The Organic brew; London, pakistan, photography, travel, poetry & a general acerbic sentiment.

Moomal Rano, Fakir Juman Shah – Coke Studio

// June 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

YouTube – Moomal Rano, Fakir Juman Shah – Coke Studio.

Songs from a rainy day. Begum Akhtar – Ghazal cha rahi kali ghata, jiya mora

// June 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music, Poetry

a wonderful ghazal sung by begum akhtar in her inimitably unhurried style (i end up saying that every single time i post something by her here)- it is a source of unending wonder for me how her renditions managed to undulate so naturally, and conclude so appropriately that the effect is never jarring.

this particular ghazal, chaa raahi kaali ghata i was reminded of when reading monsoon yearning, on indianraga. i think i prefer this particular clip (even though tragically cut short) over the one posted at indianraga though.

the lyrics are an orinthologist’s dream the dulcet koel and the papiha (whom the british somewhat unromantically christened the brainfever bird) both feature, and in the backdrop the dark, ominous clouds of the rainy season emerge, bittersweet despite the respite (you see what i did there?)  they bring, a conflict that isnt lost on the poet.

in any case ill stop my pompous rhetoric now. enjoy

Mangal din aaj by Pt Kumar Gandharva (I wonder why it is mangal that is usually feted?)

// April 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

Mangal din aaj, Banna ghar aayo
Such an Auspicious beautiful day it is, for He has come home

Aanand man-bharaa, baanwari bhayi mai to
Heart filled with happiness, I have lost my mind with Joy

Banna ra mukh dekhan sahelyo mil aayo
To see his face, I came with all my friends (women folk)

Gaavan lagi geet, baanwari bhai mai to
I started Singing this song..For my love has driven me mad

Mangal din aaj… Such an Auspicious beautiful day!

via VB

RESHMAN – AKSAR SHAB – E – TANHAI MEIN

// April 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music, Pakistan

AKSAR SHAB – E – TANHAI MEIN

via YouTube – RESHMAN ( AKSAR SHAB – E – TANHAI MEIN ).

Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mallika Pukhraj – Kab Thehray Ga Dard,Aay Dil

// April 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music, Pakistan, Poetry

waah Faiz sahab.

Iqbal Bano and Faiz and Communism – hum dekhengai

// March 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music, Pakistan, Poetry

when, in protest against the jailing of the subcontinent’s foremost left poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz by Pakistan’s dictator General Zia-ul Haq, she sang Faiz’s immortal song “Hum Dekhenge” We shall witness at a Lahore stadium full of 50,000 people, wearing a black sari in defiance of Zia’s ban on the sari. As her liquid voice reached the crescendo – declaring “Certainly we, too, shall witness that day … When these high mountains/Of tyranny and oppression turn to fluff and evaporate/And we oppressed/Beneath our feet will this earth shiver, shake and beat/And heads of rulers will be struck/With crackling lightening and thunder roars/When crowns will be flung in the air  — and thrones will be overturned …,” people joined with slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad” Long live revolution!. Hear a recording at http://www.radioreloaded.com/tracks/?11002.

Jacques brel le moribond – une vidéo Musique (et maintenant avec le traduction anglais)

