Bellamy Brothers was an uncles favourite, so I grew up listening to their country music at grandmas house. Love Don Williams too.
S&G is Simon & Garfunkel, who Im sure most people would have listened to.
Scorpions & Dire Straits hit it big in the early 80's. Attended the Scorpions Live in Bangalore couple of years ago and thought they are in their 50's now. They still rock.
Strauss is Johann, I just love his waltzes, the only Western Classical Musician I actually enjoy for easy listening, not contemplation.
Carpenters is one of mummys favourites which I grew to like because I listened to them so often because of her.
And who has not heard of "The King"... Elvis himself, he still fills the news with people reporting sightings of him almost daily in the US : )
Shania Twain sings in a rock influenced country kind of way. She's become one of my sisters favourites too because of me.
Allanis Morisette is the only artist I listen to for the lyrics. She comes from this position of rebellion from a rigid catholic upbringing which I kind of identified with when she was singing those kind of songs. She's changed a bit now and her themes are different but I still follow her.
A friend of mine, once told me "I loved the Beatles (still do!), both for their trendseting, unconventional, break all rules type of music and also for the richness of their lyrics. The best anti-cleric (Roman Catholic, that is) lyrics I have heard to date are from the song 'Eleanor Rigby', about the love of a spinster for a priest that could not be actualised because of the 'law of celibacy' which that particular priest chose to adhere to. That is why, you have got me interested in this Allanis Morisette. Perhaps
not the music, although I'll keep an open mind about that, but the
rebellious lyrics! Been a rebel myself from age 14, and have not yet retired! You're right about J. Strauss. No one wrote better waltzes. If you like marches, try John Philip Sousa."
Except for maybe Usher, I don’t listen to any of the new music makers on the scene. I refuse to call them artists because they arent creative enough. Very repetitive music and themes in all their compositions.
Its so difficult to get particular artistes in India. For eg they only sell "Jagged Little Pill" of alanis in India.
I just cant find a "Luther Van Dross" CD. He has sung an amazing song called "Dance with my father again", shortly before he had his stroke. Thankfully he is on the road to recovery. I found him by chance, because one of the actresses in "boston public" sang this song in one of the episodes and I went online to find the lyrics. It’s a very touching song. And that’s how I discovered Luther.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shiv Kumar Shankar in Concert
After Teejan Bai's performance I was treated to my second most subliminal experience in life. (The first being, a one-on-one meeting with Mother Theresa) An absolutely fantastic performance by Padma Vibushan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Shankar on the Santoor
He was invited, as a finale to the 3 day Taramati Festival at Taramati Baradari to perform a unique presentation "Peace & Joy" He was joined by his son, Rahul Sharma on the Santoor, Taufiq Qureshi on Western Drums, Ustaad Shafaat Ahmed on the Tabla and Selva Ganesh on Kanjeera (kind of damru)
They were just back from Meghalaya and on their way to Nairobi for another concert.
At the risk of sounding like my 16yr old sister, Rahul is "Soooooooooooo Cute................" (She reserves this compliment for Australian Cricketers, tho)
He too, plays the Santoor. Although, while Panditji is focussing on concerts, Rahul is focussing on Music Albums. He is all set to release his next album "Jannat" - the first musical album to document the culture & traditions of strife torn Jammu & Kashmir. After this he plans to work on "Maya - the illusion." He has also recently scored music for Tanuja Chandra's English Film "Hope & a Little Sugar"
The seating was open air in an amphitheatre style, with the historic Taramati Baradari as the backdrop on which a play of lights continued throughout the evening. This centuries old monument is where Taramati used to dance for the Golconda king. Legend has it that, the acoustics were such that he could hear her sing from here, when he was seated at the top of the fort. And on Fridays, after Namaaz, she would sing and dance her way to the Fort.
