A Touch of Heaven

Hariharan's most recent offering, a collection of ghazals released as an album titled 'Kaash', is truly a brilliant reflection of his vocal mastery. I came across the song "Jhoom Le" from this album during the show "In Memory", aired on NDTV : a musical tribute to the heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Listening to him sing the song live was truly enchanting. Hariharan's soft, silky voice is very soothing, and the lyrics, in particular, of each of these songs, is superlative!
Ghazal fan or not, this song, and this album as a whole, is certainly worth a listen!

Click here to listen to a Youtube video of "Jhoom Le"

ROCK ON!

To begin with, sincere apologies for the brief period of inactivity that this blog has suffered for the past 2 or 3 weeks! I've found myself addicted to an intoxicating dose of boredom and self-pity! The final few days in Trivandrum have become unbearable, and the countdown draws not only the fear of separation, but also the anticipation of freedom! The feeling is both stifling and liberating all at once! Needless to say, I've been passing through this "gunk" (guy funk) for several days now, and it's pretty much reached saturation point! The call of life to move on cannot be ignored for long.

It's been a wonderful seven years in Trivandrum, and given the choice, I probably would choose not to change any of the decisions I've made over this period, the friends I've made, and the experiences I've had! I can't stay morose for long, else I'll end up sacrificing my sanity. In my bid to reach out of the bottomless pit of depression that I've dug for myself, I've returned to my one true love.....Music! These holidays have been a torture for multiple reasons, some of which I choose not to discuss, and have ebbed away at my self-confidence! I've felt trapped, suffocated like never before, with the urge to get away deepening every day! Thankfully, respite is only a few days away, my departure from Trivandrum due in barely 3 days! I'm determined not to lead a single one of those days wallowing in self-pity! The time left behind is precious, currency which should never be under-valued. 

The track "Lambi Judaii" from the movie Jannat has grown on me steadily! It's simple vocals, and thoughtful lyrics are a big draw! Songs from the movie "Rock On" are also on my playlist at the moment, not because Farhan Akhtar's vocal skills are anything special, but because of their simplicity and upbeat nature!........I'm hooked, relying on the same fortress of solitude that has kept me safe in trying times!...May the music flow on, just as the juggernaught of life rolls on.......ROCK ON!

Rediscovering the Golden Era

Rock music has had a rich history but having been born in the 90s, the pop culture has dwarfed out the glorious past from my view for long! Musically, western music, at least in my view, seems to have stagnated, much like music around the world has undergone a transformation with the growing preference of keyboard sounds and beats or recording effects over blissful melody. True rock died seems to have died a slow and tragic death. Vocals appear to be the main thrust of new bands, yet their lead vocalists could never be spoken of as in the same league as a Steven Tyler or a Freddie Mercury.

I've been a fan of rock bands for several years, Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams being among my favourites among the 90s era artists . Post 2000, not a single band has come across as in the same league as Pink Floyd,Metallica, or my personal favourite, Aerosmith. A couple of good songs apart, they fail to rise above anything other than mediocre and forgettable. Linkin Park is perhaps the only band that has managed to produce anything that can be termed an "anthem", Numb. It's an exciting period, as I finally have the time to begin turning back the clock and listening to some true classics. Eric Clapton's "Layla", "Tears in Heaven" and "Wonderful Tonight" are truly outstanding. Immersing myself in music for the next couple of months should be an awesome experience. Though my wild and unrealistic dreams of joining a band might have faded to dust, the passion for music will always live on, perhaps long enough to see a child of mine fulfill the fantasy I had once dreamed for myself!

Music of the olden days had soul, exemplified by the standard of lyrics in the greatest hits of past generations! They were deep, heartfelt, meaningful, and easy for a listener to connect with and understand. They spoke to you on several levels, and spoke of messages that seemed more crystal clear than ever when conveyed through the magic of song. Music came first, and vocals last, and yet some of the greatest vocalists in rock history hailed from the pre-90s era. I shall share more in my posts once I've spent some more time listening to the treasure-trove of music of my pre-birth era.....until then, my recommendations on Eric Clapton are must-listens! The guitar riffs in "Layla", in particular, will blow you away. Though I don't love the vocals in the original, in which Clapton never himself sings, Eric Clapton's vocal rendition of "Layla" on an episode of MTV Unplugged is truly divine!

