improvised structures.Sure,this is a fine recording with outstanding musicianship and thus will serve to treat the first time listener with a delightful experience. however, Iam sad to say that one only needs to own any one of their recordings and that is all. It is a repetitious-repertoire...on disc,however,this music really lives on the stage,it is a living-tradition that perhaps was never meant to be "recorded".

Soothing to the soul..........2005-07-26

Ghazal keeps a beautiful flow of music floating around your mind.

Kayhan Kalhor/Shujaat Husain Khan masters of improvisation.......2004-09-23

I have got many CDs of Persian music but I consider this one the most beatiful among them.
The sound experience of the players and the mastery of instruments show through the whole album but it's in "Traces of the Beloved" (4th track) that you can find confirmation of that.
If I were in everyone of you fans of persian music, I'd buy this CD with no hesitation at all. It lasts almost 75 minutes and you enjoy every moment.
You can clearly notice how well Kalhor and Husain Khan play their improvisations with one mind and one heart. There are moments in which one player leaves way to the other and viceversa.
Tip: the first time you listen to this CD, don't be envolved in other mansions. Just list to the music and let your mind fly hand in hand with the setar of Sujaat Husain Khan.

Amazing.......2003-02-20

This is one of the most fantastic, relaxing, dreamy CD's you will ever own...I plan on buying the other 2 as soon as possible.
I have a wide range of musical favorites, from Godflesh to old school punk to The Chemical Brothers...Ghazal seems to speak to me for some reason. You can put this CD in and just float through the whole set mesmerized. I have no other way to describe it.
awesome

Average customer rating:

Wonderful music...
Passion, Energy, Fire
Not as good as the first two and repetitious
Building on previous recordings....

Moon Rise Over the Silk Road
Ghazal
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lost Songs Of The Silk Road
As Night Falls On The Silk Road
The Rain
Night Silence Desert
Without You

ASIN: B00004786A
Release Date: 2000-02-22

Tracks:

Fire In My Heart
Pari Mahal
Listen To The Nay

Amazon.com

This is the third collaboration between Kayhan Kalhor, the Iranian kamancheh (a vertical, four-string fiddle) player, and Shujaat Husain Khan, a sitar virtuoso. Kalhor in particular has made great inroads in Europe and America, bringing the music of Iran to listeners who would never have known about it, in no small part because of Ghazal. The idea behind this duo's work is to bring together two rather disparate classical traditions, Persian and Hindustani. The results are mixed. The casual listener will find this music interesting and approachable. Those who appreciate complex improvisation will find the talents of these two artists irresistible. Those who are well versed in either Persian or Indian music, however, may find that the improvisations wander a bit too much, having solid roots in neither tradition. Many may find Kalhor's solo recording, Scattering Stars Like Dust, to be far more satisfying. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful music..........2005-07-26

with a beautiful soul. I do massage and have had so many people comment on how wonderful this music is to relax with.

Passion, Energy, Fire.......2002-07-31

The first track basically sets the tone of the whole CD:
fast improvisations between sitar and kamancheh, with the tabla rhythmically following their pace ... like a conversation between two long lost friends/lovers who meet after 20 - 25 years have passed: there are emotional highs, lows, and everything in between. It is exactly like two passionate, emotional people talking. I give the artists credit for stretching into new venues ... just because the listener can't always follow, doesn't mean it isn't good: just try interrupting two people who have an emotional bond and lots of history together, you can't get a word in edgewise & if you try, they'd shut you up because you're just not tuned in, not on their plane.

Ghazal demonstrates integrity in redefining improvisation by melding two cultures: Indian and Persia. This is a very fine CD. However, like the previous reviewers: I dropped one star *only* because I expected one solid meditative, mysterious melody that I could call blissful. There is nothing wrong with passion, fire and energy but I *would* appreciate *MORE* relaxation, meditation, and peace ... produce this & I'll buy the next one, too. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Not as good as the first two and repetitious.......2000-06-10

I found the third CD of Ghazal to be repetitious, as though they had said everything they had to say in the first two albums. Undoubtedly the musicianship is excellent but in terms of compositions and creativity, it was much less exciting and very "deja vu". Too bad! I had expected such wonderful musicians to expand beyond and not to just adhere to a formula that had worked before.

Building on previous recordings...........2000-03-28

Ghazal's third album "Moon Rise Over the Silk Road" is an extremely strong recording that has some extremely bright spots and memorable moments.

Swapan Chaudhuri's explosive entrance into "Fire In My Heart" is unforgettable and shows why he is one of the world's most sought-after tabla players. Sitarist Shujaat Khan and kemencheh player Kayhan Kalhor continue to tighten up their "great experiment" (by that I mean the fusing of two distinct musical traditions.) They pull it off 99% of the time and have created an emotional, passionate, and beautiful album. At times it seems a little rushed or forced perhaps, but this album is superior to virtually every fusion record on the market. I still prefer Ghazal's "As Night Falls on the Silk Road" album, it is tight and never meanders.

