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Karnataka - In Concert
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 The one thing that I have learned quickly about viewing and reviewing DVD’s is that it’s a long process. Usually you get a few hours of music plus varied and assorted extras for your consumption. In other words, you get a lot for your money.
I had never heard of Karnataka before I received this DVD. I am glad that I have been introduced!
The central point of the group is the lovely enchantress Rachel Jones. Their core force is emanated through her dreamy vocals. She sings with a warmness that seems to fit the musical atmospheres created by her supporting cast very well. With her warbling World-Celtic inflections, she is very similar in sound to that of The Cranberries lead vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. It’s very distinct and genuine, and consequently hard not to notice. This is one of the main reasons why it’s easy to separate them from other progressive groups.
Their sound is a faraway mellow melodious one with jolts of piercing guitar lines by Paul Davies. Davies isn’t your typical energetic and animated guitar slinger, he is very serious and stoic on stage, yet he manages a grin now and then. His attentiveness pays off, allowing his guitar playing to remain superb at all times. I also noticed the versatility of bass player Ian Jones, who picks up the acoustic guitar at several points during the performance and does a nice job of strumming out a backbeat for the layers of keyboards courtesy of Jonathan Edwards. The drumming is also quite exceptional. Gavin Griffiths needs to receive plenty of accolades for his efforts as I am sure it is difficult to keep a nice pace for the ever changing colors and textures of the music. In a nutshell…this is very pleasant and enjoyable music.
This DVD gives a nice overview of the group’s work since their inception in 1996. The venue of this recording is the Mean Fiddler in London. I am assuming that it is a quaint and relatively small place to attend a live performance. I say that because of the crowd’s subdued and appreciative response to their performance that evening. Or it could be the nature of the music that creates this energy. Whatever magic it is, it worked on me just fine.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck |
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