Am Back & Happy Diwali!!!

It’s been quite a while, since I’ve posted. There has been lot of things happening, that for sure deserves at least half-a-dozen posts! Hope I’ll frequent this space a lot more. Until then, bye and Happy Diwali!!

My Five!!

The Hindu's Saturday edition of Metro Plus features a column called My Five. It is a personal list of the five greatest tracks in popular music. Ever since this column started to feature I had always wanted to nail down my personal my five songs. So here it goes my five…

1. Metallica
Nothing Else Matters
Singer and guitarist James Hetfield wrote it to a former girlfriend, and it is widely rumored that it meant “no matter how far” (Metallica constantly toured), he was still "so close" with the heart. It was first released in 1991 on the self-titled album Metallica. Initially the response to this song was lukewarm, as Metallica fans were treated to some heavy metal thrashing in their prior albums. But as the song grew in them, this became one of the most powerful soul-stirring rock ballads of all-time. A Metallica signature song! Many rock stations still play it frequently.

2. Pink Floyd
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Written by Roger Waters, this song was a tribute to Syd Barret, who was instrumental in the construction of the band, Pink Floyd. Since his behavior was too erratic, he was soon shown the exit doors. Lines such as “Remember when you were young, You shone like the sun” and “You were caught on the crossfire Of childhood and stardom” took a direct rig at Syd’s unpredictable behavioral pattern. ‘Shine on…’ is a nine-part composition and was first performed on their 1974 French tour. With the trademark David Gilmour’s guitar genius and Roger Waters philosophical lyrics, this song is a treat to listen.

3. Guns n Roses
November Rain
A wonderful rock ballad written by lead singer Axl Rose for their 1991 album Use Your Illusion I. One of the longest songs from GNR which runs to 8 Mins and 55 Secs and it features a sweeping synthesized string backing arrangement. Slash sizzles with the guitar riggs, and this song is listed at number 6 in the "The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos" by Guitar World. November Rain had an extended run at the top of Billboard charts during the 90’s. The music video for this song, released in 1992, quickly became the most requested video on MTV and won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography.

4. Led Zeppelin
Stairway to Heaven
"Stairway to Heaven" continues to top radio lists of the greatest rock songs. A Led Zeppelin classic number, that oozes lyrical brilliance and mind-blowing composition by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant. Recorded for band's fourth studio album, Led Zeppelin IV, it quickly reached global acclaim and very much defined the rock music of the 70’s. It was voted #3 in 2000 by VH1 on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Songs and in 2004; Rolling Stone magazine put it at #31 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

5. Nirvana
Smells Like Teen Spirit
A smash hit from the album Nevermind, this song had put Nirvana on the music map and announced the arrival of the prodigiously talented Kurt Cobain. The song begins with Cobain strumming the main riff, adding distortion when the rest of the band joins in and progresses to a pre-chorus, that is dominated by the phrase "Hello, hello, hello, how low?". Cobain yells the lyrics quite often and in the final verse Cobain screams the refrain “A Denial” repeatedly. A Nirvana special!! Rolling Stone magazine put it at #9 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Those that almost made it:
Bryan Adams - Please Forgive Me
Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean, Just Beat It
Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water
Eagles - Hotel California
Aerosmith - Dream On
Phil Collins - Another Day in Paradise
Scorpions -Winds of Change
Metallica - One, Enter Sandman, Unforgiven -2
Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb, High Hopes

'Fedex' Derailed!

History repeats itself! Bjorn Borg's dream run at the Wimbledon was halted by a left hander, but not before the Swede had won 5 successive Wimbledon crowns ( 1976-1980). Federer who had high hopes of surpassing the legendary Swede's feat, was also halted by a south-paw again in a grueling 5-set encounter.

Fans, Media and Players themselves have started drawing comparisons between the 2008 Final and the 1980 epic final between Borg and McEnroe, latter is considered to be the mother of all Wimbledon finals. But McEnroe himself confessed that final between Federer and Nadal (2008) was the best of all time. The match lasted for a marathon 4h48' testing the mental and physical toughness!

Federer looked out of sorts in the first set, came hard next set. But Nadal made a swift comeback from 1-4 down to win the second set 6-4. Nadal won 5 straight games and pocketed a handsome 2-0 set lead. Rain, ' the divine intervention' for Federer gave him a break to quickly regroup his game and concentration and immediately Fedex was on a roll and at his menacing best.

Federer staged one of the best ever comeback in a grand slam final, produced some scintillating stroke play and won the third set 7-6. Federer won points at net at will. The fourth set again headed for a tie-break, and just when everyone thought Nadal was running home with the crown, Federer displayed unbelievable tennis to save 4 championship points. To be more accurate, when Nadal was serving for the match 8-7, Federer came up with an incredible backhand winner, only to save the match! Spectators at the centre court and millions of people around the world must have had the heart in their mouth for a split second. Federer won the fourth set, again 7-6.

After an agonizing rain interruption, match resumed again and both the finalist used all possible weapons in their armory to clinch the Grand slam. In what was supposed to be most dramatic fifth set final ever, Nadal had the last laugh. Spaniard won 9-7, and he couldn't hide the emotion. If Pat Cash, was the first to start the tradition of climbing up to the Guest Box, to get a hug or two from family and friends, Nadal( if I am right )was the first to climb up to the Royal Box! Glorious moments, Nadal would cherish for the rest of his life.

On a personal note, I would rate this final on par with 1980 final between Borg and McEnroe, 1990 final between Becker and Edberg and of course the 2001 final between Ivanesivic and Rafter. Incidentally all the six players, are serve & volleyer's , which is a rare breed these days!

This year, has not been a smooth sail for Federer! But adversity brings the best out of champions. Federer has found a new and perhaps his first adversary in Grass!

Happy Birthday Raja!!

On June2,1943 a musical marvel called Daniel Rasayya graced upon this earth only to rule the hearts of hundreds of thousands, with his mellifluous music. Saluting the legend of Ilaiyaraja and wishing him a Happy Birthday!!!

Raja, Vazhga pallandu..pala kodi noorandu...