Rare Gem from Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam is a Pakistani singer, former lead singer of Jal, who quit following a nasty falling out with lead instrumentalist Gohar, resulting in court cases and what not, and finally leading to his foray as a solo artist. His debut album was a hit in Pakistan, but I find hardly anything worth mentioning in that album. the curse that follows him, in my eyes, is his tendency for repetition. Several of his songs sound almost identical, with relentless alaaps serving no purpose.

Though he has yet to do his talent justice in my eyes, he's produced a few rare gems that keep you hooked. "Aadat","Woh Lamhe","Tere Bin" and "Pehli Nazar Mein" are memorable, but are swamped by the ever-growing list of mediocre songs he's doled out! But there is one which caught my eye(or rather, my ears) . The song is titled "Mai Nee", and I came to know of it only after reading a review of Aatif's last album, "Meri Kahani". Besides the brilliant vocals, what endears me to the song are the lyrics. At first notice, this song failed to catch my attention, and it's no wonder that this song hasn't been played often on MTV or other channels. It's the sort of song which tends to grow on you every time you listen to it! The opening lyrics of the song go as :

"Mai nee main kinuu aakhaan?
Mai nee main kinuu aakhaan?
Dard wichhoray da haal neee
Mai nee main kinuu aakhaan?"

This piece of Sufiyana poetry roughly translates as : " O my mother, you've gone, now tell me to whom should i tell the tale of my sorrows, my troubles ! "

This song dominates my music playlists at home, and here's hoping that Aatif gives us more such delights in the future.

EUPHORIA : Simply Divine

It's rare for me to do posts such as these, but then, what would a blog be, if it did not reveal the very sources from which I draw inspiration in my daily life? The band Euphoria, is among the greatest reasons behind my love for music! Started in the 1990s, this group gave birth to the phenomenon of "Hind-Rock". The beauty of their music lies in the sheer hybrid of instruments they play. Their songs feature guitars,keyboards, tablas, sarods, harmoniums, congos, drums and a number of "desi" instruments, all blended in perfect harmony! Yet, of all the instruments, none is more dominant than the tabla, which is, arguably, my personal favourite. The lyrics are generally outstanding, and what draws me is the use of not only Hindi, but the sprinkles of Brij, Punjabi, and other dialects that add to the lyrical beauty! Their music speaks clearly of the folk background from which the band derives its own inspiration !

Lead singer, Palash Sen, is a living hero to me ! Not only is he one of the most versatile and talented vocalists I've ever heard ( whose range is truly beyond compare ) , but he's also a practising doctor ...... in essence, proving that the ultimate dream of fulfilling both your personal and professional fantasies is attainable! His voice has incredible tone, softness, and what I would describe in Hindi as "madhurta", and his range peaks at unfathomable levels ! He may have formed Euphoria with the all-too-believable motive of impressing girls during his college years, but Euphoria has travelled miles along the road to music legend ever since!

Confession : "As an 8-yr-old kid, I would dream of one day joining Euphoria, or perhaps even forming my own to follow their example, and (however childish it may appear) the dream lives on, and will most likely live on till I reach the ripe old age of 72. "

Pick of the Lot : "Mehfuz", "Maeri", "Dhoom Pichak Dhoom", "Phir Dhoom", "Soneya","Tu Bewafaa","Mantra", and "Aana Tu Meri Gully".

Sampling any one of these songs should give you the true essence of Euphoria and their music. You will not find another song that speaks of love, loss and moving on, with as much sincerity and honesty, as "Mehfuz" ! Palash Sen is my God, and EUPHORIA is my one true love, irreplaceable, and truly immaculate!