It's been a long time coming. I look back at my previous post, and wonder what led me to procrastinate so much. I have to admit that while the thought of writing a few words has crossed my mind a couple of times in the past year and a half, I just couldn't bring myself to put fingers to keyboard for this purpose. And what strikes me most is that I spent all of 2011 without writing anything.
Anyhow, my world has changed quite drastically since I last posted on this blog. I've graduated. I got a job. I've even completed a year at my job. Each of these statements in themselves warrant separate and detailed posts, with me going on at length (read:boring) while making poor attempts at some dry wit, with a dash of introspection and nostalgia thrown in.
But what finally provided that metaphorical kick to my butt and propelled me to write this post has to be that I completed a year at my job. Having a little free time at work (a mighty rare thing, i may add!) prior to that great anniversary led me to collect my thoughts and reflect at what I believed the past year meant to me. Not getting into specifics, but two highlights for me, personally, would be the people I have interacted with, and the music that I have heard. Somehow, looking back, I could clearly recall instances when I encountered a specific music piece, and the people who recommended it, or who were around me when I came across it. So this post is going to be about the people around me, and the music I came across. The music has been a longstanding companion of mine in my daily drives to work and back, and an occasional companion during work as well. Most of them were the kinds that I really started obsessing for a sizable duration of time. In a way, this post shall end up being an indirect tribute to the people I've met who have, in their own special ways, helped me evolve my music tastes, and have contributed to my evolution in a broad sense:
Here they are:
Anyhow, my world has changed quite drastically since I last posted on this blog. I've graduated. I got a job. I've even completed a year at my job. Each of these statements in themselves warrant separate and detailed posts, with me going on at length (read:boring) while making poor attempts at some dry wit, with a dash of introspection and nostalgia thrown in.
But what finally provided that metaphorical kick to my butt and propelled me to write this post has to be that I completed a year at my job. Having a little free time at work (a mighty rare thing, i may add!) prior to that great anniversary led me to collect my thoughts and reflect at what I believed the past year meant to me. Not getting into specifics, but two highlights for me, personally, would be the people I have interacted with, and the music that I have heard. Somehow, looking back, I could clearly recall instances when I encountered a specific music piece, and the people who recommended it, or who were around me when I came across it. So this post is going to be about the people around me, and the music I came across. The music has been a longstanding companion of mine in my daily drives to work and back, and an occasional companion during work as well. Most of them were the kinds that I really started obsessing for a sizable duration of time. In a way, this post shall end up being an indirect tribute to the people I've met who have, in their own special ways, helped me evolve my music tastes, and have contributed to my evolution in a broad sense:
Here they are:
- Switty Switty from Delhi Belly: After categorically avoiding the entire Bhaag DK Bose craze that was sweeping everyone, especially in the hostels during the fag end of our college life, I re-discovered the brilliance that is Ram Sampath (totally love his work with Sid Achrekar on Colorblind) through the soundtrack of Delhi Belly. One year down, and I still haven't tired of its songs. Apart from being one of the songs I instantly took to from the OST, I also happened to do a small jig on it in front of Ashima during one of our early meetings. I'm sure that's what impressed her to be my friend. (Read: Heavy sarcasm). Also, as scandalized as he may feel at my mention of this, Nitish could totally pull off the sort of outfit and attitude that Imran Khan has in this video.
- Ek Hain Anar Yahan from Dulaara: A song that I had heard many times earlier, but was brought back into vogue after Ashima randomly asked me which movie was it from. The song has since found a niche place in our group, from Kavya's epic dance on the karaoke night we'd organized at Dhara's place to being a showstopper at our BKR gala night sessions.
- I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab For Cutie: An absolutely brilliant song, which was recommended to me by Dhara. The opening sequence is one masterful piece of work, with 4 minutes of instrumental music which has different musical instruments building upon a simple set of notes on the bass guitar. Fond memory of singing this song during the karaoke night.
