78 rpm Records of Indian Music: G.N. Joshi

G.N. Joshi was both a singer and the main A&R man for HMV India; “Down Melody Lane,” his reminiscences of a life in music, is an excellent read.

Here are two of the Marathi geets he recorded at the beginning of his career.

His voice production is easy and clear, and he handles the melismatic passages with aplomb.

The next item is based on the popular afternoon raga Patdeep, and includes some lovely improvisation; it is a khyal performance in all but name. Joshi’s melodic imagination is captivating; the piece ends with some excellent taankari.