Jagjit-Gulzar's 'Koi Baat Chale' released

New Delhi, Oct 27
"Koi Baat Chale", the latest venture of ghazal singer Jagjit Singh and noted poet Gulzar, was released here Friday evening.

The eight-song album, brought out by Sony BMG, comes seven years after the duo got together for "Marasim" in 1999.

After the launch, Gulzar said in front of a capacity crowd at the Siri Fort auditorium: "Jagjit Singh is undoubtedly the best singer across India and Pakistan."

"This crowd is for Jagjit Singh and not me," he joked.

This was followed by a concert in which Singh rendered several of his famous songs. His opening song "Zindagi kya hai" was from the new album.

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Lyrics available at http://jagjitsingh.wordpress.com/

Gazal maestro Jagjit Singh sings Nepali Gazal

Gazal maestro Jagjit Singh sings Nepali Gazal

Jagjit Singh's heart touching Hindi gazals have been continuously mesmerizing us and soothing our hearts. How would it feel to hear this legendary voice singing to Nepali words and tunes? Wouldn't that be simply great?

Yes, very talented musician Alok Shree has gifted us an opportunity to listen and enjoy the taste of Nepali gazal. He has recently completed an album where all the songs are sung by Jagjit Singh. "It was a great opportunity for me to work with such a legendary singer. But, it wasn't planned, rather it was a wonderful co-incidence." relates Alok. That may be the reason he has named the album, "Samyog" meaning coincidence in Nepali.

The album contains eight melodious songs of which six are in gazal pattern while three are in folk Nepali flavor. "Jagjit Jee liked the compositions a lot." proudly marks Alok. The album is one of the high budget Nepali albums made so far. The over all cost of the album ranged around 25 lakhs and the songs were recorded in Gunjan Studio while the vocals were recorded at Radio Vani Studio of Mumbai. The visuals of the album will hit the television screen within a couple of weeks.

Jagjit Singh’s magic haunts anyone who hears him once

There's magic in his voice. Some of his songs bring tears to the eyes of even the most hardened listener. It may be the age of pop and rap music, Jagjit Singh still finds a place in the hearts of the youth and the older generation alike.
Some of the most popular songs sung by the music maestro will soon be coming out in a collection from Universal Music. The collection is called Jazbah, which means "emotion" in Urdu. "I have a strong connection with these songs. The original versions of the sings will feature in this collection and yes, I am emotionally attached to the songs as well," the singer says.
He has popularised the ghazal without taking away from it traditional elements. Even today, concerts at colleges and schools featuring great musicians always draw the biggest crowds on the evening Singh is scheduled to perform. Where does that magical quality in his voice come from? "You must ask my listeners that question," he laughs.
Jagjit Singh is an avid believer in technological improvements in recording and is eager to sing his favourites with advanced technology in place. "If I could, I would love to re-record everything I have sung. I want to use modern technology and see how it turns out then."
He was one of the first older musicians who did not shy away from using music videos to publicise his new albums or collections. They have worked well for him and he continues to believe in the ability of music videos to tell people about a forthcoming album. The video to Tera Chehra Kitna Suhana Lagta Hai was very popular as is the music video to the old favourite Tumko Dekha To Ye Khayal Aaya. "Music videos are an inalienable part of the music business. It is an efficient medium of publicity; one talks to the public through a music video. Without a video, how will the public come to know about new releases?" the maestro says.
Music, to Singh, is the most beautiful thing in the world. "Music can heal, it can be used for meditation." The singer puts his heart into every song he sings; the depth of feeling in his songs that brings on the tears is real. But the singer is disappointed with the current trend in popular music in the country. In spite of his belief in the good technology can bring to music, the musician acknowledges that hi-tech manouevers alone cannot make a melody. "A lot of sub-standard music is being produced. Technology in music is all very well, but people who have imperfect talents are becoming successful musicians. Computer engineers are turning music composers and directors. They don't know anything about music! One has to lay stress on quality while recording. Lyrics, singing, compositions, everything has to be perfect." Singh says.
The ghazal maestro also has grave reservations about talent hunts that have become popular reality television shows on leading satellite channels. While shows such as Indian Idol, Super Singer and numerous other shows catapult "talented" artists to 10 seconds of fame, Singh has nothing but scorn for such shows.
"It's not that there's no talent. Our country is full of talented musicians. But media is promoting the wrong kind of talent. Indian Idol is a stupid show, as are all other shows like it. The only talent hunt show on television that is good is Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. But this too is limited to film songs. Why can't the media stress on our beautiful folk songs, why can't there be competitions on classical songs? The judging of such too is defective. SMS polls cannot decide who is the best singer. The results look like they have been manipulated," Singh expostulates.
Unlike some musicians, Jagjit Singh does not blame the younger generation is for their psychedelic taste in music. "Youth will taste whatever they get. It's not the younger generation's fault if they are listening to sub-standard music. They don't know good music because they haven't heard it."
In other matters too, Singh is different in his views. While striking off low quality music, the maestro has nothing against remixed versions of old songs. "There's nothing wrong with remixes. They bring back in circulation old melodies. They're good. And there's no reason why they should retain their old sounds. Times have changed and so should the music. Some songs have even improved after being remixed. Modern technology has made them sound better. The only thing wrong with remixes is the visuals that accompany the songs. They are vulgar," Singh says.
Jagjit continues to weave his magic with his honeyed voice. The singer says a new album will be out in a few weeks. It's called Koi Baat Chale. Master lyricist and poet Gulzar has written the songs in this new album and the music is by Jagjit Singh. Watch out for it!

