No, it’s not a bunch of audio clips from parties that got out of control. This is a batch of ambient sound from a variety of locations. The locations are places I visited where I remembered to bring along some sort of audio recorder. Early trips relied on a cassette or micro-cassette device. Lately I have used a Sony voice recorder and an Audio-Technica boundary mic.
Feel free to make use of these in any manner you like. I will add items to this page as I have a chance to sort through my collection. I have added an audio player link for each file so that you can do a quick sample before downloading.
24 April 2012 Jaipur Hotel Restaurant Nightly Performance
This is a sample of the music and dance available each evening at the restaurant at the Hotel Umaid Bhawan in Jaipur, Rajasthan. No need to travel away from the hotel to partake of some local culture.
24-Apr-12 Umaid Bhawan restaurant – Nightly 18:02
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24 April 2012 Jaipur Hotel Restaurant Intermission Riff
It’s necessary to maintain a sense of humour when you do the same performance every night. Here the group does a medley including Frère Jacques and Macarena in Rajasthani style.
24-Apr-12 Umaid Bhawan restaurant – Intermission Riff 2:23
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Govind Devji Temple Jaipur
This audio can be heard seven times daily at the unveiling of the deity. The audio includes the walk on to the temple grounds and one circumnavigation of the temple just before the curtains are drawn back – about five minutes into the recording. The audio concludes with the walk back out of the temple area, past the vendors, and into the street.
24-Apr-12 Govind Devji Temple 18:10
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19 April 1989 Tourist Bus Delhi to Agra
Road sounds until about 28:30 when the bus stopped for a tourist attraction. Road sounds are replaced with the sounds of people departing the bus and the invitation from a hawker to, “visit my shop.”
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Los Mochis Restaurant 1987
My recollection of this location is hazy and I have no notes to which I can refer. I think the sound is from a tourist restaurant in Los Mochis which was the departure city for the rail trip through Copper Canyon.
Los Mochis tourist restaurant 13-42 1987
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Los Mochis Street Sounds 1987
Same city – on the street without the band.
Los Mochis street sounds 3-56 1987
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Dogs of Dal Lake 2011
When I revisited McLeod Ganj in November 2011 (after 39 years) I stayed at the Dal Lake Resort. Very quiet for the most part. The exception was the first hours after sunset when the dogs would chat to each other across the hillside.
McLeod Ganj Dogs 16-02 06-Nov-11
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Athens Street Sounds 1985
Street sounds from outside the hotel window from a trip in February 1985.
Athens Street Noise 26-Feb-85 46-17
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Istanbul Morning Street Sounds 1989
The same trip that netted the Agra bus audio captured these sounds at the window of a hotel in Istanbul. Call to prayer is included.
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Very nice audio, Mark! These recordings conjure up some rather interesting images!