Musicmania

The MJ Show #151 - Songs from 21st Oct HT Cafe write up of my current favourite 5 songs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 17:12:00 +0000

This was a write up by Soumya Vajpayee in today's HT Cafe (21st Oct) in their Picking Order column about my current 5 favourite songs.

Top 5 Songs on my playlist
Picking 5 favourite songs of all time is virtually impossible because there’s always something new or old that keeps popping up on my playlist that blows my mind, so I’ll just pick 5 songs that I’m currently loving a lot.

1)“This Life" by Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers: A TV show I’m really enjoying these days is Sons Of Anarchy. I love everything about it and the first thing that really caught my attention right up in Season 1 was the fantastic opening track for the show. Check out both the song and the show if you’re not already hooked on to it.

2)“Something” by The Beatles: Irrespective of what new songs and artists I’m listening to, songs of The Beatles are something that I can go back to anytime. Of all the incredible songs they’ve made, my number one song is “Something”. It was written by George Harrison and has been covered officially by over 150 artists worldwide. I would love to someday record it my way too.
Here's the original:

And here's a version with just George Harrison playing it.

3)“Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967” by John Mayer: I truly believe that John Mayer is the greatest artist of this generation. His songwriting and musicality is beyond belief…but more than that he’s a fantastic story teller. This song, more than any other is a testament to that fact. From his latest album “Born And Raised”, this is my favourite song.

4)“I Can’t Tell You Why” by Vince Gill: One of my top bands of all time is The Eagles. Now, a whole bunch of country artists got together and released a compilation tribute album to The Eagles called “Common Threads: The Songs Of The Eagles” and Vince Gill’s version of “I Can’t Tell You Why” really blows me away. It’s my one of my go-to late night, endless-loop songs. Originally it was sung by the incredible Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles. In fact, it was the first Eagles song in which he sang lead vocals and I think it’s one of their very best!

And well here's a live version by The Eagles as well:

5)“Nayane Lajavit” by Anand Bhate: Yeah. I know. This is always a surprise to everyone. This song was my callertune for over a year, and I always had people wondering if they’d called the right person. Yes, I’m a rock n roll guy who sings in English, but I’ve always loved Indian classical music. This song is from the soundtrack of the National Award-winning Marathi film, “Balgandharva”. I firmly believe that film has the greatest soundtrack that I have ever heard for an Indian movie. I first heard this song by the great Kumar Gandharva; but probably because I call Anand Bhate a friend, his version is a lot more special to me.

Okay I'm a little blown away. HOW is it that NO one has put up songs of Balgandharva on youtube?!
This is appalling!
All right then. I'm putting it up :)
Here it is, brand new on youtube for specially for this episode of The MJ Show :)

I also want to share another version I love with you guys. Here's a version of the song sung by the great Kumar Gandharva.
(And in fact, even this is one of the songs of an album dedicated to Balgandharva, sung by Kumarji, that I had put up on youtube many months ago.)

That's about it for tonight.
Good to get The MJ Show back on. Got loads of great music to talk about in the days to come.

Let me know what you think about the songs on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

It is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #150 - Gul Panag's top 10 songs!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:28:00 +0000

I got to know Gul Panag because of my radio show a few years ago but let me tell you about what I felt about her when we met up for the first time.
I was hosting a tv show for Zee Business many months ago and though Gul and I were acquainted on twitter...the first time I met her in person was at the finale of this show in Shillong. We hung out a bit, talked about music and the bands that were taking part in the show. Gul had come there as the guest host of the finale and what I really liked about her is how simple, cool, intelligent and down to earth she really was and is in real life. :)
Even then I knew from our conversation then that she was really into music. In fact, she was totally rocking out to one of the much heavier acts on the show too. And to be honest, the reason I got to know her in the first place was also music so when I got The MJ Show back on I knew that I had to have her as a guest and today, on the BIG 150th episode of the show, I can't think of anyone better to have as a guest than the lovely, talented, super-strong and beautiful Gul Panag :)

And she's quite an adventurer and a daredevil too. Before we begin the show have a look at this video of her's. Will show you a really different side of her's and you'll get why I think she's pretty cool :)

So...when I got started on this episode I asked Gul to mail me her favourite songs which she did and then we spoke on the phone about the songs. Here's what it sounded like.

Mihir Joshi (MJ): So...Gul...welcome to The MJ Show. Let's get straight into it. Let's talk about some of your all time favourite songs.
Gul Panag (GP): Hey Mihir...all right here we go. My top 10 in no particular order are:

GP: Okay first up is "Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love" by Van Halen!
I love the intro to song. It's a great song...superbly upbeat and powerful. I generally listen to this when I'm getting ready to go out...or to the gym...or I'm getting into the car. It's a total mood fixer for me! :)

MJ: Killer song to kick off this set. I get exactly what you mean. A great song like this can totally pump you up! For me..."Shoot To Thrill" by ACDC always does the trick. Check it out!

GP: Up next is a song by my friends music direcotor duo - Sidharth & Suhas called Nainawali Whiskey.
I love the lyrics of the song. And though the music is totally in the dance space the lyrics are really beautiful. And it's got a awesome Punjabi flavour to it that I really love.

MJ: I love Sidharth-Suhas. I love the stuff they do. Always fun :)
Okay I just heard the song and I don't really get a chance to put up songs like the next two songs I've got here. I LOVED both of them when they came out. I love what comes out when you mix western beats and styles with Punjabi music. Actually I love it when western music fits in with any kind of Indian music. There's always some great stuff that comes out it.
Here are two absolutely KICKASS songs for you! :)
Dr.Zeus - Kangna

Swami - Hey Hey!

GP: Next up for me is Lady Gaga. I mean who doesn't like Lady Gaga! And "Poker Face" by her is one of my favourite songs. I like a lot of her other songs but this one is the one I love most. It's a super-upbeat song and I love the beats and the way it makes me feel.

MJ: Have you seen or heard the "Glee" version of "Poker Face".
GP: No I haven't!
MJ: Okay then that's the song I'm going to play for you right now. I love their take on it. They've changed it from the uptempo Lady Gaga version and slowed it down to a ballad. I love Lady Gaga's version but when you want to chill out a bit and still listen to this song...this version is the way to go. Lea Michelle & Idina Menzel, the two ladies who sang this song in Glee are spectacular. Check it out!

GP: "Mr Saxobeat" by Alexandra Stan is a song that really love. It's a song that just came on the international scene out of nowhere and just took over the world. It was all over the place and I totally loved the sound of it.

MJ: I know exactly what you mean. I remember another song that did a similar thing a while back. "Stereo Love" by Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina is the song I'm talking about. I remember when it was out, you couldn't go to a single dance club and not hear it or versions of it. Brilliant song too!

GP: The Wallflowers is a band that I really like. The first thing I like about any artist is the music. It's always the music that hooks me in...but once the music begins to grown on me the lyrics become an important part of the song for me too. When I first heard The Wallflowers several years ago...I loved the music instantly...great guitar parts...drums...but the more I heard them, I just I loved their lyrics too. And that's the beauty of such music I think. It's something that gets better each time you hear it.
MJ: Here's Gul's favourite song by The Wallflowers. It's called Sleepwalker

MJ: I totally get what you mean by the way. About how great songs grow on you more and more with time. For me, John Mayer is the one artist of our generation who has consistently written incredible songs. Great lyrics...I mean really really great lyrics and some incredible melodies. I love how he can tell stories with his songs. Now his latest album, Born And Raised, is not in my opinion his best work...but there's this one song in it that really showed me what a fantastic storyteller John is. The song has a deeper meaning obviously...which you get when you spend some time with it...but when you hear it...it's a song about a guy and his submarine! Incredible stuff! :)

MJ: Okay the next song on your list was a surprise for me. You've picked "Until It Sleeps" by Metallica!
GP: I'm someone who prefers rock...it's most often pretty much mainstream rock...but there are times that I like heavier stuff as well. If you remember when we chatted in Shillong I really liked that band with the growling vocalist. I thought they were pretty badass!
"Until It Sleeps" is a classic. I mean...if someone who likes rock music, hears this song they will like it even if they've not really heard a lot of Metallica. It's got great guitaring...great drums...it's just such an awesome rock song!

MJ: I hear you. It's not a surprise that thousands of people all around the world revere Metallica so much. They've had so many such classics that transcend their genre and reach out to music lovers irrespective of whether they are into metal or not. One more such song is "Enter Sandman". Check out this live version of it. The energy of the song is reflected in the crowd. It's pure magic!

GP: "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is such an iconic song by Def Leppard. Lately I've been hearing their original version and the version done by Tom Cruise in "Rock Of Ages"! I must say that he's done a very very interesting cover of it. And I think that it's one of this BIG rock songs...it's totally timeless. I mean...it doesn't need to be on a chart right now or anything like that. If you're into rock you'll love it no matter when you hear it.

MJ: Totally agree with what you just said. It's one of those all time classic rock songs and I do agree. Tom Cruise has done a fantastic job, not just on "Pour Some Sugar On Me" but as a whole in the movie! You see him and you BELIEVE that he's a rock star!
Here's his version of the song :)

MJ: The next song on your list is another surprise for me. From Def Leppard and Metallica we now head to Ganga by Rabbi! :)
GP: I've known Rabbi for a while now. I love how the song opens and I love how Rabbi always has some really rich strong subjects in his songs. Ganga is a very feminist song. When I first heard his album and called him up I told him I loved the song. He asked me if I'd heard the lyrics and I hadn't. Like I said, the first thing that works for me is always the music...but when he asked me to listen to the words I did and I realized that it's such a lovely song. It's an interesting take on the girl child. The female half of the Indian population has always been at the receiving end of some kind of unfairness and I like how Rabbi has talked about it in his song.

MJ: I think Rabbi is a really interesting artist. I remember I hosting the launch of his new album for Universal a few months ago and the first thing I realized about his music is that he's an out and out rock n roll guy. It's not Sufi or Punjabi music. That's just the framework or language he works in but he's a rocker all the way.
GP: Oh yeah! He rocks! You should hear him do "Desire" or "Where The Streets Have No Name" by U2. I remember many years ago in Delhi, when he was still relatively unknown, we were at this thing where there was a live band playing. We knew that he was a rock singer so we asked him to go and jam with the band on stage and he did those two songs and he totally nailed them!
He's a very "thinking" singer. He's very socially aware and I think his music reflects that.

MJ: Well...let's play a song for Rabbi. Let's play Desire by U2. :) I'm sure he'll love it :)

MJ: Next up is "The Anthem" by Good Charlotte!
GP: I love what it says. Today we've become clones of each other...and this is a song that says that "I don't want to be you!".
It's one of the few songs that's talking about being an individual. It's talking about something that is so fundamental. All of us are always trying to do things to fit in. To be somebody's idea of what you should be. People are always telling you to do this and do that, wear this, and be seen here and talk about this and that...and I feel like telling them "Who are you to tell me all this?"
The concept behind the song is pretty much my anthem too. I believe in me and I don't want to be like anyone else. I'm happy being me!

