narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Isheeta Chakrvarty / Naina Taras Gaye Language & genre: Hindi/ UP dialect, love song Label: Self-released  Rating: **** In 2020, vocalist Isheeta Chakrvarty had collaborated with Anhad + Tanner on the song 'Naina', from their album In Other Words . The singer now recreates the song as 'Naina Taras Gaye', with a fresh arrangement and extra verse, shooting the video as a live recording. The song uses the thumri format with contemporary instrumentation comprising Ria Modak's guitar, Harmeet Manseta's keyboards and Ishan Jadwani's drums. The subject is longing and desire, with Isheeta and Ginny Dewan writing the fresh words. The main lines are, "Naina taras gaye morey, piya ki suratiya dikhe na". Isheeta's voice complements the melody beautifully, and the subtle arrangements are just right to bring out the song's emotion. Tanuj Manchanda/ Ishq Soch Ke Language & genre: Punjabi, sad romantic song Label: Self-releas...

  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  John Mayer/ Solo, Live in Mumbai Genre : Pop-rock/ singer-songwriter  Presented by : BookMyShow Live  Details : Mahalaxmi Race Course, February 11 Rating : Jenny *****/ Jiggy *** On February 12, still nursing their feet after the endless walk at the Mahalaxmi Race Course the previous evening, Jenny and Jiggy got into their next argument. Both had contrasting views on the John Mayer concert, and their interaction could make for some interesting battle studies. Let's hear them. Jenny : Wooow, what a show!! John Mayer is so good-looking. Have never seen anyone hold a guitar like that. And his voice !!! Ooohh!! Mwahhh!!! Jiggy : Are you crazy? I've seen all those rave reviews you and your friends have splashed all over Facebook. What rubbish. I'm not saying he was bad or anything. Actually, he was fabulous as a musician. No doubt about that. But I've seen far better shows. Roger Waters. Scorpions. Sting. Michael Jackson. Jenny : You're just showin...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Lucky Ali/ Tu Jaane Hai Kahan Language & genre: Hindi, love song Label; Tips Originals Rating: *** 1/2 It's been over 29 years since Lucky Ali released his hit album Sunoh . Even today, he comes up with good melodies, as is evident on his new release 'Tu Jaane Hai Kahan'. Mike McLeary and Suraj Gulvady compose the music, which has catchy guitar and flute parts. It's a simple tune, and lyricist Kausar Munir does a fantastic job on the lines, "Darta hai dil mera, paas aane se tere, darta hai dil door jaane se; Karta hai dil mera, reh jaaoon sang tere, darta hai dil chhoot jaane se". Samten Bhutia's video, featuring Lucky with Breshna Hamid, Nikita Chandak and Dinushan S, has some smart outdoor videos, of the sea, hills and desert. The whole look complements Lucky's persona perfectly. A.R. Rahman & A.R. Ameen/ Bheegi Bheegi  Language & genre: Hindi, love song Label: Rooh Records/ Warner Music  Rating: ** 1/2 First, there wa...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Billy Kilson Trio/ Live in Mumbai Genre: Jazz Details: Tata Theatre, January 31 Rating: ***** In his formal half-jacket, enjoying his chewing gum, eyes wandering into distant space, Billy Kilson looked straight out of a Christopher Nolan film. He sat behind his drum-kit like a king, moving from gentle feather-touch flourishes to sudden energetic tom-tom bursts within the blink of an eyelid. And he had like-minded company. Pianist Geoffrey Keezer and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet completed the Billy Kilson Trio, bringing their own brand of genius and virtuosity to the table. While it wouldn't be fair to compare this show with other great jazz performances Mumbai has witnessed over the past year or two, Saturday night's gig at the Tata Theatre stood out for its sheer artistry and soul.  The great music was accompanied by nostalgia too, as Kilson recalled how the great pianist Ahmed Jamal had told him 40 years ago to visit India, and yet, this was his first tour of...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Two Summ/ We Are (EP) Genre: Percussion meets electronica Label: Self-released, available on Bandcamp Rating: **** Percussionist Viveick Rajagopalan has done some very interesting experiments using the mridangam, his core instrument. In Ta Dhom Project, he has blended Carnatic rhythms and konnakol (spoken syllables) with hip-hop. And in Two Summ, he and Anantha R. Krishnan, also a mridangam player, have conceptualised tunes that blend percussion with electronica. Two Summ's new EP We Are contains six tracks that are strong on groove, blending intricate rhythm patterns with cutting edge electronic samples and different vocal styles. Joining the mridangam players is Harmeet Manseta, a keyboardist who makes deft use of the electronic work here. The title track has a strong hook, and 'Little Secret' smartly blends bols with hand percussion. 'Maya' has English lyrics and 'Magnolia' with its soothing melodies and konnakol interlude is reminis...

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Linkin Park/ Live@Lollapalooza, Mumbai  Genre : Nu metal Presented by : BookMyShow Live Details : Mahalaxmi Race Course, January 25 Rating : **** (Pictures courtesy: Lollapalooza India Instagram page) In the end, does it even matter? The area around the Budweiser stage was left in a complete mess after the Linkin Park show at Lollapalooza, with beer cans and 'papercut' cups littered all over. Those entering the men's loo became 'numb', almost 'faint', seeing the 'overflow' caused by clogged urinals. For the 'points of authority', it doesn't even matter. The nu metal giants won hearts, after all, fulfilling the dreams and tickmarking the bucket lists of many fans who even came in from other cities. Some grew up on the Chester Bennington phase, on songs the frontman released till he committed suicide in 2017. Others knew them 'from zero' only after Emily Armstrong joined as vocalist in 2024. Most of them loved M...