Coke Studio

By far the best music I have heard this year. I must thank Srini for introducing me to Coke Studio. It's got some of the best music in the 'sufi/fusion' genre of music. Which is not for everyone, but if you are open to experimenting, please give some of these songs a listen. The most awesome thing about it is that the songs are all free for download officially. So that sorts out access issues.

Here are a few songs I recommend:

Paimona by Zeb and Haniya. I absolutely fell in love with this song the moment I heard it. If you're extra enthu then check out the meaning of the song here.

In a year when even Rahman hasn't delivered his best, I am glad I discovered Coke Studio, although I can't imagine it took me 3 seasons of the show before I got to it. But I've more than made up for it by checking out all the songs. Some other recos:

Aik Alif - 3 vocalists on this track and each one gives a stunning performance.
Alif Allah - Very nice track with awesome pacing.
Saari Raat - The song is awesome and one for repeated listening. I love the way the song takes off suddenly in the middle.

Washing Powder Nirma and Amazing Talent

If you are my friend on Facebook or have me on your GTALK list then I've probably already told you about this video by now. But this video is so hatke, I think it needs a mention on my blog too. This is some dude, with a guitar and a pretty kick ass voice, singing his version of the 'Nirma' jingle which we have all heard while growing up in the 90's and even now the ad plays almost the same jingle.

The part I like about this video is how, one can use talent and awesome creativity to totally turnaround a simple jingle into a freaking awesome short song. The guy puts in his soul into a friggin' jingle! It's one of the best videos I've seen this year, just for it's random awesomeness effect.

I initially thought it was funny, but then I heard it again and then again and well, whoever you are dude [from the video], hats off! Awesome voice and brilliant creativity.

If you haven't seen the video, here is the link for it.

Nadia - Lesser Know but Awesome Song

I just stumbled onto this song while going through my bro's iPod. Freaking brilliant, if you like to experiment with fusion once in a while. Later, when I was just randomly Googling the song, I stumbled onto many versions of this song played brilliantly by Jeff Beck. Take a look at one of those versions.

The song is called "Nadia" by Nitin Sawhney and Reena Bharadwaj.

Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji - Lyrics

My first fave of the New Year, it's a song from the movie Ishqiya. I especially liked the remix version, the original is also amazing. Brilliant track from the amazing combination of Gulzar and Vishal Bharadwaj.



Aisi uljhi nazar unse hatt ti nahi
Daant se reshmi dor katt ti nahi
Umar kab ki baras ke safaid ho gayi
Kaari badari jawani ki chatt ti nahi
Walla ye dhadkan bhadne lagi hai
Chehre ki rangat udne lagi hai
Darr lagta hai tanha sone mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kaccha hai ji
Haan dil to baccha hai ji
Aisi ulji nazar unse hatt ti nahi
Daant se reshmi dor katt ti nahi
Umar kab ki baras ke safaid ho gayi
Kaari badari jawani ki chatt ti nahi
Ra ra ra ..

Kisko ptaa tha pehlu mein rakha
Dil aisa baaji bhi hoga
Hum to hamesha samajhte the koi
Hum jaisa haaji hi hoga
Hai zor karein, kitna shor karein
Bewaja baatein pe ainwe gaur karein
Dilsa koi kameena nahi
Koi to rokey, koi to tokey
Iss umar mein ab khaogey dhokhe
Darr lagta hai ishq karne mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kaccha hai ji
Haan dil to baccha hai ji


Aisi udhaasi baithi hai dil pe
Hassne se ghabra rahe hain
Saari jawani katra ke kaati
Piri mein takra gaye hain
Dil dhadakta hai to aise lagta hai woh
Aa raha hai yahin dekhta hi na woh
Prem ki maarein kataar re
Taubah ye lamhe katt te nahi kyun
Aankhein se meri hatt te nahi kyun
Darr lagta hai mujhse kehne mein ji
Dil toh bachcha hai ji
Dil toh bachcha hai ji
Thoda kaccha hai ji
Haan dil toh baccha hai ji


5/5 for this song.