MJ: I love what you said here. I feel the same. I really do. I can't imagine living life by someone else's rules. I'm happy being me and I am happy letting you be you. I think the main problem people have is that they are too bothered with just telling people what to do and what is right rather than seeing the world from someone's else eyes. It's very tough, I think, for people to see each other as "individuals". To see people who are okay with saying that "I'm happy being me."
I've always been a massive Elvis fan and there's this song of his that has these lines:
"Walk a mile in my shoes
just walk a mile in my shoes
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Walk a mile in my shoes "
If people could really get that...and embrace the idea and live by it...we'd have a lot more peace and understanding in this world.
Have a look:

MJ: So you've had everything from dance to pop to rock to metal. :) Almost time for your last couple of songs. So what are we ending the show with? :)
GP: I want to end it with Pink! She's a lady with so much attitude! It comes out through her lyrics. It's almost like she's saying that "Hey I'm a rockstar! I'm not here to be like you. I'm here to be like me so accept that or go deal with it."
MJ: So it's kinda representative again of the kind of person that you are eh?
GP: Very much so! There's a song of her's called "Don't Let Me Get Me" which has these lines:

LA told me, "You'll be a pop star,
All you have to change is everything you are."

It's such a rebellious line! The next lines were:
Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears
She's so pretty, that just ain't me

When she came on the scene she didn't look like Britney or Christina Aguilera. She didn't fit the "good girl pop star" mould but she stayed as she was and totally rocked it! The song was about being the odd one out and sticking your middle finger to the world and doing it your own way! And not following someone else's formula.

GP: And the other song by Pink from the same album that I also loved was "Get The Party Started". Perfect uptempo, fun, free song to end my list with! :)

MJ: Thank you so very much for being on the show with me Gul. As always it's been such a pleasure talking to you. By the way...this is my 150th show. I'm really glad that you agreed to be on it but tell me what did you think about the concept when I asked you if you could be a guest on my show here.
GP: I first heard you, I think it was a couple of years ago on radio...and you were playing a David Guetta song that night. And it's something that got us chatting on twitter and then we met and spoke in person. So I just liked the fact that you're doing something that's unique and not following the herd or trying to just blend in. I thought it was pretty interesting the way you did your show and this blog is a really unique and interesting idea too. I'm happy to have been a guest on the show :)
MJ: Thanks a lot Gul :) I think you're super cool and I love the fact that you're so very comfortable being different and unique and...well being you! :)
Let me end the show with the David Guetta song that started this all off :)
Here it is:
David Guetta - Love Is Gone

MJ: Before I sign off for today, I want to thank all the awesome guests I've had on the shows so far and more importantly I'd like to thank all of YOU! Yeah! I'm talking to you...reading this post here today.
Thank you for coming on the page, reading it, passing it around, RTing in on Twitter or liking it on Facebook. It's because of you that I'm continuing with this online show. I'll figure out ways to make it more interesting in the shows to come but for now...do let me know what you think about the shows, the music, anything at all on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

It is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #149 - Guest Series - Ashwin Sanghi's favourites! (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:17:00 +0000

Ashwin Sanghi

I had the pleasure of interacting with today's guest on twitter a few months ago...and I then went on and picked up two novels that he'd written. I knew they were best sellers and super popular but I'll admit that I hadn't got down to reading them till after I met him. I gotta say this...I loved his first two books "The Rozabal Line" and "Chanakya's Chant" and I can't wait to check out his new book "The Krishna Key".
Here's a video about his new book. The book releases in August this year! Make sure you go and pick it up...or pre-order it online on flipkart!

Aswhin Sanghi (AS): 12. Queen - A Kind of Magic
I will say this emphatically: the world has never produced any singer like Freddie Mercury or Jim Morrison. I’m not sure whether the fact that Mercury was an Indian Parsi influences my view, but I find that his music stirs my soul whereas Morrison’s music stirs other parts of the anatomy!

MJ: I know exactly what you mean. For me, Freddie Mercury is one of my major influences when it comes to performing on stage. Apart from being a great singer I think he was one of the greatest performers in the world. That's something that Jim Morrison also had. When they were on stage you couldn't look anywhere else! I guess it was "a kind of magic" that they had! :)
Here's a performance of "Somebody To Love". The first 1 minute by itself makes it one of the greatest performances of any song that I've ever seen!

And what the heck...here's a song by The Doors that I love too. It was actually written by Van Morrison and originally recorded by his band "Them" in 1964. What Jim Morrison does to the song...is beyond belief!

AS: 13. Pt Nikhil Banerjee & Ustad Ali Akbar Khan - Raga Manj Khamaaj
It must be the fact that Pt Nikhil Banerjee trained under Ustad Allaudin Khan that influenced his jugalbandhis with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (Ustad Allaudin Khan’s son). The two maestros produce the softest and sweetest notes and at times one feels like they are having an intimate conversation. A priceless gem of track!

MJ: I'm not really well educated about Indian ragas/classical music but I've always loved the sounds of our music. Be it Pandit. Bhimsen Joshi or Kumar Gandharva...I've grown up listening to some great music. I don't really have a response song to this because with my limited vocabulary of Indian ragas, I can't really think of anything to say here. So, I'll just listen and admire the beauty of what you've picked for us here. :)
(I've said this before a long time ago on some episode...it's so awesome when I get to hear things that I've not heard before. Recommendations from other music lovers, aficionados and musicians...make music loving and learning such a fantastic experience.)

AS: 14. Fateh Ali Khan & Talvin Singh - Colour of Love
One of the sweetest sitar tracks that I have ever heard. Partly I loved the track because I had heard Shobha Gurtuji singing “Mein to Kheloongi…” and this particular melody is almost identical to that but with a contemporary twist. Awesome.

MJ: When I heard this song....for some reason I was taken back to a song that I've not thought of in ages. In fact, I couldn't even remember who had done it but then after a bit of searching I found that it was Jeff Beck.
It was on an album of his called "You Had It Coming".
On his site here's what he had to say about the song and it's original composer.

Jeff Beck considers YOU HAD IT COMING’s standout track to be "Nadia," written by Indian musician Nitin Sawhney, whom Beck describes as "a genius -- like an Asian Stevie Wonder." Beck remembers first shuffling through Sawhney's CD while driving home. "I couldn't believe the diversity of the tracks. I stopped on 'Nadia' and I almost crashed the car, because it was such a refreshing, almost commercial, Indian song. I started whistling bits of it, then I thought, 'What am I waiting for? This is custom made for me.' "

Here it is...Nadia by Jeff Beck. Prepare to have your mind blown :)

MJ: By the way, I think the reason I thought of this song is because of the kind of vivid images both these songs can bring up in your mind's eye.

AS: 15. Anoushka Shankar w/ Midival Punditz - Rebirth
I had never appreciated the skill and softness in Anoushka’s Shankar’s sitar-playing until I heard this fusion track in which the music had been arranged by the Midival Punditz. The track starts slowly but builds into a frenzy… almost orgasmic. Bravo!

MJ: I'm not much into instrumental tracks to be honest but when I read the last part of why you like the last song I thought of this song by Phil Collins.

AS: 16. A R Rahman - Khwaja Mere Khwaja
The reason that I love A. R. Rahman’s music is because it comes from deep within his soul. When this song was released as part of Jodha-Akbar I would never have imagined that it was a track that I would listen to endlessly for the next six months! It is prayer, meditation, longing and passion—all bundled together into one heady mix.

MJ: The awesome thing about A.R.Rahman is how simple he seems and really is. I was talking to someone who has worked with him closely and he was telling me about how all he cares about is his work...and nothing else matters. I think that honesty, that devotion...to his music and to the allmighty shows in his work. That is why I think he connects so instantly with people of all ages and nationalities.
Here's my favourite song by the maestro:

And the follow up track:

AS:17. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt & Ry Cooder - A Meeting By The River
I think that this particular album won Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Ry Cooder a Grammy in 1994. I have never been a huge fan of the Indian slide guitar but this track changed my opinion forever.

MJ: When I heard this song I thought of another duet I had heard between two great guitar players - Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler

AS: 18. Luciano Pavarotti & Bryan Adams - ‘O Sole Mio
This is an all-time classic Italian love song but it reaches a new high when sung by Pavarotti and Bryan Adams as part of the phenomenal album “Pavarotti & Friends”. The perfect listening for a long-winding drive through the countryside!

MJ: Firstly, I have to share with you a song that Elvis did which was based on 'O Sole Mio! In fact, I just found a version in which he talks about it...and also gets someone to sing the Italian part :)

MJ: Another song that I loved, done by Pavarotti with another fantastic pop singer is a song called "I Hate You Then I Love You". In my opinion one of the greatest voices in pop music in the last couple of decades is Celine Dion. The high clear voice of Celine Dion...matched with Pavarotti's operatic tenor is just perfection.

AS: 19. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Tere Mast Mast Do Nayan
If there is one voice that I have grown to love, it has to be the voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. I heard him for the first time when he sang “Mann ki Lagan” and I knew I was addicted. This track from Dabangg is my all-time favourite Rahat number.

MJ: I'll not go with the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan angle on this. I'll go with Salman Khan and how he's had some fantastic songs in his movies...throughout his career. From Dabangg, my favourite song was "Chori Kiya Re Jiya". Sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam, this song is absolutely astounding for one reason...and that reason is Sonu Nigam! Don't get me wrong...Shreya Ghoshal is pretty damn awesome...but the things that Sonu Nigam does with his voice in this song...are just flawless! I think this is the best I've heard him sound on any song.

AS: 20. Shankar Mahadevan - O Sahiba
Shankar Mahadevan has to be India’s finest singer but surprisingly one of his very best songs never became a true hit. O Sahiba shows Shankar’s amazing versatility. It’s music that you could almost pray to. Strange are the ways of public opinion.

MJ: In last episode, I spoke about a song from the soundtrack of Balgandharva and how I truly believe that it has been the single greatest soundtrack for any Indian movie in the longest possible time. I shall stand by that statement and give you further proof. Kaushal Inamdar got Shankar Mahadevan to come on and sing a song for the soundtrack. The song is brilliant not just because Shankarji sang it...but more so because of the little bit that Anand Bhate does at the start and end of the song. It takes the song to a completely different level!
I believe that Shankarji has one of the greatest voices in Bollywood...but I honestly believe that Anand Bhate has one of the greatest voices that I have ever heard...anywhere in the world! Listen to the song and you'll know what I mean.

AS: 21. Jagjit Singh - Hey Govind, Hey Gopal
Jagjit Singh’s voice had that perfect husky tone that lent itself to ghazals but sounded even more amazing when he sang bhajans. This has to be one of the most melodious bhajans ever. Whenever I’m down, this is the track that I turn to.

