I look at the world and I notice it's turning

While my guitar gently weeps

With every mistake we must surely be learning

Still my guitar gently weeps

~The Beatles

Shankar!!!!!!!!

Thanks R for sending over this piece of sheer brilliance!!!!!  OMG!  Just fell off the chair laughing.  Such a well made piece!!  The analogies are just hilarious :))))  That the desi Dexter should be a God-fearing South Indian is just too cool, I say!!!

On a related note, the final season's premier is about a month away!  What say G & R, how about a premier party in good ol' Bengaluru??????!!!!!  Together we should toast the King of Blood.  Cant wait!!!!!!  OH, how will it all end, pray tell!

Soul music

IMO there is nothing more appealing than a man's deep, soulful, musical voice brimming with emotion.  Especially if the emotion is being meted out via a Hindustani classical rendition.  Add Shankar Tucker's now classic fusion touch to the mix, and what you have is a divine caress to the soul.  This Shriram Iyer chap is pretty darned good.  Beautiful piece, listening to it over and over again.

skyfall

Ok, then.  This was a must watch for me, of course.  And so I did.  And it delivered.  Yet another facet of 007's life and history are revealed, and he is presented to us for what he is.  An ageing spy, but still the one who can bring it on.  No, he's not defying death (not too many times at least).  He's not winning against all the bad guys.  And he's certainly not getting all the women.  But he's still the spy whose reason for being is justified, and glorified, and reveled in.  By his most ardent fans, friends and foes.

Oh, well.  Forget all that.  Bond delivers.  I just think Bond has truly come of age now with Daniel Craig.  Skyfall is sophisticated (indeed everyone of the previous Bonds were just jokers in comparison:  recently caught Die Another Day and just had to laugh at the ridiculous stunts on display), and doesn't try to make Bond into the super-hero that he's not.  It calls him out for what he is - an ageing spy.  But it still delivers in the immaculate style that is quintessential Bond, the thrill that Bond fans always seek out.  Now, the plot itself leaves something to be desired.  Why Bond would take M to a dilapidated mansion in the middle of nowhere with absolutely no back up nor re-enforcements to try and thwart out the evil-caneevil is beyond me.  But I don't really care.  What I really liked is how Bond has evolved.  Its a damn good feeling to know Bond is growing older and wiser, just like me, and countless other fans.  :-)

And of course, Craig as Bond and Adele make just an irresistible combination.  Simply superb opening sequence as Adele supercharges your senses with her masterpiece.

Ah, Bond.  You entertain me so.

Nadia

Lovely rendering of this fusion piece originally composed by Nitin Sawhney.  This rendition is composed by Shankar Tucker who I am a fan of.  Tucker is an American clarinist who is now studying music in India and came to the world stage through really neat compositions spread through the "ShrutiBox" on youtube.

This piece is based in Raag Desh (a personal favourite of mine) and although kudos is to be given to Nitin Sawhney the original composer for the musicality of the piece, Jaunita John here more than does justice to it.  Don't miss how Tucker ends the piece with his clarinet.  Lovely.

And this is the original commercial version of the song.  The song is about a girl singing in longing for her lover who is on the other side of a raging river.  The river doesn't let her cross over, in spite of her pleading with it.  Her beau ('saiyyaan') calls her, but in vain.

And finally, check out this version by Jeff Beck.  How awesome is it?

All in all, not tiring one bit of this tune.  

khamaaj

Humble attempt.  This one is for you.

Thanks G for the accompaniment.

of serial killers....

.....only the good ones.  For that's what he is, ya?  A good bad guy.  And I've mentioned before that I like that sort.  Latest TV obsession, this.  Have to say, its been done really well.  I really like Dexter's internal dialog.  Very humanized.  Got a call from G last week at 3 AM his time in India.  When asked incredulously what he was up to at that ungodly hour, he replies that he and the wife are engaged in a marathon Dexter viewing session.  !!!!.   Good to know we are not the only crazies in existence.  Blood does run thicker than water....blood...hehe, get it?  No?  Go watch the spatter analyst at work.  Tell me you don't find it at least somewhat intriguing.

acoustic

Nothing more appealing than just a guitar and a great voice.  Acoustic is the true talent.  Great rendition, this one.  Rob Thomas is good, but do check out the guitar segments.  So, so neat.  And oh yes, the back-up singer is really, really good.  This is why acoustic is so appealing.  It showcases all aspects of the performance and gives credit to real talent.  By the same argument, every flaw is easier to see, and the basics (like your voice) have to be really strong in order to appeal.

just like a love song...

New song repeating on my running play list.  Worst thing I did to myself in the past few months was to not work out like a maniac.  Stress makes you want to stop everything.  Big, big mistake.  Am so happy I am back now.  This kind of thing needs to be like an addiction.  Listening to the beat while the sweat drops and the muscles stretch is almost like an aphrodisiac for the mind and soul.

