Mehdi Hassan’s 15 best film songs – my favourites

The Voice of God didn’t sing just the most beautiful ghazals; it excelled at commercial film songs too. Here, listen to 15 of my favourite songs that Mehdi Hassan sang for Pakistani films. Hope you like them – Pavan R Chawla

Back in 2004, I think it was, when I met the great Lata Mangeshkar to discuss PR for MAX for the India v/s Sri Lanka benefit match for the Dinanath Mangeshkar Memorial Hospital she was keen on setting up in Pune, when she told me, in response to a question about her favourite singers:  “If I can, I always make it a point to listen to two singers every night before going to bed, and every morning after I wake up.” One, she said, was Barbara Streisand. The other was Mehdi Hassan. I loved her even more then, if that is possible, because Mehdi Hassan has always been my favourite too.

Thank God for recordings – Mehdi Hassan’s golden voice, with the breathtakingly handsome balance of smoothness and gravelly texture that surely was the result of a divine fluke, will live on for ever. (My heart goes out to a dear friend from Pakistan, Goher Iqbal Punn, who, years ago, had sent me an assortment of excellent Pakistani songs. We grieve.)

I remember, some of the first Mehdi Hassan songs I heard were from an LP of his old Pakistani Film songs – each a gem. Rafta Rafta Woh Meri Hasti Ka Saamaan Ho Gaye, Ranjish Hi Sahi, Kaise Kaise Log Hamare Dil Ko Jalaane Aa Jaate Hain, Tanha Thi Aur Hamesha Se Tanha Hai Zindagi… It was 1974-75, I think, and I was in Chandigarh. Thankfully, Radio Pakistan’s Lahore station tuned loud and clear on Medium Wave on my cherished possession, the six-band HMV Peacock radio with a glowing rich wooden body the grains of which gleamed brighter with each dusting. It had a golden grill, two speakers, and a lovely green-glowing valve, the tuning indicator light in which you tried to reduce as close to a hair-thin sliver as possible – for that indicated the finest tuning. The door to the room shut, Volume nicely up, Bass and Treble levels set, I would sit back and pray that the next song my favourite announcer on Radio Pakistan Lahore, Hassan Shahid Mirza,  announced,  would be one sung by Mehdi Hassan, and for a film.

Mehdi Hassan was the undisputed Ghazal King, and also excelled at film songs. I reveled in those songs, and such was my love for Mehdi Hassan’s voice, that even though eight out of ten Pakistani film songs -- especially the ones by Noor Jahan and Nahid Akhtar -- sounded more like nasal noise with loosely arranged, loud music with rough sounding strings arrangements, the remaining two gems that crept in, as if embarrassed, truly glittered – as lilting as the best melodies from India. A common factor, throughout, would be Mehdi Hassan’s voice.

The man with a truly gentlemanly voice sang dulcet romantic songs for some of the top Pakistani heroes, like Nadeem. Composed by the great Robin Ghosh (the music director from Bangladesh, who, while composing brilliantly written romantic songs picturized on the beautiful heroine Shabnam, fell in love with her and married her, to move ultimately to Bangladesh after a hugely successful musical career) and M Ashraf, perhaps Pakistan films’ most successful music director, and Kamal Ahmed and Tafu, along with others, these are some of the best songs Mehdi Hassan has sung.

Many of these Pakistani songs were copied by not only regular copycat Nadeem-Shravan, but Rajesh Roshan too. But this is about some great film songs by Mehdi Hasan, and I’m putting up 15 of my favourites.