QSQT song - Shocker of a rip off

In another example of shameless ripping off from lesser known western songs [i.e. lesser known in India] resulting in super hit "originals" we have this masterpiece from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak:

Return to the Alamo by The Shadows here is clearly ripped off by Anand-Milind in QSQT's super hit track Akele Hain Toh Kya Gum Hai.

November Rain Lyrics

This song is so famous and awesome that me posting the lyrics on the blog, is more out of respect for this amazing song than for informing anyone about it. In case you haven't heard it yet, please do so immediately. Here is the link.

Here are the lyrics of one of the greatest songs of all time:


When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain
We've been through this
Such a long long time
Just tryin' to kill the pain
Yeahh..
But lovers always come
And lovers always go
And no one's really sure
Who's lettin' go today
Walking away
If we could take the time
To lay it on the line
I could rest my head
Just knowin' that you were mine
All mine
So if you want to love me
Then darlin' don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain

Do you need some time
On your own
Do you need some time
All alone
Everybody needs some time
On their own
Don't you know you need some time
All alone

I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time
On my own
Sometimes I need some time
All alone
Everybody needs some time
On their own
Don't you know you need some time
All alone

And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain
I know that you can love me
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain

Don't ya think that you
Need somebody
Don't ya think that you
Need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one
You're not the only one

Don't ya think that you
Need somebody
Don't ya think that you
Need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one
You're not the only one

Don't ya think that you
Need somebody
Don't ya think that you
Need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one
You're not the only one

Don't ya think that you
Need somebody
Don't ya think that you
Need someone
Everybody needs somebody

Tera Hone Laga Hoon - Lyrics

This is my favorite track from the soundtrack of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. The lines in English aren't anything special, the Hindi lines are far more meaningful, the song is very melodious, nice job Pritam.

Music : Pritam Chakraborty
Singers : Atif Aslam,Alisha Chenoy Neeraj Shredhar
Lyricists : Irshad Kamil

Song: Tera Hone Laga Hoon

---------------------------------

Shining In The Setting Sun Like A Pearl Up On The Ocean
Come And Feel Me
Feel Me
Shining In The Setting Sun Like A Pearl Up On The Ocean
Come And Heal Me
Heal Me
Thinking Abt The Love We Make And Our Life Sharing
Come And Feel Me
HO Feal Me

Shining In The Setting Sun Like A Pearl Up On The Ocean
Come And Feel Me
Come on Heel Me

Tu Aaja Tu Bhi Mera Mera
Tera Jo Ikrarr Hua

To Kyun Na Mein Bhi
Keh Dun Keh Dun
Hua Mujhe Bhi Pyaar Hua

Tera Hone Laga Hoon
Khone Laga Hoon
Jab Se Mila Hoon

Tera Hone Laga Hoon
Khone Laga Hoon
Jab Se Mila Hoon

Shining In The Setting Sun Like A Pearl Up On The Ocean
Come And Feel Me
O Heal Me

Waise To Mann Mera
Phele Bhi Raaton Mein
Aksar Hi Chahat Ke Haan
Sapne Sanjota Tha

Phele Bhi Dhadkan Yeh
Dhun Koi Gaati Thi
Par Abb Jo Hota Hai Woh
Phele Na Hota Tha

Hua Hai Tujhe Jo Bhi Jo Bhi
Mujhe Bhi Is Paar Hua

To Kyu Na Main Bhi Keh Doon Keh Doon
Hua Mujhe Bhi Pyaar Hua

Tera Hone Laga Hoon
Khone Laga Hoon
Jab Se Mila Hoon

Tera Hone Laga Hoon
Khone Laga Hoon
Jab Se Mila Hoon

Annkhon Se Chuu Loon Ki
Bahein Tarasti Hain
Dil Ne Pukara Hai Haan
Abb Tu Chale Aao

Aao To Shabnam Ki Boodein Barasti Hain
Mausam Ishara Hai Haan
Aab To Chale Aao

Bahon Mein Dale Bahein Bahein
Bahon Ka Jaise Haar Hua
Haan Mana Mene Maana Mana
Hua Mujhe Bhi Pyaar Hua

Tera Hone Laga Hoon
Khone Laga Hoon
Jab Se Mila Hoon

Tera Hone Laga Hoon
Khone Laga Hoon
Jab Se Mila Hoon

Shining In The Setting Sun Like A Pearl Up On The Ocean
Come And Feel Me
Haan Feel Me...

