Let Them Sleep

I have never celebrated a Valentine's Day in my life as I am personally against the idea of such days - be it Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day. I mean, you just don't have to wait for a particular day in the year to take your girlfriend/wife out for a dinner, or give her a surprise gift or a bunch of flowers. But that's just me and I don't go around enforcing what I like or dislike upon others. Now with the folks like Sri Ram Sene coming up in arms against Valentine's Day, accusing it as a "Christian festival" (is there any parish celebrating the festival of St: Valentine in India?), "against the culture" and stuff like that, I cannot just sit and say Aye to these goons.

So here is a song dedicated especially to Pramod Mutalik, the chief of Sri Ram Sene. This song is a poem written by the 13th century Persian poet Rumi. I chose Rumi's poem titled "Those who don't feel this Love" as I thought it would be apt for the situation. I particularly liked the lines "those who don't want to change, let them sleep".

Credits:

Lyrics based on a poem by Rumi
Song composed, orchestrated and sung by: Joseph Thomas (Jo)
(Orchestrated with Music Shake)
Download the MP3 file of this song

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Those who don't feel this Love
By Rumi

Those who don't feel this Love
pulling them like a river,
those who don't drink dawn
like a cup of spring water
or take in sunset like supper,
those who don't want to change

let them sleep.

This Love is beyond the study of theology,
that old trickery and hypocrisy.
If you want to improve your mind that way

sleep on.

I've given up on my brain.
I've torn the cloth to shreds
and thrown it away.

If you're not completely naked,
wrap your beautiful robe of words around you
and sleep

PS: Excuse my accent :-)

Chaanthu Thottille - Banaras

I was looking for the MP3 files for M Jayachandran's latest, Orkkuka Vallappozhum and I was stumbled upon another recent work from him - Banaras. I was in a hurry to catch my train back to Thrissur and I downloaded a couple of songs from that film. I was happy to find an official karaoke track for one of the songs. That song caught my immediate attention as it was a Dhandiya song. The song name is Chaanthu Thottille and it is sung by my fav singer, Shreya Ghoshal. :-) This must be her second Malayalam song after Vida Parayukayaano from Big B. I listened to the song multiple times when I was lying down in the train. Then I thought, why not sing a male version of the song?

As soon as I got a breather in the late evening on Saturday, I learned the song and recorded it. I have changed the lyrics a bit to make it suitable for the male vocals part. Let me know how it sounds. :-)

Song: Chaanthu Thottille
Movie: Banaras (Malayalam)
Music: M Jayachandran
Original singer: Shreya Ghoshal

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(Image courtesy: IndiaGlitz)

Yamuna Veruthe from Ore Kadal

It has been a very long time (almost 2 months) since I have sung or recorded anything. The change in the climate did not go well with me and the sinusitis took this chance to attack me all over. I had no choice but to keep quiet. This week seemed to be better and I couldn't wait any longer. :-) Today after coming back from work, I recorded one of my favorite songs from the recent times - Yamuna Veruthe - again. Everything about this song is so beautiful - the lyrics, the music and the wonderful renditions by music director Ouseppachan himself and the Shreya Goshal of Malayalam, Swetha Mohan. :-)

I had posted an unplugged version of this song earlier. You can check it out at my music blog. Also thanks a lot to Rosh for sharing the karaoke track. This song is also my first music post in the new year. Hoping to get back to my song posts here onwards. :-)

Movie: Ore Kadal

Lyrics: Gireesh Puthenchery

Music: Ouseppachan

Original singer: Ouseppachan

Sung by: Joseph Thomas (Jo)

Requested by / Dedicated to: Rosh

Download the MP3 of this song

Yamuna Veruthe (with karaoke track) | Music Codes

Kangal Irandaal (cover)

Kangal Irandaal from Subramanyapuram is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in the recent times. I never get tired listening to this song over and over again because there is some kind of innocence and beauty about this song which I cannot really put in to words. And the singers have brought out very good emotions in the song. The karaoke track had Deepa Mirium’s vocals in it and I added just the male vocals part. Another duet version of this is coming up soon. (Thanks to Rosh for the track)

Song: Kangal Irandaal

Music: James Vasanthan

Original singers: Belly Raj, Deepa Mirium

Sung by: Jo (with the vocal track of Deepa Mirium)

Download the MP3 of this song

Kangal Irandaal (cover) | Music Codes

(Image courtesy: India Glitz)

Jaaneman Jaaneman

It has been a long time since I have sung a song with Vidyu, who is an amazing singer and one of the very few people whom I met through Internet in the initial days of music blogging. Our first original duet, Mella Mella - which was done for Blogswara, still remains at the top of all Blogswara albums (BTW, did I tell you that Blogswara's version 5 is coming up soon? More details will be followed in this blog in the coming days). Here is our new cover song.

Song: Jaaneman Jaaneman

Music: Salil Chowdhary

Original singers: Yesudas, Asha Bhosle

Cover by: Jo & Vidyu

Download this song's MP3 file here. To download all my cover songs, click here.

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Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (cover)

Here is my version of the popular song from the movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Music reproduced by JaySwami.