Duniya Se Tujh Ko Chura Loon.  The best comes first. This is a brilliantly composed, written, arranged and sung – of course – romantic ballad, composed by Robin Ghosh. A perfect example of perfect balance in a song. Melody, lyrics, musical performance, and that golden, smooth and gravelly voice of Mehdi Hasan. Perfection! Here it is: LISTEN TO 'DUNIYA SE TUJH KO CHURA LOON'
Jhuke Jhuke Nainon Waale, (Chain Mera Le Gaye, Dard Anokha Mere Manwa Ko De Gaye. Savour these pure Hindi lyrics by Riyaz-ur-Rehman Sagar, composed by M Ashraf. Mehdi Hasan sparkles in a song which, in its interludes, is musically arranged unlike anything you would have expected the Ghazal King to have sung! And the tabla and dholak that Mehdi Hasan’s vocals ride are sweetly simple. And while you are at it, also savour these shuddh Hindi lyrics of the first antaraa: Palkon Hi Palkon Mein, Bas Ik Pal Ko, Chup ke se kuchch aise dekha…  And, the next antara goes: Janam Janam Ke Ye Ghaav Lagaa Dein, Nain-an Baan Ki Maar Na Poochho…. Dil Bhi Zakhmi, Rooh Bhi Ghaayal, Iss Kajre Ki Dhaar Na Poochho…! Amazing Hindi lyrics in a delightful commercial Pakistani film song. With sweet smooth murkis from the Maestro. Enjoy! http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086799&show_artwork=true
Here are two great romantic ballads tuned by Robin Ghosh, sung by Mehdi Hasan: Tere Bheege Badan Ki Khushbu Se, a brilliant, intensely romantic song. Music director Robin Ghosh composed this for Nadeem and Shabnam. Brilliant lyrics by Masroor Anwar (if memory serves me right). Here it is. Enjoy this truly beautiful composition! It’s also got Runa Laila humming beautifully. What a brilliant amalgam of tune, lyrics, orchetration, and that great voice. Mehdi Hasan’s voice will never die.  http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086804&show_artwork=true
And this one’s Pyar Bhare Do Sharmeele Nain (this is the filmy version, not the live ghazal version). Another brilliant piece of work by composer Robin Ghosh. LISTEN TO PYAR BHARE DO SHARMILE NAIN
And here’s Mehdi Hasan singing a really stylishly composed romantic filmy song: Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein, Yun-hi Baaton Baaton Mein, Jheel Jaisi Aankhon Waali Ladki Se… Muaqaat Ho Gai. The lyrics ride a solid bass guitar, heavy but softly closed congas, brilliant piano accordion, with the antara flowing on an off-tabla beat. And Mehdi Hasan ruling the track. This is one avataar of Mehdi Hasan you mightn’t have heard. http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086791&show_artwork=true
Bahut Khoobsurat Hai Mera Sanam – This is the song that brazen copycats Nadeem-Shravan copied for one of their biggest hits in their heydays. Mehdi Hasan excels, again, singing the excellent lyrics by Khwaja Parvez in this beautiful, tuneful composition by Kamal Ahmed. No wonder Nadeem-Shravan’s photocopy of this song, Bahut Pyar Karte Hain Tumko Sanam, was a big hit. Enjoy the original! http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086790&show_artwork=true
Main Hoon Wafa Tu Hai Jaane Wafa, Kar Na Sakegi Ye Duniya Judaa. Mehdi Hassan, a brutally nasal Noor Jahan, a stunning, slow duet based on just the bass guitar, congas and a brilliant accordion – never heard such instrumental arrangements for a slowly meandering romantic ballad. Music by Tafu, and I believe his teenage son played the congas. Amazing stuff. Here it is. Don't mind the nasal Noor Jehan.  Mehdi Hasan and the composition, and, as I said, the very different musical treatment plus arrangements, and the lyrics, are all excellent. Here it is. http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086802&show_artwork=true
Here are some other -- really, only a few -- of my favourite Mehdi Hasan film songs. I've actually reduced the file sizes so they can load quickly, and you can still enjoy the rich, gravelly voice.
Bheegi Hui Aankhon  Ka Kajal – Mehdi Hasan sings M Ashraf’s brilliant Tabla-Strings-Accordion-based composition.  LISTEN TO 'BHEEGI HUI AANKOHN KA KAJAL'
Dil Ko Kisi Dil Se Jab Pyar Ho Jata Hai – Mehdi Hasan and Mehnaz sing Robin Ghosh’s composition for Shabnam. Lovely romantic duet, very stylishly tuned; great lyrics, real instruments -- not synthetic sampling. Love the guitar, congas, strings, flute, keyboards… amazing stuff. http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086794&show_artwork=true
Do Pyase Dil Ek Huay Hain Aise – Composer Robin Ghosh sparkles again, with Mehdi Hasan and Mehnaz singing a brilliantly composed tune. Check the chorus too in this  brilliantly orchestrated, ever-so-tightly arranged composition. Love the heavy muted congas, the crisp bongos, the acoustic Spanish guitar, and Mehdi Hasan’s and Mehnaaz’s voices. Check it out here: http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086795&show_artwork=true
Do Saathi Jeevan Ke – Sweetly simple melody, simple lyrics. Brilliantly arranged track. Mehdi Hassan and Mehnaaz again. Another beautifully composed, tightly arranged, well orchestrated track. Don’t miss the exquisitely crisp dholak, especially where the antaraas begin.  And the strings, plus the bass this lovely tune rides.
http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086796&show_artwork=true Jis Din Se Dekha Hai Tumko Sanam. Another romantic gem from composer Robin Ghosh, in which Mehdi Hasan lends his voice to actor Nadeem singing his heart out for Shabnam, from the film Amber.  The lyrics by, if I remember correctly were by Masroor Anwar, though a YoutTube video credits Taslim Fazli (another popular and successful Pakistani film lyricist). Whatever. Enjoy this song, right here:
http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086800&show_artwork=true Kabhi Main Sochta Hoon. A typical hero-singing-at-a-party kind of song. Another of Mehdi Hasan’s popular film songs from Pakistan.
http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086801&show_artwork=true Tere Siwa Duniya Mein. This song, from the film Shabana, composed by M Ashraf and written by Taslim Fazli, has got to be, in terms of the style and arrangements the song, the farthest from the great Ghazal King’s pristine live ghazal-singing avataar. Very filmy, this song, with fabulous congas (especially in the interludes and antaraas, especially in the antaraas, excellent acoustic guitar, keyboards, and strings. Here’s Mehdi Hasan sahab singing: ‘I Love You… Pyar Mera O Jaane Jaana, Bhool Na Jaana!’LISTEN TO 'TERE SIWA DUNIYA MEIN'
Yeh Tera Aana: Another  very popular song Mehdi Hasan sang for Pakistani films, this one is from the film Shama, composed by M Ashraf, with lyrics by – if memory serves me right -- Taslim Fazli. This intensely romantic song lilts along on an exquisite, crisp tabla and dholak. And don’t miss the beautiful syncopation amongst the accordion, strings, flute and saxohpone in the interludes. Truly delightful. Here it is:
http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F50086805&show_artwork=true There are many more songs, beautiful ones, that Mehdi Hasan has sung for films. Love the voice! He’s given us so many soulful, peace-inducing ghazals, songs… may he rest in peace. Music, and especially the ghazal, is bereaved. As we know, the great Lata Mangeshkar described his voice as the Voice of God.
Understatement.
……………………………………….
I hope someone lifts these tunes!

Years ago, I had met Anand Milind, and given them a tape of Pakistani songs I had liked. That tape contained a Robin Ghosh-composed melody, Sona Na Chandi Na Koi Mahal Jaane Man, Tujh Ko Main De Sakoonga, sung by Akhlaq Ahmed for the film Bandish.  LISTEN TO 'SONA NA CHANDI NA KOI MAHAL' HERE
Sure enough, some time after I had handed over the tape, I heard the song Chhoti Si Duniya, a carbon copy of the melody, and not half as beautifully arranged. The film was Ek Ladka Ek Ladki, and the ‘composers’? Anand Milind. LISTEN TO 'CHHOTI SI DUNIYA' HERE 
I’m just hoping some inspired Indian music director lifts a few melodies from the Mehdi Hassan songs above, and gives us something better than the wailing local-train-beggar voices singing strings-less synthetic ‘tunes’ made on a single copy-paster-of-atomatic-samples keyboard! OK, I’m exaggerating to make a point. But someone lift these tunes!

Technorati Tags: Mehdi Hassan,M Ashraf,Taslim Fazli,Robin Ghosh,Pakistani Film Songs,actress Shabnam,actor Nadeem,Masroor Anwar,Nadeem Shravan,Hasan Shaid Mirza announcer,Radio Pakistan,Anand Milind,Goher Iqbal Punn

Random thoughts from the India Radio Forum 2012 in Mumbai

The India Radio Forum 2012, Mumbai. Much déjà vu, some interesting insights, very poor – actually, dismal – turnout, particularly for a Radio event.

