last podcast of 2008 - If Music Could Talk - Dec 28, 2008 - Beautiful music from Brazil, and lots more

PODCAST LINK

Astrud Gilberto

i found two used Astrud Gilberto lps today at the record store, took them home, put the first one on ( "The Shadow of Your Smile" ) and.. fell into a trance..


such a brilliant voice.. the subtle understated vocalization of these melodies.. each one as soulful as a prayer.. like silver threads woven between the sensuous saxophone lines of her accompanyist, Stan Getz.. her unmistakeable "Rio" accent made even the most familiar lyrics sound new and poignant.. if a flower could sing, it would sound like Astrud Gilberto..

when she first began to gain popularity everyone wondered... where did she come from? (from Rio of course...) ...according to wikipedia, her first recording was "on the influential album Getz/Gilberto featuring João Gilberto, Stan Getz, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. She had never performed professionally, and sang on the recordings at the suggestion of her husband, João Gilberto (they divorced in the mid-1960s)." She states in an interview posted on her website, remembering the session where she sang "the Girl from Ipanema", "I'll never forget that while we were listening back to the just recorded song at the studio's control room, Stan said to me, with a very dramatic expression: "This song is going to make you famous"."

i wonder what's she doing now since 2001's "Jungle" Cd? she has apparently "taken a break" from touring but never officially retired... (ps: I found the answers here)

below, a rare video version of "the Girl from Ipanema" complete with a 60's glamor gal fan club audience.. and best of all, it's Christmas!



(in this movie, the cornball classic teen flick "Get Yourself a College Girl", Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz both appeared as themselves. The film also featured appearances by the Animals,The Standells , the Rhythm Masters, Jimmy Smith, Roberta Linn, The Dave Clark Five, and a major role played by Nancy Sinatra )

If Music Could Talk December 21 2008 - Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

here's last week's PODCAST LINK featuring several odd Christmas songs, some other miscellaneous favorites of mine... and some great Arabic pop to totally mix it up...

"If Music Could Talk" Dec 14, 2008- special guest: producer Tye Jones of SoulFire music

PODCAST LINK

listen to this show and hear some exclusive tracks by local artists Miss Gina & DJ Manifest as well as tracks from a various artists comp from the Summer of Soul series which was put together by Tye Jones to showcase his label, Soulfire Music- based right here in Richmond VA.

the first hour was a mishmash of funk , soul, jazz and hip hop...

ENJOY!

Watch the 1982 Bollywood Classic "Shakti" online

WATCH HERE (17 parts)


Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Music by R.D. Burman
Starring Dilip Kumar and Amitabh "Big B" Bachchan (also featuring Raakhee, Smita Patil Amrish Puri) 1982


Dilip Kumar .... Ashwini Kumar
Amitabh Bachchan .... Vijay Kumar
Raakhee .... Sheetal Kumar
Smita Patil .... Roma Devi
Amrish Puri .... JK Verma
Kulbhushan Kharbanda .... K.D Narang
Dalip Tahil .... Ganput Rai
Ashok Kumar .... Police Commissioner
Satish Shah .... Satish
Anil Kapoor .... Ravi Kumar (Vijay and Roma's son) (Guest appearance)

film description from wikipedia

with subtitles! : )

Smita Patil remembered

December 13th marks the date (22 years ago) when Smita Patil passed away, tragically at such a young age (31)

click here to read Amitabh's recollection of Smita Patil and also how he reacted to seeing Smita's son, Prateek Smit Babaar , acting in the recent film Jaane tu ya Jaane Na.


another link also here

Here is a song which features her and Naseerudin Shah - Karoge Yaad To - a bittersweet poem


Trailer for Mirch Masala - one of Smita's most heroic performances


Ubaratha

Bollywood Night - DECEMBER 13, 2008

Cool Book featuring over 200 pages of Bollywood Posters

Bollywood Posters - Jerry Pinto & Sheena Sippy

read about it here

buy it

Cool Blog featuring Artists, Authors, Cartoonists...from India, Pakistan, etc

Asian Window

PODCAST - December 6 2008 If Music Could Talk

Last week - December 6th, i played a really groovy and soulful reggae set to start out the show. and then eased into the ecclectica for hour 2..some mysterious and melancholy vibes.. and then a transition back into the warmth - with a set of music from brazil (although even this portion starts out with some spooky sounding psych from violeta de outono) then we finish out the evening with a set of arabic (lebanese) music (eid mubarak!!) featuring selections culled from several records brought back - especially for my show - by the sister of a good friend of mine.. a wide range of tempos to keep you motivated and alert... and definitely another good set of music for a cold windy winter evening...or whenever you might end up listening to this after the fact... enjoy the sounds

PODCAST LINK - If music Could Talk - Dec 6, 2008

PODCAST LINK - Nov 19, 2008 - giving thanks.. and other sentiments

giving thanks.. and other sentiments..