MJ: The first time I met Jagjitji was in 2007 when, for a short while, I was working with EMI Music. That year, he released an album called "Karuna" with EMI and I had a chance to go to the studio where he was recording this album and I got to see how he went about his work. When I heard him sing this next song in front of me, I knew I was in the presence of someone truly special.
I so agree...that when he sang bhajans, he sounded even more amazing...if such a thing is even possible.

AS: 22. Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto for Two Mandolins in G Major
I would never have begun to appreciate Baroque music had it not been for Vivaldi. At first, I thought that I loved The Four Seasons. The love-affair was short-lived. When I heard his mandolin concertos I was hooked.

MJ: This is another area of music that I've not really gotten into...but the way I see it, I have a lot more time and the openness to eventually get into it. Right now I think I've heard more classical music through Tom and Jerry and old English movies (30s-60s Hollywood - my FAVOURITE time in movies) than I have in any other form. I intend to change that in the years to come but for now, I don't think I can really give a really good response song/piece to this song.

AS: 23. Sanjeev Abhyankar, Ashwini Bhide etc. - Soham
The most hypnotic and enchanting meditative track ever. I listened to this composition repeatedly while I was writing my last book. It transported me back thousands of years to a land of spiritual purity.

Soham by Jagjit Singh, Sanjeev Abhyankar, Ashwini Bhide, Anuradha Paudwal, Uday Bhawalkar etc. on Grooveshark

MJ: Absolutely beautiful! What a way to end the show. Thank you so much for these fantastic songs. Everything from rock n roll to bhajans to music that you can meditate with. Truly a diverse and fascinating list of songs. :)

Let's do this again whenever you feel like sharing some more songs with me and my readers here.

And I wish you all the very best for your new book. I'll be picking up a copy for sure. :)

See you around Ashwin! :)

And YOU! Yeah I'm talking to you! Y U NO talk to me? :)
Let me know what you think about the songs on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

It is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #148 - Guest Series - Ashwin Sanghi's favourites! (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:41:00 +0000

Ashwin Sanghi

I had the pleasure of interacting with tonight's guest on twitter a few months ago...and I then went on and picked up two novels that he'd written. I knew they were best sellers and super popular but I'll admit that I hadn't got down to reading them till after I met him. I gotta say this...I loved his first two books "The Rozabal Line" and "Chanakya's Chant" and I can't wait to check out his new book "The Krishna Key". (I've linked all his books to their Flipkart.com pages. If you don't have them go to Flipkart and order them now!)
Here's a video about his new book. The book releases in August this year! Make sure you go and pick it up...or pre-order it online on flipkart!

There's a lot that can be said about the man who is a businessman by day and a brilliant writer by night but instead of me telling you more facts, I'll request you to go check out his site. http://www.ashwinsanghi.com
Loads of info on him and his books.
I take great pleasure in presenting to you part 1 of Ashwin's favourite songs. Get ready for some great songs ranging from classical to sufi to rock classics!
Here we go!! :)

Ashwin Sanghi (AS): 1. Wadali Bandhu - Tere Ishq Nachaya
I have always loved Qawwali and the Wadali brothers are among my favourites. Tere Ishq Nachaya is one of the most incredible poems of Bulleh Shah and the words are evergreen.

MJ: When I heard this song by the Wadali Brothers...for some inexplicable reason a song by Sona Mohapatra popped up in my head. Possibly only the song title and the main lyric line is same...but the styles and singing completely different.
Interesting song to look at in any case. Have a look:

AS: 2. Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan w/ Peter Gabriel- Sanu Ik Pal Chain Na Aawe Sajna Tere Bina
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was undoubtedly a legend but when his voice was combined with the musical sensibilities of Peter Gabriel, the results were just ethereal. This particular number was heard several times by my wife and I when we were courting, and I have incredible memories of places and moments when I hear this song.

MJ: Well when you talk about the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan collaborating with someone from the west, the songs that immediately pop up in my mind are "Face Of Love" and "The Long Road" which were featured in the soundtrack of Sean Penn's "Dead Man Walking". When Eddie Vedder's voice joins Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's voice on the song...it's absolute magic!
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Eddie Vedder - Face Of Love

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with Eddie Vedder - The Long Road

AS: 3. Madhup Mudgal - Nirankar Niradhar
Madhup Mudgal is one of the most unappreciated classical artistes of our times. His voice is pure and unadulterated. His rendition of Gurbani can almost make one’s eyes well up. I listen to this particular number almost every morning. Formless, imperishable, limitless and tens of other adjectives recited simply in honour of the Almighty.
Nirankar Niradhar by MADHUP MUDGAL on Grooveshark

MJ: Honestly, I had not heard of Madhup Mudgal till you told me about him. Just heard the track and though I don't have any adjectives to add to your's I'll say simply that it really was beautiful. Really enjoyed it.

AS: 4. Farida Khanum - Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Na Karo
My grandfather—the one who inspired me to read and write—loved Farida Khanum’s voice and we would end up listening to this particular ghazal again and again. It is sung so very simply that one can almost imagine the scene being played out—a lover pleading with her amour not to leave.

MJ: It's so strange that I mentioned Sona Mohapatra at the start of this episode. Many months ago when Sona was in my studio at 94.3 Radio One on my show One Mumbai One Music, she had spoken about how this song was a massive influence on her. How, Farida Khanum was one of the few female vocalists who sang in this lovely soft voice...and not the typical high pitch voice that Bollywood so prefers. It's such a beautiful song and I remember that my dad also used to love this song. Heard it many times when my dad used to drive the car and he'd put on his favourite songs on the car stereo.

Ok...here's a song that I have. Lyrically it's not connected to "Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Na Karo" but I love the feel of the song and it kinda fits in. I truly believe that the greatest movie soundtrack I've heard in an Indian film in the longest time was for the movie "Balgandharva". It is my honour to say that I count the music director, Kaushal Inamdar and the lead singer of the movie, Anand Bhate as my friends...but even if I didn't know them personally I would say that I'm a massive fan of their talent. Strangely enough the song I have for you doesn't feature Anand Bhate. It features another great singer selected by Kaushal for this incredible song.
Have a look:

AS: 5. Abida Parveen - Main Naraye Mastana
Abida Parveen’s is probably one of the most powerful voices one can ever listen to, but this particular rendition has all the elements of that power mixed with a wonderful jazz element. Pure bliss!

MJ: There's something about the creativity of Pakistani musicians that's really amazing. Speaking of a great fusion of jazz/blues/rock and the Indian subcontinental style of singing I think of a fantastic band called Mekaal Hasan Band from Pakistan. Mekaal's jazz sensibilities and arrangements, his band's talent and then the voice of Javed Bashir...what a brilliant magical mix this is.
Have a look at this song by them:

AS: 6. Jafar Hussain Khan Badauni - Chhap Tilak
I had heard Chhaap Tilak many times but I fell in love with the song after I heard it sung by Jafar Hussain Sahab. I heard this for the first time in the Eighties and since then have kept hearing it. Qawwali doesn’t get any better than this.

MJ: Isn't it incredible how great songs survive no matter what.
I remember hearing this song like this:

AS: 7. Bruce Springsteen - Brilliant Disguise
From Springsteen’s album ‘Tunnel of Love” it is my all-time favourite song. I would hear it repeatedly during my student days in the US. Perfect listening for a lonely drive along the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

MJ: "The Boss" is such an incredible songwriter. "Brilliant Disguise" is one of my all time favourites by him too. Another song which I think of as an "endless loop song"...which also is a great song for a lonely drive is this next song by him. When I first heard it, I think I heard it on an endless loop for days. The saxophone solo at the end...reaches so deep within you if you let it. It's amazing what music can do to you if you just let it

AS: 8. Bryan Adams - Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman
From the soundtrack of Don Juan DeMarco, this incredible song is passionate, melancholic, and satisfying… incredibly all at once. The other awesome feature of this track is the flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia.

MJ: I remember watching the movie - Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway. The song was beautiful and so passionate. The song fit in so beautifully in the movie. In fact, the lyrics of the song had a few of Johnny Depp's lines from the movie!
Bryan Adams has such a gift. He writes beautiful, melodic, simple, incredible songs. One of my favourite songs by him is one that's not such a massive "hit"...but just listen to this. It takes my breath away.

"I never thought I'd find someone to move me
Someone who could see right through me
You found your way into my head
Where even angels fear to tread."

AS: 9. Dire Straits - Water of Love
My favourite number from my days as a college student in St. Xavier’s. Used to hear this all the time. I was always fascinated by the unique percussion that forms the backdrop of this track. Haunting!

MJ: I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of fantastic musicians over the years...but a few years ago when Mark Knopfler came to Mumbai, I got a chance to meet him and I truly felt that I met one of my music idols. I've always said that if I had to get someone to make a soundtrack for my life, it would have to be Mark Knopfler. He's an absolute genius. Also, that evening in Mumbai, he just signed 3 things at the end of the press conference...and my copy of the 1978 Dire Straits LP was one of the 3 items :) It still is one of my most prized possessions! :)
I remember when I first started listening to Dire Straits...the one song that really got to me because of the incredible guitar work in the song was this next song. Hope you enjoy it too. :)

AS: 10. Eric Clapton - Layla
Inspired by Eric Clapton’s love for his friend George Harrison’s wife—Pattie Boyd, this particular track has to be the greatest rock song of all time. I have always loved Eric Clapton’s music (Tears in Heaven, Cocaine, You Look Wonderful Tonight…) but this is in a league of its own.

MJ: When I first heard the phrase "lyrical guitarist" about Clapton, many years ago, I didn't quite get it but over the years, having heard him, I completely get it. His guitar playing isn't playing for the sake of playing. The phrases and the solos speak to his listeners. I remember John Mayer once commenting in a concert that Eric Clapton's guitar playing reaches out to those people who don't know how many strings a guitar has...and I don't think anyone could have put it better. I've loved so many of his songs...but since you spoke about George Harrison...here's a song on which George Harrison called over Clapton to come and play the guitar on a Beatles album.
In fact, I have a rare live performance in which you can see them play together!!
(By the way, look around in the video...for a LOT of famous faces jamming in on this song!)

AS: 11. The Eagles - Tequila Sunrise
Surprisingly enough, The Eagles are best remembered for Hotel California. In my opinion, though, Tequila Sunrise is far better. The rhythm guitar and the mournful words almost make you feel that you are the guy who has been ditched by a lover!

MJ: There are two songs I love and immediately think of when I think of The Eagles. Both songs are hauntingly beautiful and in my opinion, just like you said, much better than Hotel California.
The first of the two was in fact, on the Hotel California album!
Here's a live performance of "Wasted Time". This was taken live At Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand on the 26th of November, 1995.

MJ: The second was on their 1979 album "The Long Run". The song was written by Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley, and was the first Eagles song to feature Schmit on lead vocals. There's something about Timothy Schmit's voice that really really gets to me. His clear high voice just lends something completely magical to this already beautiful song. Have a look at a live performance of the song from their Farewell Tour - Live From Melbourne, Australia at the Rod Laver Arena! Incredible!