It was in this magical setting, that Pandit Shiv Kumar and his troupe kept the audience enthralled. He started playing around 10PM and by this time only the real music lovers were left, the page 3 varieties had departed after getting their photos clicked by the reporters. For an hour and a half, we were mesmerised & hypnotised by the music. Some parts were solos, some were percussion combinations, a jugalbandi and an amusing range of instruments simulated by Taufiq Qureshi. So much variety in continuity. Words cannot describe the music. It needs to be heard and experienced by each person individually. To listen to such music, in such surroundings, is as close to paradise as it gets on earth. For an hour and a half, I was in Jannat.
He was invited, as a finale to the 3 day Taramati Festival at Taramati Baradari to perform a unique presentation "Peace & Joy" He was joined by his son, Rahul Sharma on the Santoor, Taufiq Qureshi on Western Drums, Ustaad Shafaat Ahmed on the Tabla and Selva Ganesh on Kanjeera (kind of damru)
They were just back from Meghalaya and on their way to Nairobi for another concert.
At the risk of sounding like my 16yr old sister, Rahul is "Soooooooooooo Cute................" (She reserves this compliment for Australian Cricketers, tho)
He too, plays the Santoor. Although, while Panditji is focussing on concerts, Rahul is focussing on Music Albums. He is all set to release his next album "Jannat" - the first musical album to document the culture & traditions of strife torn Jammu & Kashmir. After this he plans to work on "Maya - the illusion." He has also recently scored music for Tanuja Chandra's English Film "Hope & a Little Sugar"
The seating was open air in an amphitheatre style, with the historic Taramati Baradari as the backdrop on which a play of lights continued throughout the evening. This centuries old monument is where Taramati used to dance for the Golconda king. Legend has it that, the acoustics were such that he could hear her sing from here, when he was seated at the top of the fort. And on Fridays, after Namaaz, she would sing and dance her way to the Fort.
It was in this magical setting, that Pandit Shiv Kumar and his troupe kept the audience enthralled. He started playing around 10PM and by this time only the real music lovers were left, the page 3 varieties had departed after getting their photos clicked by the reporters. For an hour and a half, we were mesmerised & hypnotised by the music. Some parts were solos, some were percussion combinations, a jugalbandi and an amusing range of instruments simulated by Taufiq Qureshi. So much variety in continuity. Words cannot describe the music. It needs to be heard and experienced by each person individually. To listen to such music, in such surroundings, is as close to paradise as it gets on earth. For an hour and a half, I was in Jannat.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Teejan Bai in Concert
Finally got to watch the Legendary Teejan Bai from Chattisgarh in action. Having heard so much about her, I was wondering if the actual performance could live upto my expectations. But it didn’t.... It surpassed them ! ! ! The Hindi that she used in her Pandwani style of story telling, was so simple that, even I could follow it. Plus she put so much enthu and action into the whole performance, that it was reminiscent of the Usha Uthup kind of energy.
She came to Hyderabad, as part of the Taramati Festival being held at Taramati Baradari by APSTDC. The setting was amazing. But more about that in my next piece.
Teejan Bai sang and acted a scene out of the Mahabharata which included the game of dice being lost by Yudishtir, Draupadi being summoned and dragged in court, a dialog between Rukmini & Krishna before Krishna comes to Draupadis rescue. Pandvani is one of the few styles, where the lead is sung by a woman. Teejan Bai is the best known name in this genre today.
If you get a chance, definitely attend a session by Teejan Bai. It’s a power packed experience.
She was followed by a Pandit Chhannulal Mishra of Benaras who sang a semi classical form of Hindustani Vocals. Unlike many performers, he didn’t have a stiff attitude about his music and had the audience in splits with some lyrical jokes and play on words. Although, I hadnt heard of him before (I dont claim to be an authority on Indian clasical music) I would love to attend an evening, where he is the solo performer. He connects with the audience at every step, which makes it a special performance to follow.
She came to Hyderabad, as part of the Taramati Festival being held at Taramati Baradari by APSTDC. The setting was amazing. But more about that in my next piece.
