Nostalgia ---music blog

                                     You like continental food ? Maybe you don't . Its bland . I love it . You like action movies . Maybe you don't . Its too violent . Ahem I love it too (better than being violent :) )  . But whether you love or hate English music I suggest you listen to the golden oldies of the 60s western music . Though you are a classical Hindustani fan or a heavy metal fan I assure you you will enjoy it ..

Today was listening to Cliff Richards songs and the band "Cascades" songs . Having used to lyrics which are hard to understand and tempo which makes a speeding train to shame many pop songs and rock songs are fast .But here there was a series of songs slower in tempo , with clear lyrics and many of them straight from the heart . Listening to the golden oldies of the decade makes me even wonder if the culture of the period is reflected in the songs . 

Though i have just started sampling them a few of interest :

Summer Wine by Nancy Sinatra :Daughter of Frank Sinatra a legend in music his daughter has carried on with his music genes and her song Summer wine is awesome .

All alone am I : by Brenda Lee .. Called Miss Dynamite this short singer could hold attention with her operatic voice .

Young ones : Sir Cliff Richards beautiful song with beautiful melody it was pictured in movie of the same name .

Sealed with a kiss : Oh really ? can you do that :)  This is a cool romantic song sung by many singers and though i like Donovans version (sung later ) this song was initially written in 60s period .

Rhythm of the Rain : by Cascades . Ex navy people joined to form a band which became world famous known as Cascades .

If you liked the originals listen to the covers sung by amateur singers in youtube . Paradoxically there are many covers from many youngsters  of these songs .Not  only because many of these songs are very melodic and easier to sing but also because many of these songs were put in audio equipment when their parents were rearing them .Some of them heard these songs like that and later started singing it when they were a little older . Isnt it beautiful when todays youngsters sing songs not from the oldies of  the 80s but of the really old period of 60s ....Nostalgia of an yesteryear when music was synonymous with romance , longing and belonging ... No wonder they say old is gold ..
                  

we are the world --usa for africa music blog

I sometimes wish you were like me . A western music fan .If you are maybe you can understand me when i say i was overwhelmed when i first heard we are the world music video yesterday . Of course partly it was because it was made for a great charitable purpose .

But mostly it was because i was seeing the music legends whom i adored since childhood sharing the same podium or studio for a great cause . Check out wikipedia for details and also the music video in youtube . I still remember the day when heard the loud music many shops away Michael jackson was playing full volume after his album was released called BAD .From next day on my home was pulsating with his music . And we are the world was nostalgic because michael jackson wrote it along with lionel Richie at the formers family home. Though the pop icon is no longer alive his music lives on.

Then there is Tina Turner in the video whose powerful voice little on lower pitch who reminded me of days in my teenage when i was dancing up and down to her hit number "whats love got to do with it " . The blind man was there the person who showed that you can be world famous if one of the senses is not working vision while the other sense is world famous : his voice . With his signature cooling glass he was there showcasing his high pitch tenor voice . Having listened to his song and sang along " I just called to say I love you " his presence was overwhelming with nostalgia for his songs.

Of course the other blind man the world famous singer legend Ray Charles was there whom i have only heard about . Then there was this curious person who was singing with a tone which reminded me of a rock guitar . His contrast with my high tenor stevie wonder pop music was obvious . He was the legend of rock Bruce springsteen and i was amazed at how i havent heard him so far though not my genre primarily . Music is indeed vast .

Then there was this beautiful woman who was jumping up and down as if her feet was on fire . Cyndie Loper, who is 61 now (the music video was made in 80s when she was in her early 30s ) was showing the typical mannerism for which rock and pop shows are famous . The positive energy on stage . Imagine yesudas jumping up and down 1 feet high with an electric guitar .

Bob Dylan the legend and a host of others were there and over the next few days i should sample each of their songs . For once it was amazing thinking about listening to that song which was born in the pop legends family home and which featured 2 blind men , people of many races , people of different voice types , different genres of music . And in addition it was interesting to note the message which was hung on the door of that recording studio " Keep your egos outside " ..Shouldnt we too do the same when we play our parts in the music of life . Philosophical ? Sorry i was a bit nostalgic and overwhelmed ..Would love to hear your comments if anyone is into western music

katharina and brenda lee :on music random musings

At six years of age the melody was the only thing i remember of the goan song . I used to hear it repeatedly in a tape recorder and at that time didnt have even a concept of where this goa was . For a small town child it was a far away land . And at that age the fast and jolly melody and the word katherina repeatedly meant only that it was a happy song about katherina . In sharp contrast was another song about Mommy (that word is universal for mother )which through its slower tempo and choice of chords progressions and tone evoked even in a six year old boy that its a sad song about someones mother .

