Happy Tanisha Day

Taking a step back from picking songs to allow some of our loyal listeners to chime in and wish you a happy birthday. I know you aren't a big fan of birthdays, but consider this a consolidation of all the things I normally do to annoy you but can't because we are on different continents now. Considering that you had coffee with me on November 21st, 2012, aren't you glad I wasn't around in 2016?

Anyways,I wrote you a greeting which I think will be acceptable for a person who doesn't like their birthday. Besides, I must balance out the mush from the following posts. Here goes...

You are now 27 and I have known you for ten years. It has been enjoyable. There are 365 days in a year (sometimes 366) you were born on one of those and it is noted. I hope this year is pleasant and that you achieve success in a reasonable number of your aspirations. You are pretty ok, I guess.

With utmost sincerity,

Sudhir

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As I was writing this, the first song that came to mind is, 'Funny The Way It Is' and I feel like it appropriately reminds me of you; of various conversations we've had and what I've seen of your life's journey. You seem comfortable being yourself and at ease with looking for better questions rather than settling for easy answers. You're one of the few people that I can un-ironically describe as having the joie de vivre and I hope you maintain that spark. All the best for your 28th #macroadventure and thanks for the postcards. 

- Joel

Funny The Way It Is : Dave Matthews Band

Happy Birthday Tanisha! We've always shared a love for good musicals and I can't thank you enough for alerting me to the sheer brilliance that is Hamilton. This song off the Hamilton mixtape is taken on one the most popular lines in the show- "Immigrants; we get the job done". Apparently Lin Manuel Miranda had to incorporate a pause in the music after this line, because it usually meets with such thunderous applause. I love the lyrics in this mixtape version - particularly the Riz MC bit -  and I hope you do too!
- Sanjana

Immigrants (We Get The Job Done) : Snow Tha Product, K'Nann, Riz MC, Residente Calle 13

This is my contribution for those much needed impromptu dance sessions as you deal with full-fledged adulthood. Also, eh eh mon ami a nkele n'ta translates to - my friend has chosen only her. May only the best things in life choose you.
- Minita

A Kele Nta : MHD

When I was asked to dedicate a song for Tanisha's birthday, a song just popped in my mind spontaneously. It's called Honest, by Francesca Battistelli. I first heard this song when I was visiting Tanisha in Delhi. She was rehearsing this song to sing at church. Personally, when I heard Tanisha rehearsing it, I felt that this was one of her best rendition. Simple song, but powerfully sung. I am far from being a singer, but after listening to Tanisha sing it, I decided that if I ever have the courage to sing a solo in church, it would be this song. 
- Nikita

If We're Honest : Francesca Battistelli

Merry Christmas to All

Sending you something a little less traditional this Christmas. Hope you enjoy it. I know we said one song but a medley counts, right?

Bluegrass Christmas Medley : The U.S Army Band

It's been a tiring week, but such a good one. Of all the things I love about December, baking cookies and good Christmas music are somewhere at the top of the list. What is especially exciting to find are artists who instead of covering common Christmas songs, compose new ones. Josh Garrels' Christmas album is such a great example of this. Even the ones he does cover, he makes his own with new arrangements and a variety of instruments. 

This song is my favourite and is probably my most played song this month. I think part of why I love it is because the intro reminds me of something from the Ocean's 11 soundtrack. (Ok not exactly, but a bit similar!)

I know you are really far from home this Christmas. But I hope that the week is a good one for you. (Btw., catch up needed!)
-Tanisha

Gloria : Josh Garrels

The Christmas Edition

It's the best time of the year- everything about December. Two years ago, I spent a year in Sri Lanka with my cousins and that Christmas was one of my most memorable.

Living with these two other musical people meant that we filled up the month with things like symphony orchestra concerts, church choir musicals and many many hours singing along to Christmas music at home. Between us, our favourites cover quite a variety of genres from classical, opera, indie and alternative.

For some extra love this season, they're sharing four selections for you all this week. Merry Christmas! :)

From Andre - 

Since it is Christmas, I'm choosing two Christmassy songs. They are not quite traditional because I am tired of hearing the same tunes over and over again. 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel : Citizen Shade

This song is my favourite Christmas song now. I love the minimalism of the piano playing, the way he varied the tune to make it a counter point to the lyrics. I also love the earthy quality of his voice and the amazing range he displays. 

Mvmt 1 Rejoice Rejoice : The Oh Hellos

I love this song by The Oh Hellos because it is so unconventional. I like how they have arranged it with a focus on harmony, and acoustics. It invokes a slightly colder and darker feeling than the original songs but that just places more emphasis on the lyrics and the vocals.

From Cheryl- 

Carol of the Bells : The Bird and the Bee
I love covers of songs, especially when it has a twist to it, and this version has twists everywhere! Slightly creepy and yet still magical, this quirky cover is one of my favourite versions of this old familiar Christmas carol. 

O Magnum Mysterium : Nordic Chamber Choir

This piece of music has long been one of my favourites but I only found out this year that its Latin text is about the birth of Jesus! Though I don't care much for the translation, I love the music because of its light peaceful comforting feeling. I've listened to this at times when I've needed comfort or when I've needed to be led back to God. My favourite part of the music is at 4:38 which is the point where there are 8 different parts spanning 3 1/2 octaves from D2 to G5. 

Men and Brothers

Tanisha's Pick

Who remembers the days of Grooveshark? The days before 8tracks and Soundcloud. This group was once a feature on the Grooveshark home page with their track Fear and Fallacy and I was immediately hooked. I sang the lyrics all through my college thesis "I know my time is coming..."

The song I am sharing is one of my favourites of theirs because of the lyrics and because I love the music transition at 1:48s from a slow paced to a faster foot-tapping beat. I'm reading through the lyrics wondering what excerpt to share, but the whole song is awesome, so pay attention to all the lyrics.





Sudhir's Pick

Needtobreathe is Christian rock band out of the same genre as legends such as Casting Crowns and Switchfoot. I picked this song of theirs for a two reasons - 1) It's new and awesome and 2) It has Gavin Degraw right beside them singing. The title seems appropriate for Bo and Bear Rinehart, brothers who are also lead singer and lead guitarist for the band.This song exemplifies the phenomenal range of the singer and the contemporary edge this song has. Sheer brilliance!

Contemplative Mondays

Sudhir's Pick

One of my favourite things to do is to sit on the balcony in the evening when it's completely quiet but for the sound of the rustling leaves. This song now accompanies me - it induces reflection, and promises resolve. The last minute is magical as the oath of protection echoes accompanied by a wonderful harmony of the piano and violin.

Try it sometime.

Tanisha's Pick

This track featured on my playlist a few days ago. Gungor, a husband-wife duo has been known to produce unconventional contemporary Christian music- intricately crafted arrangements and meaningful themes. 

This track is no different. A folk-inspired track with close harmonies talking about the futility of man's strife for greatness.