This past "holiday" week was a bit of a rollercoaster... i spent most of the week in the mountains.. but the usual myrth and merriment of this holiday (turkey day - thanksgiving..) was overshadowed by the attacks on the city of Mumbai and i was glued to the television in our cabin every evening to see what would happen next and when the killing would stop... a really horrifying thing to see.. and i was filled with sadness seeing the faces of people in the streets looking on as the Taj hotel burned.. it made me angry, it made me sad.. it made me remember what 911 felt like..i considered cancelling my upcoming bollywood night but thought again that it might give people a chance to let off some of the frustration from this past few weeks.. basically, events like this leave us feeling paralyzed and confused.. i dont see any clear message from this action.. its just another shock attack from some gang of psychotic motherless wannabe-revolutionaries..

anyway, i was feeling bummed and a bit numb from this horrible tragedy... so i thought id play some indian classics - and one track by ustad nusrat fateh ali khan - the late legendary pakistani qawaali singer - a really beautiful remix that transcends all this stupidity - people will be quick to judge pakistan.. but pakistani people are not behind this.. "it's a political thing" according to one of my friends from nearby in mumbai... most of this crap goes back to the violent clashes just after independence - britain cut india and pakistan into slices (On 3 June 1947, Viscount Louis Mountbatten, the last British Governor-General of India, announced the partitioning of the British Indian Empire into a secular India and a Muslim Pakistan) and people were forced to leave their homes and their land - lots of bloodshed and many unforgotten wounds from those days... now it's remained a political fued... the people dont all hate each other... according to an anecdote from another friend from india, the cricket team from India went to Pakistan recently for the first time in many many years and they stayed in the Pakistani people's homes... the politicians still hold the grudges though.. and according to some sources, the pakistani government has aided radical groups in the past ... i guess this time their thug buddies went too far because they're not too quick to take credit for it..

anyway... history has all the clues to the violence going on the world today-- the seeds were planted years ago.. mainly by the colonial "empires" that are now finding their economies collapsing -- is it karma maybe?

here are the translated lyrics to the song "Zindegi Ek Safar" from Andaz which I played during this show :
'Zindagi Ek Safar' from movie 'Andaz (1971)'

zindagi ek safar hai suhana
life is a wonderful journey
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
no one knows what will happen in the future
(yodeling)
arey o leiyo leiyo, oleiyo leiyo
oleiyo leiyo, oleiyo leiyo
oleiyo leiyo, oleiyo leiyo
chaand taaron se chalna hai aage
we have to go ahead of the moon and the stars
asmaanon se badna hai aage
we have to reach beyond the skies
pichhe reh jayega yeh zamana
this world will be left behind
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
who knows what the future is
zindagi ek safar hai suhana
life is a wonderful journey
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
no one knows what the future is
haste gate jahan se guzar
tread life joyfully
duniya ki tu parvah na kar
don't wory about the rest of the world
muskuraate hue din bitana
pass the day smilingly
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
no one knows what the future will be
haan zindagi ek safar hai suhana
yes, life is a beauful journey
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
no one knows what the future will be
maut aani hai ayegi ik din
death will befall us one day
jaan jaani hai jayegi ik din
the soul will depart one day
aisi baaton se kya ghabrana
why worry about such things
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
who knows what the future will be
zindagi ek safar hai suhana
life is a wonderful journey
yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
no one knows what the future will be
(yodeling)
di di di, du du du
oleyo leyo ha haa haa


PODCAST LINK - If music Could Talk - Nov 19, 2008

enjoy the podcast - shamshad begum, asha, lata, mukesh, dj hyacinth d'souza, ustad nusrat fateh ali khan, sun ra, john zorn, husker du, the clash, peter murphy, etc

Miss Pooja Live on BBC

Tribute to Mumbai

Podcast Link - Nov 23 2008 - a chilly evening in richmond

Wong Faye (second track of last night's podcast)
above- album cover for "Restless" - one of two albums co-produced by s. raymonde and cocteau twins-

I just checked iTunes and it's listed under a different title-
(Note: this link will open your iTunes store)
Faye Wong "Impulsive" - Get it! it will make you happy!

from wikipedia:

"1996 saw the release of what many would consider her boldest and most artistically coherent effort to date, Fu Zao (浮躁), usually translated as Restless or Impatience. This was her last album with Cinepoly, and Wong felt she could take more artistic risks. The album contains mainly her own compositions, with an aesthetic inspired by the Cocteau Twins, who penned two original songs for the album, "Fracture" (分裂) and "Repressing Happiness" (掃興). As Wong had covered their work in 1994, she had established a remote working relationship with them—even laying down vocals for a special duet version of "Serpentskirt" on the Asian release of the group's 1996 album, Milk And Kisses.
Although the album was Faye's personal favorite, the response from Hong Kong and Taiwan was less than desirable. Many fans who enjoyed her previous three Mandarin albums turned their back on Restless, which they considered to be too alternative and self-absorbed. There were few ballads which were radio-friendly—had Faye taken her experimentations too far? However, hardcore Faye fans, known as Fayenatics,[10] worshipped the album and it became a cult hit. Wong has not released another fully artistic album since. After the release, Faye became the second Chinese artist (after Gong Li)—and the first Chinese singer—to be featured on the cover of TIME magazine."

I found my copy of this brilliant album on cassette in Chinatown NYC during a particulary cold winter of 2000.... but as i mentioned above.. it's on iTunes now, which is great news for fans of "old school" Faye Wong



music to warm you up, or at least give you a little distraction from the shivers on a chilly (freezing!) november evening
PODCAST LINK

Podcast Link - "If Music Could Talk" Nov 19th 2008- guest DJ set by Lightning's Girl

Last week's show featured a special guest DJ set by Lightning's Girl (one of two djs responsible for the wild monthly dance night at Cous Cous known as " Le Garage" - next one is Dec 11)

During this show you will hear some really cool rare French (and international) yeh-yeh, go go, garage, & psych dance beats...

plus, a mini set by Dj Carlito featuring some very interesting Pancham Rahul Dev Burman tracks.