But fortunately, there were some pretty good Radio- and other leaders in attendance, who gave time for the sessions, presentations, panel discussions.

The runaway winner of the day, for me, was Jason Brownlee’s brilliant presentation of The RadioGUAGE Hall of Fame. Four excellent Radio ad campaigns, handpicked from more than 600 that RadioGUAGE has tested since 2007 across the UK, South Africa, Ireland and Canada.  Brownlee, International Development Director for RadioGAUGE, showcased four of the most successful and inspiring radio commercials that generated fantastic results for brands and advertisers. Don’t get too optimistic, but I plan to try and get the spots from him, along with his entire PPT on them. A great lesson for everyone trying to crack the creative brilliance roadblock in radio advertising.

* * *

One is fed up of the fact that media buyers keep referring to Radio as just the multiplier, frequency medium, even when RAM and TAM have proven that Radio, at least in the mornings and all the way till noon and even afternoon, is actually a reach medium giving bigger a bigger audience than TV does.  I had suggested to the excellent panel discussing Maximising Radio's Assets: How To Gain Share Of Market Spend, moderated by a personal favourite Radio leader, Apurva Purohit, that the Radio Operators should actually get together and advertise and profile the strengths of FM Radio as a medium in the media marketplace. I guess I should have asked  the question only if there were several Radio heads at the same table, because even though she’s been an active Radio evangelist  for several years, all Apurva said -- with a smile -- was: “As a moderator, I only have to ask questions; I can choose not to answer them.”

* * *

Another session I attended was on the use of Social Media by Radio. Colors-Viacom 18 CEO Raj Nayak led a solid panel that also included Satbir Singh, Managing Partner & Chief Creative Officer - Euro RSCG, Tushar Vyas, Managing Partner - GroupM South Asia, and Premjeet Sodhi, COO - Lintas Media Group.

While the views, suggestions, hopes and the food for thought the panelists gave on the topic were interesting, two things stood out in this discussion.

The first was the observation Red FM RJ Rohini -- who had also anchored the first half of the day – made on the use of Social Media by FM Radio. Now Rohini is extremely active -- and popular – on Social Media, across Twitter and FB, and she said, to the effect, “The audiences that listen to FM are different from the ones active on Social Media. Radio should remember that those on Social Media are largely a different section of people. They are not regular listeners of FM, so Radio should use its presence on Social Media platforms, especially Twitter,  to inform and excite their users to listen to what’s on air.” In other words, put up audio excerpts of RJ-talk, other conversation and interesting content including special campaigns and especially sparklers.  Assume, therefore, that you won’t find too many current FM Radio listeners on Social Media, but a large majority of potential new listeners. So tweak the content you aim at Social Media users, and you will most likely see your actual listenership grow.

RJ Ankit of BIG FM is as much a livewire in person as he is on air, where he’s impressive with the timbre of his voice, his pleasant conversational style, and his brilliant fluency with Hindi, Marathi and, of course, English. And he too, like a Rohini and Malishka, is extremely popular on Social Media – apparently, has some 70000 (that figure from memory; may be inaccurate) or more likes on his FB page and thousands on followers on Twitter too. What Ankit said pointed to the exact opposite direction: he wants to leave the choice of the song playlist entirely to votes from his FB and Twitter fans and followers, so obviously, there not only exists a large chunk of FM listeners on Social Media, but it will also drive greater listenership due to the interactive process of choosing a song to be played out.

Interesting views, both.

The second thing that stood out in The Use of Social Media by Radio panel discussion was the manner in which my friend Suman Srivastava, Founder & Innovation Artist, Marketing Unplugged, lived up to the second half of his title at Marketing Unplugged: instead of sitting staidly like all the other moderators at panel discussions I have attended, Suman, one mike lapelled and another in his hand, decided to moderate the panel walking amongst the audience, and inviting and interjecting points of view from people in the audience who chose to share them even as the panel discussion was underway. Very interesting, far more interactive, and of course, innovative. I wouldn’t be surprised if  Suman and particularly his presentation – or moderating -- style soon become the norm in such panel presentations; they’d surely become far more interesting.

* * *

One more suggestion to every panel discussion in the future. While there is a topic that is interesting, and there are excellent professionals to examine each issue, I believe that there must be an agenda to the panel discussions too: Some tangible takeaways for each discussion.

Remember, these B2B events are attended by professionals across levels, all seeking knowledge to help them do their jobs better and grow. But digression tends to rule, and if one were to actually sit and list out the bullet points on the lines of What-did-the-upcoming-professional-learn-today,  there’d be only unconnected bits and pieces. The event organizer should actually detail out the main and sub-themes of the discussion, and request each panelist  to list some important actionable suggestions  pertaining to the subject of discussion.  Much like the pointed question Apurva posed to the panel that included marketing heads and media planners and buyers: “What should the Radio Industry do to increase its share of the market spends?”

* * *

Winners of the Indian Excellence in Radio Awards 2012

The leaders: Radio Mirchi with 13 and Red FM with 7 wins

INDIAN EXCELLENCE IN RADIO AWARDS 2012
Best Breakfast Programme/Show (Hindi)	Digital Radio (Mumbai) Broadcasting Ltd.	Morning No. 1
Best Breakfast Programme/Show (Tamil)	Music Broadcast Pvt Ltd	Vanakkam Chennai
Best Breakfast Programme/Show (Telugu)	Reliance Broadcast Network Limited	Happy Mornings With RJ Sheker
Best Programme Broadcast After 11am (Hindi)	Reliance Broadcast Network Limited	Yaadon Ka Idiot Box
Best Programme Broadcast After 11am (Tamil)	Reliance Broadcast Network Limited	Take It Easy With Balaji
Best Programme Broadcast After 11am (Telugu)	Music Broadcast Pvt Ltd	RadioCity Bollywood Top 40
Best Radio Programme (Bengali)	Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM	Sunday Suspense
Best Radio Programme (Gujarati)	Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM	Hello Amdavad
Best Radio Programme (Kannada)	Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM	Mirchi Highway 983 (MH 983)
Best Radio Programme (Malayalam)	Radio Mango	Vellarikapattanam
Best Radio Programme (Marathi)	Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM	Maharashtra Cha Maha Music
Best Radio Programme  (Hindi – For Non-Metro Stations)	Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM	Morning Show Hello Bhopal-Janmashtami Special
Best Radio Sparkler (Hindi)	Reliance Broadcast Network Limited	Aktor Calling Aktor
RJ of the Year (Hindi)	Digital Radio (Mumbai) Broadcasting Ltd	RJ Malishka
RJ of the Year (Tamil)</