That's not to say that this isn't a fine recording though and worthwhile of your hard-earned cash. The short instrumental "Pari Mahal" sees the group expanding its parameters a little bit by bringing in some auxillary percussion and its quite a nice addition.

Also the group brings in additional help on "Besh'no az Nay." Chaudhuri is replaced by the young tabla titan Sandeep Das who's playing can be likened to a machine-gun in concert! Also present on this track is Kayhor's longtime accompanist Pejman Hadadi, who is an incredible tombak player. I know I've spent a lot of time talking about the accompanists, but its because they play a major role on this recording. Kalhor's kemencheh is just as beautiful (and capable of evoking tears of both joy and sadness) as it ever was, and Khan's lilting sitar is still capable of lulling the listener into a better mood.

The music is accessible, but not trite (a good combination.) Like the Amazon.com reviewer, I also highly recommend Kalhor's solo album "Scattering Stars Like Dust," and many of Shujaat Khan's solo albums are worth looking into as well (especially the one with 6 tracks that's self-titled and released on India Archive Music.)

Overall this is a highly enjoyable record, and if you enjoyed their first two this one will provide more great hours of listening. While I don't think its quite as strong as the previous release, Khan & Kalhor must be praised for not sitting on their laurels, but by expanding their already potent and full sound.

The Art of the Santoor from Iran: The Road to Esfahan
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The Art of the Santoor from Iran: The Road to Esfahan
Hossein Farjami
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Art of the Santoor from Iran

ASIN: B00005NVZS
Release Date: 2001-09-25

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Vastgah Shur
Nagmeh Bayat-e Tork
Nagmeh Esfahan
Vastgah Homayan

Music Inspired by Middle Earth featuring David Arkenstone

Average customer rating:

Wonderful.......
~~~GOOD MUSIC TO BREATH IN & WANDER AWAY~~
music of midle earth
Enchanting
We love it!

Music Inspired by Middle Earth featuring David Arkenstone
Middle Earth Orchestra , and David Arkenstone
Manufacturer: Neo Pacific
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Atlantis: A Symphonic Journey
Spirit of Ireland
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Spirit of Tibet: A Musical Odyssey

ASIN: B00005R5LV
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Tracks:

Prelude: Hobbits From The Shire
The Road To Rivendel L
The Quest
Moria
Lothlorien
Galadriel's Mirror
The Riders Of Rohan
The Palantir
Arwen And Aragorn
To Isengard
In The Land Of Shadow
The Field Of Cormallen
The Grey Havens

Amazon.com

It's very hip to refer to Tolkien, given the success of Lord of the Rings on celluloid. But to be fair to David Arkenstone, he's always been inspired by the master fantasy author, so the release of this album just happens to be timely. A collaboration between composer-multi-instrumentalists David and Diane Arkenstone, the disc features many of David's trademarks as it incorporates influences as diverse as Aaron Copland, international sounds, and progressive rock. With both orchestral and ethnic instruments at their disposal, the composers and their Middle Earth Orchestra journey from grand symphonic peaks to delicate valleys, including the grand fanfare of "Field of Cormallen," the mysterious and ethereal atmosphere of "Palantir," and the lively, Renaissance-flavored dance of "Road to Rivendell." While this ode to Middle Earth is nothing groundbreaking within Arkenstone's extensive catalog, it's still an amiable, engaging album that will appeal to longtime listeners and intrigue many fantasy fans. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful..............2007-04-17

You will be transported
so open your heart, your soul
and let yourself go.

~~~GOOD MUSIC TO BREATH IN & WANDER AWAY~~.......2007-01-07

When Music Makes me take a deep breath and sit back I know I have found some music to wander in my mind with. Music must create an image in my mind to keep me interested, allow me to escape on the notes and fly above everyday hum-drum. I can dance in a field of wildflowers and in the next moment soar high above mountians and feel one with all that is. This is the Music to do this with...

music of midle earth.......2006-12-07

This is the best Middle Earth Music I have ever heard. Better than Howard Shore. There is nothing like it. You really feel you are in Middle earth. Especially in "The Quest". You feel like you are actually wandering through wilderland.

Enchanting.......2006-03-22

Sometimes it takes a while for Arkenstone's music to catch with me but when it does, I can't get it out of my head. One of his many great efforts.

We love it!.......2006-02-25

Middle Earth CD is wonderful. We like the music better than the original Lord of the Rings movie music! And its not just me, my 11 year old twin daughters love to listen to it all the time. He created the music so well that you can just imagine yourself in Middle Earth.

Average customer rating:

Middle of the Road indeed
Chirpy Bubblegum!