Pour ecouter le podcast, CLIQUEZ ICI

If Music Could Talk - Nov 9, 2008 Podcast Link - Psychedelic music from Indonesia part 2!!! re-uploaded

featuring Indonesian hit singers (mostly the Divas.. but a few rockin daddys in there too) from the 60s and 70s like Elly Kasim, Ernie Djohan, Irni Yusnita, Lilis Surjani, Inneke Kusumawati, Emilia Contessa, Koes Bersaudara, and many others

PODCAST LINK-Psychedelic music from Indonesia - Part 2!!

please download this podcast and delete the previously uploaded one from yesterday!
I had to cut out a duplicate song (one that i actually played twice- d'oh!) I also subbed a short bonus track for your enjoyment, added a cut beginning of another, upgraded the sound quality on one song, and cut out the part where i mis-stated President Obama's birthplace...of course he was born in Hawaii, but lived in Jakarta, Indonesia in his early youth (after his parents separated, Barack's mother married a geologist named Lolo Soetoro Mangunharjo, and moved with him to Indonesia, where Barack Obama was raised and went to school till age 10 or so) This music was almost certainly "happening" in Indonesia around that same time... (late 60s early 70s)

I've also got MOST of the song titles correct now.. whew.. ok, i admit, i downloaded several of these tracks.. MOST of them are from my personal collection (the actual records) ..some others are thanks to my "friends online".. For the most part, the complete radio show from last Sunday is here.. but basically, cleaned up.

anyway, .. enjoy!

Samba Rico - Brasilian/Boriqueno music at Emilios tonight!

"Every First Thursday
Starting Tomorrow!

November 6th
IPANEMA CAFE
Free. 10pm - 1am

"Samba Rico"
music from Brazil and Puerto Rico
with Rattan DJ and guests

arrive before 11pm to eat a awesome vegetarian meal.

celebrating Obama and Scorpio birthdays. "

If music Could Talk - Nov 2, 2008 - Special Guest: DJ Trim (Leo) and DJ Carlito's roots, dub, dancehall VOTE mix

Special Guest: DJ Trim (Leo)

and Dj Carlito's roots reggae dancehall mix to make you want to go VOTE tomorrow!!!!!!

PODCAST LINK - If music Could Talk - Nov 2, 2008

If Music Could Talk - October 26 2008 - Rainbow Arabia in studio and more

PODCAST LINK

thanks to everyone who came to Bollywood night last month!!

See you on the second Saturday of December!!!!!!!!!

(and every month after that!)

2 cool Pictures

Indian Festival in Richmond VA



Flyer for OBAMA 2008 on a telephone pole downtown, after the Indian Festival (is this a local artist? it's awesome!!)

Update: According to Sean, the poster above is by David Choe! (see comments) wowsers.. he's amazing!

Happy Diwali 2008!!!

(Above: the legendary Bollywood actress, Rekha!) UPDATE: here's a beautiful website dedicated to Rekha-ji! - www.Rekhathediva.com

Diwali Ke Bahut Bahut Shubkamnayen!!

read about Diwali here and here

Amitabh is still recuperating from illness this holiday, as well as the loss of his dear mother this year.. which he spoke about during the concert in NY. - So , best wishes to Big B, Amit-ji, this Diwali!!!

Also, much love and many blessings to all my friends who have shown support for my musical events this past year - you have all made me realize how important making people happy is and i couldn't have made it through my own little struggles without your generosity and encouragement!! i wish you all the best this new year..

Bollywood movies released during Diwali

TV Star Shama SIkander demonstrates how Diwali is celebrated here

Diwali message from Barack Obama

This was sent to me by a good friend, originally in PDF format with Obama's signature, but Ive just copied the text below...

"October 24, 2008

Dear Friends,
Thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you as we near the night of Diwali. In the coming days, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and their friends of all faiths will gather across America and around the world to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Much has happened in the world since the last Diwali, and this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year past and rededicate ourselves to spreading peace and tolerance in the coming year.
Last year, I wrote that Diwali’s celebration of the triumph of illumination over ignorance had a special meaning for me. At that time, traveling across America and meeting people of every spiritual and ethnic background showed me that there’s much more that unites us than divides us. Now, one year later, I believe this even more strongly.
Americans, despite our varied backgrounds, believe that all people are created equal, and that each person should be free to practice or not practice religion as they choose. These beliefs have faced challenges at home and abroad throughout history, but they are the beliefs our nation was founded on, and we always return to them.
If I’m elected President of the United States, I will work to renew America’s moral leadership in the world. This is our time to create change, and I believe that we can and must continue the fight against ignorance and intolerance. I hope you enjoy your celebration and renew your commitment to overcoming ignorance. I wish you all the best for a joyous Diwali.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama"

Thomas Mapfumo - legendary Zimbabwean musician - performs at UR Modlin Center

Thomas Mapfumo (center) and band gave a special invite only talk at UR's Booker Music Hall today before the big show this evening....