Layla Lyrics - Eric Clapton

I rediscovered this song a couple of days back, by rediscover what I mean is that I had heard it a long time ago and I forgot about it. Somehow I heard it again last week and it blew me away. Eric Clapton is one of those legends whose live performances exceed even the studio versions of their songs. If you haven't heard much of Eric Clapton please go ahead and take a look at this video - Eric Clapton on stage singing Layla

Here are the lyrics of this amazing song:


What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.

Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.

Chorus

Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.

Chorus

Chorus

Bose

Ok, so I bought a BOSE headphone last week, it was delivered ahead of time and I heard some of my favorite songs on it. It is AWESOME! Honestly, it is unbelievably good. No song will sound as good on any other headphone. I recommend it to everyone who is a crazy enough music lover to spend some extra cash and buy it. True, it is costly, but if you love something you can't put a price on it. Music is one thing I love, and Bose is my medium to connect!

Covers

I'm a music lover, a lot of my spare time is spent listening to songs - old and new. This post is about two songs which I really like and their covers which are completely new takes on the originals and add to the originals.

1. All along the watchtower - This is one of the most incredibly simple songs, originally composed and sung by Bob Dylan and then covered by Jimi Hendrix. Just thinking about this is makes me envy the people living in the 60's. Imagine the quality of music back then - Jimi Hendrix covering Bob Dylan's song. Amazing!





2. Heartless -Heard this song way back in Jan or something and liked it a lot. Then recently I heard the cover by The Fray, which was a completely different take on the song, acoustic. It's on my playlist as I write this. I don't know how many people are into this type of music, but give it a shot if you have the time.

Music in the Cab

If any of you guys travel by cab, i.e. a company cab I'm sure you will be able to identify with this post. The following are some masterpieces I've heard over the last 5 days:

1. O Hawa, O Hawa Khusboo Lutade [a song i hrd for the 1st time in this milennium :D ]
2. Hai Rama Yeh Kya Hua kyu aise hamein sataney lage
3. The return of Himesh [right from ooooo oooo ooooo Aashiq banaya to Jhooth Nahin Bolna]

It keeps getting better and better :D
Gets you all stirred up for work!

Hemant Kumar's Best

This is a post I've wanted to write since quite sometime, finally found the time to do it. There are few singers of the old days who are still relevant today. Those who still are, like Kishore Kumar, Rafi, Mukesh, Manna De were immensely popular in their times. However, the depth in voice which Hemant Kumar possessed could not be matched by anyone back then or now. Hemant Kumar is probably not as famous as any of the above listed names today, because he didn't do as much work in the Hindi Music Industry as the rest of them. But the two songs which I love of his far surpass those which any of the other legends have sung. The one thing which all the legends had in their songs was more focus on vocals than instruments, that's changed today [there's nothing wrong with it], but it's just that if you go to a live concert of any of the current day singers, you can be surprised by the dip in quality over the studio versions of their songs.

