Another serenader

#30 - Your favourite song at this time last year

That would be some time before my obsession with The Beatles was to begin. I believe Billy Joel, who I was introduced to by Rangooski, was my favourite then (apart from the all-timers, that is). So here's one of his best.

"The Entertainer", by Billy Joel.
(Not to be confused with the piano piece.)

Also like his "Uptown Girl" and "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant".

That about wraps up the 30 days, but I have songs for about a couple more categories that are not on the list. Will put those up soon.

Rowing the old boat

#29 - A song from your childhood

I do not say much, as I have no wish to "put senti", other than that Arvind Swamy was a fine actor.

"Ottakkara Marimuthu", from Indira, composed by A.R.Rahman, sung by S.P.B and Seerkazhi Siva Chidambaram.

Singin' skittilee rink-a-doodle

#28 - A song that makes you feel guilty

The Text is plural. Which is not simply to say that it has several meanings, but that it accomplishes the very plural of meaning: an irreducible (and not merely an acceptable) plural.

-Roland Barthes, From Work to Text

This song makes me feel guilty of not having known about this group earlier - I discovered them today while looking for The Dubliners' cover of "Rocky Road to Dublin". I've heard some unpleasant things about the climate in Ireland, but the music they make should more than make up for it.

"The Little Beggarman", as sung by The High Kings.

And here is the same song by Buddy Greene, the harmonica guy from yesterday. If you thought his performance at Carnegie Hall was mighty impressive, you haven't seen this one yet.

Why does there need to be a title anyway?

#27 - A song that you wish you could play

First, these are the reasons for my starting with the harmonica:

1. It fits in my pocket. Why, I even have a harmonica that's shorter than my little finger. Also, somewhere in the world, there exist key-chains that are functional harmonicas.
2. This guy. (That the first song he plays was on yesterday's list is not a co-incidence.)

But when it comes to playing, my greatest wish is, more than to emulate Buddy Greene (which would be too lofty), to be able to play the theme from Padaiyappa. Composed by A.R.Rahman, this brilliant piece is as good as the harmonica has ever gotten in the country, and while the movie may have been memorable to Rajini fans for various other reasons (such as it being a Rajini movie), this is what it held for me.

Fiddling on the roof (and off it)

#26 - A song that you can play on an instrument

I play the harmonica; not very well. (If you're picturing a box with a keyboard and bellows, that's a harmonium. I just insulted your knowledge of musical instruments.)

I started off a long time back somewhat like this guy. Much later, I got to something that's supposed to sound like this, but is not very close. I can also sort of play "The Downfall of Paris", which was mentioned in an earlier post, and this. But the one that I shall be most proud of with lots more practice is "The Irish Washerwoman", an Irish traditional jig, which I can now barely play.

Come here, my banana fry (and other such things)

#25 - A song that makes you laugh

This one here has no competition. A well-deserved tribute to one of the most capable actor-director-producer-writer-cinematographer-poet-...'s in the history of the Tamil film industry, nay, of all existent film industries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa. Don't believe me? Don't get emotion and irritation, you wait and see further action here and here. If you still do not agree, consider your views suppressed, oppressed and depressed.

"ReTRibution to AtTRibution: Our ConTRibution", by Parodesy Noise.

When you're finally free of the abdominal spasms that would have doubtlessly ensued after the above, go here and check out their other works of art, especially "Rucking Fules".

On a different note, go to this page on NhD's blog and see the Coke ad. I loved it.

No one dare disturb

#24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral

(I wanted to say "The Death Punch", a classic Tamil folk piece, but couldn't find a good enough sample anywhere. Please do tell me if you do. For further information, see here.)

"The Sound of Silence", by Simon and Garfunkel.

And if you haven't seen Watchmen yet, watch it as soon as you can. It is perhaps the best superhero-based movie out there. If not for anything else, watch it atleast for the title sequence featuring one of Dylan's greatest songs and also for the Comedian's funeral with the above song in it. (And see if you can spot Rorschach in the latter.)