Roots and Branches

I guess it's that time in my life when I'm done being the dependent and have graduated to the one others depend on. I think that explains why,lately, I've been suffering from a case of acute Nostalgia. The triggers for these attacks come in any and many forms. Today I began reminiscing of my school days when I saw a group of school children playing cricket. I don't even like cricket that much !

But over the past few months, I've realized that nothing else can transport me to another time and place quite like Music can. (I capitalize Music for the same reason we capitalize the H in He when we refer to Him! For that is the power of Music). So many times it has been, that I have found myself back in time, feeling those exact same feelings I felt that day to which my memories have taken me; triggered by a song on the TV or the radio.

Some songs bring back memories of times I've spent with close friends. Some take me back to my roots. Some remind me of who I once was. Some remind me of the best of times I've spent with my family. Some are the songs that put my niece to sleep.Some are the songs I sang to my love.


One of the songs I associate with my initiation to Music would be 'Home on the range'(http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/usa/ogivemea.mid) . A simple song we were taught in the Western Music class in my old school.

Another song that means the world to me is Def Leppard's 'Two Steps Behind'. Because this is the first song I ever sang in a Band, and also the first song I also played guitar to in a band. (Different bands,differnt time, different places, same name - Inferno.)

Yesterday on VH1, The Fugees' 'Killing Me Softly' reminded me of those days where I used to wait by the radio for hours at a stretch, empty cassette and trigger finger all set to record the latest chart toppers. Back then Pop, Rock, R&B, Rap .. they made no difference to me.

By traversing the path less traveled back then and swearing in to the world of Rock, did I turn more mature in my choice of Music, or did I put on my blinkers and stop looking around me?

What hits me hardest (and I'm probably repeating myself here, but I feel the need to, since I have strayed a bit) is the feeling of "SOB !! I used to like this stuff!" And more often than not ..."SOB !! I still like this stuff!"

Lately I've started liking other forms of Music as well. Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, bollywood Music...and even though I hate to admit it in some cases, mainstream, heat and eat, open flap and pour - Pop.

So that may be why I've asked one of my best friend's Manu, also one of the most talented musicians I have had the privilege of knowing and playing Music with, to accompany me in playing songs that have meant the most to us. And we play this to the world.. enter Youtube.

We've uploaded one video so far. We recorded a shoddy version of Oasis' Do You Know What I Mean. Hopefully we can do a cleaner version of it soon.

Until then, any suggestions for songs you would like us to cover in acoustic will be welcome.

And let me sign off on this note. Please listen to Bob Marley. I've just begun to. And I don't intend on stopping.