The base is totally removed. I really do not understand why the base must be removed with all this technology available. These engineers must really hate base. I cannot live without base. Base is my life.
I've been playing steel guitar for 30 years, and I was never aware of this cultural phenomenon in India! The playing is different from western steel guitar in that it's mostly single note lines instead of chords. This music is very well produced and well played. You get the feeling that there is intense competition for every musician's chair in these sessions - every player, every part is in tune and in time.
This CD is a cultural awakening for me, much as Bob Stone's "Sacred Steel" field recordings of the 90s. I hope that more Indian steel music will hit the international market soon.
I had only recently discovered many of the artists featured here not to mention the fact that steel guitar, played Indian style by Indian artists, even existed. Exist it does and is presented in a unique and amazing way on this compilation. My favorites are Van Shiply and Sunil Ganguly, but all are significant and great in their own way.