Best of
Middle of the Road
Manufacturer: Bmg/RCA Camden
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Singles
Singles
The Very Best of the Rubettes
Icky Thump

ASIN: B000067CIJ
Release Date: 2002-06-10

Tracks:

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep
Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum
Samson And Delilah
Soley Soley
Love Sweet Love
I Cant Tell The Bottom From The Top
The Talk Of The USA
To Remind Me
On This Land
Queen Bee
Yellow River
Sacramento
Louise (My Little Ship)
Rainin N Painin
Give It Time
Try A Little Understanding

Album Description

2002 compilation for 70's AM pop act best-known for 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep' (included here). Additional tracks include, 'Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum', 'Samson & Delilah', 'Soley Soley', 'Love Sweet Love', 'I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top', 'The Talk Of The U.S.A.', 'To Remind Me', 'On This Land', 'Queen Bee', 'Yellow River', 'Sacramento', 'Louise (My Little Ship)', 'Rainin' 'N' Painin'', 'Give It Time' & 'Try A Little Understanding'.

Customer Reviews:

Middle of the Road indeed.......2006-06-23

US Top 40 lovers might vaguely remember "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" a hit in Hawaii and some parts of Western states,a bigger hit worldwide. Middle of the Road was inbetween girl group pop and basic late 60's early 70's reminicent of so- called "Bubble Gum" , but more like the England studio bands with Tony Burrows heading groups like White Plains (My Baby Loves Love) Edison Lighthouse (Love Grow where My Rosemary Goes) First Class (Beach Baby) Pipkins (Gimme Dat Ding) but with a female lead singer mostly.
Middle of the Road could be considered a fore-runner of ABBA. The
beat is there, the harmonies ring ring, the production has the blast at the end.

In the end, though,this is for only those who like a period of 70's rock, who lived, loved through it, and want to keep it alive!!!

Chirpy Bubblegum!.......2003-04-02

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep was a hit for a certain Lally Stott the year before, but it took Middle Midle Of The Road to take it to number one in middle 1971. This charming collection of early 1970s bubblegum pop also contains their other hits Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum, Samson & Delilah and Soley Soley, plus cover versions of familiar 60s hits like Yellow River, Sacramento and I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top. There's a tremulous quality in the female voice in songs like Chirpy and Tweedle Dee that reminds me of Stevie Nicks on some of her solo stuff. I think they were a Scottish band and I remember seeing them live in South Africa way back. As pop music goes, this isn't bad at all. Nothing cerebral, but these catchy songs still pack a punch and if you're prone to nostalgia, this will serve as a pleasant time machine trip back to your childhood.

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Invisible Things
Zino & Tommy
Manufacturer: LoveCat Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Travels With My Amp

ASIN: B000198EBW
Release Date: 2003-09-15

Tracks:

The New Funk
Montgomery Mojo
Gangstacat
Funky Omelette
Crazy Strings
Gangstadog
Invisible Things
Rock Ain't Dead (It's Just Sleeping)
King Of The Road
Party
Super Boy
Kids with Amps
High School
She
R U On The Net?
Feel The Trance On Me
The Hot Season
Wannabe
This Order
Liquid Trance
Good Girls House
Mars Is Calling
The Chase
On Her Own
The Day I'll See You Again
All I Can Say
No Miracles Today
Shalala
Miami
Eli
Sexy
Suck It

Album Description

34 tracks of World fusion, trance, rock & beatbox from Israel's hottest musical duo. These songs have been heard in the hit TV shows The Sopranos, Sex And The City, Third Watch, Malcolm in the Middle, Felicity, M.D.'s, The Real World, and more.

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Nur Das Beste
Middle of the Road
Manufacturer: BMG/RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

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Bubblegum | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

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Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001ELY7I
Release Date: 2004-03-15

Tracks:

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep
Sacramento
Yellow River
Kailakee Kailakoo
Talk Of All The U.S.A.
Bonjour Ca Va
Yellow Boomerang
Samson & Delilah
Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum
Rockin' Soul
Honey No
Bottoms Up
Everybody Loves A Winner
Love Sweet Love
Samba D'amour
Soley Soley

Average customer rating:

Professional Artist

Meditations Along the Silk Road
Marilynn Seits
Manufacturer: CMR Moongate Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

China | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005MK4Z
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Tracks:

The Caravan At Dawn
Visions Of Jade
A Garden In Kashgar
Viridian Mist
The Caravan At Dusk
Along The Silk Road

Customer Reviews:

Professional Artist.......2002-01-10

I had the delight of receiveing this CD along with others for my review in Planet Lightworker Magazine and found it absolutely delightful. Intricate piano melodies weave a spell that is as nice to simply listen to as it is to use for body work, Reiki, Massage, or Yoga.
Definately a professional artist, Ms. Seits has put a lot of work and love into these pieces, and it shows. Bravo!