// February 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

Le Moribond The Dying Man Adieu l’Émile je t’aimais bien Goodbye, Emile, you were my good friend Adieu l’Émile je t’aimais bien tu sais Goodbye, Emile, you were my good friend, you know On a chanté les mêmes vins We sang together of the same great wines On a chanté les mêmes filles We sang together of the same great women On a chanté les mêmes chagrins We sang together of our shared sorrows Adieu l’Émile je vais mourir Goodbye, Emile, I’m going to die C’est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais It’s difficult to die in the Spring, you know Mais je pars aux fleurs la paix dans l’ame But I’m going to the flowers with peace in my heart Car vu que tu es bon comme du pain blanc Because I know that you are a good man, good as white bread Je sais que tu prendras soin de ma femme You’ll take care of my wife after I’m gone (Chorus) (Chorus) Je veux qu’on rie I want everyone to laugh Je veux qu’on danse I want everyone to dance Je veux qu’on s’amuse comme des fous I want everyone to party like a bunch of fools Je veux qu’on rie I want everyone to laugh Je veux qu’on danse I want everyone to dance Quand c’est qu’on me mettra dans le trou When they come to put me in my grave Adieu Curé je t’aimais bien Goodbye, Father Priest, I liked you well enough Adieu Curé je t’aimais bien tu sais Goodbye, Father Priest, I liked you well enough, you know On n’était pas du même bord We weren’t always on the same side On n’était pas du même chemin We didn’t always take the same path Mais on cherchait le même port But we were both looking for Heaven just the same Adieu Curé je vais mourir Goodbye, Father Priest, I’m going to die C’est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know Mais je pars aux fleurs la paix dans l’ame But I’m going to the flowers with peace in my heart Car vu que tu étais son confident Because you were her Confessor Je sais que tu prendras soin de ma femme I know you’ll take care of my wife when I’m gone (Chorus) (Chorus) Adieu l’Antoine je t’aimais pas bien Goodbye, Tony, I didn’t like you too much Adieu l’Antoine je t’aimais pas bien tu sais Goodbye, Tony, I didn’t like you too much, you know J’en crève de crever aujourd’hui It’s killing me to be dying today Alors que toi tu es bien vivant While you are so vigorous and full of life Et même plus solide que l’ennui And stronger even than boredom itself Adieu l’Antoine je vais mourir Goodbye, Tony, I’m going to die C’est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know Mais je pars aux fleurs la paix dans l’ame But I’m going to the flowers with peace in my heart Car vu que tu étais son amant Because you were her Lover Je sais que tu prendras soin de ma femme I know you’ll take care of my wife when I’m gone (Chorus) (Chorus) Adieu ma femme je t’aimais bien Goodbye, my wife, I love you still Adieu ma femme je t’aimais bien tu sais Goodbye, my wife, I love you still, you know Mais je prends le train pour le Bon Dieu But I’m taking that trip to see the Good Lord today Je prends le train qui est avant le tien I’m taking the trip before you do Mais on prend tous le train qu’on peut But we all take that trip when we must Adieu ma femme je vais mourir Goodbye, my wife, I’m going to die C’est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais It’s hard to die in the Spring, you know Mais je pars aux fleurs les yeux fermés ma femme But I’m going to the flowers with my eyes closed, once more Car vu que je les ai fermés souvent And because I closed them so many times before Je sais que tu prendras soin de mon ame I know you’ll take good care of my heart (Chorus) (Chorus)

Alt Music: Guftam Ke Raushan Az Qamar? A qawwali by Amir Khusrau in farsi

// February 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music, Pakistan, Poetry, Qawwali

Guftam Ke Raushan Az Qamar Amir Khusrau Qawwali

I’m sure this wouldnt sound so cool in any other language (i can pickup the general gist of conversation, but my farsi is far from good). In any case, here is a somewhat more unusual qawwali attributed to Amir Khusro

The National – mansion on the hill. Springsteen & the national – a potent, potent combination

// February 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

So here is a song from the boss – evocative and pictorial as ever, but sung by the national who have a decidedly nice, diverse musicality to their songs, and a potent lead singer i think. i’m starting to like them.

Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around The World

// February 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

have you heard the ben e king orig?

Here is what wikipedia says:

Origin

The project started in 2004 with the organization’s self described goal to “inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music”. The creators of the project, Mark Johnson and Enzo Buono, traveled around the world to places such as New Orleans, Barcelona, South Africa, India, Nepal, the Middle East and Ireland, and, using a mobile recording studio, had local musicians perform the same song, interpreted into their own style. The project’s first single “Stand by Me”, began with a Santa Monica street performer named Roger Ridley (now deceased). They then traveled around the world and had more musicians add their versions, which were mixed together for the final version.[1] Among the artists participating, or openly involved in the project, include Vusi Mahlasela, Louis Mhlanga, Clarence Bekker, Tal Ben Ari (Tula), Bono, Keb’ Mo’, Grandpa Elliott.