Song: Kabhi Kabhi Aditi

Movie: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Music: A R Rahman

Original singer: Rashid Ali

Sung by myself here

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (cover) | Upload Music

Download the song from here (2.82 MB)

MInchaagi Neenu

I heard about this song from a couple of my friends in Bangalore and got hooked to it since then. This song has shades of the popular Kannada hit song Anisuthide Yaako Indu from the movie Mungaaru Male but still this is a very beautiful song, thanks to the magical voice of Sonu Nigam. I recorded this over the weekend when I was at home. As I don't know even a little bit of Kannada, the diction issues are bound to happen. So pardon me for that and let me know what you think of this. :-)


Song: Minchaagi Neenu
Music: Harikrishna
Originally sung by: Sonu Nigam
Sung by: Jo

Download the song from here (4.15 MB)


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En Mel Vizhundha - May Maadham (cover)

Here is a song after a month-long hiatus. I sang this with Srividya Kasturi. This song, En Mel Vizhundha, is a lesser known song from the Tamil movie May Maadham but it is so beautiful with the voices of Chitra and Jayachandran.

Song: En Mel Vizhundha
Movie: May Maadham
Music: A R Rahman
Original singers: K S Chitra & P Jayachandran
Cover by: Srividya Kasturi & Joseph Thomas

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Jab Se Tere Naina (cover)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has given us so many musical gems through his movies. From Khamoshi to Devdas to Saawariya - it was a beautiful musical journey. He introduced another talented music director, Monty Sharma, through Saawariya and the music album has so many melodious songs (my most favorite song from the album is Thode Badmaash by Shreya Ghoshal). Here is my try at Jab Se Tere Naina, originally sung by Shaan.

Song: Jab Se Tere Naina
Movie: Saawariya
Music: Monty Sharma
Originally sung by: Shaan
Cover version by: Jo

Download the MP3 of this song here (4.41 MB)


Jabse Tere Naina (cover) at Muziboo.com

Kaa Karoon Sajni (cover)

Kaa Karoon Sajni is one of my most favorite Hindi songs sung by Yesudas. I had posted this song earlier in 2005 or something, without karaoke. I recorded the song again yesterday and here it is for you to listen and comment. :-)

Movie Name: Swami (1977)
Singer: Yesudas KJ
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Rajendar Krishan
Year: 1977
Sung by: Jo

Download the song here (4.23 MB)


Kaa Karoon (cover) at Muziboo.com

May Maasame (cover)

It has been more than 3 weeks now since I have sung or posted any song. Weekdays are busy and the weekends are made for sleeping and taking care of the things back at home, so not getting much time to put into music. But I can promise that something is cooking and hope to bring it out by the year end.

Here is a song for the time being, an unplugged version of a Malayalam song, from the recently released movie My Mother's Laptop.

Song: May Maasame
Movie: My Mother's Laptop
Music: Sreevalsan J Menon
Original singer: Amal
Cover by: Jo


May Maasame at Muziboo.com

Download MP3 here (3.10 MB)

Main Agar Kahoon (cover)

The music composer duo Vishal-Shekhar has given us two wonderful songs last year - Main Agar Kahoon and Ajab Si (click here to listen to my version of Ajab Si). Two beautiful songs sung by two of the best filmy singers in India - Sonu Nigam and Kay Kay. Sonu Nigam has a special gift in giving the right feel to the songs. It is not easy to imitate the feel that he gives in to a song. And Main Agar Kahoon is a good example.

Here I am trying this song with Sindhuja. Lemme know how it sounds. :-)

Song: Main Agar Kahoon
Movie: Om Shanti Om
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Originally sung by: Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal
Sung by: Jo, Sindhuja

Download the song here (4.74 MB)

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Main Agar Kahoon (cover) at Muziboo.com

Manju Pole Oru Swapnam - Song Release

Remember when I mentioned about a couple of music projects which I was looking forward to? One of them was to compose and sing the theme song for a Malayalam telefilm, Manju Pole Oru Swapnam, which is a UK Malayalee production. That project is over now and the song has been completely done. The first schedule of the film's shooting is over and the next schedule will begin soon.

I had this opportunity because of my friend and well-wisher Dr. James Bright, who is in the UK and whom I have never met. :-) Right from the day when he first came to my blog and listened to my songs, he said he would definitely give me a chance when he comes up with a filmy project (he was the producer of Malayalam film "Vadhu Doctoraanu" which has Jayaram in the lead role). And he kept his word. Dr. Bright has also written the script and songs for this telefilm.

As I started with this project, I could interact with a couple of others from the crew. Jayaram, the director of the film, has become a good friend of mine. He would call me up and discuss ideas he had for the songs and continuously encouraged me throughout the project. He is full of spirits and I can't wait to see the film! And then the hero of the film, Nimal, a nice chap who easily became a good friend. A truly hero material, I say. :-)

Many thanks to all the musicians who have worked on this project. To Ajit Gopalakrishnan (for orchestrating the song), Bharath Venkatesan (for rhythm programming) and Nandu Mahadevan (for mixing the song) - thank you folks!