They'll be performing Friday and Saturday night at the UR Modlin Center in Richmond VA

INFORMATION and TICKETS HERE

Thomas Mapfumo (video from the 90's) - Moyo Wangu



Official Thomas Mapfumo myspace page

Rainbow Arabia - Playing THIS SUNDAY at the TRIPLE

PODCAST LINK


They'll be playing at the Triple on Sunday and also, stopping by to make a guest appearance on. .

"If Music Could Talk" - 7-9pm EST Sundays on www.wrir.org 97.3FM Richmond Independent Radio

check it out

Bollywood Night featured in Richmond Magazine !!

The new issue of Richmond Magazine is out now -It's called "The GLOBAL issue" this month.. it's filled with some very engaging stories about refugees, immigration, and other modern international issues.. as well as reviews on local "international" restaurants, artists, writers, community leaders etc.. they also happened to write a short article about Bollywood Night - a dj event that I've been doing every month for about 8 months now (which has become a huge and unexpected success thanks to all the cool folks who show up to dance all night).

the bonus is...the author blogged part of the email I sent him- -I wanted to give him a little informal "Youtube" introduction to Bollywood films.. some of my favorites.. and he kindly posted the whole email on their blog..

check that out HERE

Oh, and it's official, Bollywood Night at Cous Cous is the second Saturday of every month-- starting in December.

Thanks to everyone at Richmond magazine for writing this little article-- Its really gratifying that this event has been so well recieved.

If Music Could Talk Oct 19 2008

PODCAST LINK

two Awesome Bollywood Blogs

Here's one that'll fill up your drive really fast... "Music From the Third Floor" (the links are inside the post comments )

and here's an AWESOME site i found on the site mentioned above.... "Memsaab Story"

these bloggers have obviously worked very hard to bring you these priceless samples of bollywood brilliance.. and they've covered SO much territory.. still.. there is always so much more to uncover... the thrill of bollywood is endless

check these sites often!!!

If Music Could Talk Oct 12 2008

PODCAST LINK

If Music Could Talk Oct 5 2008

PODCAST LINK

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT October 11th at Cous Cous!

Happy Birthday to Amitabh Bachchan - Oct 11, 2008

Happy Birthday to Amitabh Bachchan - Oct 11, 2008

Sara Zamana - Yarana


Suhaag


Mahaan Trailer


Mahaan


Sholay Part 1 (59 minute Youtube clip!!)


Namak Halaal


Bombay to Goa (one of Amitabh's first hits!)


Amitabh jumps from an EGG in Amak Akbar and Anthony

http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=uYEM7rgVpP8

2008- Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

some "new" clips of classic OLD SCHOOL DANCEHALL sessions

1986 Stereo Mars, PNP Rally - Tenor Saw



Tenor Saw, Burro Banton, Cutty Ranks, Supercat live 1985


1986 Stereo Mars, PNP Rally - Yami Bolo, Ricky Tuffy


Stereomars - Skateland 86


Josey Wales Charlie Chaplin Brigadier Jerry Roots Radics pt1



Josey Wales Charlie Chaplin Brigadier Jerry Roots Radics pt2

Bollywood Strike ends favorably for workers

read more here

Bollywood on Strike!!!!!!!

From Hindustan Times: "Bollywood is on strike after thousands of workers stayed away on Tuesday, demanding better wages. Leaders of two main producers’ bodies — with 10,000 members — met workers’ leaders on Thursday, with no progress"

Article in TIME

video from BBC

Even Big B and Shahrukh Khan are backing the strike..

If Music Could Talk , September 28, 2008 - jammin the airwaves with ecclectica

PODCAST LINK

lots of cool music, bizarre/hilarious samples from a Rock History LP, some newer Hip Hop, and etc

If Music Could Talk, September 21 2008, a short interview with Ray Manzarek, and lots of music by the Doors

PODCAST LINK

a short interview with Ray Manzarek, and lots of music by the Doors, plus new tracks by Aterciopelados from the forthcoming album Rio

( file recorded at 112kbs mono, and as usual.. sounds fine! )

Happy Birthday Lata-Ji!

(picture above- from her 75th birthday)


Live at BBC


September 28th was Lata Mangeshkar's 79th birthday!! According to one of my friends living in India, there was a huge celebration celebrating this legendary singer's birthday.

Lata sings "Kaheen deep" live (60s)


"Jaane Kyun Log Mohabbat" from "Mehboob Ki Mehndi" (lipsinc by actress)

Lag Ja Gale

Kya Janoon Sajan

interview

here's one of my all time favorites.... this song has wings... wow
"Maan Mohana Bade Jhute" - Lata Mangeshkar (actress - Nutan, from Seema)


from IANS: "Singer Lata Mangeshkar, known as the Nightingale of Bollywood for having mesmerised millions with her melodious voice for over six decades, enters her 80th year Sunday - and like every year she plans to keep it austere sans fanfare.

Lata has never celebrated her birthday in public and follows the same annual routine. She begins the day by praying at the Mahalaxmi Temple situated right across her home in Prabhu Kunj here.

This time she may attend a function at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital that she built in Pune in memory of her father.

From her first super hit "Aayega aanewaala" to "Jab pyaar kiya to darna kya" and "Noorie" to her recent bests like "Yeh hum aa gaye hain kahaan" and "Luka chuppi", Lata has managed to thrill music lovers of every generation with her soulful singing over her 66-year-long career and continues to do so.

