Urdu Blues

My love for Ghazals started with Hariharan and his rendering of "Ehde Masti HaiN, Log KehteiN HaiN" 

Since then, I have played with Jagjit Singh, graduated to Ghulam Ali, dabbled a bit in Mehdi Hasan, but I have never stopped enjoying Hariharan. I love the way his mellifluous voice can spread sateen over the ambience, and his Urdu diction is perfect ! The thing I love most about him is, however, his sense of experimentation.

Last year, we went to one of his concerts in New Jersey and he was mentioning a new Genre he wants to promote; Urdu Blues - A fusion of Jazz/Blues in New Orleans style with Ghazals. I think he has been trying to do this in a couple of his earlier albums too, but his latest album “Waqt Par Bolna” explores this Genre in much more depth than the earlier ones..

Check out the intricate juxtaposition of the piano notes with the slightly more predominant tabla beats in this one ..
(Jab Bhi Milte Ho, Muskuraate Ho; Itni KhushiyaaN KahaN Se LaateiN Ho .. ) 

Or the more overt Jazz notes in this one ..
( Galat HaiN, Muskuraana Chahte HaiN; Woh Apna Gham Chupaana Chahta HaiN) 






And if you enjoyed that, you should check out the track "Mujhko Chooke Pighal RaheeN Ho Tum; Mere Humraah, Jal RaheiN Ho Tum" which exemplifies Urdu Blues ..