MJ: What a brilliant 1st part once again! :)
(I said "once again" because just a few days ago we had another 2 part "Guests Series" show with Mid-day Executive Editor Sachin Kalbag. If you missed that, see it now!
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2012/07/the-mj-show-145-guest-series-sachin.html
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2012/07/the-mj-show-146-guest-series-sachin.html)

I'll put up part of Ashwin's favourite songs in my next episode. Don't miss it!

And yeah...do get in on the action! Let me know what you think about the songs on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

It is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #147 - Classic Albums - U2 - The Joshua Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:37:00 +0000

In my last episode Sachin Kalbag spoke about The Joshua Tree by U2. Actually...it was the only song and album about which he had nothing much to say. That is not because there's not much to say...but because there's no need for anything at all to be said about it.
Whatever you say about this iconic epic album is not enough.

Tonight, if you are one of the few people who've not heard the album, that shall change.
First up, I have the complete album in one video for you. Listen to the studio version of the album from start to finish.
After that I have every song from the album for you separately. Some of the videos are the official videos of the songs...and some are live performances. Over the last few decades U2 has been universally thought of as the best arena-rock band. If you've not seen them perform live (and if that is the case, what rock are you living under?!)...check out some fantastic performances of the songs from The Joshua Tree.

A couple of years ago, I had picked up the Limited Edition box set of The Joshua Tree, which even today is one of my most prized possessions.

- The 3 disc box-set format contains The Joshua Tree CD, the bonus audio CD, and a Bonus DVD.
- This package also includes a 56 page hardback embossed book, featuring previously unseen Anton Corbijn photos, handwritten lyrics by Bono and liner notes by Bill Flanagan, Bono, Adam Clayton, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Anton Corbijn, Steve Averill, David Batstone, René Castro and a special essay by The Edge.
- An embossed envelope contains five more Corbijn photos, printed on 5" x 7" sheets of textured, "antique" paper.
- The Bonus DVD contains a rare live performance of U2 Live from Paris - filmed at the Hippodrome de Vincennes in Paris, on July 4 1987, on the European leg of The Joshua Tree tour.

Here are some facts about the album before you begin:

- The Joshua Tree is U2's fifth studio album.
- It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 9 March 1987 on Island Records.
- The album won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1988.
- The Joshua Tree is one of the world's all-time best-selling albums, with over 25 million copies sold.

So...with all this talk done...are you ready for it?! :)
Here we go!

The Joshua Tree - Complete album

Now let's get into the songs one by one. :)

1. Where the Streets Have No Name

2. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

3. With or Without You

4. Bullet the Blue Sky

5. Running to Stand Still

6. Red Hill Mining Town

7. In God's Country

8. Trip Through Your Wires

9. One Tree Hill

10. Exit

11. Mothers of the Disappeared

Do check out all the songs. This is such an incredible album. Deserves to be heard from top to bottom.
Let me know what you think on https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #146 - Guest Series - Sachin Kalbag's favourites! (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:03:00 +0000

Here's Sachin in a more chilled out "non-editorial" mode :)
(Special request after the serious photo I chose
for the last episode)

Tonight, I've got the part two of a guest series episode of a really interesting guy who has some really really interesting song choices. In case you missed part 1 check it out here:

http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2012/07/the-mj-show-145-guest-series-sachin.html

In case you missed the introduction yesterday...or have just joined me today...here's a bit about him:

He has been in journalism for almost 2 decades now. He has had an extensive exposure to newspapers, magazines, news websites and radio broadcasting. He has been associated with some of India's top-notch media brands, including; Digit (India's largest selling technology magazine); Daily News and Analysis (Mumbai's second largest English language daily); Hindustan Times (India's second largest newspaper) and Mail Today newspaper which is part of The India Today Group (India's largest magazine group).
Currently he is the executive editor of Mid-Day (India's largest selling tabloid)...and it's my privilege that I also get to call him my friend. It's my great pleasure to give you the rest of Sachin Kalbag's favourite songs tonight!

Sachin Kalbag (SK): 11. Smash Mouth - I'm a Believer (Shrek soundtrack)
Shrek is one of those movies (not just among animated movies) that give you unadulterated pleasure. It uplifts you; it makes you smile; it makes you shed a tear; it makes you fall in love with two ogres. With so much simplicity. Whoever decided, therefore, to include the Smashmouth version of the 1960s classic by The Monkees, was a genius. This song, played right at the end I think, is the perfect end to the second part in the Shrek series. I was a child during the entire movie, yes, but more so during this song.

MJ: I know exactly what you mean about movies being able to give you absolute unadulterated joy and animated movies some times feel so much more real than "real" movies at times.
For me...the movie series that ALWAYS cracks me up is Madagascar.
I dare you...to see these next two songs...and NOT laugh or just break out into a jig :)
I Like To Move It

Afro Circus Remix :D
Dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah circus!
Dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah afro circus afro circus afro polka dot polka dot polka dot afro
There you go! Sing along :D

SK: 12. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna - Mitwa
I get to hear this a lot, "Gone are the days of good Hindi film music. Composers and lyricists of today have no depth." This is only partially true. Partly because of songs such as Mitwa. I haven't seen the movie, and thus am blissfully unaware of the context in which this song is picturised. That gives me the advantage, I believe, of listening to this song without the visual encumbrance of Preity Zinta or Shah Rukh Khan or Rani Mukherjee. Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan - another member of the illustrious lineage of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - is perfect. Great lyrics by Javed Akhtar and some great music and interludes by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

MJ: My wife, Neha, is my source for all good things in the Bollywood music scene...and to continue on your thought process here's a gem she brought to my notice.
From Ishqiya...what a great song this is!

And this one too from 7 Khoon Maaf.

SK: 13. Leela - Jaag ke kaati
Jagjit Singh on the harmonium and some talented dude on the guitar. Awesome sauce.

MJ: Speaking of Jagjitji, I had the pleasure of meeting him and spending some time with him when he performed a phenomenal concert at Shanmukhanand Hall under the banner of my 94.3 Radio One radio show, "One Mumbai One Music". I had the joy of being the host that night and if I remember right, it was his last show in Mumbai. The man was genuinely so cool. I mean I know he's got millions of fans...but when you see the love they had for him...well...it gave me goosebumps. He sat through the concert without a sip of water. Sang for a good 90 minutes and at one point he started playing...and just looked at the auditorium and the whole crowd started singing the song he was playing almost like they were his choir. Not one person tried to scream or shout...everyone sang the song almost as if they were praying and were afraid that if they sang just a little too loud, God might get angry.
And that evening, their "God" sat beside a humble harmonium and smiled back at them.
Just thinking of that moment is giving me goosebumps again.
Here's the song:

SK: 14. Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter ('Closer' soundtrack)
Talented British film director Mike Nichols made a superb movie called Closer in 2004, based on the eponymous play by Patrick Marber. It had a top-class ensemble cast -- Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Jude Law, and Natalie Portman. Nichols made each of them act as if it is the last movie made on earth. But the real star of the movie for me was neither Nichols nor the actors; it was Damien Rice, whose song The Blower's Daughter made me realise what an untalented mass of muscle and bones I am.

MJ: I'll admit, I hadn't heard this song till I put it down for this list. I looked it up...and it has an incredible story behind it. I'll not get into the story...but I will get into the last few lines of the song:
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind...
My mind
My mind...

Till I find somebody new
When I read these lines, quite instantly, the song that popped up into my head...a song about heartache and the final thought that someone better will be found for sure...was "I'm Gonna Find Another You" by John Mayer.
It's a song from what I think was his best album - Continuum. Here's a phenomenal live performance of the song. :)

SK: 15. Kumar Gandharva - Sunta Hai Guru Gyani
The choice of Kumar Gandharva needs no explanation. Just listen to all his renditions of Kabir's Nirguni bhajans. If there is any way of finding inner peace, it is this.

MJ: You know what? Right about now, I'm really glad that I did an entire episode on Kumarji just a few days ago. Before I say a word more...if you've not seen it...please do so now!
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2012/05/mj-show-130-kumar-gandharva-mala.html
This is how much I love and admire the man. My favourite album by him was an album called "Mala Umajlele Bal Gandharva" and when I saw that no one had really put up good versions of the album on youtube, I made videos using the tracks and put up the entire album! While each and every song on that album is a classic, my favourite song by him is this one:

SK: 16. Pink Floyd - Goodbye Blue Sky
The Wall is one rock's most iconic albums. No compilation of any rock list can be complete without this, although I would put The Dark Side of the Moon a notch higher. But of all the songs in The Wall, the one that affected me the most was Goodbye, Blue Sky. It says everything about personal despair, isolation, abandonment, loneliness, just about everything that the album is all about. "Did-did-did-did-you see the frightened ones? Did-did-did-did-you hear the falling bombs? The flames are all long gone, but the pain lingers on." Beat that!

MJ: You just can't can you. Roger Waters was incredible. I remember a line from DSOTM...but let's talk about that in the next song.
The Wall, Dark Side Of The Moon, Meddle, Wish You Were Here and Division Bell for me were the albums that really made me fall in love with Pink Floyd. On The Wall...another song that I really loved...that really got me...apart from the big hits was "Young Lust".
I know it's not the deepest song on the album. It's more primal...more visceral. Just hits you and really gets into your system if you let it. Acually, see how it's shown in The Wall movie and you'll know what I mean. It's up on youtube. Have a look if you want...but I'm putting up just the audio of the song here :) (The Wall video is a little NSFW if you know what I mean.)

SK: 17. Pink Floyd - Us and Them
How could I leave out 'The Dark Side of the Moon'. Just like in The Wall, each song in The Dark Side of the Moon is a classic. Some of the lyric writers of the 1960s, 1970s and the early 1980s reached dizzying heights. Us and Them is a philosophical treatise and social commentary rolled into one. For sheer songwriting genius -- both in the lyrical as well as musical sense -- Pink Floyd is peerless.

MJ: I don't think I could have put it any better. Actually I'm fairly certain that I couldn't have put it even half as beautifully as you did...so I won't say more. I'll just say that my admiration for the band is boundless and I think it's proven by the fact that they are exclusively featured on more episodes than pretty much anyone else here on The MJ Show.
I would love for you to check out these older episodes:
The DSOTM for Nintendo. Mindblowing stuff:
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2010/04/mj-show-80-dark-side-of-moon-for-nes.html
The DSOTM complete along with the making of the album videos: http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2010/03/mj-show-49-classic-albums-pink-floyd_19.html
The best of the complete discography of Pink Floyd:
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2010/01/mj-show-25-pink-floyd-special-part-2.html
One of the best concerts I've ever seen. David Gilmour doing Pink Floyd unplugged!
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2010/01/mj-show-25-pink-floyd-special-part-1.html

SK: 18. U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
U2. Joshua Tree. 'Nuff said.

