The Unbelievable Sheila Chandra...

The Real World 1999 CD reissue of Moonsung was a bit of a disappointment to me. Not because of the music mind you but the recording was poor enough to be distracting. Sibilents were too pronounced and edgy. The overall sound is mechanical and has the breaking glass sound of so many Indian issue CD's when she sings loud upper midrange notes. On a rock or similar CD this poor recording/production could be overlooked but on a work that is supposed to be ethereal and intimate it certainly puts me off my meal. I'll be looking for a better, preferably vinly, alternative. Maybe one of the other CD releases is better?

Monsoon and Sheila's subsequent efforts were the conception of the producer/write/instrumentalist Steve Coe. Monsoon launched the Indipop fad in Britian of the mid to late 80's. I believe that Monsoon is their best effort. The later solo albums on The Indipop label in the 80's are good but lack the entrancement of Monsoon.

For discography and reviews try http://www.rahul.net/hrmusic/discos/scdisc.html.

If you can find the original vinyl (Mobil 1) it is better than the first CD remaster of the original Monsoon vinyl which was pretty harsh (1985). The second CD version (1995)which includes some of the songs sung in Hindi is better. A rarity that has even better sound is a 45 rpm dance remix of Tomorrow Never Knows on Mobile Suit which was for years my wife's standard belly dance encore.

That wet stuff in your pants isn't "pee" Issabre - otherwise I agree.

Thanks guys, I'll be interested in hearing what you think Craig and Albert, I was truly blown away. She sounded great on my Vandys Craig. I wrote that email in a tizzy. That was the Real World LABLE (Peter Gabriel's outfit) sorry for the error. Best, Todd

last post should have tabla not table, duh

try her "ZEN KISS" cd 1994. off topic but indian, kinda, try ry cooder/v.m. bhatt A MEETING BY THE RIVER and in particular Ganges Delta Blues @ 9:57 of excellence, on Water Lily Acoustics WLA-CS-29-CD...guitar, mohan vina (indian slide guitar), table & dumbek

if you want to hear her and other incredible musicians that typically don't receive commercial air play go to CKUA Radio Network in Canada on the internet www.ckua.org...they are non profit and are on air currently 0600MST until 0100MST.

Ralph at Atmasphere has been a fan of her for years, even playing her music from LP as demo at CES.
I do not have Moonsung, I will make a point of looking for it. Thanks for making me think of her again.

Issabre.........it's been awhile-- looks like this is one I'll have to look up. Craig