Teejan Bai sang and acted a scene out of the Mahabharata which included the game of dice being lost by Yudishtir, Draupadi being summoned and dragged in court, a dialog between Rukmini & Krishna before Krishna comes to Draupadis rescue. Pandvani is one of the few styles, where the lead is sung by a woman. Teejan Bai is the best known name in this genre today.
If you get a chance, definitely attend a session by Teejan Bai. It’s a power packed experience.
She was followed by a Pandit Chhannulal Mishra of Benaras who sang a semi classical form of Hindustani Vocals. Unlike many performers, he didn’t have a stiff attitude about his music and had the audience in splits with some lyrical jokes and play on words. Although, I hadnt heard of him before (I dont claim to be an authority on Indian clasical music) I would love to attend an evening, where he is the solo performer. He connects with the audience at every step, which makes it a special performance to follow.
Vote for Taj among the new 7 wonders
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SMS vote for TAJ MAHAL from INDIA:
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All you need to do is call the following number to receive your 6-digit code. The code is valid for one use only, and for one hour only from the time of your call.
Telephone line for INDIA:
please call +6753237253 * and write down the code.
(* Charge: International rates apply. "+" is the symbol for an international number. Please dial the international access code (e.g. 00, 011 etc) instead of "+". Your call will normally last about 1 minute. )
SMS vote for TAJ MAHAL from INDIA:
please send the message "TAJ" to 8888 * and your vote will be counted.
(* Charge: 2 INR to 10 INR per SMS.)
If you cannot use SMS, you can also vote via telephone and a personal code.
How to get your personal code:
If you cannot use SMS to vote, you can also vote via telephone. You need a personal code - but it's really easy!
All you need to do is call the following number to receive your 6-digit code. The code is valid for one use only, and for one hour only from the time of your call.
Telephone line for INDIA:
please call +6753237253 * and write down the code.
(* Charge: International rates apply. "+" is the symbol for an international number. Please dial the international access code (e.g. 00, 011 etc) instead of "+". Your call will normally last about 1 minute. )
Monday, December 06, 2004
How a son understands his daddy at different ages
At 4 Years My daddy is great.
At 6 Years My daddy knows everybody.
At 10 Years My daddy is good but is short tempered
At 12 Years My daddy was very nice to me when I was young
At 14 Years My daddy is getting fastidious.
At 16 Years My daddy is not in line with the current times.
At 18 Years My daddy is becoming increasingly cranky.
At 20 Years Oh! Its becoming difficult to tolerate daddy. Wonder how Mother puts up with him.
At 25 Years Daddy is objecting to everything.
At 30 Years It's becoming difficult to manage my son. I was so scared of my father when I was young.
At 40 Years Daddy brought me up with so much discipline. Even I should do the same
At 45 Years I am baffled as to how my daddy brought us up.
At 50 Years My daddy faced so many hardships to bring us up. I am unable to manage a single son.
At 55 Years My daddy was so far sighted and planned so many things for us. He is one of his kind and unique.
At 60 Years My daddy is great.
Thus, it takes 56 years to complete the cycle and come back to the 1st stage.
At 6 Years My daddy knows everybody.
At 10 Years My daddy is good but is short tempered
At 12 Years My daddy was very nice to me when I was young
At 14 Years My daddy is getting fastidious.
At 16 Years My daddy is not in line with the current times.
At 18 Years My daddy is becoming increasingly cranky.
At 20 Years Oh! Its becoming difficult to tolerate daddy. Wonder how Mother puts up with him.
At 25 Years Daddy is objecting to everything.
At 30 Years It's becoming difficult to manage my son. I was so scared of my father when I was young.
At 40 Years Daddy brought me up with so much discipline. Even I should do the same
At 45 Years I am baffled as to how my daddy brought us up.
At 50 Years My daddy faced so many hardships to bring us up. I am unable to manage a single son.
At 55 Years My daddy was so far sighted and planned so many things for us. He is one of his kind and unique.
At 60 Years My daddy is great.
Thus, it takes 56 years to complete the cycle and come back to the 1st stage.
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