Shankar Mahadevan: Loving his country, his music

Today, after numerous spectacularly memorable songs as a superstar singer, and a multitude of super hit film music scores as part of the top music director troika Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Shankar Mahadevan is not only going to greater professional and artistic strengths, but is also giving back to society. Through his very own music academy, and through participating in socially uniting, relevant and powerful initiatives like participating in -- and leading -- close to one 100000 patriotic Aurangabadkars on Republic Day-eve  to set up a Guinness World Record for the maximum number of people singing the National Anthem in unison.  Shankar -- as he is fondly called by film fans as though they have known him all their lives -- is constantly breaking new ground, but in a modest, self-effacing manner.

Soon after he appeared at the Aurangabad event,  we caught up with Shankar Mahadevan, who spoke about 'the most beautiful and emotional piece of music' he has grown up to, his musicality, his favourite singers, his past and new projects, his music academy, and participating in Lokmat Media's unforgettable Aurangabad world record initiative.

Excerpts from the conversation:

What was the feeling like, singing with and inspiring such a massive crowd for the world record for India?

It's unbelievable! Even in cricket matches one hasn't seen such massive audiences. There must have been  around a lakh of people in the stadium. It was a stadium with a 45000 seating capacity, and it was jam-packed with people standing on every square-foot of the ground, in the stands... and you know what? Even though I came pretty early and -- as I thought very much in time for the 8 am start -- I was delayed by more than an hour, just trying to get to the stadium from the airport! The roads were packed with people, students, families, youngsters, elderly people, walking, cycling, on two-wheelers, in overcrowded public transport buses -- it was awesome! I saw a really strong physical manifestation of patriotism today, and I am really glad I was there to be part of the historic day.

What was it like, singing for a non-commercial event in the service of the Nation, in front of a lakh of people?

As I just said, it was unbelievable! And there must have been at least 40-50 thousand people outside the stadium, because the gates were locked as there was no space inside. Lokmat has such a strong connect with the people and the city, and the local Radio Mirchi station was going full on to, urging people to be part of the historic day, airing special jingles, RJs doing a great job of promoting the event. I heard a lot of the radio while I was in the car, just waiting to reach the stadium! But it was truly worth it.

It was great to sing the National Anthem with other entertainers and celebrities -- there was Roop Kumar Rathod with Sonali, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Tushar Gandhi,  Prashant Damle, Vaishali Samant, Swapnil Bandodkar, and many other singers too. Amazing experience! I still have the goose bumps just remembering it. It was a never-before experience, a really, really massive crowd! And to think that I might have ended up missing it!

How's that?

Oh, I had an event the same day at Nasik too, but I really didn't want to miss being in Aurangabad for the National Anthem, so I flew in on a chartered flight. Just had to be there!



You helped lead a hundred thousand people in Aurangabad in singing the National Anthem on 25th Jan. What does the National Anthem mean to you?

(Is overcome with emotion, takes a deep breath) Our National Anthem is the most beautiful and emotional piece of music I have grown up to. It is the greatest song that rules the Indian psyche! Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's Jana Gana Mana is an amazing poem, and so brilliantly composed! It is very difficult for any composition to be both, emotionally stirring and rousing, and to also induce peace. It defines our unity, it evokes fierce patriotism. Every time I hear Jana Gana Man, my mind, body and soul are enraptured! Every Indian feels the same way!  You know what? I am proud to have been at the Lokmat event in Aurangabad. And every time I go abroad, I am always fiercely proud to represent my country, sing for my country.

Wow! Now, can you tell us about your forthcoming films? What are the projects you have at hand?

Our forthcoming films are Bhag Milkha  Bhag, directed by Rakesh Mehra, and in which Farhan Akhtar is playing the young Milkha Singh. Then there's Kamal Sir's (Kamal Hassan's) Vishwaroopam, Nikhil Advani's Meherunisa and Abhishek Kapoor's Rock On-2.

Your music for Don-2 was a great example of a well-integrated score that actually enhances and takes the story forward...

I give a lot of credit for that to Farhan, who everyone knows is both, technically and creatively, a brilliant and very focussed director,  excellent in his craft.  I think he picks a storyline and defines the creative concept, the total personality, really brilliantly, and then every technical aspect of executing the film -- the musical score, the background, the videography and the film's overall styling -- works really seamlessly to turn the film into a truly 'pure breed'  being! And Don-2 turned out to be a super-slick, really world class film in look, feel and grip. And of course, what a cast!

That's the reason the music of the film was a slick and stylish album overall. And very different from the aural feel of your compositions for Farhan Akhtar's early super hit Dil Chahata Hai...

Yes, they were different concepts and creative entities, remember? Again, Farhan really know what he wants. When Ehsaan, Loy and I were compositing the songs for Dil Chahata Hai, we had no interference from Farhan, but he was with us every step of the way, sharing comments and ever detailing what he wanted for each song. He loved the different sound to our music, which, let me tell you, some music company heads thought was very jingles-like! And they said that in a, well, disparaging sort of way. But we were convinced, and happily, Farhan too liked the new sound.

Ultimately, of course, a good song or composition is a mix first of tune, and then of the way you express that melody, how you dress it up, how you, to use an industry term, arrange it. So yes, like you said, the score for Don 2 was more today's hip, stylish club music, and I am told it complemented the uber cool panache of Shah Rukh Khan's character too.

One also hears you are working on another album of your own. Tell us a little about it.

All I can say is, it is work in progress. Let me not spoil the fun by giving out the personality and style we are using for the tracks. You should listen to them when the album arrives. But yes, the compositions, their expression and treatment, the style we are using, is definitely a coming together of all the influences and experiences we have had over the years as singers and composers, so hopefully, it will be as different as Koi Kahe as a song celebrating friendship was different from the great Yeh Dosti. Hopefully, this album will be as memorable as my first, Breathless was. Hopefully!