MJ: Aww heck! I can't resist a self plug right now. :) When I formed my hindi band, Bombay Rock Project, last year...the idea was to go out and play old Bollywood in a new way. And when I thought about our audiences I knew that folks who love Bollywood have kinda "adopted" a few songs from "out there" that are well pretty much as desi as roti-chawal. "Summer Of 69" is probably about someone's uncle Jaswinder and aunty Dolly..."Where The Streets Have No Name" is about Bandra...where streets just have numbers...and no names....and "Sweet Child Of Mine" is about that item who just gets on all of them boy's minds. :) heh
Anyhow...this is something we did for our crowds.

As can be expected...it goes down really well with the people :)
For the record though. I LOVE Joshua Tree and every song in it! :)

SK: 19. Nina Simone - Sinner Man
One of my favourite shows of the television season just gone by was undoubtedly Person of Interest. I often watched it hours after it was telecast in the US on the CBS network. After what was easily one of the most riveting episodes in which the notorious Carl Elias' identity is revealed, Nina Simone begins to sing Sinner Man, a spiritual song that fit in so well with the episode's theme that I was hooked. Further research showed that Sinner Man is a regularly used song in movies as well as TV shows. Then, I remembered that it was also used during the climactic scene of the superbly shot The Thomas Crown Affair, starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. It was also used during one of the episodes of another great TV show - Sherlock. What TV shows! And what a song!

MJ: I remember I got into Person Of Interest and Homeland because of you. Two incredible shows and Sherlock! Oh my God! How much could we go on about that modern classic!
Well in the spirit of great songs used in tv shows...here's one I remember.
A classic by The Who...on another phenomenal British actor...in another phenomenal tv show!

SK: 20. Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game
There is Joan Baez, and then there is Joni Mitchell. Of the two, I like the latter more. I just don't know why, but I do. Two of her most distinctive songs are The Circle Game and Both Sides, Now. Both songs are excellent examples of how great poetry enhances the musical experience. Sample this:
"And the seasons they go 'round and 'round | And the painted ponies go up and down | We're captive on the carousel of time | We can't return we can only look behind | From where we came | And go round and round and round | In the circle game".
Simple words tug at your heart the most.

MJ: What a song! :) Just in case any of you want to check out the complete lyrics here's the link for it on Joni Mitchell's official site: http://jonimitchell.com/music/song.cfm?id=39
You know what's interesting for me. I've heard so many of Joni Mitchell's songs...but always by someone else.
For instance, I remember this version of "Big Yellow Taxi". What a lovely song again...with such phenomenal lyrics. Have a look:

SK: 21. Joni Mitchell - Both Sides, Now: If you have seen the movie Love, Actually (later, it was shamelessly copied by Bollywood to make Salaam-e-Ishq), you'd remember a poignant moment where a crying Emma Thompson's character listens to this song on a CD when she realises that her husband is having an affair with his secretary. Forget the movie, fall in the love with the song.

MJ: I remember when you sent me your list...this was the first song that INSTANTLY hit me. And I wrote back to you and said that this is one of my favourite songs but I grew up on a version by Roger Whittaker. Let me put it into perspective before I play the song for you. Mr.Whittaker...he got me into music. He was my best friend...my companion...the guy who heard all my stories...good and bad...happy and sad...and gave me comfort through my teenage years. He taught me how to whistle...and made me want to sing. If I sing...whatever little I do...I think my path into the music world was paved with his music.
This was one of the songs that was my companion in those days...and every time I hear him sing this, just like many other songs...no matter how bad the world is...I feel good and I have a smile on my face.
Hope you like this. :)
(You are free to continue thinking that Joni Mitchell's version is better though. I won't hold it against you.) :)

MJ: Wow!! What a couple of shows! I don't think I've ever gone through so much in so little a time.
Sachin, please allow me to say that you've set the benchmark for all future "Guest Series" shows. We MUST do this again. Every now and then...when you just feel like adding more songs to this list...write to me...and I'll respond back and we'll have a few more episodes here. :)

Folks...I hope you all have enjoyed reading our chat and listening to the songs as much as I did putting them up. Tell me whom you'd like to see next as my guest and we'll make it happen soon :) Anyone at all! :)

Let Sachin and me know what you think about these two episodes on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #145 - Guest Series - Sachin Kalbag's favourites! (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:07:00 +0000

Tonight, I've got someone really special as a guest on the show.
He has been in journalism for almost 2 decades now. He has had an extensive exposure to newspapers, magazines, news websites and radio broadcasting. He has been associated with some of India's top-notch media brands, including; Digit (India's largest selling technology magazine); Daily News and Analysis (Mumbai's second largest English language daily); Hindustan Times (India's second largest newspaper) and Mail Today newspaper which is part of The India Today Group (India's largest magazine group).
Currently he is the executive editor of Mid-Day (India's largest selling tabloid)...and it's my privilege that I also get to call him my friend. It's my great pleasure to give you Sachin Kalbag's favourite songs tonight!

I knew when I asked him to send me his top 10 songs I was in for some great songs...but I was super kicked to see that he decided to go way beyond just the minimum required 10 songs and sent me a list of a lot more of his favourites. The songs are really cool and the range of genres just shows me that Sachin believes in something that I completely believe in: "There's no such thing as a bad genre of music. There are great songs in every genre...you just have to look and you'll find them." :)
Tonight...thanks to Sachin I have some great songs for you! In fact, there are so many songs (and I write this after going through the first 10 and my responses to them)...that I've decided to break up his show into two parts. Tonight's episode is part 1 and in my next episode I'll give you part 2!
Here we go!
Sachin Kalbag (SK): 1. Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
A friend in Delhi was going through a really terrible heartbreak, when I asked her what her favourite song was, just to cheer her up. She replied, it was Iris by Goo Goo Dolls. I had not heard the song until then, but I came home and YouTubed it. I realised why my friend liked it so much.
MJ: Quite easily their best song. I have to agree with you. I hadn't really heard The Goo Goo Dolls before this song either...but this song was absolutely stunning. It was was originally written for the soundtrack of the 1998 Nicholas Cage-Meg Ryan film "City of Angels" and I remember that even back then when I saw the song it felt like such a great track for the movie.

SK: 2. Beck - Loser
In the annals of alternative rock, this song has no equal. It was released sometime in the mid-1990s, but I heard it only in 2001. Why? First, because alternative rock is (was?) not big in India so access to CDs and exposure on radio was a problem. Second, I was lazy enough to not explore. My list of alternative rockers started and ended at The Cranberries. My fault, of course.
MJ: I agree with you. As far as I remember...alternative music for me was pretty much Oasis, Pearl Jam and a little bit of Nirvana. I didn't really get into the alternative scene in a big way. In fact, I was just listening to Radiohead today and I realized that I've missed out quite a few really good bands.
Here's Loser by Beck...and I'll play you a song I heard just a few hours ago after this.

Radiohead - Karma Police
MJ: What an incredible song this is. I can't believe I've not really gotten into this before. It's been stuck in my head since I heard it in the car in the afternoon. I've got to listen to "Ok Computer", the third album by Radiohead asap! :) Maybe we'll have a Radiohead special soon too right here!

SK: 3. Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
The first time I heard this song was during a road trip across the national parks in the American South West in 2006. Our guide, Casey Jones, was a huge fan of Green Day that he kept playing this song. But hey, nobody ever got tired listening to Green Day, right?

SK 4. Green Day - Wake me Up When September Ends
Ditto

MJ: I remember what a massive hit "Boulevard" was. I've been to a whole bunch of college to judge singing events and I remember the year these songs came out, there had to be atleast ONE boy who'd do it...really badly :)
Green Day gave the boys what the Cranberries gave the girls of Mumbai! :) (Remember Zombie.)
Ohh interestingly enough "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" was the name of a hit song that was written in 1933. It was then used in a film called "Moulin Rouge" in 1934. It was a one of the first songs that Tony Bennet recorded and it was a pretty big hit for him. Have a listen!
Tony Bennett - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

SK: 5. Divine Comedy - Gin Soaked Boy
If ever there were a contest for "Songs With The Weirdest Lyrics That Make The Most Sense", this one would win hands down. I must thank Kobad Mobedjina, the tireless producer at what was then called Radio Mid-Day, for introducing me to this song. It was the year 2000. It never did well on the charts, though, and I always wondered why. Perhaps the lyrics were too deep? ;-)
MJ: Just went through the lyrics. I get what you mean :)
Love I'm Jeff Goldblum in "The Fly". Brilliant!

SK: 6. Wake Up, Sid - Iktara (male version)
When I heard the female version of this song, I was floored. Amit Trivedi was my new favourite composer. Kavita Seth, who had done a classy rendition of this song, was the new Geeta Dutt for me. But then, a few weeks later I heard the male version by Tochi Raina, and I was blown. I bowed to Amit Trivedi's genius a hundred times in my mind's eye.

MJ: Tochi Raina was on my show One Mumbai One Music on Radio One a few months ago...and I he really is one of the most eccentric and interesting people I've ever met. There's a method to his madness and it's fascinating watching him work. Really cool guy...and I agree. This is one of the best songs by him.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Kavitaji almost at the very start of my show and I had her sing the song in the studio...so very specially for you and everyone else seeing this page...I'm giving you her performance of the song before she headed out of the studio.

SK: 7. Meat Loaf - Objects in the Rear View Mirror
Most rock fans remember Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell for that one chartstomping song, "I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that)". But my two favourite songs from that album were this song and the next in this list. There are two other songs I really love from the album: "Good girls go heaven (bad girls go everywhere)" and "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through", but these two top the list. Together with Jim Steinman (the producer and the songwriter), Meat Loaf created stuff that hits you hard with its philosophical edge. There are very few rock songs with such deep meaning as these two. Steinman and Meat Loaf fell apart later, but what they created during their epic partnership was pure magic. "When life was just a highway, and the soul was just a car." How can you argue with lyrics like that, huh? Easily one of the greatest rock albums ever.

SK: 8. Meat Loaf - Life is a Lemon and I want My Money Back
See above. Only, better and deeper lyrics

MJ: Brilliant songs. You've just made me realize that I need to go back and listen to "Bat Out Of Hell II" and some of the older Meat Loaf albums. I remember when I was a teenager, his 7th studio album "Welcome To The Neighbourhood" was released in India...and it had this next song. I remember I had the cassette of this album and I spent a LOT of time with this song. Gosh! Revisiting Meat Loaf time is here!
Meat Loaf - I'd Lie For You (and that's the Truth) (Duet with Patti Russo)

SK: 9. Michael Buble - Spider-Man theme
The Spider-Man theme is perhaps every kid's favourite song. It was the same for me when I was growing up in Mumbai, and Doordarshan had a 15-minute show every Sunday afternoon. That rendition, I think, was by Ramones. So, when I heard the Michael Buble version for one of the Spider-Man movies, I was blown. Who'd have thought that jazz and Spidey could go together?