Roger Ridley: vocals, acoustic guitar
Clarence Bekker: vocals
Grandpa Elliott: vocals, harmonica
Vusi Mahlasela: vocals
Sinamuva: choir vocals
Bhekani Memela: choir arrangement
Washboard Chas: washboard
Twin Eagle Drum Group: drum
Junior Kissangwa Mbouta: drums
Django “Bambolino” Degen: congas
François Viguié: pandeiro
Cesar Pope: cavaquinho
Dimitri Dolgonov: cello
Roberto Luti: National guitar
Geraldo Osal “el Poeta”: tres
Dionisio Lopez: electric bass
Pokei Klaas: upright bass
Reggie McBride: upright bass
Stefano Tomaselli: alto sax

Vampire Weekend – I think ur a Contra: who has the last laugh now?

// February 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

Sure, i’ve been listening to vampire weekend again of late – and i even like to sometimes convince myself that their lyrics make sense. newspaper reviewers have to say the vamp weekend boys have a deft touch with the pen. undoubtedly because no one can make sense to of their lyrics. oh, who am i kidding, of course they are nonsense, but hey, they sure have a deft touch with the production, nice sounds..

I had a feeling once

That you and I

Could tell each other anything

For two months

But even without hope

With truth on our side

When you turn away from me

It’s not right

I think you’re a contra
(more…)

Master Madan : the Child Prodigy (mesmerising).

// January 17th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Music

Master Madan (1927-1942), a child prodigy (not to be confused with music composer Madan Mohan), died at the young age of 14 years, sang only a few songs which are everlasting and embedded in perfection. During his lifetime he recorded only 8 songs. Of these, only two Ghazals are available publicly. These are the famous,‘Yun Naa Rah Rah Ke Hame Tarsaiye’* and, ‘Hairat Se Tak Raha Hai’*. The other six songs are very rarely found, and of great archival value. In this post I present to you, all the 8 songs ever recorded by him.

Master Madan was born on December 28, 1927, in Khanna, a village in Jalandhar district of Punjab. He sang in public for the first time when he was three and a half years old, in a rally arranged by Dharampur Sanatorium. The audience was understandably spell bound. He was given many gold medals right there and then. After that he and his elder brother toured all over India and collected many prizes from the rulers of many princely states. They sang in the famous Harvallabh Mela of Jalandhar city and later in Shimla. Reportedly, in the Shimla Sammelan, many notable singers had also come, but thousands were eager to listen to Master Madan only.

Check out the songs on offer on this page. Amazing. Amazing.

via Master Madan : the Child Prodigy « Indian Raga.

Mehdi Hassan – Dukhwa Kaiisay Kahun Mori Sajani

// January 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music, Pakistan

Found a wonderful little rendition my mehdi hassan, which i just had to post. a lot of fantastic desi music blogs somehow wither away, and i thought this little song absolutely must be preserved for posterity.

so here it is, archived, originally from the very excellent blog at : http://indianraga.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/four-droplets-of-excellence/

Mehdi Hassan kase-kahun-more-sajani

Indian Raga great desi classical music blog

// January 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Music

I found a very interesting blog: Indian Raga.

Punjabi folk music: TUFAIL NIAZI ( MAHIA WEY TEREY ) by Bulleh shah – im obsessed

// December 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music, Poetry

I have a lot to write about this, hopefully ill have the time to, soon.

YouTube - TUFAIL NIAZI ( MAHIA WEY TEREY ).

Qawwali – Ustad Bahauddin Khan (Amir Khusrau in farsi)

// December 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music, Pakistan, Poetry, Qawwali

Rozey ke zarra zarra shawad ustuqhan e man
Bashad hunooz dar dile resham hawaye to

At time when when my bones turned to dust
Your longing still permeated in my heart

I can guess at the words, but i knew more farsi to be able to really get to the bottom of this qawwali. the recording quality is pretty bad, but rendition still comes through glimmering..