You yourself are an excellent singer, of course, but apart from you, who are the male and female singers you like for singing your compositions?

There are  many good singers, and we have worked with most of them. Sukhwinder Singh. Shaan too is a very good playback voice. I am also particularly fond of Sonu Nigam - he has sung some of our best compositions. He emotes the songs beautifully.

You get Sonu's best work because you inspire the singer in him to sort of restrain the actor in him so he emotes your compositions in a controlled sort of way... is that a correct assessment?

Actually, I would put it this way: Sonu is an excellent singer and actor too, and he also has impeccable musical sense and instinct. He's also a very good improviser because he is so natural. So all that, in my view, adds up to a phenomenal musicality that he has. That's what helps Sonu immediately assimilate our brief about a song and its personality, and render it so flawlessly, so beautifully! And if we have multiple takes, more often than not, there's an argument amongst ourselves on which take to keep -- they're all so good.

And what about the female singers?

Amongst the females,  Shreya Ghoshal... Sunidhi.  And for today's songs, Alyssa too. Mahalakshmi Iyer too is a big favourite -- she's sung so many lovely songs for us -- that lilting duet Chupke Se Chupke Se with Sonu for Bunty Aur Babli, Aaj Ki Raat from Don, Laung Da Lashkara for Patiala House... in fact, she has been in nearly every one of our films. So there is great talent all around, and we enjoy working with them all.

Your sons too seem to have inherited your formidable talent in and sense of music. How does that make you feel?

I feel great about it. You know, talent is fine; it is inborn, and if you are blessed with natural musical aptitude, the talent can be honed by a combination of practice, effort, education and the resultant experience. But what is really special, what leaves me absolutely awed, and pleasantly shocked, actually, is the musicality they have. The sense of music, the immensely mature appreciation of it, being sensitive to all its fine nuances... this  musicality is something that came to us after  many years of work. But in my sons' case, even while they were in their early teens, they seem to have been blessed with a deep and rich  musicality that you wouldn't believe would exist in such youngsters if you didn't experience it yourself. Now this has to be God's own way... it's how DNA works.

Your son Siddharth is only 18, and with your 21-year-old nephew Soumil, has turned music director, and as Soumil-Siddharth, they have composed the music for Marathi film Swapna Tujhe Ni Majhe.  And you sang  a song for their film too...

Yes. They invited me as a professional playback singer, gave me the lyrics, explained the tune, its personality and context, and just made me sing it. They took no creative inputs from me to help them make the tune -- it was entirely theirs. They had assembled their own group of musicians, arranged the song themselves, went through the professional studio routine with all the confidence that sound knowledge and the musicality that I spoke of, can bring. I  was really proud that day.  They also got singers like Shreya Ghoshal and Rahul Vaidya to sing for the same film.  If I'm not mistaken, they must be the youngest music director duo for films in the country. Ehsaan (Noorani) and Loy (Mendonsa) too were there to bless them. It was wonderful.

How much time does your online music academy take?

A lot, but I believe that if something interests you and is good to do, then surely you must do it really well. I just make time for the things that are close to my heart, and believe me, anything to do with music is important to me. I set up the Shankar Mahadevan Academy because there are thousands of people who love music -- Hindustani, Carnatic, Devotional, Film music -- and want to learn it, but don't know where to go. Many fans and well wishers internationally had been asking me to help them learn music.

So I thought, why not make world class music education available to people online, in the comfort of their own personal spaces? That's why I set up the academy (www.shankarmahadevanacademy.com).  I am personally and very closely involved with the process of creating material and monitoring the entire training chain.

What does your online music academy offer students?

My online music academy is a small but sincere effort to help aspiring people learn music and revel in their talent. There is a structured classical music curriculum, we have self-study Hindi Movie and Devotional songs sections, then there's our OM  book or online music book which is central to learning. There's also an integrated practice tool, Riyaaz, plus, of course, collaborative online virtual classes.

Today, the best thing one can gift a talented family member, relative or friend is an opportunity to learn music. And since my music academy is online, it has the potential to really grow and take our music across borders and boundaries.

One last question: Speaking on online, how active are you on the online medium. On social sites like Facebook?

You know what? Even though my friends kept telling me to get on to Facebook much before I actually did, I have no regrets. In spite of being a very late entrant, I do have around 5 lakh fans, and I love them all - they are a precious group of friends, and I enjoy being in touch with them.

My Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/shankarlive

Kishore Kumar's 'handsomest' song: Dilbar Mere

What's your choice for Kishore Kumar's 'handsomest-sounding' song? Name just one!


That born-handsome voice, that wonderful composition, great movie situation, and, I daresay, Amitabh Bachchan too at his own handsome best... wow! Remember the way he started the song, with that yodeled “Hey….!!!!!” And the way a very stylish lead on an organ and a sexy trumpet give voice to the romance in his voice, the lyrics, and that devilishly handsome Big B serenading Hema Malini.

I have another wild theory about this song. Just a guess. At one point in the song, there’s a female solo voice meandering in the interlude after the first antaraa (at 2 minutes 48 seconds). I wonder if it was Kishore himself singing in a female voice. He did have that penchant. Guess I’ll confirm with one of the musicians who played with RD and come back.

What's your choice? Name just one song, and not a sad moping one, but a happy/romantic song.

Oh, another close second for me -- from Jheel Ke Uss Paar: Kya Nazaare, Kya Sitaare, Sab Ko Hai Intezaar, Sab Hain Beqaraar, Tu Kab Sab Dekhgi. Again, R D Burman's creation. Not a very easy song, but what a great throw with such great timbre – something only Kishore Kumar could achieve. The man had natural pep, vim, verve and panache in his voice! And the song overall was a great coming together of brilliance across composition, lyrics, filming. Remember Dharmendra at his rugged best, serenading the lovely, sightless Mumtaz? Great notes, excellent composition, brilliant instrumentation and arrangements. And that handsome voice!