If you haven't heard these 2 songs, please give them a listen immediately:


Tum Pukar Lo from the movie Khamoshi -

Hm hm hm hm
Hm hm hm, hm hm hm

Tum pukar lo, tumhara intezaar hai, tum pukar lo
Khwaab chun rahi hai raat beqarar hai
Tumhara intezaar hai, tum pukar lo

(Honth pe liye hue dil ki baat ham
Jaagte rahenge aur kitni raat ham) -2
Muqtasar si baat hai tum se pyaar hai
Tumhara intezaar hai, tum pukar lo

(Dil bahal to jaayega is khayal se
Haal mil gaya tumhara apne haal se) -2
Raat ye qaraar ki beqarar hai
Tumhara intezaar hai

--------------------------------------------------------------------
The above song I had heard when I was just about 6 years old, that was a time when DD was still a relevant channel on TV. They were showing this brilliant movie called Khamoshi which was a trendsetter in terms of a storyline involving a mental patient and a lady doctor who get romantically involved. If the brilliance of the movie itself wasn't enough, there was this amazing song which just blew me away in terms of lyrics and music which touches your heart. And even at that age I knew I'd continue to love this song for years to come.

__________________________________________________________

Jaane Woh Kaise Log The Jinke Pyar Ko Pyar Mila from the movie Pyaasa

Jaane Woh Kaise Log The Jinke Pyar Ko Pyar Mila

Humne To Jab Kaliyaan Maangi Kaaton Ka Haar Mila

Bichhad Gayaa Har Saathi Dekar Pal Do Pal Ka Saath
Kisko Phursat Hai Jo Thaame Deewane Ka Haath
Humko Apna Saaya Tak Aqsar Bezaar Mila
Humne To Jab...

Isko Hi Jeena Kehte Hain To Yunhi Ji Lenge
Uf Na Karenge Lab See Lenge Aansoo Pee Lenge
Gham Se Ab Ghabraana Kaisa Gham Sau Baar Mila
Humne To Jab...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

This song from Guru Dutt's masterpiece Pyaasa is a classic. I love it far more than the other classic in this movie "Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai".

I salute this brilliant singer and music composer.

Bhor Bhayi and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

I'm not exactly an expert on Indian classical music, sadly, I'm quite the opposite. But this song from Delhi 6, called Bhor Bhayi reminded me of an amazing classical number called Laga Chunari Mein Daag. I heard that song a year ago and it totally blew me away, insanely awesome.
I somehow haven't had the time to hear classical music, but what little I have heard has made me promise myself that I'll definitely take out time in the future to hear a lot more of it.

Meanwhile check out the song I mentioned above, the last half of the song is mind blowing. I don't know how many of you will actually like it, but I love this track. Manna Dey, I salute thee.
Once again I salute A R Rahman for using such an old and forgotten track in Delhi 6, I also noticed how even Shreya Ghoshal struggles at a few notes in the song to match Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

Anyways, just thought of posting this to remind me in the future to come good on my promise; lest I forget.

Nayan Tarse Lyrics

My favorite new song of 2009, love the lyrics as well. Nayan Tarse from the album Dev D.


Nayan Tarse
Nayan Tarse
Daras Na Mile
Nayan Tarse

..

Nayan Tarse
Nayan Tarse
Dono Se Bahe Dhaar
Nayan Tarse

..

Haare Ye
Path Nihar
Nayan Tarse .. Tarse .. Tarse Re …..

..

Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye
Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye
Biraha Mein Chal Chal, Pal Woh Gaye Badal
Swaha Swaha Hey Hey Hey Hey

..

Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye
Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye
Sunahre Yeh Din, Kaali Raat Mein Gaye Dhal
Raama Raama Raama Raama Re

..

Saawan Barse .. Saawan Barse
Tapish Ki Phuhaar
Sawaan Barse

..

Saawan Barse .. Saawan Barse
Chubhan De Hazaar
Sawaan Barse

..

Gaali Si Lage Malhaar
Sawaan Barse Barse Barse Re
..

Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye Hey
Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye Hey
Biraha Mein Chal Chal, Pal Woh Gaye Badal
Swaha Swaha Hey Hey Hey Hey

..

Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye
Bisar Gaye .. Bisar Gaye
Sunahre Yeh Din, Kaali Raat Mein Gaye Dhal
Raama Raama Raama Raama Re


-
Lyrics : Amitabh Bhattacharya
Vocals : Amit Trivedi
Music : Amit Trivedi

Dev D Music Review

This has been by far the most "Indian" album I've heard in a long time. Amit Trivedi, take a bow! There are a few new gen music directors in India who seem to have forgotten that this is still a country where people speak and listen to Hindi and not NRI-style Hindi [a la Vishal Dadlani and co with songs like "thumka lagai ke she'll rock your world, my desi girl!"].
Those songs are fine till they become all that is being played everyday, but then every once in a while one needs to hear something Indian, and apart from A R Rehman who can compose awesome music, there was no other option.
Enter, Dev D. The feel of the album is amazing. The lyrics are really good, some songs are crazy [Emosanal Attyachaar], some songs are hummable [Paayaliya] and some songs are great [Nayan Tarse].

One can only hope that Amit Trivedi gets more albums to compose and does as good a job, if not better.

4 stars out of 5 for Dev D's music. It makes for great repetitive hearing.

PS - One hopes that Anurag Kashyap can come up with a nice movie, the music is spot on!

Slumdog Millionaire Music Review

Ok, I've now heard the entire soundtrack and even without having seen the movie I can tell you that it'll be fantastic for the movie as a background score. I wont waste time writing a review on all the songs, I'll just write about the must-hear songs.

1. Oh Sayaa - Sung by A R Rehman and M.I.A. this one is a totally different track which will tell you how different this soundtrack is going to be as compared to Rehman's other work.

2. Mausam & Escape - Brilliant! Simply an amazing instrumental composition, which is a breath of fresh air in the world of congested sounds that we live in. With this track Rehman proves that he can actually develop music rather than just direct.

3. Paper Planes - By M.I.A. this one is an international smash hit single which Rehman has used in the album. A really nice song.

4. Paper Planes (DFA Mix) - A rehash of the previous song, gets a little more of a club feel to it.

5. Latika's Theme - Melody on display, that's what this soft instrumental is all about.

6. Jai Ho - Sukhwinder gives this album the first track which could have been on a normal Hindi film soundtrack.


A R Rehman will obviously sweep all the Indian awards this year... Jodhaa Akbar, Jaany Tu Ya Jaane Naa, Yuvvraaj and Ghajini were by far the best soundtracks this year. All four were chart topping albums and it's a sad thing that no other composition by any other music director comes even close to giving Rehman any competition in India. He's rightly been called The Mozart of India. He's been nominated for a Golden Globe and I hope he gets an Oscar nomination as well. Winning either of these would be a great thing. I really feel if any current Indian musician deserves a Grammy, it is A R Rehman. The guy is a genius!

Death Magnetic

I had been waiting for this since 2006, and now after 2 long years of anticipation I finally listened to every song of Metallica's latest album. It's seriously good. The best track is The Unforgiven III. Way better than
St. Anger [which was a horror to listen to] and certainly one of the better albums this year. Get your hands on this album quick and hear every track.


# Title Length
1. "That Was Just Your Life" 7:07
2. "The End of the Line" 7:51
3. "Broken, Beat & Scarred" 6:25
4. "The Day That Never Comes" 7:55
5. "All Nightmare Long" 7:57
6. "Cyanide" 6:39
7. "The Unforgiven III" 7:45
8. "The Judas Kiss" 8:00
9. "Suicide & Redemption" 9:56
10. "My Apocalypse" 5:00




Death Magnetic debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 490,000 copies in just three days of availability. It is the band's fifth album to
debut at number one, making Metallica the first group with the most albums to open at number one, surpassing The Beatles, U2, and The Dave Matthews Band.

Other Related Links:

Rolling Stones Review

A Fan Review

Another Review

Yet Another Review

Indian Express

Avengi Ja Nahin

Rabbi's masterclass continues with this exceptionally soulful album, which infuses soulful music with power through great vocals and guitar arrangements.
Its great to hear an album that's totally worth buying. The lyrics are in Punjabi, barring 2 songs. One song is in English and the other in Hindi.

