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

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...

Kamal Hassan - The unsung singer!

Kamal Hassan, is very well known as a multi-faceted actor, hell-bent film-maker, and an avid dancer. But few people must have adored Kamal Hassan as a singer. It might raise an eyebrow, if I were to tell you that Kamal has sung close to 75 tracks, and as it turned out be, most of the songs were runaway hits. Lot of the people though denigrate Kamal, accusing him that, he forcibly persuades music directors to have him sing at least a track in films he's casted on. But people, fail to understand Kamal is qualified enough to do the singing himself(occasionally). Why???

Kamal under the tutelage of Dr Balamurali Krishna has practiced carnatic music and Mr. Krishna was so impressed with Kamal, that he asked for 2 and a half years while Kamal continued with him, and he would make sure to get Kamal on stage with him. Kamal engrossed with movies couldn’t really afford the time! Dr. Krishna was so fond of Kamal, in the Miley Sur Mera Tumhara short film, he wanted Kamal to sit next with him on the Tanpura, but Kamal humbly declined saying it'd be unfair.

Ilaiyaraaja was the first MD to spot the singer in Kamal and gave him ample opportunities to sing all-along in their long term illustrious association. Memorable films include Aboorva Sagotharargal, MMKR, Virumaandi and the recent Mumbai Express. Kamal has also sung for other music directors which includes ARR, Karthik Raja, Bharadwaj, Vidya Sagar, Yuvan Shankar Raja…

I thought it’d only be befitting a post to come out with a compilation of my personal favorites

Kamal has sung for Ilaiyaraaja and other Music Directors…

So here it goes for the ultimate connoisseur of music!

• Vizhiyorathu Kanavum - Raja Paarvai
• Vikram...Vikram… - Vikram
• Ammammamma Vandadhingae - Per Sollum Pillai
• Potta Padiyudhu - Sathya
• Raja Kayya Vecha - Apoorva Sahodarargal
• Sundari Neeyum - Michael Madhana Kamarajan
• Kanmani Anboda - Guna
• Inchi Iduppazhaka - Thevar Magan
• Thanmanam Ulla Nenjam - Mahanadhi
• Ram Ram Salaam - Hey Ram
• Sanyaas Mantra - Hey Ram
• Unnai vida - Virumaandi
• Maada Vilakke - Virumaandi
• Ninaivo Oru Paravai - Sigappu Rojakkal
• Yaar Yaar Sivam - Anbe Sivam
• Alwarpettai Aazhuda - Vasool Raja MBBS
• Muththe Muththammah - Ullasam
• Peek Into Assasin's Life: Neruppu Vaayinil - Pudhupettai
• Kadhal piriyathu kavidhai - Pancha Thanthiram
• Injirango Injirango - Thenaali
• Kadavul Paadhi - Aalavandan

Ilaiyaraaja & Counterpoint….

Yesterday, I bumped into this word called 'Counterpoint'! I had absolutely no clue what this word meant and I started wading through innumerous websites and journals to get the hang of it... Here you go!!!

Counterpoint is often defined as the art of combining independent lines. The term derives from the Latin contrapunctum, meaning ‘against note'. When there is more than one independent melodic line happening at the same time in a piece of music, the music is said to be contrapuntal. The independent melodic lines are called counterpoint. Bach's counterpoint, often considered the most profound synthesis of the two dimensions ever achieved, is extremely rich harmonically and always clearly directed tonally, while the individual lines remain fascinating.

The Musical Saint, Mr.Ilaiyaraaja, know for his out-of-the-world novel compositions, has incorporated the counterpoint technique during his prime (Late 70's and 80's) with élan. The brilliance lies in the fact that the counterpoint technique is so native to western music and Raaja has adopted that into the musical patterns of Tamil songs nonchalantly. The way Raaja has blend the western music with east is simply riveting. Sheer Genius!!! Raaja has also experimented a two-voice counterpoint in conjunction with a third voice, amid mellifluous interludes … Also, Raaja celebrated this Bach-smitten- technique with instrumental counterpoints in his illustrious musical journey!

Here are some of the songs which has shades of the counterpoint technique, and all these years we've been listening (at least I've been listening) to them without actually understanding the technical nuances of it!!!

But do we need to really understand them to appreciate Raaja??? Well, yes… We'd appreciate him even more!

• En Kanmani Un Kadhali, Chittu Kuruvi ( 1978)
• Poonthalir Aada, Panner Pushpangal (1981)
• Kanmani Anbodu, Guna ( 1981)
• Poomalaye, Pagal Nilavu(1985)
• Vikram…Vikram, Vikram ( 1986)
• Nee Partha, Hey Ram ( 2000)

P.S: Am not an expert in music. This is just an honest attempt to exemplify, counterpoint technique and glorify the brilliance of Maestro. Please let me know if you find something incorrect!

Azhagiya Thamizh Magan(ATM) - Music Review!!!