The great R D Burman: Since I’m reminiscing about R D Burman, one of my most cherished memories is of the day I actually jammed with him impromptu on the bongos in his Santacruz Music room just before 1942-A Love Story was to be released. I had met him for an interview for The Independent. That interview had run across more than two-thirds of a full broadsheet page. I still remember Panchamda’s animated, awed eyes as he spoke excitedly about the of the music that was his life. He was still like a school boy, that genius with hundreds of great songs, tunes, and such an amazing body of work that seems to have been the climax and the terminus of the long, brilliant music train of Hindi films in India.

That interview, that meeting, and RD’s loving reprimand to me for not having chosen to become a musician -- uh oh... here they come again... the goosebumps!

I’ll have to go back to the Times of India library and get a copy of that interview. Will try and reproduce it for music lovers here.

Meanwhile, to come back to the thing that started this post: don't forget to tell me which Kishore Kumar song you find really handsome.

54th Annual Grammy Awards: Kanye West leads nominations with 7; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars earn 6 each; Lil Wayne, Krillex garner 5 each

 

Adele,Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Rihanna Vie For Album Of The Year

 

Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards^® (www.grammy.com) were announced last night by The Recording Academy^® and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy.

For the fourth year, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY^®Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night^®," a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE.

 

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

 

Kanye West tops the nominations with seven; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garner six nods; and Lil Wayne and Skrillex each are up for five awards. Drake, Paul Epworth, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Nicki Minaj, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Rihanna, and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) each receive four nominations.

 

"Once again, it is most gratifying to see the GRAMMY Awards process produce a broad cross section of diverse and impressive nominees across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's nominations truly reflect an exceptional and talented creative community that embodies some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry in their respective fields. Coupled with the fourth year of our primetime nominations special, the road to Music's Biggest Night, the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards in February, is off to an exciting and appropriate start."

 

Following is a sampling of nominations in 78 categories from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields:

 

GENERAL FIELD

 

Album Of The Year:

 

21— Adele
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Born This Way— Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans — Bruno Mars
Loud — Rihanna

 

 

Record Of The Year:

"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele
"Holocene" — Bon Iver
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Firework" — Katy Perry

 

Best New Artist:

 

The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

 

 

Song Of The Year:

 

"All Of The Lights" — Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters
(Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
"The Cave" — Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
"Grenade" — Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt,
songwriters (Bruno Mars)
"Holocene" — Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

 

POP FIELD

 

Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" — Adele
"Yoü And I" — Lady Gaga
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars
"Firework" — Katy Perry
"F***in' Perfect" — Pink

 

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

 

"Body And Soul" — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
"Dearest" — The Black Keys
"Paradise" — Coldplay
"Pumped Up Kicks" — Foster The People
"Moves Like Jagger" — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera

 

DANCE FIELD

 

Best Dance Recording:

 

"Raise Your Weapon" — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech
"Barbra Streisand" — Duck Sauce
"Sunshine" — David Guetta & Avicii
"Call Your Girlfriend" — Robyn
"Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" — Skrillex
"Save The World" — Swedish House Mafia

 

ROCK FIELD

 

Best Rock Performance:
"Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" — Coldplay
"Down By The Water" — The Decemberists
"Walk" — Foo Fighters
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Lotus Flower" — Radiohead

 

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance:

 

"On The Backs Of Angels" — Dream Theater
"White Limo" — Foo Fighters
"Curl Of The Burl"— Mastodon
"Public Enemy No. 1" — Megadeth
"Blood In My Eyes"— Sum 41

 

 

 

Best Rock Album:

 

Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul— Jeff Beck
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown— Kings Of Leon
I'm With You— Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love— Wilco

 

ALTERNATIVE FIELD

 

Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver— Bon Iver
Codes And Keys— Death Cab For Cutie
Torches— Foster The People
Circuital — My Morning Jacket
The King Of Limbs— Radiohead

R&B FIELD

 

Best Traditional R&B Performance:
"Sometimes I Cry" — Eric Benét
"Fool For You" — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona
"Radio Message" — R. Kelly
"Good Man" — Raphael Saadiq
"Surrender" — Betty Wright & The Roots

 
Best R&B Album:

 

F.A.M.E.— Chris Brown
Second Chance — El DeBarge
Love Letter — R. Kelly
Pieces Of Me— Ledisi
Kelly— Kelly Price

 

RAP  FIELD

 

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"Party" — Beyoncé & André 3000
"I'm On One" — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
"I Need A Doctor" — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
"What's My Name?" — Rihanna & Drake
"Motivation" — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne
"All Of The Lights" — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie

 

Best Rap Performance:

 

"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
"Otis" — Jay-Z & Kanye West
"The Show Goes On" — Lupe Fiasco
"Moment 4 Life" — Nicki Minaj & Drake
"Black And Yellow" — Wiz Khalifa

 

COUNTRY FIELD

 

Best Country Solo Performance:
"Dirt Road Anthem" — Jason Aldean
"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" — Martina McBride
"Honey Bee" — Blake Shelton
"Mean" — Taylor Swift
"Mama's Song" — Carrie Underwood

 

Best Country Song:

 

"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" — Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
"God Gave Me You" — Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
"Just Fishin'" — Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
"Mean" — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
"Threaten Me With Heaven" — Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O'Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
"You And Tequila" — Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

 

AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD

 

Best Americana Album:
Emotional Jukebox— Linda Chorney
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down— Ry Cooder
Hard Bargain— Emmylou Harris
Ramble At The Ryman— Levon Helm
Blessed— Lucinda Williams

 

Best Blues Album:

 

Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman
Roadside Attractions— Marcia Ball
Man In Motion— Warren Haynes
The Reflection — Keb'Mo'
Revelator— Tedeschi Trucks Band

 

Best Folk Album:

 

Barton Hollow— The Civil Wars
I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive— Steve Earle
Helplessness Blues— Fleet Foxes
Ukulele Songs— Eddie Vedder
The Harrow & The Harvest— Gillian Welch

 

This year's Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth, the Smeezingtons (Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars), Ryan Tedder, and Butch Vig.

 

This year's GRAMMY Awards process registered more than 17,500 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (Oct. 1, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2011). GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 14 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 11, 2012, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 54th GRAMMY telecast.

 

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures and John Cossette Productions for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz is director.

