Jackson Heights

Remember Suleman Mirza and the unnamed Sardarji (Signature) who rocked Britain's Got Talent earlier this year? Guess they were able to come back with an act, that played on their strengths, and is making them a hot contender for the top prize. The act's pretty neat, but has significant potential of dying out, unless they come up with a new twist.

Needless to say, this is a big step up for desis on talent shows, from Fanjaya and Kashif "Hrithik" Memon.

Technorati Tags: Britain's Got Talent,Suleman Mirza,Bhangra,Michael Jackson,Signature

Crane-ial Issues

The city needs an immediate overhaul on its rampant construction industry. With condo-complexes and high-rises coming out of the woodwork, on an already overcrowded landscape, fatality-causing accidents like this are just unforgivable. Quite like the probe on the oil industry is going to result in the uncovering of a lot of foul play and manipulation, a deep-pronged and invasive investigation into the overtly political and unregulated real estate and construction business is long overdue.

(updated)

Windows Live Writer.

So far so good.

(upgraded to)

Loving it!

Trinity - Santana (Supernatural)


A heavenly guitar version of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Tere Bin Nahin Lagda, by Carlos Santana and Kirk Hammett of Metallica.

Now that's what I call music.



In other news, Deep Purple's "Smoke" tops an informal but legit list of the 25 Most Infamous Guitar Riffs.

And off, again

In the words of General Berterelli (‘Allo ‘Allo), - “What a mistaka to maka”.

Does anyone know a good desktop blogging software, out there?

Rev-Ev is now..

... Rocketpost enabled!

Privyet!

Viewing the map of last week's visitors on RevEv, I realize that I need readers from Russia. The Cold War is Over, Rosnovski!

Здравствуйте!

(After a montage featuring the variegated medical conditions that John McCain has/is enduring, and the reporters still maintaining that he is in pristine medical condition, and quipping that "70 is the new 30")

Jon Stewart: ..... hmmm ..... So I guess "Dead" is the new "50"?

Spotted on the Subway


Part of the "Train of Thought" series on MTA NYC subways - a piece by the author of Charlotte's Web.

"There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter - the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in search of something . . . Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion." - E.B. White (1899-1985) Here is New York

Gotta love this city!

In other news - is it me, or is Two and a Half Men getting way funnier?

Remember Jaago Zara? Yup, the track from Viva - the band of girls who won the Channel [V] hunt, who were geared to become India's answer to the Spice Girls. Well did they? Not so much. But, JZ did end up putting someone on the map - composers Salim-Suleiman.

Absolute Power

Have a strong feeling that this movie's gonna be a real live wire. Can already hear the background score going "govinda govinda govinda"...

Maane Tu Ya Maane Na

JTYJN - One of those soundtracks, folks. The ones that hook you so badly, that your IPod has them songs on repeat, over and over and over, and you still can't get enough. Love what ARR has done with this album. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is the good ol' classic, no-frills Rahman, with simplicity in his arrangements and ill chorus hooks that grip you tight. It brings back memories of Rangeela and Roja (still remember listening to Yeh Haseen Wadiyaan for the first time, and going - "daym, who is this guy?").

I haven't heard a melancholic anthem in recent times, as haunting and theatrical as "Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai". First the female version, and then the male Sukhwinder version. If heard in the right frame of mind, its capable of inspiring a lot of memories, and moving one to tears. Sheer brilliance! Complete review here.

In other news, the maladies of the current state of the investment banking universe in NYC is encapsulated brilliantly on Leveraged Sellout. Great read! Funny 'cuz its true :-)

Let's go outside

But not in a George Michael kinda way. Summertime in New York, means its time for rooftop bars and lounges to light up.

Recommended, this summer: Bookmarks @ The Library Hotel. 41st and Madison (14th Floor). Classy and non-pretentious. A great place for after-work drinks, leading up to dinner downstairs, at Madison & Vine. Phenomenal views of the midtown skyline.

"Once" upon a time

Swell Season
Marketa Irglova and John Hansard
of Once


Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, New York
Wed Sep 17, 7:00 PM

Tickets?

Be There!

Memorial Day Weekend - Soundtrack

• Jai Bhavani - DJ Cheb I Sabbah / Devotion
• Hawa Sun Hawa - Sonu-Alka/A R Rahman/OST - Ada: Way of Life
• Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi - Rashid Ali/A R Rahman/OST - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
• Balearic Island - Chill Out Ibiza (The Balearic Edition)
• Lajjavathiye (Malayalam version) - Jessie Gift/OST 4 The People
• Don't Stop Believing - Journey
• Maari Teetri - Raja "SaReGaMa" Hasan/Vishal-Shekhar/OST-De Taali
• Beautiful - Triangle Sun/Cafe Del Mar IX
• Kahin Maut Se Bhi - Gaudi and Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan / Dub Qawwali
• Easy - Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale (feat. Norah Jones) / Breathing Under Water

Unsung



Bawri Piya Ki: A heart-rendered number by Sonu, that really didn't get its due, because it was part of a crash-landing by the B R Chopra camp, called Babul.

Although it is obvious that it takes a LOT of inspiration from Abhijit Pohankar's Piya Bawari. Right from the title, to the concept, to the music - and a significant part of the melody.

El Aura

An honest and well-crafted indie. It saddens one to know that this is the second, and the last film, of director Fabian Bielinsky, who died of a heart attack earlier this year. But if you think that The Aura is going to be anything like his last (Nine Queens), think again.

Premiered at Sundance, El Aura (trailer) is an Argentinian "film noir meets heist thriller" flick. Gloomy and dark. Ricardo Darin's character is sublime and mysterious. Although the title may make it seem like a "horror" flick, and the trailer and the stereotypical mysterious voice-over makes it seem like a "thriller/crime drama", El Aura is neither. Its comfortably pensive, understated and esoteric enough to be considered noir, and definitely requires you to be in the right frame of mind to truly enjoy Bielinsky's work. Films like El Aura are truly rare works of art.

In other news, living it up in Oyster Bay. Have a blast this MD weekend, folks.

The ultimate "long drive to nowhere" song

Craving for Simplicity

Was listening to the soundtrack of Haal-e-Dil, featuring a smorgasbord of MDs ranging from Vishal Bharadwaj to Raghav Sachar. Some of the Sonu Nigam tracks on it made me think of the simplicity of earlier times, and the musical compositions of the yesteryears.

The emphasis was on melody. There was no need for harmonies, and percussion, and parallel tracks, and 7ths, and complicated interludes, and chord changes. There was just magical simple melody. Today, music is a production. And its appreciable. Technology has advanced, and music is multi-dimensional. But, a Madan Mohan melody will remain just as timeless in the next decade. So will an "Ae Ajnabi". So will anything that's based on simple and sincere melody, that never has an expiration or renewal date. Technology, sadly, always does.

In other news, the title track of Haal-e-dil is haunting and a half. Something surreal about the way the raag works, along with the light electronica and ensembles at the back. Music by Vishal B who is brilliant in this genre, striking just the right balance between all the elements, and sung by Rahat (with background parts by Shreya). Love the raag, the rhythm and the build, and of course, Rahat's vocals. Grips you, the same way that Tanhai from Dil Chahta Hai did.

Hook, Line and Singer


David Cook - the new American Idol

Toldja. That's how its done, baby!