American ghazals jazz up the city

Jazz musician Paula Jeanine will put up a 'classical' performance in Mumbai today  

The term American ghazal might sound like a new concept, but it's really simple. Quite literally,

it's an American musician specialising in ghazals!

Jeanine, who discovered her passion towards ghazals five years ago, explains, "Ghazals primarily run on a single note and are more subtle to the ear, while jazz music stirs across various notes in one composition. While the 'sarangi' gives life to the ghazal, a jazz piece is incomplete without the saxophone."

Acknowledging the fact that this is a conscious effort to carve a niche for her music, Paula believes that both forms help her touch upon certain very emotional subjects. "Poignant songs are the specialty of ghazals and with subjects like loss of a loved one or even socially relevant issues. I am trying to incorporate my world view of essential problems that encounter wide sections of society today," she says.

In an attempt to develop a strong communication with her audience, Paula asserts that all music ultimately gives you a reason to improvise on the vocal. "I admire great ghazal singers like Ghulam Ali, Mehndi Hasan and Jagjit Singh, because the promise in their voice poses a challenge for a singer like me."

Paula's unique rendition with conga drumming will take place at Starters & More.

An evening in Pinjore

IT'S a tryst with tradition, one that'll reintroduce you to the beautiful Yadavindra Gardens, which are being rediscovered and restored. It's a commendable effort by the Haryana Tourism, which is all set to to give people of the region a taste and feel of the heritage of the state. So, starting October five, there's a treat in store for art lovers and also people who want to take a cutural break. The Pinjore Heritage Festival, explains Vijai Vardhan, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation will showcase and project the ancient heritage of Pinjore and the Gardens. Incidentally, restoration work is on at the gardens and the festival, will give a boost to tourism in the state.

A mix of heritage and entertainment, you can look forward to a street bazaar that will remeble one in the Mughal times, a variety of ethnic food from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and of course cutural performances by maestros. ''A lot has gone into making this festival happen, and the effort's almost as much as marrying off ten daughters,'' smiles Vardhan. For the next five days, pronounced Kiran Choudhry, ''it has to be Destination Pinjore. And not just Chandigarh, we're expecting people from all over the region to make it a huge success.''

The festival will open with a performance by Jagjit Singh, followed by Bharatnatyam by Pratibha Prahlad (October 6), recital by Begum Parween Sultana (October 7), Dance ballet by Dakshna Sheth (October 8) and Euphoria Live (October 9). Haryana Tourism hopes to make the festival an annual affair and is all set for another treat, a Sufiana festival at Kurukshetra in November. ''We are forgetting our roots, Bollywood music is all we hear, and personally too, I'm a great fan of Sufi music and it's time to promote our culture, so this step,'' added Kiran. There's a lot to look forward to, Pinjore is the beginning.