 

"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J, featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as performances by country star Jason Aldean, two-time GRAMMY winnerCommon, hip-hop innovator Grandmaster Flash, five-time GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga, LL COOL J, three-time GRAMMY winner Ludacris, GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco, GRAMMY-winning hip-hop artist Melle Mel, four-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna, rapper Scorpio, singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson,GRAMMY winner Mike Stoller,GRAMMY-winning duo Sugarland, country music sensation The Band Perry, and seven-time GRAMMYwinner Usher.Presenters included actor Taraji P. Henson, GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars, R&B/rap star Nicki Minaj, and pop singer/songwriter Katy Perry.A  complete list of nominees is available at www.grammy.com.

About the Recording Academy:

 

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and aYouTube channel subscriber atwww.youtube.com/thegrammys.

 

54th Annual Grammy Awards: Kanye West leads nominations with 7; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars earn 6 each; Lil Wayne, Krillex garner 5 each

54th Annual Grammy Awards: Kanye West leads nominations with 7; Adele, Foo Fighters
and Bruno Mars earn 6 each; Lil Wayne, Krillex garner 5 each

Adele, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Rihanna Vie For Album Of The Year

 

Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards^® (www.grammy.com) were announced last night by The Recording Academy^® and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy.

For the fourth year, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY^®Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night^®," a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Kanye West tops the nominations with seven; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garner six nods; and Lil Wayne and Skrillex each are up for five awards. Drake, Paul Epworth, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Nicki Minaj, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Rihanna, and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) each receive four nominations.

"Once again, it is most gratifying to see the GRAMMY Awards process produce a broad cross section of diverse and impressive nominees across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's nominations truly reflect an exceptional and talented creative community that embodies some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry in their respective fields. Coupled with the fourth year of our primetime nominations special, the road to Music's Biggest Night, the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards in February, is off to an exciting and appropriate start."

Following is a sampling of nominations in 78 categories from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields:

GENERAL FIELD

Album Of The Year:

21— Adele
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Born This Way— Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans — Bruno Mars
Loud — Rihanna

Record Of The Year:

"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele
"Holocene" — Bon Iver
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Firework" — Katy Perry

Best New Artist:

The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Song Of The Year:

"All Of The Lights" — Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters
(Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
"The Cave" — Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
"Grenade" — Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt,
songwriters (Bruno Mars)
"Holocene" — Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

POP FIELD

Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" — Adele 
"Yoü And I" — Lady Gaga 
"Grenade" — Bruno Mars 
"Firework" — Katy Perry
"F***in' Perfect" — Pink 

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

"Body And Soul" — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
"Dearest" — The Black Keys
"Paradise" — Coldplay 
"Pumped Up Kicks" — Foster The People 
"Moves Like Jagger" — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera 

DANCE FIELD

Best Dance Recording:

"Raise Your Weapon" — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech
"Barbra Streisand" — Duck Sauce
"Sunshine" — David Guetta & Avicii
"Call Your Girlfriend" — Robyn
"Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" — Skrillex
"Save The World" — Swedish House Mafia

ROCK FIELD

Best Rock Performance:
"Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" — Coldplay
"Down By The Water" — The Decemberists
"Walk" — Foo Fighters
"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons
"Lotus Flower" — Radiohead

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance:

"On The Backs Of Angels" — Dream Theater
"White Limo" — Foo Fighters
"Curl Of The Burl"— Mastodon
"Public Enemy No. 1" — Megadeth
"Blood In My Eyes"— Sum 41

 

Best Rock Album:

Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul— Jeff Beck
Wasting Light— Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown— Kings Of Leon
I'm With You— Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love— Wilco

ALTERNATIVE FIELD

Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver— Bon Iver
Codes And Keys— Death Cab For Cutie
Torches— Foster The People
Circuital — My Morning Jacket
The King Of Limbs— Radiohead
 
R&B FIELD

Best Traditional R&B Performance:
"Sometimes I Cry" — Eric Benét
"Fool For You" — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona
"Radio Message" — R. Kelly
"Good Man" — Raphael Saadiq
"Surrender" — Betty Wright & The Roots

 
Best R&B Album:

F.A.M.E.— Chris Brown
Second Chance — El DeBarge
Love Letter — R. Kelly
Pieces Of Me— Ledisi
Kelly— Kelly Price

RAP  FIELD

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"Party" — Beyoncé & André 3000 
"I'm On One" — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
"I Need A Doctor" — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
"What's My Name?" — Rihanna & Drake
"Motivation" — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne
"All Of The Lights" — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie

Best Rap Performance:

"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
"Otis" — Jay-Z & Kanye West
"The Show Goes On" — Lupe Fiasco
"Moment 4 Life" — Nicki Minaj & Drake
"Black And Yellow" — Wiz Khalifa

COUNTRY FIELD

Best Country Solo Performance:
"Dirt Road Anthem" — Jason Aldean
"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" — Martina McBride         
"Honey Bee" — Blake Shelton
"Mean" — Taylor Swift
"Mama's Song" — Carrie Underwood

Best Country Song:

"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" — Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
"God Gave Me You" — Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
"Just Fishin'" — Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
"Mean" — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
"Threaten Me With Heaven" — Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O'Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
"You And Tequila" — Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD 

Best Americana Album:
Emotional Jukebox— Linda Chorney
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down— Ry Cooder
Hard Bargain— Emmylou Harris
Ramble At The Ryman— Levon Helm
Blessed— Lucinda Williams

Best Blues Album:

Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman
Roadside Attractions— Marcia Ball
Man In Motion— Warren Haynes
The Reflection — Keb'Mo'
Revelator— Tedeschi Trucks Band

Best Folk Album:

Barton Hollow— The Civil Wars
I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive— Steve Earle
Helplessness Blues— Fleet Foxes
Ukulele Songs— Eddie Vedder
The Harrow & The Harvest— Gillian Welch

This year's Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth, the Smeezingtons (Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars), Ryan Tedder, and Butch Vig.

This year's GRAMMY Awards process registered more than 17,500 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (Oct. 1, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2011). GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 14 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 11, 2012, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 54th GRAMMY telecast.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures and John Cossette Productions for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz is director.

