bandook

Bandook is a music-first digital news blog. It creates shareable short-format content for music lovers who want to consume news of all genres, as it happens. Bandook also serves as a platform for artists and the music industry to voice their views and opinions.

[bandook1]

Will Calvin Harris keep promise to Aussie DJ?

After all, ‘A deal is a deal’

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Would you be excited to hear a Calvin Harris remix of a Spice Girls hit? We know we would.

It’s the sort of thing that makes you go, “But why?” and at the same time, “Why the hell hasn’t this happened yet?” We’ll tell you why we are bringing this up.

It’s because Australian DJ, MC, fashion commentator and runway producer/coordinator, Filip Odzak posted a tweet (with a screenshot of a photo dating all the way back to 2012), reminding Harris (real name: Adam Wiles) about a “deal - sealed with a handshake” while performing at the Stereosonic Festival that CH would remix ‘2 Become 1’  when “marriage equality was legalised in Australia”. Well, as we all know it has happened.

The tweet, posted December 7, has since gone viral (6.1K retweets and 21K likes at last count), with fans urging the Scottish DJ/Producer to keep his promise.

Now, Filip’s request is backed publicly by at least one Spice Girl, Emma Bunton and going by one tweet to Filip, Geri Halliwell has been informed as well.

No update from Calvin Harris yet. Time for Calvin to come through, we think.  After all, as Filip aptly puts it, “A deal is a deal”.

[bandook1]

Music Video Review: Harrdy Sandhu’s ‘Naah’

Bae giving you grief? Take tips from Harrdy Sandhu’s ‘Naah’ on how to deal with it like a boss

Bryan Durham

SONG: Naah

SINGER: Harrdy Sandhu

LYRICS AND COMPOSITION: Jaani

MUSIC: B Praak

RATING: ***** (5 OUT OF 5)

The Punjabi superstar strips down, straps up, doubles up on the hotness quotient (with Nora Fatehi for company) looking 💣. And if you think that’s the only reason you’re going to want to watch this video (shot by Arvindr Khaira), waaaaaaait…

At close to 10 million views on YouTube, the music video is rising and rising for a reason. It’s as close to a perfectly produced Punjabi track as you’re ever going to get. It doesn’t just have a Spanish flair going for it, there are enough doses of electronic music for you to burn the dance floor with.

If the dance moves don’t work on you, it’s the fact that the boy-next-door Harrdy has played in most of his recent tracks (save for ‘Backbone’) hunks up and makes a video that looks truly international.

Nora’s presence in the video is purely cosmetic, but it needs to be said that the two look hot together.

Jaani and B Praak have yet again produced a winner that could end up being one of the year’s  biggest tracks.

Why?

It’s a song that doesn’t need a situation to play out loud. Or a place. Or a time. Crank up the volume and play it on repeat. We know we are!

[bandook1]

Music Video Review: Arjun Kanungo’s ‘Gallan Tipsiyaan’

SINGLE: Gallan Tipsiyaan ARTIST: Arjun Kanungo

The audio version released earlier this week. And while we’re loving the whole glitch pop-meets-low growl vibe of the song, we think the video undersells the energy a wee bit.

Video starts at the ending where boy and girl find each other. Throughout the video, they’re darting glances back and forth, he wants to strike up a convo, even if it’s a tipsy one (unless that’s a euphemism for something else?). He sings his heart out, against a New York skyline (shot on location) and in an upscale club. At the end, you see how they meet and leave the party together (for an after-party, perhaps?). Also don’t miss the one-for-the-road moment as she reaches for a stray glass of champagne. We’ve all been there.

All in all, vibe-wise, it feels like the follow-up to Arjun’s monster hit, Baaki Baat Peene Baad. At last count, the GT video was nearing 2 million views in 24 hours. Will do well, we think.

[bandook1]

The 60th Grammy Awards nominations announced

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The 60th Grammy Awards nominations were announced earlier today. And by far, Jay Z leads the way with eight noms. Kendrick Lamar follows with seven, Bruno Mars with six and Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover), SZA, Khalid and music producer No I.D. scored five each.

The Grammys will air live from New York’s Madison Square Garden, come January 27, 2018. On what channel in India, is not known at this point.

Here are the big four categories everyone has their eyes on...