From light classical music to film songs and from ghazals to bhajans and pop, she has sung a variety of numbers. Having worked with almost all top music composers and singers in the industry, Lata has sung more than 30,000 songs in over 20 Indian languages.

The singer featured in the Guinness Book of World Records from 1974 to 1991 for having made the most recordings in the world.

"That 60 years down the line and having rendered over 25,000 songs, she has been able to maintain the same position is why she is called the Bollywood living legend," composer Anu Malik told IANS.

According to him, every song of hers is a musical gem as much for her singing quality as for its pure composition.

Born Sep 28, 1929, to a family of musicians settled in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Lata's life wasn't easy. After her father Dinanath Mangeshkar, a classical singer and theatre actor, died of heart ailment in 1942, his five children - Lata, Hridayanath, Asha, Usha, and Meena - and wife Shudhhamati had to struggle for survival.

Being the eldest of them, 13-year-old Lata had to see the family through the rough patch. And she did it single-handedly until her siblings grew up, each gifted with musical talent of varying degrees.

Till the time she voluntarily cut down her singing assignments in the late 1980s, Lata faced no competition from any of the female singers, barring her sister Asha Bhosle. Though Asha's career ran parallel with hers, it was on a different note and scale musically.

Lyricist-filmmaker Gulzar said Lata's greatness lay in her complete devotion to music.
"Singing for her is not merely a profession, it is akin to worship," he said.

Alka Yagnik, who grew up listening to Lata songs and idolised her before she became a playback singer herself, referred to the queen of melody as "a pure soul."

Anuradha Paudwal said: "Lata Mangeshkar is a perfect example of a playback singer who can modulate her voice according to various song situations and suit characters as per their age and social status."

Late maestro Naushad had once told this correspondent that when on a rainy day in 1943, she had come to meet him at the now-defunct Kardar Studios in Mumbai, he was busy in his music room and told her to wait.

"When I called her over and told her to sing, she chose one of Noor Jehan's numbers. She sang it with such perfection that my heart went out to her because she was drenched completely as she had waited under the rain. You rarely see such dedication," said the composer, for whom Lata sang many memorable songs later.

Lata pioneered many constructive changes in Bollywood, which proved to be beneficial for singers in the long run.

She was the one who introduced the royalty system for singers in the industry. She also insisted that the singer's name be published with the songs instead of actors.

Music director Shamir Tandon described Lata as "a genuine human being".

"The reason why she has ruled the industry and is still around is that she has always paid attention to the art of singing, always kept on upgrading herself, besides adopting herself to the changing times," Tandon told IANS."

here is a wealth of knowledge and history about Lataji here
(which is also where if found the marvelous pictures above!)

Amazing Indian Musical concert, HERE in RICHMOND!! Benefit for Women and Children

"a charity event which is solely dedicated toward the betterment of the underprivileged children & women in India" ... featuring musicians from the Orchestras of Bappi Lahiri and Laxshmikant Pyarelal!!


my friend Dhiraj sent me this flyer and press release :

"Dear Friends –

Most of you know that each year, the Rasika Group performs a musical concert in Richmond - for a noble cause inspired by Mahila Adhyayan Kendra (MAK), India.

Supported by OPEN (www.OpenIndia.org) this year, this charity event which is solely dedicated toward the betterment of the underprivileged children & women in India - is being held on - Saturday, the 20th of September 2008 at the Pocahontas Middle School in Richmond, VA at 6 pm.

Please see the flyer for details. We look forward to your attendance and contribution."

BIO RITMO Album Release Party - This Saturday!

come check this party out (after Rasika of course... )

Ray Manzarek and Robby Kreiger playing in Richmond as "Riders on the Storm" next week

Jim Morrison most likely will not be there.. but the music will still be super psychadelicized...

show is Thursday , Sep. 25 at the National in Richmond.

Fight over language preferences between political party MNS and the Bachchans causes literal mud-slinging..

but now the fight has been called off- did MNS maybe over-react a bit when Jaya Bachcan simply stated a "preference" for speaking Hindi ? Once again, Amitabh plays the diplomat and the fight is diffused...

read more here

Traffic Jam saves Abishek Bachchan from injury during recent bomb explosions in New Delhi

Read more here

apparently, police have suspects for these bombings - which have been linked to a group called SIMI

i have yet to read from other sources on this topic, so read with caution , welcome to the complex politics of India, and even more complicated/contradictory media reporting

it seems that the whole world is suffering from these cowardly acts... bombings and random acts of violence that only send the world spinning with confusion.. how can someone think that real political issues should be addressed this way? who came up with that idea?? it's the bloody version of a child throwing a temper tantrum

Sonu Nigam criticises Indian music industry

He claims that the actors always outshine the singers, and that the singers need to get more credit...

"As long as there is film music, these (individual) albums cannot do well and singers' creativity and their value will always suffer. They will always be secondary to actors and their identity will be at the back stage," Sonu told IANS in an interview.

read more here

If Music Could Talk - PODCAST - September 14th 2008

If Music Could Talk- Sep 14th, 2008 - last Sunday was a full moon, so here's a moody, somewhat manic set from Dj Carlito - "If Music Could Talk" Sundays at 7pm EST on WRIR

Bollywood Night - Sept 13, 2008

Bollywood Night ~ at Cous Cous ~ September 13th ~ Free Admission ~ 10:30-2am ~ Tell your friends ! aaja naachle !!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

If Music Could Talk - Sep 7, 2008

Summer's not over yet... Reggae Vibes...
If Music Could Talk - September 7, 2008 - PODCAST LINK

Reggae Fest this Sunday in MD!!! don't miss it - the biggest reggae concert of the year in the VA area!

