Silva Screen Records digitally release The Beatles and India, the original score for the award winning documentary film. The hypnotic, lyrical soundtrack was composed by Benji Merrison and recorded at Abbey Road Studio 2 (the legendary home of The Beatles recording sessions), Budapest, Hungary and Pune, India...

The Beatles And India film is a historical chronicle of the enduring love affair between The Beatles and India that started more than half a century ago. Rare archival footage, recordings and photographs, eye-witness accounts and expert comments along with location shoots across India bring alive the fascinating journey of George, John, Paul and Ringo from their high octane celebrity lives in the West to a remote Himalayan ashram in search of spiritual bliss that inspires an unprecedented burst of creative songwriting. It is the first serious exploration of how India shaped the development of the greatest ever rock band and their own pioneering role bridging two vastly different cultures.

As you would expect, the soundtrack to the documentary uses a lot of indigenous Indian instruments to conjure up images of the region in the listener's mind. It works well, while never resorting to tired, cliched sounds.

This is a soundtrack that works incredibly well outside of the medium it was designed for. As a standalone project it's relaxing and easy to get lost in.

The score contains 21 tracks (47 min, 54 sec) and is a joy to listen to from start to finish.

8

Darren Rea