Years passed . These days i go through not only melody but the lyrics and even music videos , the biography of the singer and the history of the song etc . I am surprised that when you analyse the music from latin american music to old western music not only the moods conveyed are the same but even the themes are similar in lyrics across the globe . Frankly i was surprised since the general concept of "western " is fast music with no head and tail of the lyrics .

Frank sinatra songs Strangers in the night is a description of two people who goes on from being strangers to being a couple forever . His another song My way shows the confidence as well as sweet arrogance of living life on ones own terms . Reading the biography of Frank sinatra adds an extra dimension to these songs which also reflected his offline persona ..

Another singer of yore was Brenda lee who at 4 feet 9 inches was an amazing singer . Her song "All alone am I "shows in all melody as well as lyrics the feelings of a woman just out of love . And her Rockin around a christmas tree shows how the lyrics and the human voice can work wonders celebrating a universal festival . The guitar like slur in that song vocals is too good .

Without going further back in western music lets go down to south america the land of latin music . Recently when i tried google translate of my favorite latin american bachata music solo por en beso . I wasnt surprised to find the obvious . Its description of a kiss and love . The tempo and mood makes it obvious . But what i couldnt fathom was the mention of "religion " even there . I was surprised to find the ever dividing religiosity even in latin america which is predominantly a catholic country unlike ours with numerous religions and castes . Again i understood the themes are similar across the globe .It is even mentioned as an impediment of love even in a latin american romantic song .

I had sleepless night in the bus listening to the lambada song in college bus excursion .For a fan of pop music that was first time i was listening latin music . I saw the music video years later and saw only the mini skirts and gyrating hips . But recently i realised the message is racial harmony in the music video . The hips are still gyrating so for the moralistic please dont see the video.

Still dont know what katherina did in the original goan song but go west or southwest across the globe music is enchanting and messages are the same .

And i would say music is better than any of contemporary religion .. It enchants , unites and gives harmonious messages .. Heal the world .. Make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race... Michael Jackson .. Heal the world ..

Freddie mercury , mitsubishi evo and malavika .....music

It all makes sense now ... I am sure most of you know Freddie Mercury one of the greatest singers in western music . But i was often puzzled why Bohemian rhapsody became so famous of all his songs . Even for music lovers that particular song oscillates between pop/rock , opera and other music genres . Recently on my musical journey analysing music i read freddie mercury had one of the highest "vocal range " in music . He could go from a deep baritone ( wikipedia ) to a high tenor or even beyond . And in addition to his flamboyant stage persona this particular song he was showing the flamboyance of his enormous musical range which cannot be achieved by most singers .

Though i love music somehow i was not a great fan of music competitions on Tv . But recently i stopped with open mouth seeing a contestant in the finals of a music program . It was not the voice alone . But the enormous versatality of her voice which could do all the rapid progressions of classical carnatic music in that competition amazed me . The enormous control of her voice taking rapid turns in tempo , octave as well as "sangathi " made me feel as if i am seeing a high end sports car taking rapid turns in full speed without losing control .

Being the scientific analyst as always i am amazed at how using just the 7 basic notes music could be made . Just like the 4 bases of DNA making all the complicated DNA this itself is amazing . Equally amazing is each instrument of music with its own unique character yet joined in the basics . And how the deeply melancholic note of the violin holds its stead against the guitar . On close inspection however it remains that the "melancholic " violin is the background for most of malayalam movies , even hollywood movies and most songs . And if you felt the guitar is inferior guitar was unique in that it could do most genres from jazz to rock to classical with ease not to mention its ease to accompany vocals .

Each instrument is great by itself ,but even now though its no match for the volume of an electric guitar or a synthesizer or the octave range of a grand piano there is one instrument which is richer , used in ALL genres and till this moment cannot be synthesized in same quality ... its the human voice ... Just as most of music is amazing this fact also is amazing ..