Sunday? no problem.. doors open at noon and it should be over by 10 at the latest...
don't miss it!!! tell a friend

http://crossroadsclub.com/

Festival of India coming in October

the 28th Festival of India in Richmond VA-- Saturday Oct 18th, 11:00am – 9:00pm and Sunday Oct 19th 2008, 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 11:00 am - Location: Greater Richmond Conventional Center - Richmond, VA
Free Admission

THE LARGEST Indian festival in Virginia - the premier occasion to showcase your talent!
Nearly 20,000 people are anticipated!

FEATURING:
1.FOI Da Bhangra Competition (17 years and up)
2.Senior Group Dance Competition (16 years and up)
3.Junior Group Dance Competition (10-15 years)
4.Childrens Group Dance Competition (5-9 years)
5.Solo Dance Competition (6 - 12 years)
6.Solo Dance Competition (13 years and up)
7.Best dressed Male & Female on both the days
8.Best decorated Booth, and Booth with the Best-dressed Volunteers awards
9.Ongoing Cultural Program
10.A Parade featuring the different states of India

Entry forms are available online at
www.thefestivalofindia.org or www.hinducenterofvirginia.org . Please email your entries by Sept 07, 2008 to FoiCulture@gmail.com

Clip from Unforgettable Tour - NJ

I saw them do this song in Long Island for the show I went to...
these clips have been disappearing routinely due to claims of copyright infringement (I didnt post this, but im glad someone did) so watch it while you can!
I think they're extra protective of this footage because they'll probably make a DVD from the tour eventually...

Kajra Re

If Music Could Talk - August 31, 2008 Brasilian Beats

If Music Could Talk - August 31 2008 - Brasilian Beats - PODCAST

If Music Could Talk - AUGUST 24TH 2008- guest hosts from Siberia for the second hour!

PODCAST LINK

original setlist with russian spellings here

If Music Could Talk - Charles Williams subbing for me last week

PODCAST LINK- - awesome show.. thanks Charles!!!

please note that this show is in two parts (so RSS feeds and Itunes will only recognize the first one, thats how enclosure links work on blogger unfortunately-- go to the original link for the second part : http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/28883)

Mission Accomplished!

I am still amazed that I was actually able to make it to the Unforgettable Tour 2008 in Uniondale (Long Island) NY this past weekend (which also turned out to be Indian Independence Day -- and , a full moon!)


( thanks to all my friends who made this amazing weekend trip possible for me... you are all such wonderful friends - you know who you are! If not, I'll thank you in person when i see you again! )

I'll write my own thoughts about the show later when i get caught up with everything else.. but this review from the NY Times pretty much says it all. Check out the slide show too.

Wow, ok.. now, back to work and... (sigh..).. my former reality.

If Music Could Talk Aug 10 2008

PODCAST LINK Aug 10, 2008 -Indian music samples in Hip Hop and more.... (including some cuts from my most recently found stack of Northern Soul/etc 45s)

here's a cool article from the Voice from 2003 that inspired me to do this particular program..

Bollywood Night-- August 9th 2008- at Cous Cous! (Richmond VA)

A dance night celebrating Indian music and film- featuring a unique mix of classic and modern Indian dance music selected by dj carlito -this party gets the place jumpin' every time-- don't miss it!

bollywood tabloids continued (just thought i'd expand on one of the previous posts a bit)

in an earlier post i proposed that a recently publicised argument between between Sharukh Khan and Salman Khan was some sort of new phenomenon.. as if the worst things about Hollywood had somehow rubbed off on them...

but after looking through some old magazine covers from India-- Stardust, Filmfare, Super, etc- from the 60's and 70's, it seems that these tabloids have been feeding the rumours, accusations, and alleged scandals for years... see the pictures below- they are proof that the media fed voraciously on any bit of personal info they could find about Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan), Vinod Mehra, Zeenat Aman, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Hema Malini, basically, everyone's life was open game for reporters whose livelihoods depended on keeping the rumors alive... so it's nothing new...



the argument between Sharukh and Salman might be a prime example of pettiness among these younger actors, but it's usually amplified and distorted by the media, as they are so good at doing-(see the classic feud between Zeenat and Shabana that sold so many papers back in the day?)- i guess it's always been this way. Without a doubt, the media must have fed off of the troubled life of the legendary Meena Kumari- possibly the media even assisted her tragic downward spiral. Some stars get very harsh criticism when their human side starts to show. Maybe Hollywood and Bollywood were never really that different in terms of the drama behind the dramas.