Albeit I never follow Vijay's movie/music premiere, I was hooked on to ATM, the moment I came to know that 'Mozart of Madras' has wielded his baton for this movie. After Sivaji's runaway musical hit, ATM's music piqued lot of expectations among hoi polloi. And has Rahman lived up to the expectations? Here's a peek at what ARR had to offer in ATM…

* Ella Pugazhum (Singer : AR Rahman)

A booming intro song! Typical ARR style. Promises to invigorate a drowned spirit. Preludes and interludes sounds just perfect, Rahman notching incredible decibels with his high-pitch( at times vociferous) is a good listening experience… Will throw ‘Vijay’ fans to an irrecoverable state of hysteria. Cinema Halls are in for a big diwali bash with this opening song… And be prepared for 'once-more' requests... They are going to be aplenty of them… However, after constant repetition of this song, I couldn't help noticing the residues of ' Ararai Kodiyil' song from 'Anbe Aruyire'…

* Kelamaal Kaiyile(Singer : Sriram Parthasarathy, Saindhavi)

My pick of the album. Fresh. Pristine. Never-heard-before tune!!! The blend of Sriram-Saindhavi duo is magical. And I guess this 'Kokilam-Kokilam' pallavi, will become ubiquitous… Sure, it will top the charts.

* Maduraikki Pogadhadee( Singer : Benny, Archith, Dharshana)

As soon I was done with the first 2 songs, out of the blue I was confronted with this 'folk'ish number. And I must confess, ARR has not scored heavily with this song. I found reviews, drawing comparisons of this song with his erstwhile classics of 'Kizhakku Chemaiyile'… I could only pooh-pooh these Rahmaniacs... They want to praise him, regardless of whatever he does… Songs he composed for 'Kizhakku Chemaiyile' , 'Tajmahal' or 'Sangamam' were legendary… Beyond Comparison...And people are making a mockery, by doing such out-of-line comparisons…

* Nee Marlyn Manroe(Singer : Benny, Dayal, Ujjayinee)

This song started -off promisingly and sunk without a trace. Rahman's effort to sandwich a techno with Rap, has went in vain. Occasional Tamil lyrics interlaced with lackluster tune, makes it one forgettable song.

* Ponmagal Vandhal(Singer : MD Aslam, Ember Rap)

When Rahman first experimented with a remix ( Thottal Poo Malarum),I got despondent! Just because, this genius had lot of original music to offer, why should he resort to remix… Definitely I am not belittling people who venture out doing remixes and stuff… But what we expect out of ARR is fresh and original music... And this ain't one! The only consolation is the terrific husky-voice of Aslam...

* Valayapatti Thavile(Singer : Madhumita, Naresh Iyer, Ujjayinee)

I was hardly able to distinguish ‘Maduraikki Pogadhadee’ and 'Valayapatti Thavile' for quite some time… After repeated listening, I was comfortable… I still felt something nagging… Then I quickly realized it was very similar to 'Kummi Adi' from 'SOK'…

ATM music might be embraced with thumping hands by Vijay fans... But certainly not an album, Rahmaniacs can boast about… A complete let-down!

Maestro's Terrific Twenty!

My all-time favorite numbers strummed on Ilaiyaraja's harmonium!

• Sangathil Padaadha - Ilaiyaraaja, S.Janaki ( Auto Raja)
• Idhayam Oru Kovil - Illayaraja ( Idhaya Kovil)
• Madai Thirandhu - S.P.B (Nizhalgal)
• Vellai Pura - K.J.Yesudas ( Pudhu Kavidhai)
• Poo Maalayae - Ilaiyaraaja, S.Janaki (Pagal Nilavu)
• Pothivacha - S.P.B, S.Janaki (Man Vaasanai)

• Nethu Oruthara - Ilaiyaraaja, Chitra ( Pudhu Pattu)
• Naan Thedum - Ilaiyaraaja, S.Janaki ( Dharma Pathini)
• Adiye Manam - S.P.B, S.Janaki (Neengal Kettavai)
• Raja Raja Chozhan - K.J.Yesudas ( Rettai Val Kuruvi)
• Kalyana Malai - S.P.B ( Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal)
• Rakkamma - S.P.B, Swarnalatha( Thalapathi)
• Illaya Nila - S.P.B (Payanangal Mudivadhillai)
• Nee Partha - Hariharan, Asha Bhonsle( Hey Ram)
• En Iniya Pon Nilaave - K.J.Yesudas ( Moodupani)
• Idhazhil Kadhai - S.P.B, Chitra ( Unnal Mudium Thambi)
• Indhaman - Ilaiyaraaja, Chitra (Karagattakaran)
• O Vasantha -S.P.B, S.Janaki (Neengal Kettavai)
• Sangeetha Megam - S.P.B (Udhaya Geetham)
• Thendral Vandhu Theendum - Ilaiyaraaja, S.Janaki ( Avadharam)

The list is absolutely personal and grossly restricted. Feel free to add your favorite Raja rendition.