MJ: Well...just to take you on a trip down memory lane...here's the original :) This was for the 1967 animated series and since then the song has been sung by a ton of other bands. Originally, the lyrics were written by Academy Award winner Paul Francis Webster, while the music was composed by Bob Harris.

MJ: The Ramones version was actually for their 1995 album ¡Adios Amigos!

MJ: Also special mention to the Aerosmith version of the song. Check it out!

MJ: Also special mention to the Aerosmith version of the song. Check it out!SK: 10. Rizwan and Muazzam - Naina de Akhay (Coke Studio version)
Coke Studio Pakistan is perhaps one of the best things to have happened to YouTube. And this interpretation of a Punjabi folk song by two of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's many talented family members (they are his nephews) will tell you why. It was also sung earlier by their supremely talented (now late) uncle.

MJ: I so agree on this. Coke Studio Pakistan was and is absolutely mindblowing! I remember that when I had discovered it a few years back I had put up the entire season 1 and 2 here on The MJ Show.
(In case you want to revisit them check out:

http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2010/05/mj-show-98-songs-from-coke-studio.html
http://musicmanmihir.blogspot.in/2010/05/mj-show-99-songs-from-coke-studio.html)
I remember that back then and even now, my favourite song on the show was a song that Javed Bashir, singer of Mekaal Hasan Band had done in season 2.
What a voice he has! Absolute magic. And then the song itself! Holy shit!
It's got swag! When the beat kicks in after his phenomenal vocal intro...you almost feel like headbanging or well just going nuts!! In the words of Russell Peters...it is not just mindblowing...it's mindblasting!

MJ: Right then! That's a whole lotta music isn't it! And that's just part 1! Loads more songs chosen by Sachin Kalbag...in the next episode! Come back to check out the set!

Get in on the action! Let me know what you think about the songs on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage or in the comments here :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #144 - Train

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:53:00 +0000

I just realized that over the years I've really liked some songs by Train.
I think it all began for them with Drops Of Jupiter...but there's a lot more to Train than DOJ. Not heard much by them? Well...let's change that tonight.

Here are some of their best songs.

Their breakout album was "Drops Of Jupiter" with the title track being their biggest ever hit. It won tons of awards and made them one of the biggest bands back then.
Well...from their first big hit album "Drops Of Jupiter" here are a few songs.

Drops Of Jupiter

She's On Fire

Something More

Their next album was called "My Private Nation".
When I Look To The Sky

Calling All Angels

Next up was "For Me, It's You".
Give Myself To You

Cab

Their next album, "Save Me, San Fransisco" had one of my favourite songs by them.
Hey Soul Sister

If It's Love

Shake Up Christmas

Marry Me

Save Me, San Fransisco

"California 37" was their next album...and it has another song that I really really love. Check it out! Once you hear it...just like "Drops of Jupiter" or "Hey Soul Sister" it just gets stuck in your head and won't get out for days! :)

Enjoy!

Drive By

50 Ways To Say Goodbye

What do you think of Train. Let me know on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #143 - "Magic" Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:55:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I started off a series called the "Song Names Series"...and I told you that we'd have more episodes which revolved around a certain word. We had the "Midnight" Songs episode which had songs that featured the word "Midnight" in the title.
Today, thanks to my dear friend, fantastic writer and music aficionado, Parag Kamani I have another episode for you. Tonight we have songs that feature the word "Magic" in the title.
A few of the songs on the list are his picks and a few of them are mine :)
Some really interesting songs. Some you may have heard...and some that even I hadn't heard.
Let's check them out!
Thanks Parag! :)

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride

The Lovin' Spoonful- Do You Believe in Magic?

The Drifters - This Magic Moment

Peter Paul and Mary - Puff, The Magic Dragon

Fleetwood Mac / Santana - Black Magic Woman

ELO - Strange Magic

The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

Van Morrison - Magic Time

The Who - Magic Bus

Van Halen - Could This Be Magic

Jimi Hendrix - Spanish Castle Magic

Queen - A Kind Of Magic

Oasis - Magic Pie

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Magic Johnson

David Bowie - Magic Dance

Elton John - She Sold Me Magic

Barry Manilow - Could It Be Magic?

America - You Can Do Magic

Take That - Could It Be Magic?

Ocean Colour Scene - Magic Carpet Days

Heart - Magic Man

Doris Day - It's Magic

Celine Dion -The Magic of Christmas Day

Joe Cocker - Now That the Magic Has Gone

Don Williams - It's Gotta Be Magic

Johnny Cash - We Must Believe In Magic

Johnny Cash - Little Magic Glasses

Jimmy Buffett - Bring Back The Magic

Jimmy Buffett - Little Miss Magic

Sha Na Na - Those Magic Changes

Bay City Rollers - You Made Me Believe In Magic

Frank Sinatra - That Old Black Magic

And now finally the songs just named "Magic"
Ben Folds Five - Magic

Colbie Caillat - Magic

Bruce Springsteen - Magic

Olivia Newton-John - Magic

Pilot - Magic

The Temptations - Magic

And finally the song that spawned this show :)
The Cars - Magic

Magic eh!
Did I miss any song? :) Let me know on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #142 - David Guetta - Nothing But The Beat

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:55:00 +0000

I think it's safe to say that pretty much everyone loves David Guetta. I thought I'd share something with you today that'll help you know a bit more about the man.

What I have is..."Nothing but the Beat, The Movie"!
It is a full-length, hour-and-six-minute documentary-style film chronicling Guetta's life, career and meteoric rise from underground house DJ to global superstar.

Get to know your favourite DJ a little better!
Here we go!

Check out the singles from the new album - Nothing but the Beat:

"Where Them Girls At", featuring American rappers Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj

"Little Bad Girl" featuring Taio Cruz and Ludacris

"Without You", featuring Usher

"Titanium" featuring Sia

"Turn Me On" featuring Nicki Minaj

"I Can Only Imagine" featuring Chris Brown and Lil Wayne

And what the heck :) Here are the remaining songs in the album
"Sweat" (Snoop Dogg vs. David Guetta)

"Nothing Really Matters" (featuring will.i.am)

"Crank It Up" (featuring Akon)

"I Just Wanna F." (featuring Afrojack, Timbaland and Dev)

"Night of Your Life" (featuring Jennifer Hudson)

"Repeat" (featuring Jessie J)

Now...go out and buy the album! :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #141 - Muddy Waters - Rare Performances 1968-78

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:12:00 +0000

I've been getting into the blues in a big way these days. Was watching an Eric Clapton concert/documentary where he talked about how much Muddy Waters was an influence on him.
I've heard a lot of Muddy Waters' songs and tonight I thought I'd share a few with you.
Find out...just why he's such a massive influence...not just on Clapton but on thousands of other blues and blues-rock musicians.

Here are some of his rare live performances between 1968-1978

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #140 - Michael Jackson - Rare Duets

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:46:00 +0000

Michael Jackson passed away 3 years ago today and I know that like me, millions of his fans are missing him tons even today.
I thought that today I'd show you another aspect of the awesomeness of Michael. He has over the years collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music world. I thought I'd find some of the rarer/relatively rarer songs for you today as a special way to remember him today.
(If you're a mega-fan and know every song the word "rarer" was not for you...but I'm making a general assumption that not too many people may have seen some of the videos I've got here tonight.) :)
Hope you enjoy these. Spent quite a lot of time looking these up for you.

Michael Jackson, Anastacia, Celine Dion and Shakira - What More Can I Give

Michael Jackson and Celine Dion - If You Only Believe

Michael Jackson and Britney Spears - The Way You Make Me Feel

Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney - Say Say Say

Michael Jackson and Paul Mccartney - The Man

Those are the rarer songs but my favourite duet my PM and MJ is from Thriller. Here it is:
Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney - The Girl Is Mine

Michael Jackson and Boyz II Men - Heal The World/ We Are The World

Michael Jackson and Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me

Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy - Whatzupwitu

Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz - Another Day

Michael Jackson And Barry Gibb - All In Your Name

Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger - State of Shock

Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury - There Must Be More to Life Than This

And though the next song I have for you is not a rare song, it is one of the greatest songs in my opinion that Michael was an integral part of. And just look at the people in the video. It's pretty much the biggest names in music at that time all together...on one song...brought together by Michael and Lionel Richie.

And before I wrap things up, I have to add one more song. This is a tribute from one MJ to the original MJ. (I love that my initials are the same as his. Always have...since I was a kid.)
Hope you like it!

We miss you Michael Jackson. Thank you for the music!

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #139 - Let It Be & The Rooftop Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 18:07:00 +0000

Tonight's show is pretty straightforward. A little while ago I was humming "The Long And Winding Road", one of my favourite songs by The Beatles...and so I looked up the Let It Be album.
Was going through the songs and I thought, I must share the entire album with you here on the show.
The greatest thing about The Beatles is that you can sit and listen to complete albums...every time!
So...finish off your work...have dinner...get done with everything else...and sit back...and listen to the complete album right here!

The Beatles - Let It Be (Complete Album)
In this video the following songs come up at the following times:

Title Singer
Two of us 0:00
Dig a Pony 3:45
Across the Universe 7:31
I Me Mine 11:19
Dig It 13:50
Let it Be 14:33
Maggie Mae 18:39
I've Got a Feeling 19:19
One After 909 22:55
The Long and Winding Road 25:50
For You Blue 29:30
Get Back 32:00

And if you felt that wasn't enough. You want a bit more...well I've got a bit more.

The Beatles, with Billy Preston, gave their final live performance atop the Apple building at 3 Savile Row, London, in what became the climax of their Let It Be film.
30 January 1969 in London was a cold day, and a bitter wind was blowing on the rooftop by midday. To cope with the weather, John Lennon borrowed Yoko Ono's fur coat, and Ringo Starr wore his wife Maureen Starkey's red mac.

The 42-minute show was recorded onto two eight-track machines in the basement of Apple, by George Martin, engineer Glyn Johns and tape operator Alan Parsons. The tracks were filled with the following: Paul McCartney, vocals; John Lennon's and George Harrison's vocals; Billy Preston's organ; McCartney's bass guitar; a sync track for the film crew; Starr's drums; Lennon's guitar; Harrison's guitar.

The songs performed on the roof:
Get Back (five versions)
I Want You (She's So Heavy)
Don't Let Me Down (two versions)
I've Got A Feeling
One After 909
Danny Boy
Dig A Pony (two versions)
God Save The Queen
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody

Brief, incomplete and off-the-cuff versions of I Want You (She's So Heavy), God Save The Queen and A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody were fooled around with in between takes - as was Danny Boy, which was included in the film and on the album. None of these were serious group efforts, and one - the group and Preston performing God Save The Queen - was incomplete as it coincided with Alan Parsons changing tapes.

