Bohemia’s “Paisay Da Nasha”.. woh kehtay hain na, ‘big tings’.
Thanks Coke Studio for bringing something fresh each new season. Was really looking forward to this one, and it definitely delivered. First episode featured a great mix of artists and should have something for everyone. To be honest, I don’t listen to Bohemia at all. I may have heard a song or two years ago but definitely not an artist I follow. Here’s hoping that will change for me, and for many others. I’m not really a fan of the few recent rap acts to come out of Pakistan, so rediscovering Bohemia at this point in time feels reassuring. Love his delivery, hard and gritty, and his message as well. My only qualm is the rest of the arrangement. Perhaps one of Rachel or Zoe should have had a more prominent role, and really owned the hook. The music also seems like it could’ve used a bit more grit to match Bohemia. Couldn’t really pick out the bass drum (bass guitar was great though), which is kind of an important element in hip hop. Perhaps they should’ve thrown an electric guitar into the mix and really made it special.
Oh well, everyone’s a critic I suppose. Still happy with what we got :) Thanks Rohail!
Review: Coke Studio Season 4 Episode 2: Sajjad Ali, Kirkir Kirkir
ALRIGHT! Yet ANOTHER disclaimer before you read the following entry. I had started writing this review on two previous occasions, only to have it erased by some computer malfunction. I was so excited to write about my feelings, yet it was hard to rewrite my words after the first erasure. You could imagine my frustrations after the second time I had my writings deleted which, ultimately, led to the delay of all the reviews of the entire episode. SO, I finally decided I had to ignore this one and write about the other songs, to get me back in the groove. Now that I’ve taken a stab at Lala and Kaavish, I am ready again, for the third time, to write about Sajjad Ali’s Coke Studio debut!
Now, I absolutely love Sajjad Ali. Since the day Coke Studio was announced, I have had him at or near the top of my dream team lineup. His songs evoke a strong nostalgia in me, from the Chief Saab to Babia, Mahiwaal, Paaniyon Mein, Teri Yaad, and Kuch Nahin. All these songs hold a special place in my past, and are woven into the fabric of my memories. You could imagine my absolute joy at hearing his voice in the Coke Studio promo, but what the heck was he singing? Didn’t remind me of anything I have ever heard him do, either lyrically or style-wise. I didn’t know how this was gonna turn out, as I hesitantly waited for the song to arrive.
And the moment came. Kirkir Kirkir.. interesting. Solo vocals, followed closely by a galloping beat. A goofy grin breaks out on my face. A HOEDOWN!! YEEEHAWWW!!! What a catchy, footstomping tune, an amazing amazing surprise :D Seriously, if you are physically capable of either tapping your foot, nodding your head, or smiling and you aren’t doing either of them, there’s something wrong with you. Go get yourself checked out by a psychiatrist. Seriously. One thing that really impressed me was the house band’s performance on this track. It highlights their diversity and versatility as they take on a very uncommon meter and rhythm but execute it flawlessly. Real musicianship on display on this track, well done to the whole team! Such a fun song, glad he chose a song like this to break out on Coke Studio. I think the last time they had a song with this much lightheartedness in it was Zeb and Haniya’s “Chup” from season 2.
Although again, I didn’t understand much of it (I really need to learn Punjabi), I loved the way the words flowed and they seemed to be very personal, as he mentions himself in it. It felt like a gift to all his fans who have stuck by his side all these years, and that’s the way i’ll take it :) Looking forward to seeing him perform one of his classics now. Listen below, and swing yer partner round and round!
Review: Coke Studio Season 4 Episode 2: Kaavish, Nindiya Re
On to Kaavish! Now, this band has truly played with my emotions over the years. I went from crazed fan, to frustrated follower, to indifferent individual. With their appearance on Coke Studio Season 4, the frustrations have returned. How long ago did I hear Bachpan, probably in my own bachpan! Years went by without a debut album, as fans had to wait endlessly for a studio release. By the time Gunkali was launched, I have to admit I had lost all interest in what they had to show the world, and I still haven’t heard the album.