From Super Magazine -1970s -"Everyone's talking about it.. Some journalists justify it, you dear reader love every minute of it, Gossip, Scandal, the stuff that sells magazines, makes the sordid glamorous, the innocent sordid, and makes unknown people stars overnight or stars into ciphers with the stroke of a pen. But what is gossip? Where is it spawned and how does it spread? Is it good, bad, or is it like the truth above [labeling]?? and what does a gossip writer feel like?"

alas, tabloid scandals are just one more of those things we share universally, all around the world- these dramas are catharsis for millions of people worldwide whose imaginations get wrapped up in wild fantasies of the turbulent lives of their movie star idols.. no matter how totally fabricated or blown out of proportion. In fact, for the press.. the more outrageous or shameful, the better.. it should also be noted that the stars themselves often feed the gossip for publicity ; )



so how have these older bollywood stars kept it together for all these years and still remain so dignified? the younger artists should learn from these great legends- Amitabh , Hema Malini, etc.. who didnt burn out early on and are still acting even today.. surviving this kind of scrutiny, you must really have some hidden reserve of strength, humility, and patience -- many of these actors have survived some real tragedies (Zeenat Aman went through some very troubled times, as many of these actors have..) and for the most part they've kept their dignity intact despite the shameless scrutiny of the press.. it's a testament to the true character of the older generation..

PODCAST - If Music Could Talk Aug 3, 2008

PODCAST LINK - If Music Could Talk -Aug 3, 2008 - on WRIR Richmond Independent Radio

press conference Unforgettable Tour 2008

what a powerful message it's about time this happened right? ? The youtube clip was taken down.. so I'll have to paraphrase

Mr Amitabh Bachchan on why he's bringing the tour to the USA he said something like -- " there is a sort of over-saturation in the west so there is growing interest in other things now.. Indian cinema is gaining credibility where before it wasn't taken seriously... people are interested in Bollywood all over the world now"

(I have to agree with Mr. Bachchan on that ... and "saturation" is a polite understatement.. we're sick of the same old thing over and over here and we want something real!! )

Aishwarya was equally eloquent saying "it's about communication.." "we're all coming together very rapidly! " "there is alot of exchange in every field accross borders"

German Bollywood Blog

"the most active German language Bollywood forum"

translated page from "Babel fish" actually works pretty well...

for example, the headline: "Bollywood conquers again Turkey" which sounds different than Google's translation "Bollywood Turkey invaded again".. these translation services make sense out of about 90 percent of the content .. :) which is about all you need i guess...

lots of great screen captures and reviews of films...

some Bollywood news : live drama in Bollywood / "the Unforgettable Tour" a

it seems to be getting more like hollywood everyday unfortunately..

petty remarks, blatant competitiveness, and jealous arguments aren't as "behind the scenes" as they used to be in Bollywood apparently.. no longer are these feuds being kept private among bollywood actors, now they are becoming regular fuel for the tabloids.. just like Hollywood i guess..

last year's Om Shanti Om, possibly SRK's biggest hit yet, caused all sorts of controversies...From wikipedia: "Om Shanti Om landed into a controversy with veteran actor Manoj Kumar, for showing him (actually his body double) in a bad taste."
In response, [Kumar] stated that "Indian audiences had made Manoj Kumar into an icon ... That icon has been wounded, made fun of....." Apologies were made and scenes were even supposed to be edited, but the damage was already done..

Now this... I just read about the recent spat between Sharukh Khan and Salman Khan during Katrina's birthday.. (ok, this is mindless tabloid gossib-- they're behaving like frat boys-- but anyway... )

has Bollywood always been this way behind the scenes? or is the worst of Hollywood (the name calling, backstabbing and mudslinging, and breaking up to make up) rubbing off on these young Hindi stars ?

check out the little video piece on this courtesy of olivecookie.com


************************************

on a more positive note , since im bringing up the East meets West dilemma, Amitabh, Abhishek, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, among other top ranked Bollywood stars, will appear in Houston this Saturday as part of Amitabh's "the Unforgettable Tour"

This is a true class act... no matter what the recent tabloids tell you, Bollywood will never lose its respectability as long as Amitabh is at the helm..

Looks like they'll be in New York on the 15th! : )

Gwangju Biennale in Korea.. definitely worth a trip!

Gwangju Biennale was Asia's first artistic bienalle.....

wikipedia entry here

there's a DJ named Jin Lee aka DJ GAZAEBAL who'll be performing there this year during the "installation" called SPRING -- "Beginning this August artists in Spring will assemble in Gwangju for a month of continuous interaction and production with local participants, building the models and displays, that will culminate in an eight hour procession through the streets of the city around the Former Provincial Office (the starting point of the Gwangju May 1980 protests). The procession will begin during the day and end at night with a fiery conflagration to signal the end of the event. The procession will be accompanied by music by and filmed by Caecilia Tripp. Both the real time film and the music score will be edited and remixed, and will be the sole reminder of the procession and only element presented in one of the exhibition spaces." (source)

also, check out this artist's show-- Els Opsomer

there will also be a portion of the Biennale focused on carnival in Trinidad and Tobago-- including an in depth history of the origins of T&T's carnival.. they're flying in dancers and pan players for a re-creation of T&T carnival. Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a yearly reminder of a people's uprising, from slavery and oppression, for freedom and cultural independence.. This fits in with the theme of "uprising" that is at the foundation of the Gwangju Biennale. According to an introductory page of the website, Gwangju is "widely acknowledged as the spiritual center of the struggle for participatory democracy in South Korea" --- see also here

7th Gwangju Biennale

Duration: September 5 - November 9, 2008
Opening: September 5, 2008

( I wish i was going to this... if only I had a friend with a private jet! )

If Music Could Talk - July 27th 2008

PODCAST - If Music Could Talk July 27 2008

"If Music Could Talk" - July 20, 2008

PODCAST of "If Music Could Talk" from July 20, 2008- two hours of international dance music - lots of reggae, and some of the best new electronic beats

New iTunes podcast feed!

ok, so I owe you blog readers an explanation for all the re-posts of old shows there... I recently signed up for a Feedburner RSS feed and then linked the podcasts through iTunes.. Ive expanded my audience now hopefully! And I want people to hear the interview shows that took me so much time and effort to pull off... if you havent downloaded these yet, check them out!!!

welcome to all the new listeners.. stay tuned to this blog and www.wrir.org for new shows every week (If Music Could Talk - 7-9pm EST Sundays on WRIR)

thanks to WRIR and Radio4all.net for making these podcasts possible!