The Beatles' rooftop show began at around midday. The timing coincided with the lunch hour of many nearby workplaces, which led to crowds quickly forming. Although few people could see them, crowds gathered in the streets below to hear The Beatles play.

Traffic in Savile Row and neighbouring streets came to a halt, until police from the nearby West End Central police station, further up Savile Row, entered Apple and ordered the group to stop playing.

(Courtesy: http://www.beatlesbible.com/1969/01/30/the-beatles-rooftop-concert-apple-building/)

The Beatles Rooftop Concert
In this video the following songs come up at the following times:

Get Back - 01:03
Don't let Me Down - 04:18
I've Got a Feeling - 07:53
One After 909 - 11:35
Dig a Pony - 14:38
Get Back 18:30

Now that's what I call a show!
The next episode, Ep #140 will be dedicated to Michael Jackson and I'll put it up on 25th June, his 3rd death anniversary.
If you have any requests, ideas or thoughts for the show...let me know on: https://www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage
I've had about 4 other shows on Michael in the past. Go through the archived shows if you want to see them :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #138 - George Michael

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:12:00 +0000

A couple of days ago, I read that Wham! was supposed to get together for a 30th anniversary reunion but now George Michael's reps have said that that isn't true. The fact is the George has a new album coming out some time this year and he's focused on that.
Now irrespective of whether Wham! gets back or not, there's no denying that George Michael post his Wham! days has given us some really cool songs.
In my opinion he's got one of the smoothest voices in pop music and I've always loved the grooviness of his songs.
I thought, tonight, with George Michael on my mind...I'd share my favourite George Michael songs with you here on The MJ Show.

In chronological order here they are:

Careless Whisper

Faith

I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (with Aretha Franklin)

Father Figure

Freedom! 90

Heal The Pain (with Paul McCartney)

Waiting For That Day

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (with Elton John)

Too Funky

Somebody To Love (with Queen)

Jesus To A Child

Fastlove

You Have Been Loved

Outside

As (with Mary J. Blige)

Roxanne

If I Told You That (with Whitney Houston)

This Is Not Real Love (featuring Mutya Buena)

What incredible songs!!
Which was your favourite?! :) Let me know!

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #137 - Sinatra Sings Gershwin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:15:00 +0000

I've always said that Sinatra sounded best when he was younger. His work with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and his solo albums in his Columbia Records days...were absolutely incredible!
I remember picking up a whole bunch of albums in the Sony Music and Universal Music sales that happened in Mumbai and I think I found this rare gem in one of those sales. I tried looking it up on youtube and realized that no one had put it up...so I thought that I MUST do so.
This is an album you MUST listen and hopefully go and buy. If you're a Sinatra fan...you NEED this album! :)

I was looking for a photo of tha album on Amazon.com and I came across this fantastic write up about the cd written by someone called "Mark Blackburn". I just had to share it with you. Read it. He writes beautifully about the album and the last few tracks on the album.
This is excerpt from his complete review of the album.

On a CD that runs a satisfying 50 minutes almost half the songs (the final seven tracks, and the highlight of the disc) comprise a 'Tribute to George Gershwin' radio show from 56 years ago: This recently-uncovered treasure hasn't been heard publicly since the night of its broadcast -- June 4, 1947. These are direct-to-digital transfers from the original disc recordings; and on some of these tracks the pristine sound is actually cleaner than subsequent reel-to-reel recordings (with inherent tape hiss) from the early 1950s. The performances themselves are superb; but if you're like me, then prepare to be emotionally undone by the "live-in-studio" radio broadcast, comprising the second half of this CD.

The radio show is titled "Songs by Sinatra." And after a snippet of the show's regular theme music -- with Sinatra singing the opening bars of one of his signature tunes "Night and Day" -- the singer launches into his heartfelt tribute to composer George Gershwin. Sinatra first praises orchestra conductor Axel Stordahl "for preparing 30 minutes of fine arrangements" -- then alerts his radio audience to the special treats in store: "Janie Powell just flew in (to New York) from set 17 at MGM to sing 'Summertime' AND the celebrated Pied Pipers have a few diminished ninths they'd like to slip into your loudspeaker . . . AND we've brought over a fine mixed chorus, headed by Ken Lane . . . so relax and enjoy the immortal music of George Gershwin."

Sinatra immediately launches into one of the composer's lesser-known songs -- "Soon" -- then, in his own words, smoothly segues through an off-the-cuff, witty introduction to "Embraceable You" -- which he dedicates as a "seventh birthday" tribute to daughter Nancy ("Happy Birthday sweetie!"). This gorgeous version includes a seldom-heard alternate lyric for the song's opening stanza for which the composer's lyricist brother Ira incorporated endearingly quaint old English -- and a fresh rhyme for "Embraceable."

. . . my silk & laceable you . . .
I'm in love with you, I am
And VERILY so . . .
But you're much too shy --
Unnecessarily so!"

A wrenchingly beautiful "Porgy & Bess" medley (8:36 in length) follows, with Jane Powell's exquisite, voice interpreting "Summertime." Some rousing applause -- and periodic delighted squeals -- from the studio audience precedes "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York." Sinatra recalls "the street cries of Gershwin's 'Catfish Row'" (as the orchestra alludes to "Strawberry Woman"/"Crab Man") and then Sinatra & Powell, orchestra & chorus resolve the Porgy & Bess segment, with an amazing duet of "Bess, You Is My Woman."

There's still three more tracks to go in this remarkable Gershwin tribute: What follows is a show-stopping take of "Someone to Watch Over Me." The sheer beauty and emotional delicacy of this offering is (almost) enough to make you forget Sinatra's later, masterful (and with better-recorded orchestra) 'Capitol Years' interpretation of what some consider the most poignant love song of all time.

The final musical gem of this half-hour tribute show is "Love Walked In" -- which Sinatra alone performs, after reminding listeners this was "one of the last songs Gershwin wrote." To bring down the curtain, we hear a snippet of "Rhapsody in Blue" before Sinatra's personal reflections on the enduring greatness of his musical hero. (A verbatim transcript is included here, just to entice kindred spirits craving the rare sound of 'The Voice' in his own words.)

Okay then...enough writing and talking. Let's get to it.
Here it is...uploaded by me for you...exclusively for The MJ Show :)
Enjoy!

1. Somebody Loves Me

2. I've Got A Crush On You

3. Embraceable You

4. Someone To Watch Over Me

5. Oh Bess, Where Is My Bess?

6. Porgy And Bess Medley 01: Summertime/I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'/Summertime

7. It Ain't Necessarily So

8. S'Wonderful

9. A Foggy Day

10. I've Got A Crush On You

11. Night And Day

12. Soon

13. Embraceable You

14. Porgy And Bess Medley 02: Summertime/There's A Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York/Street Cries/Bess You Is My Woman Now

15. Someone To Watch Over Me

16. Love Walked In

17. Show Closing

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #136 - Happy Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 06:46:00 +0000

We all love our fathers and I'm really happy that there's a day to celebrate and remember them. I mean yes...we love our moms and dads every day but it's always nice to have a special day just to remember how much they mean to us.

Personally, I know that I could never be able to do what I'm doing right now without my father always looking out for me and supporting me and I am truly grateful for everything that my dad has done for me.
I'm also very proud of everything he has done with his life and I really do hope that I can do half as much for my kids when I have them some day.
I love you Baba. Thank you for being you. Happy father's day :)

This is for my dad and for your's as well.
Do play some of these songs for them today :)

Paul Anka - Papa

Brad Paisley - He Didn't Have To Be

John Lennon - Beautiful Boy

Cat Stevens - Father And Son

Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father

Amy Grant - Father's Eyes

Alan Jackson - Drive

George Strait - The Best Day Of My Life

I want to end today's show with my favourite song about a father and his son.
Someday I would love to sing this song...for my kid :)
George Strait - Love Without End Amen

Right then...it is now time for me to say take care and have a very happy Father's Day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #135 - John Mayer - Born And Raised

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 09:05:00 +0000

My favourite contemporary artist is back with a new album. In my opinion...over the last one decade...he has been the only artist who I feel makes great ALBUMS. Not singles...but great complete albums!

I'm fairly certain that I've heard more of John Mayer over the last few years than any other artist...and I'm fairly certain that statistic won't change in the years to come :)

Here it is then. His brand new album: Born And Raised.

Listen to it here...but be good boys and girls...and go and buy a copy of it. You won't regret it :)

1. Queen of California

2. The Age of Worry

3. Shadow Days

4. Speak for Me

5. Something Like Olivia

6. Born and Raised

7. If I Ever Get Around to Living

8. Love Is A Verb

9. Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967

11. Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey

12. A Face to Call Home

13. Born and Raised (Reprise)

14. Fool to Love You

Right then...it is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #134 - Mehdi Hassan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:07:00 +0000

I'll admit this. My knowledge of ghazals is not very vast but even I have heard some of the incredible ghazals by the incredible Mehdi Hassan Sahab. Passing away is inevitable I guess and in relatively quick succession the music world lost two great ghazal maestros.
I had the pleasure of meeting and hosting a concert with the great Jagjitji and though I didn't ever have the pleasure of meeting Mehdi Sahab, like millions of people all around the world...I fell in love with some of his songs too.

I think the great thing about the passing of a musical great like him is that years...possibly even centuries after they are gone, their music will live on.

Here tonight are a few of his songs that I love. Hope you like them too.
Rest in peace Mehdi Hassan Sahab.

Let's start with the incredible "Ranjish Hi Sahi"

Have I missed out some that you like. I'm sure I have. Let me know and I'll add them in :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #133 - Rock Of Ages! (Songs from the soundtrack)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Just got back home from watching "Rock Of Ages".

Here's what I think. Don't go to the movie being all serious and stuff. Go to have fun and you'll come back thoroughly entertained! It's a music lover's dream movie...especially if you rocked out to 80s rock n roll music. It's got songs by some of the best bands you can think of. The versions in the movie done by the cast of the movie are absolutely stunning. I wish I could play you the movie versions here but I figured you should go and experience that yourselves in the movie...but just to get you familiarized with the songs in case you didn't know some of them, I thought I'd get all the songs in the movie...the originals versions that is and put them all up for you.
So here you are! Enjoy this phenomenal set...and just think...you'll get ALL these songs in one movie!
Absolutely brilliant! I think after "Across The Universe" which had a ton of Beatles songs...this is my favourite movie soundtrack in a long long time.
Also Glee fans...this is almost like Glee for the bigger kids :)

The movie releases next week. Don't miss it! :)
Rock n Roll! \m/

1. Paradise City

2. Sister Christian / Just Like Paradise / Nothin' But a Good Time

3. Juke Box Hero / I Love Rock 'n' Roll

4. Hit Me With Your Best Shot

5. Waiting For a Girl Like You

6. More Than Words / Heaven

7. Wanted Dead or Alive

8. I Want to Know What Love Is

9. I Wanna Rock

10. Pour Some Sugar On Me

11. Harden My Heart

12. Shadows of the Night / Harden My Heart

13. Here I Go Again

14. Can't Fight This Feeling

15. Any Way You Want It

16. Undercover Love

17. Every Rose Has Its Thorn

18. Rock You Like a Hurricane

19. We Built This City / We're Not Gonna Take It

20. Don't Stop Believin'

How frakking awesome was that!
(I've just begun watching Battlestar Galactica in case you were wondering where that classic word (frak) came from) :)

Next movies to look forward to - The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises!!! :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #132 - The Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:28:00 +0000

Today's entire show is dedicated to just one song - The Prayer!
Why...because it's JUST THAT GOOD!
I have a lot of versions of the song for you and trust me when I say this. EACH and EVERY version I've picked here kicks ass! Seriously though...don't miss out a single video here. If you like good music...you WILL be moved by this song.

