Monthly Recommendations by JAIVEER MISRA

Time really does fly. We are in 2021! And while the year gone by brought with it unprecedented challenges that have tested the human spirit, artists across the globe have been at work, creating, and uplifting humanity by bringing the joy of music into homes through online platforms. And it’s not just artists in the conventional sense, we have witnessed people singing to one another on their balconies, mothers soothing their children with lullaby’s and farmers humming their traditional folk songs while ploughing the fields. It is not surprising then that song releases through 2020 reflected personal journeys and connected with audiences like never before. To recap, BTS was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 again in December, this time with ‘Life Goes On’, a hip-hop type single, about the struggles of pandemic life. The first verse when translated says “One day, the world stopped/ without any warning/ Spring didn’t know to wait/ showed up not even a minute late.” It would be safe to say that BTS made history with this first Korean No. 1 song ruling the charts. It was a pleasure to witness Mariah Carey back with her single ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. Hitting the charts repeatedly 26 years after it was first released is a testament to this veritable pop masterpiece and its joyous appeal to the masses. Looking at the trends on the Billboard Hot 100 for January, singles ruling the charts continue to reflect the festive spirit. ‘All I Want For Christmas’ still rules with ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ by Bobby Helms, and ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Time OF The Year’ by Andy Williams maintaining top spots. For those who want to start the new year by listening to some really qualitative Jazz this holiday season, I would strongly recommend ‘Lullaby Of The Leaves’. Composed by Bernice Petkere and lyricist Joe Young, ‘Lullaby Of The Leaves’ was featured in the 1932 Broadway revue Chamberlain Brown’s Scrap Book. Many recordings have followed since but Ella Fitzgerald brings a touch of magic to it like no other artist can. Also outstanding is ‘Jazz About Love’ where Ella and Louis Armstrong weave their magic around the theme of friendship. While we are unable to enjoy musical theatre at the moment, there is nothing to stop us from revisiting and indeed listening to the all-time greats. My recommendations for this month include ‘On The Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady, ‘And I am Telling You I’m Not Going’ from Dreamgirls and ‘One Day More’ from Les Miserables. My recommendations for those who enjoy a touch of Bollywood music include ‘Shayad’ by Arijit Singh, ‘Taaron Ke Shehar’ by Neha Kakkar, Jubin Nautiyal, Jaani and ‘Nashe Si Chadh Gayi’ also by Arijit Singh. I sign off wishing you all the very best as we ring in the New Year. Let 2021 be all that we want it to be and more – the start of good tidings and joy. A Very Happy New Year to all!

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