- Roadhouse Blues (Live) ft Eddie Vedder: The Doors were inducted as members to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, featuring Eddie Vedder singing lead vocals. A rather brilliant performance, imho, and no one could have paid a better tribute to Jim Morrison than Eddie Vedder. Notice the improvisation that Robby Krieger does after the first chorus, integrating the tune of Eleanor Rigby in the guitar solo. Sukirti's devotion to Vedder has been a trigger in me going back and revisiting Pearl Jam and listening to Vedder's new album, Ukulele Songs. It took some time, but has grown on me a lot since my first listen. For now, let's just focus on Roadhouse Blues, shall we? :)
- India/Mountain Time by Joe Bonamassa: Recommended to me by Sagar as 'the best guitarist that you would've never heard of', I found his skills as a guitarist to be quite extraordinary. Having heard two of his albums, Live from nowhere in particular and Dust Bowl, he complements his skills as a guitarist with his voice fairly well. I personally find his music to be quite fabulous. I found significant inspiration in his music while I was preparing for the Delhi Half Marathon last year. While jogging the distance between my house and the Chatarpur metro station, this song came up on my player, and in that one moment, I felt my steps were in perfect harmony with the song, sending a feeling of immense joy flowing through me.
- Shine On You Crazy Diamond (studio recording) by Pink Floyd: While I had heard the live version many a times in the past, I found that I hadn't heard this song. Blasphemously enough, I hadn't heard a studio version of any song from the album 'Wish You Were Here'. Sukirti played part 1of the song in his car when we were returning after watching the play, Jai & Juliet. I was extremely amused to realize that the full song, both part 1 & part 2 together make for a 26 minute piece. Reminded me of the Yes Album, Close to the Edge, which has just 3 songs on side 1, totaling some 36 minutes. But coming back, it really is an extremely intricate and complex piece, no matter how many times you'll hear it, you will find there to be a new element that you had not previously encountered.
- Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi from Phir Subah Hogi (by Mukesh & Asha Bhonsle): First heard my Chhote Dada sing it for family when he was visiting us, the song stayed with me for a long time after his departure. The movie itself is loosely based on Dostoevsky's Crime And Punishment. I totally feel Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics, especially the last stanza,"Maana ki abhi tere mere armaanon ki keemat kuch bhi nahiMitti ka bhi hai mol magar, insaanon ki keemat kuch bhi nahiInsaanon ki izzat jab jhoote sikkon main na toli jaayegiWoh subah kabhi toh aayegi...."
- Chalte Chalte from Pakeezah: I don't remember how I suddenly came across this song one fine day (perhaps it was while reading about Kaifi Azmi), but the song and the visual setting of the song had that feel that ensured I couldn't pull my eyes away. I downloaded the movie that very night, and saw it with everyone on the weekend that followed. An absolutely brilliant movie that was 14 years in the making, and has a fine performance by Madhubala. Wonderful lyrics by Kaifi, a mellifluous performance by Lata Mangeshkar, and fine acting by Madhubala and Kamal Kapoor.
- Greatest Hits by Queen: I shall make an exception here, and include the entire album as a must listen for music aficionados. For me, after watching Google's tribute to Freddie Mercury, it was tugging at my insides that for the greatness of Queen & Freddie Mercury, and the place they occupy in British music, I had just heard a handful of their songs (We will rock you, We are the champions and Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and I want to break free). I started out with listening to their performances at Live Aid and at Wembley in 1985 and 1986 respectively, followed by the Greatest Hits album. I was definitely not disappointed by what I heard. Bicycle Race, Don't Stop Me Now, Play The Game, Friends Will Be Friends, Radio Ga Ga, Fat Bottomed Girls, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, You're My Best Friend and many many others are definitely great songs, and the live concerts are bursting with a certain energy that is virtually unmatched.
- Akhiyan Udeek Diyan by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: The greatness of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is unmatched by all means, and this song in my opinion just exemplifies that fact. I would have to admit that in spite of being a Punjabi, there is very little that I understood of the song in the first go (just the main lines of the chorus), and thanks to various translations, I can now at least understand a sizable portion of the song (the lyrics seem to vary depending on the version you're listening to). You can identify a young Rahat Fateh Ali Khan joining in between to make for a very interesting jugalbandi. This song was stuck in my head for well over a week, and my waking hours were spent mouthing its lyrics. A lovely song, with one of my favorite lines being,"Rawan tak tak thakh gayi aan mein,kaleyan reh reh ak gayi aan mein,ek ek pal dil gin ke guzaar daaaja pardesiya vasta ye pyaar daaaja tenu akhiyan udeek diyanTranslation:
I have grown tired of looking at the many trails,
I have grown weary staying alone,
I count every single heartbeat I spend,
Come O’ foreign one, I plead for the sake of Love.
At last come! My eyes long for you, O’ Beloved, My eyes long for you.There are many more, but I shall stop now given the lack of time, and to give my non-existent readership some time to ruminate on these.
Happy listening y'all!Peace.
