Posts

Naren's indie round-up/ Dec 2024, Ep 2

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Anup Jalota & Sumeet Tappoo/ Chaturang Label: Soulful Melody Records Rating: **** Singer Anup Jalota and his senior disciple Sumeet Tappoo celebrate their 40-year association with the album Legacy . The first track 'Chaturang' is based on a traditional composition of the Sham Chorasi gharana , set in raag Mishra Desh and passed on to Jalota by his father Purushottamdas Jalota. The video, directed by Pratham Chourasiya, features a Kathak recital by actress-dancer Prachee Shah Paandya. It is shot as a live performance, with two tabla sets, sitar and flute among other instruments. The track has been produced by Prithvi Gandharv, and has a certain reminiscence of Naushad's style. Both Jalota and Tappoo coordinate rather well, whether it is in the poetic phrases, taraana syllables or sargams . The jugalbandi is perfect. Asha Bhosle/ Saiyaan Bina Label: Apni Dhun Rating: **** At 91, Asha Bhosle continues to dazzle. Her latest video 'Saiÿaan Bina...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gig review/ Bryan Adams

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Bryan Adams/ So Happy It Hurts tour, Mumbai  Genre : Pop-rock Details : Nesco Centre, Goregaon East, December 13 Rating : **** There were the naysayers, who questioned why anyone would watch someone who's playing in India for the nth time, complaining he's well past his peak. And there were the believers, who've grown up on Bryan Adams during their teenage days in the mid-1980s, when 'Summer Of 69' first stormed the airwaves and the clubs. Friday night belonged to the latter segment, as the Canadian star took them on a two-hour nostalgia ride at the Nesco Centre in Goregaon East. They hummed along as he sang 'Somebody', 'Cloud Number Nine' and 'Heaven', rocked and swung to the faster 'Summer Of 69' and 'The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You', and went hysterical when he sang '18 Till I Die', 'Please Forgive Me' and '( Everything I Do) I Do It For You'. Bryan is now 65, but has t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Naren's indie round-up/ Dec 2024, Ep.1

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Siddhant Goenka/ Parchaiyan  Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 Singer Siddhant Goenka has been doing some good work using AI in his music videos. After creating such videos in 'Pari'; 'Farishtey' and 'Jazbaat', he is now out with 'Parchaiyan'. It's a Hindi rock song featuring him and Shreya Phukan on vocals, with Pratham Seth working on the composition. Hamza Khan's electric guitar solos are a treat, as Siddhant sings, "Lauta de meri parchaiyan". The video, scripted by Siddhant and Pratham, has its share of bikes, bar-rooms and live gigs. It goes with the mood of the song. The Siege feat. Shreyas & Nanku/ Ek Din Label: Universal/ Def Jam India Rating: *** 1/2 After getting a good to his track 'CBSC', rapper The Siege teams up with Shreyas and Nanku on 'Ek Din'. He sticks to the same producer Devonian, and the result is a smooth-moving hip-hop number. The Siege's real name is Siegen Moopanar...
Post a Comment
Read more

Naren's indie round-up/ Nov 2024, Ep 3

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR   Jaimin / 7  Sins Label: Self-released  Rating; **** With his 2022 album Cutting Loose , Kolkata-based Jaimin Rajani proved his mettle as a songwriter. His latest single '7 Sins' is an example of his wit and again, his charming way with words. "I try to help myself, but God just won't help me, oh my dreams they just won't come to me, when I'm awake", he sings, while also admitting he's been hit by all the seven sins of "pride, greed and lust, wrath, sloth, envy, gluttony". A highlight is the part by American mandolinist Patrick Fitzsimons. Guitarist and bassist Subharaj, keyboardist Arka Chakraborty, percussionist Arjun Chakraborty and classical guitar player Bibhubrata Acharjee add to the charm of this wonderful and melodic piece. Lyla feat. Mayuresh A/ Self Lou Label: Woodstock Music Box  Rating; *** Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Lyla had released her EP Bookmarks . She is now out with her new song 'Self Lou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gig review/ Quadrophonic II - 4 Pianos

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Louiz Banks & others/ Quadrophonic II - 4 Pianos Genre : Jazz  Details : Prithvi Theatre, November 18 Rating : **** For the second year in succession, the annual Prithvi Theatre Festival concluded with a jazz concert. If the theme last year revolved around vocals, it focused on the piano this time. And with four musicians playing the instrument, it was appropriate to call it 'Quadrophonic II - 4 Pianos'. The show was presented by maestro Louiz Banks and curated by drummer Gino Banks . Besides Louiz, the featured pianists and keyboardists were Rahul Wadhwani , Arka Chakraborty and Indrajit 'Tubby' Sharma . Gino and bassist Sheldon D'Silva formed the rhythm section. "There's so much talent in Indian jazz," Louiz told this blogger in a brief informal conversation after the show. That was pretty much evident through the 90-minute set. What was noteworthy was the with one exception, all were original compositions. After compere Ed...
Post a Comment
Read more

Naren's indie round-up/ Nov 2024, Ep 2

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Divyam Sodhi & Khwaab/ Baalam  Label: first.wav Rating: **** After releasing the fantastic 'Piya' earlier this year, singer Divyam Sodhi and producer/ co-composer Khwaab are now out with 'Baalam', a song about love and separation. The song has a semi-classical feel and Divyam has good control over the nuances. The back-up vocals by Kavya Singh and Suhavi Kalsi complement his singing wonderfully. The lyrics, by Aaghaz, use metaphors like, "Bikhre bikhrè gesu mere, aankh se kajra dhul gaya, ab na bole paayal meri". Gorkey Patkal's video keeps it simple, showing Preeti Panigrahi and Divyam in alternate shots. Both song and video have been beautifully done.  Five YearsFromNow/ Kya Hua Label: Robach Rating: *** 1/2 Hyderabad trio Five YearsFromNow blend ambient textures and a drum n' bass influence their new track 'Kya Hua'. The group consists of singer and lyricist Kai Gurung, producer Sumanth Krishna Battu and drummer Shan ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Naren's indie round-up/ Nov 2024, Ep 1

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Gideon/ Everything Unfolds  Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 On his song 'Everything Unfolds', singer-songwriter Gideon sings, "Our love was like a summer breeze, but now it's just a distant memory; You're the one who filled my heart, but now you're left, I'm torn apart". Get the drift? Though the emotion has been expressed millions of times before, there's a certain freshness in Gideon's rendition that makes it likeable. The gentle piano and the backing vocals at the end go with Gideon's expressive style. The song is from the Audacity album. Jojin John's video alternates the singer's close-ups with shots of a couple. The grayish look adds to the nostalgia. Justin-Uday Duo feat. Aditi Paul/ Tu Jahan Label: Judo Music & Films  Rating: *** Singer Aditi Paul appears on composer team Justin-Uday Duo's latest single 'Tu.Jahan'. The song takes a couple of listens to settle in, but has a trendy sty...
Post a Comment
Read more