Here's a bit of info about the song.

"The Prayer" is most commonly known as a duet between Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. This duet is the second single from Dion's Christmas album These Are Special Times and first from Bocelli's album Sogno, and was released as a promotional single on March 1, 1999.
"The Prayer" won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song from the Quest for Camelot movie in 1999, the second win in a row for a Celine Dion song. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999 and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2000. Dion performed it with Bocelli at both ceremonies.
First, "The Prayer" was recorded as two separate solo versions, Dion's in English and Bocelli's in Italian. They appeared on the Quest for Camelot soundtrack in May 1998. The duet was included on both artists albums, released a few months later

Here's the original duet...

And here are some more incredible versions. Don't miss even one of them. Trust me. I'm not kidding :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #131 - Kumar Gandharva - Mala Umajlele Bal Gandharva

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:27:00 +0000

One of my favourite albums growing up was "Mala Umajlele Bal Gandharva". I remember my dad had an old cassette of the album. In fact, I remember that it wasn't even an original cassette. He had got it recorded from a friend of his who had the original album. A few years ago, when I got into the radio business, I searched all over and finally found the album on CD at a store in Dadar and it was like finding lost treasure for me.
I didn't know what the words meant back then...and I still don't...but I know that this man's voice speaks out to me. When I heard that they were making a movie on Bal Gandharva, the only reason I wanted to see it is to see if the songs sound as good as Kumarji's. They did in their own way and that's a tale for another episode...but the reason I mentioned it here is that as far as I was concerned, this man, Kumar Gandharva, was and still is for me one of the greatest singers I've ever heard.

A few days ago, talking to a friend of mine, Yashad, who is also a classical music aficionado I told him that I must do a show on Kumar Gandharva and that got both of us excited. I will be putting up a few more shows on Indian classical music in the days to come but the first thing I wanted to do when I thought of doing anything about classical music...is...I wanted to put up a show on this incredible album.
When I searched the net, I was stunned to find that there were hardly any good recordings of the album on the net...and so...for the very first time, I uploaded all songs of an entire album on to youtube. This is my tribute to this incredible man and these songs.
I really do hope you enjoy them. I can't say much about the songs themselves...or about the man or about Bal Gandharva. There's enough info about that all over the net.
Right now...I just want to give you the songs of one of my favourite albums ever.
Enjoy! :)

Nath Ha Maza

Tat Kari Duhita

Sujan Kasa Man Chori

Mam Aatma Gamala Ha

Mala Madan Bhase

Karin Yadu Mani Sadana

Kashi Ya Tyaju Padala

Nayane Lajvit

Virat Dyanee

Prabhu Aji Gamala

So...how was it for you? Was this your first time listening to him? Or are you a big fan?

Let me know what you think on www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage

Right then...it is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #130 - Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:25:00 +0000

Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb - the Bee Gees, have been one of the most successful trios/bands in the world. They've had tons of hits and have sold more albums than you can imagine. In fact, the Bee Gees' Hall of Fame citation says "Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees".
I read that just a few hours ago, Robin Gibb passed away and is now with Maurice doing concerts way up high. As a tribute to this band I thought I'd look at one of their most successful soundtrack/albums.
The soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever was composed and performed primarily by the Bee Gees, was one of the best-selling soundtrack albums of all time.
The Bee Gees had originally written and recorded the five of the songs used in the film, "Stayin' Alive", "Night Fever" and "How Deep Is Your Love", "More Than a Woman" and "If I Can't Have You" (performed in the movie by Yvonne Elliman) as part of a regular album but when the movie came calling along I guess they decided to give the tracks to the soundtrack rather than releasing an album themselves. Two previously-released Bee Gees songs—"Jive Talkin'" and "You Should Be Dancing" were also included on the soundtrack.
The soundtrack also won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

So here they are...all of the songs that the Bee Gees did for Saturday Night Fever!

"Stayin' Alive"

"How Deep Is Your Love"

"Night Fever"

"More Than a Woman"

"Jive Talkin'"

"You Should Be Dancing"

"If I Can't Have You"
Though the movie version was sung by Yvonne Elliman I've found a version of the song by The Bee Gees.

Robin Gibb...R.I.P!
If you have any favourite Bee Gees songs...let me know on www.facebook.com/mihirjoshipage and we'll do one more show on their other hits some time soon!

Right then...it is now time for me to say take care and have a nice day! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #129 - The Corrs - Unplugged (Complete Concert)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

I've always loved The Corrs. I mean what's there not to love. 3 beautiful women who can sing and some really great songs too :)

One of my favourite concerts by them was the MTV Unplugged gig that they did.
This session was recorded live on October 5, 1999 (1999-10-05) in front of an audience at Ardmore Studios, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Here are the songs they did in the show.
"Only When I Sleep"
"What Can I Do"
"Radio"
"Toss The Feathers"
"Everybody Hurts"
"Dreams"
"Runaway"
"Forgiven Not Forgotten"
"At Your Side"
"Little Wing"
"No Frontiers"
"Queen Of Hollywood"
"Old Town (This Boy Is Cracking Up)"
"(Lough) Erin Shore"
"So Young"

So tonight, I thought I'd give you a full show. :) Simple eh? Enjoy!

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #128 - Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (Complete Album)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:20:00 +0000

One of my favourite albums of all time is "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac. It has without a doubt some of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung.

Here's some info about the album:
Rumours is the eleventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Largely recorded in California during 1976, it was produced by the band with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut and was released on 4 February 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. The record peaked at the top of both the main United States Billboard chart and the United Kingdom Albums Chart. "Go Your Own Way", "Don't Stop", "Dreams", and "You Make Loving Fun" were released as singles. A Grammy Award winner, Rumours is Fleetwood Mac's most successful release with sales of over 40 million copies worldwide.

I loved the harmonies and the instrumentation...but let's not talk about it. Just go for it. Listen to the entire album!
The songs in the album were:

1."Second Hand News"
2."Dreams"
3."Never Going Back Again"
4."Don't Stop"
5."Go Your Own Way"
6."Songbird"
7."The Chain"
8."You Make Loving Fun"
9."I Don't Want To Know"
10."Oh Daddy"
11."Gold Dust Woman"

Another great thing that recently happened with the album was that the cast of Glee covered a lot of songs from the album and I thought they did an absolutely splendid job.
Check em out:

"Dreams"

"Never Going Back Again"

"Songbird"

"I Don't Want to Know"

"Nice to Meet You, Have I Slept with You?"

"Go Your Own Way"

"Don't Stop"

Oh hell! I've got to give you a couple more version of my favourite songs in this album
Here's a live version of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

Eva Cassidy - Songbird
This has got to be one of the most beautiful covers I've ever heard! Check it out!

That's about it for tonight :)
Enjoy this incredible album!

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!

The MJ Show #127 - Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:30:00 +0000

I remember seeing a video of George Michael doing "Somebody To Love" with Queen years ago on MTV...and thinking "WOW! This is incredible." Back then I didn't have access to the full concert but a few years ago I picked up the DVD of The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and I've gotta say that it's one of my concerts for sure.

Here what it was:
The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness was an open-air concert held on Easter Monday, 20 April 1992 at London's Wembley Stadium, for an audience of 72,000. The concert was produced for television by Ray Burdis and broadcast live on television and radio to 76 countries around the world, with an audience of up to one billion. The concert was a tribute to the life of the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, with all proceeds going to AIDS research. The show marked bassist John Deacon's final concert with Queen (save one live appearance with Brian May, Roger Taylor and Elton John in 1997). The profits from the concert were used to launch The Mercury Phoenix Trust AIDS charity organisation.

The concert opened with a message from the three remaining members of Queen in tribute to Mercury. The music then commenced with short sets from bands that were influenced by the music of Queen, including Metallica, Extreme (playing a Queen medley), Def Leppard (who brought Brian May onstage for a faithful version of "Now I'm Here"), and Guns N' Roses. Between bands, several video clips honouring Freddie Mercury were shown, while the roadies changed the stage for the following act's performance.

The second half of the concert featured the three remaining Queen members - John Deacon (on bass), Brian May (on guitar) and Roger Taylor (on drums) - along with guest singers and guitarists, including Elton John, Roger Daltrey (of The Who), Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath), David Bowie, Mick Ronson (of Spiders from Mars), James Hetfield (of Metallica), George Michael, Seal, Paul Young, Annie Lennox, Lisa Stansfield, Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin), Joe Elliott and Phil Collen (of Def Leppard), Axl Rose and Slash (of Guns N' Roses), Liza Minnelli, and others.

Queen + Joe Elliott/Slash - "Tie Your Mother Down"

Queen + Roger Daltrey/Tony Iommi - "Heaven and Hell" (intro), "Pinball Wizard" (intro), "I Want It All"

Queen + Zucchero - "Las Palabras de Amor"

Queen + Gary Cherone/Tony Iommi - "Hammer to Fall"

Queen + James Hetfield/Tony Iommi - "Stone Cold Crazy "

Queen + Robert Plant - "Innuendo", "Thank You" (intro), "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".

Brian May with Spike Edney - "Too Much Love Will Kill You"

Queen + Paul Young - "Radio Ga Ga"

Queen + Seal - "Who Wants to Live Forever"

Queen + Lisa Stansfield - "I Want to Break Free"

Queen + David Bowie/Annie Lennox - "Under Pressure"

Queen + Ian Hunter/David Bowie/Mick Ronson/Joe Elliot/Phil Collen - "All The Young Dudes"

Queen + David Bowie/Mick Ronson - "Heroes"

Queen + George Michael - "'39"

Queen + George Michael/Lisa Stansfield - "These Are the Days of Our Lives"

Queen + George Michael - "Somebody to Love"

Queen + Elton John/Axl Rose - "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Queen + Elton John/Tony Iommi - "The Show Must Go On"

Queen + Axl Rose - "We Will Rock You"

Queen + Liza Minnelli/Cast - "We Are the Champions"

Hope you enjoyed that :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say good night and take care! :)

This is your Musicman...Mihir Joshi...signing off!