Slowing it down a bit this week. Has a little jazzy feel. Seems perfect for a Boston Legal moment. Hope you like.
Come on Up to the House : Tom Waits
Tanisha's Pick: Heard this one a while ago. It was a busy week last week and it will be a busier week ahead as the office is finishing off a big project. Thankfully there are weekends for fun things and new places. My brain is a bit fried at the end of the day, this song is a good soother! First Light : Dustin Tebbut
Sudhir's Pick:
Since we did Soul last week, I thought we could try some slow jazz this week. I am honestly not sure what I feel about this song yet, but I know I can't stop listening to it. I think you might like it. Chicago : Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker
Tanisha's Pick: Last week I actually listened to a lot of classical instrumental music. Work was busy and instrumental is perfect for concentrating. But found this song with this bubbly guy in the video. Fun song. I think you win this week though. Good choice. :) Today is The Day : EELS
It's been a while since we've had a guest sharing music on the blog. From family holidays to the mountains, dressing up, hot chocolate experiments, and teaming up with water guns against our brothers, our memories go a long way back. This week, Geetanjali is bringing two favourites from her playlist. ------------------------------------ Hey everyone! This is Geetanjali, Tanisha’s flatmate, and friend since that awkward age when mud used to be a tasty delight. My journey with music is a little difficult to describe. However, the closest I can get to articulating the value of music to me is in saying that it has served as a portal to many imaginary worlds – similar to the pools in the Land Between the Worlds introduced in C.S. Lewis’, ‘The Magician’s Nephew.’ My current interest usually depends on the kind of world I’m most keen on visiting at the moment. That being said, there are some places I like visiting very very often!
Take Five by the Dave Brubeck Band is best accompanied with a good cup of tea and is perfect to listen to on rainy days and windy nights :) Take Five : The Dave Brubeck Quartet
This next song was originally done by The Doors. However, I prefer Nigel Kennedy and Jaz Coleman’s concerto version of it. Listening to The End conjures up imagery of a bittersweet trek through the Himalayas away from an oppressive Tibet. The End : Jaz Coleman & Nigel Kennedy
This week we have the awesome and splendiferous Namrata Praveen share her awesome music with us. Namrata and Sudhir have been friends since their time in London in 2013. A lawyer by profession, she finds ways to spice up her life by listening to and recommending exceptional off-beat music to fellow music- lovers. Here are her songs this week. Hey Spudding (Sudhir), I stuck with your alliterative theme for lack of better idea. Here is Dizzy Gillespie's riff on Mas Que Nada. I heard this song often as a child and it never fails to put me in a good mood. Listening to it now with my eyes closed puts me a million miles away from grey London. Mas Que Nada : Dizzy Gillespie
Next is Jain's Makeba. She had a really multicultural upbringing and I think that's reflected in her music. The video is fun as well and I'm forever grateful to her for introducing me to the inimitable Miriam Makeba. Makeba : Jain
Hope your listeners have a lovely Monday :) - Namrata
Three days ago I was sitting in a café in Hanoi, Vietnam called Cong Caphe (see!) famous for its coconut cream coffee. Aside from the cozy interiors and yummy coffee, the were playing this really awesome bossa playlist. Loved it so much I asked and took a picture of the screen playing the music. Here's one from the list. Perfect café music, me thinks.
Billie Jean : Jamie Lancaster and Karen Souza
Sudhir's Pick:
So since we are going to with a little bit of jazz, I thought I would share this song I found recently. It is a song I am embarrassed to have only discovered recently, even though it's been popular for a bit. Enjoy!
The Revolution will not be televised : Gil Scott Heron
As one of the youngest presidents to take office, Obama has constantly shown that he is very responsive to the current generation and he and his wife continue to be influencers to pop-culture. For example, the hit musical Hamilton received a lot of attention from the Obamas. This week Obama announced his Summer Playlist on Spotify. Tanisha and Sudhir decided to take a listen and pick their favourites. Take a listen. Tanisha's Pick- Listened to Obama's whole playlist twice and loved his collection. This one though was the most interesting of the lot. The style reminded me of the soundtrack of the movie 'The Great Gatsby'- a 1920's twist both in the music and the choreography. Her unique voice really brings the song together to form quite an interesting piece. Man Like That : Gin Wigmore
Sudhir's Pick- This is so great. I can totally imagine Obama jamming to this in the Oval office. As the name suggests, the song just oozes smoothness. It's up-tempo and is backed by exceptional soulful voice. Take a listen.