Song: Manju pole oru swapnam
Lyrics: James Bright
Composed and sung by: Joseph Thomas
Orchestration: Ajit Gopalakrishnan
Rhythm Programming: Bharath Venkatesan
Mixing: Nandu Mahadevan

Download this song here (5.30 MB)

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Now watch this video with the pictures of filming, right from the Pooja day.

Cheeni Kum (Cover)

I have said it over and over again in this blog that I am a huge fan of Shreya Ghoshal (somebody please let her know that I am on bride-hunt these days :P). Her voice and the way that girl adapts herself to several Indian languages are just amazing. The other day I was listening to Vida Parayukayaano, from the Malayalam movie Big B (Not Bacchan), composed by the talented Alphons Joseph. It is her first Malayalam song and I must say she has done an amazing job in the pronunciation part, better than any of her counterparts from North or South of India could do (except a Malayalee).

The title song Cheeni Kum from the Hindi movie Cheeni Kum is a beautiful song composed by Ilaiyaraja and given life by Shreya (I also loved the male version of this song). Here is my humble attempt to sing this song. And this is the first song I recorded in my new Shure SM 58! Let me know how it sounds. :-)

Song: Cheeni Kum
Music Composer: Ilaiyaraja
Original singer: Shreya Ghoshal
Cover sung by: Jo


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Dooba Dooba of Silk Route (cover)

I think it was after my pre-degree years that I came to watch the video of this beautiful song by Silk Route in the music channels. Actually it was the video which was the most talked about thing than the song itself because the entire song video was shot under water and it was a differently attempt. It happens so in the music industry that even a beautiful and different song needs a well-made video sell it out in the market for masses. Their first album Boondein was a huge hit and the song Dooba Dooba won so many awards within India. Even though their music was categorized into Indi-Pop, it certainly stood different from run-off-the-mill indi-pop songs and belonged to a more folk-rock category.

Their first album Boondein which has the song Dooba Dooba was released in 1997 and the band released it's second album Pehchaan in 2000, but then it was a long silence. Then the news came out that the band has formally dissolved. Being a big fan of Silk Route's music and lead singer Mohit Chauhan's voice, it was a huge dissapoint to me. I thought this band could lead the popular Indian music (other than the filmy or classical music) to a higher level. Later on the lead singer Mohit rendered vocals in some Hindi films and all were a treat to listen to.

Here is my attempt in singing the all-time hit of Silk Route - Dooba Dooba.

Song: Dooba Dooba
Music/Band: Silk Route
Lead and backing vocals: Jo


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(Image courtesy: Silkroute.net)

Ponmagal Vanthaal (cover)

Here is a song after a break of three weeks. This song from A R Rahman is a chart buster from the Tamil movie Azhagiya Thamizh Magan. Like a typical Rahman song, it took time to grow in me and now I keep listening to the song. This is a remix of an old Thamizh song.

Song: Ponmagal Vanthaal
Lyrics: Alangudi Somu
Music: A R Rahman
Original singers: Aslam, Ember Rap
Cover by: Jo (with the vocal track of Ember Rap)

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Maana Ho Tum - Yesudas song cover

Rakesh Baro of Muziboo had requested me to sing this song, one of the golden Hindi oldies by K J Yesudas. Here it is. Let me know what you think.

Song: Maana Ho Tum
Movie: Toote Khilone
Music: Bappi Lahiri
Original singer: K J Yesudas

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Right Here Waiting For you - Richard Marx cover

Richard Marx is probably the first English singer I listened to after Micheal Jackson. The first album I bought was Ballads, a collection of love songs sung by Richard Marx and there I heard this beautiful song, Right Here Waiting For You. The voice, the expressive singing, the soft piano touches... everything about this song is so beautiful. I don't know if I could do any justice to the original, but I enjoyed singing this one. The pitch was a little high for me though.

Song: Right here waiting for you
Originally sung by: Richard Marx
Sung by: Jo

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Kaatril Varum Geethame with Meera

It has been a long time since I and Meera have sung a duet song. So here comes one of the masterpieces from the melody king Ilaiyaraja - Kaatril Varum Geethame. Meera sang all female parts herself while I sang Hariharan's part. Do let us know your comments.

Song: Kaatril Varum Geethame
Music: Ilaiyaraja
Originally sung by: Bhavatharini, Shreya Ghoshal, Hariharan, Ilaiyaraja
Sung by: Meera Manohar & Jo

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Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain from Pardes

I hold this song dearly for one reason. When we bought a CD player at home, Pardes was the first music CD that we (I and my brother) played. We played the CD all day and night long. The experience of listening to music from a CD player was totally new and exciting. Even at night, I would play the music in a low volume and spent almost the entire night without sleeping. I still remember that time clearly.

Nadeem-Sharavan was a hit music duo of Hindi film industry. Their songs are beautiful and melodious. This song from Pardes is no different. The karaoke track had lots of problems. It slowed up after sometime and then fastened up in between. On and off. So it was really difficult to sing along, however I couldn't resist singing this beautiful song. :-) Here is my humble try in singing Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain from Pardes. Do let me know what you think.

Movie: Pardes
Music: Nadeem-Shravan
Originally sung by: Kumar Sanu
Sung by: Jo

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