Here's some praise for this album -

"I do not know those words which are even close exhilarating as this album is. Rabbi has added a new dimension to the Punjabi music which is largely known for bhangra beats and crass lyrics. Even great singers like Sukhwinder and Daler Mehendi have not been able to inspire as differently. I liked all songs especially Bilquis, AJN, and Challa. Music and lyrics of ‘Bilquis’ are really noteworthy. I think there should be a video made out of it to remind people of martyrs like Manjunath and Navleen Kumar. Its not hard to imagine that this can stir up media and ordinary people to take the cause of these long forgotten cases. I can simply sum up by saying that Rabbi’s music is not only contemporary and awesome but has soul and purpose beyond making money."

"I’m particularly impressed that Rabbi has taken on some political causes, including a very angry Hindi-language song about communalism, called “Bilquis”…

Also named in the song are Satyendra Dubey, a highway inspector who was killed after he tried to fight corruption, and Shanmughan Manjunath, killed in much the same way.

With songs like this, I see Rabbi as doing for Indian music what singers like Bruce Springsteen and Woody Guthrie have done in the U.S. — documenting injustice, and telling the story of a society as they see it. It’s vital, and necessary."

Album Description : Album: Avengi Ja Nahin
Singer: Rabbi Shergill
Label: Yash Raj Music
Lyrics: Rabbi Shergill
Music: Rabbi Shergill
Track Listing:

01 Chhalla
02 Karachi Valie
03 Maen Bolia
04 Avengi Ja Nahin
05 Ballo
06 Tu Avin Bandra
07 Pagri Sambhal Jatta
08 Bilqis (Jinhe Naaz Hai)
09 Return To Unity

Here's a bit of a mini review from my side.

Special mention for the following songs -
Challa,Karachi Valie, Ballo [brilliant], Bilquis, Return To Unity.

Return To Unity is an English song, it's amazing. All the songs of the album are quality products. Avengi Ja Nahin as an album has a chance to get a Grammy nomination at least if it's given the correct promotion.

Bilquis has mind blowing lyrics, it's in Hindi. The musical arrangement consists of a chord arrangement from our National Anthem. It's amazing. Take a bow Rabbi Shergill.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa, TRDDC, Wanted, Rabbi Shergill... Rock On!

It's been a break since I last blogged, i've read another 100 pages of Atlas Shrugged [got to finish another 300]. One thing about really fat books like Shantaram and Atlas Shrugged; since it takes one a long time to read in the middle of a busy schedule, one falls into a sense of security; one that says, no matter what there's at least that book to be read. No matter if you've seen and finished another season of House MD, or seen Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa twice, or that there's still some time to go before Sachin wields his Bat on the Ground, or that there's still time for Heath Ledger's final performance, or that companies keep coming and one keeps finding a new excuse for skipping it coz actually you're just not interested in what it does, or that the world is moving faster everyday, some people are surging ahead while others are falling behind; you still have that book to finish. It's going to be there, that next page isn't going to change until you pick up the book and start reading.
Reading, and listening to Rabbi Shergill's brand new album [Avegi Ja Nahin] which you've illegally downloaded from Bollyextreme. You promise that someday you'll buy out Rabbi Shergill's entire discography, even though his lyrics are in so pure a form of Punjabi that you can hardly decipher a sentence, but the music so soulful that it doesn't matter.
A break in reading leads to a premiere of Wanted on the PC. The movie is good but you wish the bootleggers and movie pirates did a better job so that you'd get some quality returns for your investment of 7 download hours.
Then you enter the real world and head for TRDDC and are glad that you got a Project of your choice. Life becomes even better when one discovers a shortcut road which makes the distance to TRDDC less than half of what it is if one follows that normal route.
Then you get back and realize, oh fuck "Rock On"'s music must have released, and then after you hear it you wonder how the movie would be coz the music is seriously awesome.
Then you get back to reading more of Atlas Shrugged with Rabbi's music in the background, how many more of such classic books are thus far unread by me? Who is John Galt?