Jesus to a Child

Great performance.  Such confidence, heart and soul.  Beautiful orchestra accompaniment.  Loving the composition and the lyrics.  Listening to this one over and over.

Kindness in your eyes
I guess you heard me cry
You smiled at me
Like, Jesus to a child

I'm blessed, I know
Heaven sent, heaven stole
You smiled at me
Like, Jesus to a child

And what have I learned
From all this pain
I thought I never feel the same
About anyone
Or anything again
But now I know

When you find love
When you know that it exists
Then the lover that you miss
Will come to you on those cold, cold nights
When you've been loved
When you know it holds such bliss
Then the lover that you kissed
Will comfort you when there is no hope in sight

Sadness in my eyes
No one guessed, well no one tried
You smiled at me
Like, Jesus to a child

Loveless and cold
With your last breathe you saved my soul
You smiled at me
Like, Jesus to a child

And what have I learned
From all these tears
I've waited for you all those years
Then just when it began
He took your love away
But I still say

When you find love
When you know that it exists
Then the lover that you miss
Will come to you on those cold, cold nights
When you've been loved
When you know it holds such bliss
Then the lover that you kissed
Comfort you when there is no hope in sight

So the words you could not say
I'll sing them for you
And the love we would have made
I'll make it for two
For every single memory
Has become a part of me

You will always be
My love
Well I've been loved
So I know just what love is
And the lover that I kissed is always by my side
Oh, the lover I still miss
Was Jesus to a child

I don't care if it hurts
I want to have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice when I'm not around
You're so fu***** special
I wish I was special

~ Radiohead, "Creep"

Setting fire to the rain with Adele

Really like this woman.  She has a completely unique voice.  And a very authentic style.  I don't love all her songs, but would still be interested to hear anything she comes up with.  I do like the faster numbers better from her list of hits though.  And this song is stuck in my head these days. I love the last twenty seconds or so of the song very much.  I say it again, a really different voice that stands out. 

I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your face,
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name.....

Hmmmm.

The Adventures of Tintin

Watched this in the theatre in 3D a couple of weeks ago.  What a treat.  Seriously, what a damn good treat.    Initially when I heard the movie was coming out, I was pretty excited.  Let it be stated clearly -  I am a Tintin fan.  Always have been. Heck, I grew up with Tintin but I really started enjoying it fully as an adult, when I began to marvel at Herge's brilliance in creating gripping story lines with sheer excitement through a comic book.  I mean, I think I have read almost all of the 25 or so stories.  The characters are unforgettable.  And so, with all that background, I was excited that someone like Spielberg was coming out with the movie.  And then I saw a review in the Washington post.  It was completely scathing.  The reviewer gave the movie 2 stars (out of five, which is a really bad rating).  I remember my heart sinking.  I thought - shit, Spielberg somehow managed to screw it up.  Then I looked up a few more reviews - IMDB, Rotten tomatoes (these are all viewer based), and suddenly a picture began to emerge.  A picture of two opposing world views of Tintin, depending on which side of the world you were born in.  I couldn't believe it.  These Americans were the ones giving the movie bad reviews.  Because they were just looking at it as another comic action/adventure movie without having any history with the characters.  As an ardent Tintin fan, I was completely offended.  I asked a few people at work.  It pains me to even write about it.  One guy says "Hmmm...tintin...haven't heard much about it...he's like some comic dude, right? what's it about?"....another one says "isn't he some German(!) guy with a dog solving some murder mysteries or something?".....unbelievable.  These people have not read a single Tintin comic book ever.  No wonder they are giving the movie 2 stars.

And sure enough, when P (who is an equal if not bigger fan) and I took time off from work, and were the only two people in the matinee show in the theatre, we ended up sitting through 2 hours of pure fun.  Seeing all the favourite characters in animation, the plot combining three classics - The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure, and the adrenaline pumping adventures of the reporter coming to life on the screen was entertainment at a really high level.

What can I say?  The Americans don't know what they are missing. 