Hey, I told you I was watching the movie The Man from U.N.C.L.E the other day. It was quite enjoyable with its 60s crime and deadpan humour. I loved the soundtrack. It did so much for the movie. The song I picked was featured in the trailer. I might have sent you this song by Laura Mvula a couple years ago. This is what director Guy Ritchie said about her and I couldn't agree more. "It's not easy to find a new song which matches the power of the classic Nina Simone and Roberta Flack pieces in the film. Laura Mvula has done it with 'You Work for Me'"
You Work for Me : Laura Mvula
Yo! Don't judge me. But I am actually a big fan of Panic at the Disco. They have an allure that I cannot explain. Their new stuff is exceptional. While heavy on the rock they still play very well to my teenage alt-rock days. While 'This is Gospel' (The Piano Version) and 'Hallelujah' are my favourites. I am sharing this song because it is just that - sharable. Enjoy! The Ballad of Mona Lisa : Panic! At The Disco
So I am going super old school for you this week. This blog is about new music meaning new music for you even if it might be 52 years old. Still upbeat and wonderful like I hope this week will be for everyone. Enjoy! Come a Little Bit Closer : Jay and the Americans
I usually don't find music with rap that I like. This was an exception. Pay attention to the lyrics and that trumpet bringing in a bit of a jazz twist. Regardless of whether you listen to it once or twenty times, hope you enjoy some element of it's beauty. :) 'I wish people would stop yelling and start listening...' Also, listen to his other music. You'll like. Birds : Chef'Special
This week, our good friend Joe has transported us a few decades into the past with two classics. Out at sea presently, his music choices reflect the brilliance of his surroundings and fond memories of home. Thanks a lot for sharing these great tracks. Looking forward to seeing you when you're back. :)
Dear Tanisha and Sudhir, Sending this to you from 15 S 060 E in the Indian Ocean. These are my 2 choices whilst I think of home and miss you guys. I'm sure hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do. Much love, Joe Perez The 1st time I listened to this song was when I got my LP player and set it up. All I had were 3 records and one of them was the album American Beauty. I remember placing the stylus onto the record and immediately the speakers rang out the soulful intro to "Box of Rain" by The Grateful Dead. There was no turning back from then on. I must have listened to the entire album end to end at least 20 times. Box of Rain : Grateful Dead
Tonight's a full moon, and out at sea I wait for nights like this to and just soak it all in. Made me start humming frank Sinatra's Fly Me to the Moon which then made me think about home and especially Miss. Susan Pereira who is also very fond of this song and we dance to it often. Fly me to the Moon : Frank Sinatra
Sudhir's Pick So before we descend into Christmas music marathons I thought I would share one recently discovered fantastic jazz song. You know that jazz isn't my most preferred genre but I do like it a lot when I hear it. B.B. King and Clapton rang very highly in my list of individual artists. This song has so many great artists at their best. Hope you enjoy it. Perfect for chill out or dancing when no one is around. Tanisha's Pick What are you saying, Sudhir?! It's December tomorrow, so cannot wait any longer for Christmas music. (Actually, I started listening to Christmas music ages ago) A few weeks ago, I discovered the artist Aurora. Such clear crisp vocals- it's like winter breeze. Was listening to more of her today and found that she sings a cover of Oasis' Half the World Away for the John Lewis Christmas advert for this year. Then I watched their christmas adverts for the past couple years. They are all so beautiful and lovely - this one was my favourite. So, here's Aurora and some John Lewis Christmas warmth.
Wesley Newton never ceases to amaze me. Since our school days, his passion, talent and faith have defined his actions and these virtues continue to guide him. Coupled with loads of hard work, they have made Wesley well-known in the Bangalore music circuit as a musician (most recently of Blushing Satellite), and now entrepreneur and educator as the Director of the NAD School of Music. I have known Wes for close to twenty years now and I am overjoyed that he agreed to share his gift with us this week. You don't want to miss this.
Tower of Power : Diggin' on James Brown This was the first song I heard that changed me from being a predominantly rock drummer to being a soul/r&b/funk drummer. "Tower Of Power" has been my favourite funk band for at least 5 years now, and is one of my biggest influences musically. This song of theirs was written as a tribute to the godfather of soul, James Brown, and has an infectiously happy vibe that is sure to get your body grooving.
Joshua Redman : Jazz Crimes This brilliant song by jazz tenor saxophonist, Joshua Redman, has my favourite drummer, Brian Blade, playing on it. He changed my life. No kidding! Watching him play made me realize as to what kind of drummer I really want to be like, 'cause I had never seen a drummer play in such union with the kit before, and that is exactly how I want to be. He is so responsive to the music, and his feel, flow, control, time and musicality are god-like. Okay, coming back to the song now - Jazz Crimes has a brilliant mix of funk and swing, and the syncopation on it is extremely catchy! It has a great melody, and some really well constructed improvisation too, so all in all, it makes for a must listen.