There’s the background of my relationship with the band. With an appearance in Coke Studio, I was obligated to listen to what they had to offer, so I put my feelings aside and hit play. My eyes feel heavy as I close them and let the vocal stylings of Jaffer Zaidi hush my frustrations. His deep, sleepy delivery manages to maintain technical prowess, as he takes us on a gliding trip under the midnight moon. Asad Ahmed is given another opportunity to show his bluesy chops. Absolutely loving the tone, it invokes feelings of Clapton and John Mayer, thanks Rohail for adding that bit in! Really hoping Omran gets a solo or two this season :) Rachel and Zoe are spot on as usual, I have to say I am enjoying their backup deliveries more than previous seasons’ ladies. Kudos to Coke Studio for introducing some new blood in the house band :) Oh, and a XYLOPHONE!! I hope they keep that thing on set as well, truly adds a freshness to the songs similar to what the cello’s did for Mizraab’s “Kuch Hai”.
All in all, a very suble, moving track that stays true to Kaavish’s style. Well, at least the Kaavish I knew before I grew impatient with the album wait. Perhaps it’s time to go grab a copy of Gunkali :)
Review: Coke Studio Season 4 Episode 2: Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, Ni Oothaan Waale
We make our way to Ataullah Khan Esakhelvi, performing Ni Oothaan Waale in episode 2 of Coke Studio Season 4. Another act I had no previous knowledge of. Starts off with a conventional background to the folk vocals, and swells into a hip, upbeat number. Absolutely loving Asad’s guitar effect, one of the things I never understood about Coke Studio is why they kept the guitarists on such a tight leash, so it’s good to see a little electric flavour. Ataullah, affectionately known as Lala, has a really heartfelt delivery, and all language barriers come tumbling down as he progresses through the song. Really wish I knew what he was saying in the monologue, let me know if you know!
All in all, Coke Studio finds a way to maintain its freshness and relevance in its attempt to fuse folk/classical with western/contemporary, and the great thing is even Lala enjoys the houseband’s offering, as it is apparent in his body language. Goes to show that great music truly is boundless. Looking forward to more material by him, in this season and beyond :)
Review: Coke Studio Season 4 Episode 1: Akhtar Chanal Zahri & Komal Rizvi, Daanah Pah Daanah
Well, here’s a track that a lot of my friends were interested in, as it is an older tune, but I had no idea existed. Another song review without preconceived notions on how it should be :P and no prior knowledge of the artists, NOW we’re getting into unbiased territory! Heheh, anywho, from the setup it seemed the Coke Studio team was looking to extend the success they achieved from the electric chemistry of Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi from Season 3. It’s hard not to make that parallel on the surface, but as the song starts, I realize I am mistaken.
The speaking monologue at the start really pulled me out of whatever frame of mind I was in and dropped me on a dirt road in rural Pakistan. Akhtar Chanal Zahri actually reminds me of the work Saieen Zahoor did. Not sure how similar they actually are when you drill down to the details, but it felt like they have some common threads. Komal Rizvi enters with confidence, nails the chorus with an energetic delivery. I have heard her name in the past, but can’t recall hearing anything by her yet. Her voice supports Zahri’s quite well, the overall sound is quite pleasing and makes for a great chill track. I like the rhythm of the song as well; both singers did a great job in enhancing by bringing their characters into the performance. Really enjoyed Komal’s dynamic style, especially at the 3 minute mark when she says “Jeeeee-o” and steps away from the mic. Made me smile at how much she and Akhtar Chanal Zahri were enjoying the performance :)
The second part of the song steps back to the tried and tested ‘laal meri patt’, or whatever its official title is. Here, Komal gets a chance to put her talent on display, as Zahri slides into the supporting role. She belts out the lyrics with emotion, and the house band is completely enthralled in the classic track. The beat switches to funk quite abruptly, which kind of caught me off-guard. Little time is given to dwell on it however, as Zoe and Rachel Viccaji put the finishing touches on the contemporary soundscape, for Zahri to bring it home. If you heard the first 30 seconds of this track and the last 30 seconds, you would never guess they were from the same song. Somewhere in between, Coke Studio managed to sew a folksy tune that traveled the country side, met a classic along the way, and ended up in the city.
By the end of the track, I kind of feel happy that they added this ending, as it really completed the fusion CS tries to achieve with its songs. Akhtar Chanal Zahri’s voice fits right in with the Superstition-ish groove, and completes the fusion experiment. As Coke Studio seems to feature completely new artists each episode this time around, we may not get to see these two singers work together again, so perhaps it was best to throw it all in one track. Overall, a great track that may not have been anticipated as highly as some of the other performances, but perhaps used that to its advantage. Full of life, experimentation, and talent. Great work Coke Studio!