And lastly as per my earlier blog of 101 things to do before you die list .. Make learning a musical instrument one of them if u r at least faintly interested .. You wont regret it .. And if you can sing learn vocals ....

Music some random thoughts

Mizhiyoram nananjozhukum ........ Manjil virinja poove parayoo nee elam poove .... It was a friday evening of our tenth standard class . Pindrop silence ..Though a "disciplined school :) " and the class was filled with "disciplined " boys meking them listen to a malayalam song that too the emotional kind was not easy task .. And i not being the great singer it was not the voice . But i still remember it was the deep haunting melody and the "feel " of the song accurately reproduced and sung unaccompanied by any instrument .

Music has that power . It conveys what words or even non verbal cues cannot . And inspite of all the Raagas ,octaves , chords , etc is based on just 7 base units . Yes from the most seemingly random noise (for non western music lovers ) of heavy rock music to the carnatic and hindustani music music has a rhythm of its own . Learning it you feel once again like a child making baby steps into a world of its own .

Coming to another random thought it reminds me of the great movie Sankarabharanam in malayalam . In it there is a scene in which loud playing western music youngsters challenge a seemingly "oldie " classical music master . Soon they were baffled at the way he sings the tunes of the western song easily . As a child when i watched that movie in theatre i realised the superiority of classical music with its superb voice control but as a teenager and adult i gradually became a western music fan . But now learning music once again i am realising that scene meant not superiority or inferiority but all music is one in the basics .

Hotel california is one of the greatest songs and nowadays i am struggling hard to master it . Having heard or thought guitar is "easy " i went online and saw the video of it and read the history of the song . Then i realised it took one and half years to produce this song and the 4 or 5 guitars including a double guitar with 12 strings showed that there is nothing "easy " in music . Its a vast ocean and learning humility and practising is the only way to navigate this enchanting sea .

And lastly a random thought about my erstwhile neighbour . Neighbour in the sense that he lived 2 kms from my home but more than 100 years past . He was a great king . But more importantly unlike other kings who appreciated music he appreciated and wrote music .. His name was Swathi thirunal the Maharaja of travancore . I read about him recently and his contribution to music was exemplary as was his contribution to his kingdom including a great legal system and university college trivandrum .

Enough random thoughts ... From Don Henley (Eagles,,,, Hotel California ) to Swathi Thirunal Maharaja music has no colour , no division . Isn't music one more reason to celebrate the unity of mankind across countries and continents ........

From sa ri ga ma to hotel california .......music learning

She was crying ... As a 10 year old i was confused whats the matter for crying .. Of course it was a beginning class of my classical harmonium and we had given her the customary betel leaf as dakshina . An ancient indian practice of respecting the guru and she was overwhelmed when we had given her the dakshina .

For me it was my first proper music lessons and mornings i was enthusiastic to go to her class where she taught me sa re ga ma along with harmonium . The divine atmosphere as well as the music kept me away from the fatal attraction . Since our all boys school didnt have music classes i went for the music classes to the nearby girls school at alleppey with special permission .

When i was in trivandrum this music study stopped except for the one day one hour music session as part of school curriculum . That was interesting not only because we could sing in that class but he used to tell us movie stories . Maybe the lack of time i used to look longingly at the guitar and drums kept in the music class .

Years passed and then i joined for guitar classes . I learnt the basic notation and nursery rhymes under that guru . But to tell frankly i stopped learning because of mosquito bite . Maybe my lack of commitment or the number and intensity of mosquito bites i quit after 2 months .

Years passed and i got a new guitar master . This time he was very good . Learnt the basics of classical music in guitar western style . When i think of him i could think not only for his great classes with full commitment but also of his punctuality . For an owl like me to wake up at 5 am was a problem . But he was so strict that he wanted me at his door exactly at 6 am . Not 5 minutes late or even 5 minutes early . Tried both :) He is no more now and i still remember him when i play the notations on guitar .

Years passed again actually a decade . Hearing the wail of the electric guitar in my favourite songs be it bohemian rhapsody by queen or hotel california by eagles never thought once again i will start learning the guitar .