"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J, featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as performances by country star Jason Aldean, two-time GRAMMY winnerCommon, hip-hop innovator Grandmaster Flash, five-time GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga, LL COOL J, three-time GRAMMY winner Ludacris, GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco, GRAMMY-winning hip-hop artist Melle Mel, four-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna, rapper Scorpio, singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson,GRAMMY winner Mike Stoller,GRAMMY-winning duo Sugarland, country music sensation The Band Perry, and seven-time GRAMMYwinner Usher.Presenters included actor Taraji P. Henson, GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars, R&B/rap star Nicki Minaj, and pop singer/songwriter Katy Perry.A  complete list of nominees is available at www.grammy.com.
 
About the Recording Academy:

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and aYouTube channel subscriber atwww.youtube.com/thegrammys.

Drive Prime and Drive Crime

Slightly more than a fortnight back, I had written in a Facebook note (reproduced at the end of this post) that Radio ONE in Mumbai plays the best and most varied music, because their programming strategy had been evolved to include only the best and most popular songs, and to strictly exclude any repeats whatsoever in a 24-hour period. In a day and age when every FM Radio Station was sounding like the rest because all were playing with the same basket of 75 to 100 songs in a 24-hour period, Radio ONE, in a commendable bid to be different, declared it would play 13 different songs throughout a 24-hour period – that’s not 75-odd but 312 different songs a day. Since they were tweaking their entire programming approach, they even went ahead and began calling their presenters Music Jockeys instead of Radio Jockeys, and even got a baseline that plays upon music in a major way. See, I’m an average kind of music lover, and if my reaction to the varied and truly handpicked fare Radio ONE was playing was any indication, I was confident it would catch on immediately. And it seems to have done just that -- at least amongst competing Programming teams -- because over the past few days, Radio City and BIG 92.7 have both begun, to use a mild word,  emulating Radio One's programming mix of alternating new and evergreen hits. Result: much better variety of hits. But ONE's programmer still schedules the best mix, but that's just a very subjective view -- as indeed, is everything here, and it's completely without favour or malice -- and they still don't repeat a single song throughout a 24-hour period. Don't know if the rest will be inclined to match that, but I hope they are -- am nauseated by the same set of 20 songs from five new and recent films playing as if in a loop from one to the other station in drive prime. I caught Sajda Tera Sajda on three stations last evening at around 7.45 pm in drive prime. That’s drive crime.

A major con is the 3 or 4 songs without a break. It was an innovation when Radio City - if memory serves me right, and please correct me if I’m wrong - introduced it long back, but now that's just what it's become - a con. Your RJ hasn’t reported in time, or s/he hasn't got a script or pointers ready in time and is still scrambling to find and line up the songs to play out and that, if you already have a host of commitments to advertisers, means you cannot try and undo the damage of your late-coming or other indiscretions, and so you've got to proudly say, chaar gaane chipak ke or teen superhit gaane or whatever stylish nomenclature you wish to hide behind. Not on. I already have a thousand tracks on my car stereo USB or DVD lined up and ready to play, in handpicked folders.  Radio is about 'presenting' music, not looping it, wouldn't you say? So get more efficient and unglue those chipkay huay chaar gaane.

Also, why are the  automated playout softwares of stations behaving as  if they're the Malishkas and Raju Khers and  Archanas and Salils of the world and can replace them on air? I mean - more than once one's heard them play out just songs interspersed with the program and RJ's. In fact, one misses Malishka the most when she's not there, and at such a time, you hear her show packaging announcing Morning Number One Malishka ke sang, followed by her hearty laughter, and it seems like she's saying we're having one at your expense, dude!

Prachi of RadioONE had been a put-off last week due to her excitable and loud announcement mode, but last evening was really cool and conversational. She was five notches down on the hyper scale and very listenable. She has a great voice and I just hope she's decided to change vocally for the milder (read better) and wasn't under the weather. Great work Prachi, keep it going.

Rohit on Radio City last evening was very good - has a great voice, is conversational but in the look-ma-no-hands-"I-speak-so-fast!"-mode. But as long as he can do it without skidding, and can shed just a little of the banality, who's to complain? If he's the same guy who used to present on BIG FM, well, it's BIG's loss and City's gain. I remember that on BIG, he was sort of reined in, and sounded a little too pre-meditated.  Early years? But on Radio City, he’s shed the inhibitions and does put his good voice to good use.

Loved Fever 104's parody of Sajda this morning.  Much better written and produced than their other parodies. They should make these parodies available for caller tune downloads.  In fact, Radio City too should make their Babbar Sher similarly available (don't know if they're already doing this. I believe it was out on CD, if memory serves me right). To my mind, the Babbar Sher filler's packaging is one of the best and most memorable of its kind.

Let me find out who’s actually selecting and scheduling the music on Radio ONE; this is someone who shares my taste in music, so I want to know him or her better.

Enjoy the music. And share your views, please.

And drive safe.

(Here’s the Facebook post I referred to above:

Fatafat review: Drive-time FM in Mumbai this morning

Monday, 25 January 2010 at 16:52

• Radio One 94.3 FM was playing the best music - no repeats all DAY is their promise, and the music was great. Now if only they would bring back Jaggu and Tarana for some good natural, chuckle-inducing, fun banter.


• Best sound quality: BIG 92.7 FM. Second Best music: Fever 104 and BIG.


• Best and truly seamless audio packaging - Fever 104.


• Oh, and there was this RJ, who has a lovely voice, is extremely fluent and has an excellent vocabulary plus is fluent with at least four languages. Yes, every time I hear him, I cannot help but flip to any other station. Why? Because he seems to be so full of himself that he refers to himself in the rather grand third person ("soch rahe hain" abhi aapko bataayenge!" etc) but addresses Mumbai and his listeners as "tu". If only he would realise that the worst thing an RJ can do is wallow in the sound of his own voice and let it show on air, he would get immeasurably better. Any guesses who this is?


• And speaking of RJs, my favourites are Malishka of Red FM (alas, was missing this morning, but strangely, the slightly shrill Nayasha was hosting the show with the usual Malishka show packaging) and Rohini of 104. But my all-time favourites in the recent crop of voices on FM are Tarana and Jaggu (together ONLY). And my all-all-time favourite radio voices are: Amin Sayani, Pandit Vinod Sharma, and Brij Bhushan Sahani (used to present shows on AIR's Vividh Bharti -- Aakashvani ka panchrangi kaaryakram!)