The King's Speech

Finally watched this movie to check out what the hype had been about.  For some reason, was expecting to be somewhat disappointed on some level, and I was.  Not to say it was not a decent movie - done well for a period flick, from a setting and costume and legitimate feel perspective.  Could the story line have been made stronger?  I think so, even though the core theme of the movie is about a younger prince who grew up in the shadow of his father and older brother and who struggled with a life-long stammer, who later becomes King when his brother abdicates the throne and who must now give important speeches to the population.  And, he approaches a speech therapist who becomes his friend, and who helps him get through the speech challenge.  And the bond that grows between them.  Some powerful moments (which were not fleshed out enough in my opinion) when the King opens up to the doctor on episodes from his very early child-hood that indicate could have led to his acquiring the stammer. I liked that there was nothing very complex in this story line.  By the nature of that, there were no wow scenes, or anything that was unexpected.  However, that meant then that acting and sets, etc would have to be brilliant, for the movie to be great.  For me, it wasn't.  Colin Firth (Bridget Jones fame, etc) was not entirely convincing in the role.  But Lord knows he was a better choice than Hugh Grant (please!) who apparently declined the role first.  The fact that he (Colin Firth) bagged an academy award for his role as did the movie itself is bewildering to me.  But then again, I don't fully understand what the Academy board looks for or how they decide these things (I don't think anybody does).  In any case, it was a different kind of a film and for that I don't regret having spent the time.

Winter's Bone

Watched this movie, even though I was reluctant.  I'm probably going through a phase where I just don't want to watch/read this genre.  I knew it would be depressing.  It was, although there are some powerful moments in the story and script that are uplifting if you get past the sadness.  Anyway, the story is about a really poor family in West Virginia, and a seventeen year old girl caring for her sick mom and little brother and sister, while trying to desperately find her druggie father who, if she cannot find in a week, will result in them losing their house.  The lead character is played very well by Jennifer Lawrence and I believe the movie also bagged several academy award nominations.  I guess its a fairly critically acclaimed movie.  Overall, pretty decent story line although it felt a little slow-moving at times.  The most powerful moment for me in the movie is when, despite being so strong and determined to not let the desperation of the situation get to her, the girl sits with her mentally ill mother and begs her to tell her what to do, just this one time.  Very powerful. 

Step off the train, walking down your street again
Passed your door, but you don't live there anymore
It's years since you've been there, and now you've disappeared somewhere
Like outta space, you've found some better place

And I miss you, like the deserts miss the rain
And I miss you, oh, like the deserts miss the rain

~Sade

brothers in arms

Timeless.  Soul-stirring.  Goose bumps.  Every time I hear it.  A classic.  Sung by one of the best that there ever was.

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be

Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher

And though we were hurt so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die

But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

Black Swan

Finally, finally saw this movie.  And uh, what do I say?  Felt incredibly slow moving in the beginning, and a little weird.  Am usually up for something different, even intense in a movie, and I guess at any other time, this might have qualified nicely.  But am in a slightly sensitive frame of mind these days (heh), and somehow this ended up rubbing a raw nerve somewhere.  Have to admit that Natalie Portman has acted incredibly well.  Deserving of the academy award.  The movie itself started reminding me of Jack Nicholson and The Shining about thirty minutes into it....*shudder*.  Yep, not my favourite genre.  In general, I'm not a fan of horror, although pure horror is ridiculous.  Don't believe in ghosts, and other such crap.  However, the psychopath/sociopath is a very real fear for me.  And it can be spine chilling in a well made movie.  Again, *shudder*.

In any case, was a decent watch.  Portman was really very good.  Amazed at the ubiquitous token-mostly-with-negative-undertones roles that Mila Kunis seems to be playing all over the place.  Could be wrong though, because I simply never watch as nearly the number of movies that I used to, and probably should be...

As the movie started getting progressively more disturbing towards the end, all I was glad about was that I wasn't going to bed alone....:-)

My music

Decided to bring back the old music to my life today.  Decided to train my voice again to remember how it used to perform.  When I think of the years invested in formal training, the hours of riyaaz, the sense of achievement, but more than anything else, the peace of listening to myself, the joy of singing for others and noting with satisfaction their appreciation....suddenly feel the need to get back to that.  I remember my father's words...he always said, and still does..."your voice is a gift from God.  Make the most of it"...:-) 

Anyway, switched on the shruti instrument, and as I listened to the strains of Sa-Pa-Sa....my respect for this music began to take hold once more.  And when I let my voice find the same notes, the connection was instant.

Dug up all my old lesson books.  Voice is rusty from ages of no practice.  Will take some work to open it up and get back in shape.  Am not beyond getting that done.  Not yet, anyway.

Inception

Finally watched it on Netflix yesterday.  Clearly, I am beyond late to this party.  But that is how it is these days.  In any case, I loved it.  Clearly superior script writing and plot.  Superb acting by Caprio and gang.  Chris Nolan delivers once again, just like he did with Memento and Dark Knight, etc.

Somebody please just answer one question - its obvious (or is it?) that in the end (and here I un-ashamedly throw in a SPOILER ALERT), Cobb is dreaming about finally landing in LA and meeting his kids.  But, the question is, is he dreaming it in the 4th level where he is in "limbo" with Saito?  I think so. 

Disagree?  Tell me why....