As they say .... right time has come once again for my left hand to feel the sweet pain of the guitar strings and right hand strumming away ...This time an awesome teacher who is as inspiring as the previous but who belongs to the pop and soft rock genre .. He was a performer during his younger days with these very same songs ... So once again started learning ....

You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave .. (hotel california ) feeling excited and humbled at the same time learning music

sundaree .... song review .. malayalam movie shalini ente koottukaari

I am like you in being a lover of melodies . Especially the melodies of 70s , 80s and 90s malayalam cinema . But haunting melodies are fewer and the song sundaree ( meaning beautiful girl ) from the movie shalini ente koottukari is one such . The song is really melodious sung by yesudas . But what is haunting is the actress in the movie shobha . Though the new generation is not familiar with her (i think) she was one of the youngest award winning actresses and was also called urvashi shobha having received urvashi award at national level . She was only 16 at that time and within a span of around two years did many great roles . And just like actor jayan who came and went in a short span of time she too like a glow worm had a very short lifespan . Is it why the song sequence is haunting because she is shown in it ?

Coming back to the song .. though the lyrics are simple(calling the beautiful one )and the song picturisation is simple ( a song sung in a college event minus the tree running sequence ) .. it symbolises an era of malayali beauty when beauty was romanticised starting with the hair .The lyrics exemplify it and with the great musical score goes really well . Malayali mankas are famous for their long hair and sundareee .. nin thumbu kettiyitta churul mudiyil thulasee kathirila choodi ... as the opening line summarises both the end tied long hair of the malayali woman and the holy thulasi leaf put in it which symbolises both romance , beauty and holiness .Shoba with the dusky complexion and of course long hair symbolises the malayali beauty of an era where romance was probably different .

Maybe the song is haunting cos the theme of the film deals with three intense affections( the plot is in wikipedia ). One between brother and sister , another between shalini (played by actress shobha ) and her friend ,and also between shalini and her lover is picturised . Intense human relationships was the theme of all the great films of the 80s called the golden age of malayalam movies and this movie was no exception . And to top it all when i was a child Venu nagavally was one of the first persons i met when i visited trivandrum as a child .who is a main character in the movie ..

So as one of the ending lines in the song ... ozhugi ozhugi njaan ariyathe ( i flowed even without my knowledge ) for reasons unexplained this song remains one of my favorites .. See the song sequence with picturisation in youtube .. sundaree(song name ) .. shalini ente koottukari (movie name ) ...

paradoxes of love songs

Yeh zindagi usi ki hai Jo kisi ka ho gaya pyaar hi me kho gaya Yeh zindagi usi ki hai

Who has sang this beautiful song from Anarkali ? She has sang for almost all the actresses of hindi film and is called the nightingale of india . She is none other than Lata Mangeshkar one of the or rather the most melodious of indian singers immortalised by her love songs . As anyone in art knows to sing soul renderingly you have to give soul to the music while singing . There is no paradox in Lata Mangeshkar singing love songs for past 70+ years except that she is single .

Now how did i pick it up . Those who follow my blogs know that im voyeuristic when one category is involved : famous people . I read their biographies online . Now before speculations and further analysis lets stop our black and white thinking of single life and go to another famous person .

Dil saa jab saathi paya Bechaini bhi woh saath le aaya" (When I found someone like my heart He also brought sorrow with him)

Known for her poetry as above but much more known for her acting she is also a paradox . Meena Kumari , the actress , who portrayed great roles of love in movies but who had an equally tragic married life . She died of liver cirrhosis brought on by heavy drinking after a tumultous married life . A happily single woman she married Kamal Amrohi and the marriage was unhappy and ended in divorce and her premature death due to heavy drinking .

No no i am not a cynic taking out and presenting the paradoxes in personal life of some celebrities . But seeing updates of my childhood beautiful woman in television Suchitra Krishnamoorthy , the blog of the pretty girl Heera Rajagopal (film Nirnayam ), and countless others i cannot but briefly wonder about the paradoxes of love .

And the real life narrations of the happily single , unhappily single , happily married and unhappily married among my small but wide circle of friends ( they do talk to me on a deeper level ) i wont say philosophically that love is an enigma . When marriages of long duration break up and some join the "single " world (seeing these days ) then too i wont say love is an enigma . I only say hold onto the love you have and cherish it and try to find it if you dont have it this moment ..