(these podcasts are not for profit... they only serve to promote musical and cultural diversity on an international level and to get the word out about good independent artists around the world... all files are 112kbps or less- for non commercial use only- please ask to re-broadcast on your local independent radio station!)

please leave comments if you like the music you hear!

Indonesian music- on If Music Could Talk

last iTunes/feed update-
60s Indonesian psych music on "If Music Could Talk"

show in 2 parts - check here : http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/24586

thanks to WRIR and Radio4all.net for making these podcasts possible!!

GRIME- "If Music Could Talk" -from 2005

one more older podcast....

GRIME- dj carlito checkin out some UK hip hop on "If Music Could Talk"

this show was in 4 parts-- check the link for the complete show

http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/15635

thanks to WRIR and Radio4all.net for making these podcasts possible!!

check here for new ones each week

Interview with Pacha Massive on "If Music Could Talk"

Cool interviews part 9

Pacha Massive on "If Music Could Talk"

show in multiple parts - check here for all files- http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/22101

thanks to WRIR and RADIO4ALL.net for making these podcasts possible!!

Interview with Micropixie- on "If Music Could Talk"

Cool interviews part 8

Micropixie on If Music Could Talk

show in multiple parts- check here for all files: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/23744

Interview with Carlton Livingston - on "If Music Could Talk"

older interviews part 7

Carlton Livingston on "If Music Could Talk"

show in multiple parts-- check here for all files: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/24682

dj carlito- live in 2005 - Pangaea Lounge

some more links - updating the itunes feed..

LIVE SET - Pangaea Lounge at Cafe Gutenberg 2005

this podcast from July 01, 2005 got some crazy downloads after they posted it on boingboing.. :) a golden oldie - hope you enjoy..

Interview with Dennis Alcapone on "If Music Could Talk" check info for complete show links

older interviews contd.

Dennis Alcapone on "If Music Could Talk"

show in 4 parts - check here for the complete show : http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/25291

just updating some of the earlier interviews for itunes and feed - :)

enjoy!

Interview with Eek A Mouse -on "If Music Could Talk"

Cool interviews part 5
EEK a Mouse -on "If music could Talk"

show in multiple parts- check here for complete show: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/24226

Interview with Lady Ann- on "If Music Could Talk"

Cool interviews part 4
LADY ANN on If Music Could Talk

Interview with Lone Ranger - on "If Music Could Talk"

Cool interviews part 3
LONE RANGER on "If music could talk"

this show was uploaded in two parts - check here for both links:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/22559

Interview with Aterciopelados - on "If Music Could Talk"

Cool interviews part 2

Aterciopelados on "If Music Could Talk"

show in multiple parts- check here for the rest : http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/20523

Interview with Ladybug Mecca - on "If Music Could Talk"

I'm updating this new feed service and podcast now available on itunes, so here are some of my favorite interview shows that are earlier than 2008

LADYBUG MECCA (one of the first interviews I did for If Music Could Talk)

show in multiple parts- check here for the rest http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/17340

If Music Could Talk - July 13th 2008

July 13th - PODCAST -If Music Could Talk

download it NOW!!! put it on your eyepod megablaster thingy...

If Music Could Talk - July 6th

July 6th- PODCAST- If Music Could Talk

If Music Could Talk- Podcast June 29, 2008 - Many Styles....

PODCAST LINK
enjoy


(above: featured tracks on last week's show from the legendary godfather of "afro-jazz" as popularized in the west in the late 50s- Ghanaian pioneer Khofi Ghanaba aka: Guy Warren)

Interview with Fussible of Nortec Collective part 2

PODCAST LINK

Interview with Fussible (Pepe Mogt) of Nortec Collective

listen to this podcast featuring an incredible interview with Pepe/"Fussible" of the Nortec Collective

NOTE: the site that hosts my podcasts is sometimes overloaded and goes down for a whole day... please be patient and check back if this happens!! thanks

PODCAST LINK



if you want to get a closer look at some of the gadgets Fussible mentions during this interview-- check out his Youtube channel

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT-- THIS SATURDAY!!!

flyer- above- by c. ramming

(my sincere apologies for the last minute notice..i hope you remembered me mentioning this if i've seen you in the past week or so!! please bring all your friends to Cous Cous - this Saturday!!!! )

the Superpowers -Afrobeat outta Boston/Brooklyn - live this wednesday at Emilios in Richmond VA

for more info , check out/listen/vibe/contact them here :the superpowers

listen to the podcast from last Sunday for a rockin musical mix... we start things out with a set of conscious Naija funk/reggae dedicated to the late Sonny Okosuns.. and finish things up with an interview with Adam Clark, drummer/band leader of the Superpowers on "if music could talk" -7-9pm EST on 97.3FM www.wrir.org