Record Of The Year “Redbone” — Childish Gambino “Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber “The Story Of O.J.” — Jay-Z “HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar “24K Magic” — Bruno Mars

Album Of The Year “Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino 4:44 — Jay-Z DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar Melodrama — Lorde 24K Magic — Bruno Mars

Song of The Year “Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber “4:44” — Jay-Z “Issues” — Julia Michaels “1-800-273-8255” — Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid “That’s What I Like” — Bruno Mars

Best New Artist Alessia Cara Khalid Lil Uzi Vert Julia Michaels SZA

Here is the remaining list of nominees for the 60th Grammy Awards: Best Pop Solo Performance: “Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson “Praying” — Kesha “Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga “What About Us” — P!nk “Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Something Just Like This” — The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber “Thunder” — Imagine Dragons “Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man “Stay” — Zedd & Alessia Cara Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Nobody But Me (Deluxe Version) — Michael Bublé Triplicate — Bob Dylan In Full Swing — Seth MacFarlane Wonderland — Sarah McLachlan Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 — (Various Artists) Dae Bennett, Producer Best Pop Vocal Album: Kaleidoscope EP — Coldplay Lust For Life — Lana Del Rey Evolve — Imagine Dragons Rainbow — Kesha Joanne — Lady Gaga ÷ (Divide) — Ed Sheeran Best Dance Recording: “Bambro Koyo Ganda” — Bonobo Featuring Innov Gnawa “Cola” — Camelphat & Elderbrook “Andromeda” — Gorillaz Featuring DRAM “Tonite” — LCD Soundsystem “Line Of Sight” — Odesza Featuring WYNNE & Mansionair Best Dance/Electronic Album: Migration — Bonobo 3-D The Catalogue — Kraftwerk Mura Masa — Mura Masa A Moment Apart — Odesza What Now — Sylvan Esso Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: What If — The Jerry Douglas Band Spirit — Alex Han Mount Royal — Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge Prototype — Jeff Lorber Fusion Bad Hombre — Antonio Sanchez Best Rock Performance: “You Want It Darker” — Leonard Cohen “The Promise” — Chris Cornell “Run” — Foo Fighters “No Good” — Kaleo “Go To War” — Nothing More Best Metal Performance: “Invisible Enemy” — August Burns Red “Black Hoodie” — Body Count “Forever” — Code Orange “Sultan’s Curse” — Mastodon “Clockworks” — Meshuggah Best Rock Song: “Atlas, Rise!” — James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich, songwriters (Metallica) “Blood In The Cut” — JT Daly & Kristine Flaherty, songwriters (K.Flay) “Go To War” — Ben Anderson, Jonny Hawkins, Will Hoffman, Daniel Oliver, David Pramik & Mark Vollelunga, songwriters (Nothing More) “Run” — Foo Fighters, songwriters (Foo Fighters) “The Stage” — Zachary Baker, Brian Haner, Matthew Sanders, Jonathan Seward & Brooks Wackerman, songwriters (Avenged Sevenfold) Best Rock Album: Emperor Of Sand — Mastodon Hardwired…To Self-Destruct — Metallica The Stories We Tell Ourselves — Nothing More Villains — Queens Of The Stone Age A Deeper Understanding — The War On Drugs Best Alternative Music Album: Everything Now — Arcade Fire Humanz — Gorillaz American Dream — LCD Soundsystem Pure Comedy — Father John Misty Sleep Well Beast — The National Best R&B Performance: “Get You” — Daniel Caesar Featuring Kali Uchis “Distraction” — Kehlani “High” — Ledisi “That’s What I Like” — Bruno Mars “The Weekend” — SZA Best Traditional R&B Performance: “Laugh And Move On” — The Baylor Project “Redbone” — Childish Gambino “What I’m Feelin'” — Anthony Hamilton Featuring The Hamiltones| “All The Way” — Ledisi “Still” — Mali Music Best R&B Song: “First Began” — PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton) “Location” — Alfredo Gonzalez, Olatunji Ige, Samuel David Jiminez, Christopher McClenney, Khalid Robinson & Joshua Scruggs, songwriters (Khalid) “Redbone” — Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino) “Supermodel” — Tyran Donaldson, Terrence Henderson, Greg Landfair Jr., Solana Rowe & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (SZA) “That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars) Best Urban Contemporary Album: Free 6LACK — 6LACK “Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino American Teen — Khalid Ctrl — SZA Starboy — The Weeknd Best R&B Album: Freudian — Daniel Caesar Let Love Rule — Ledisi 24K Magic — Bruno Mars Gumbo — PJ Morton Feel The Real –Musiq Soulchild Best Rap Performance: “Bounce Back” — Big Sean “Bodak Yellow” — Cardi B “4:44” — Jay-Z “HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar “Bad And Boujee” — Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert Best Rap/Sung Performance: “PRBLMS” — 6LACK “Crew” — Goldlink Featuring Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy “Family Feud” — Jay-Z Featuring Beyoncé “LOYALTY.” — Kendrick Lamar Featuring Rihanna “Love Galore” — SZA Featuring Travis Scott Best Rap Song: “Bodak Yellow” — Dieuson Octave, Klenord Raphael, Shaftizm, Jordan Thorpe, Washpoppin & J White, songwriters (Cardi B) “Chase Me” — Judah Bauer, Brian Burton, Hector Delgado, Jaime Meline, Antwan Patton, Michael Render, Russell Simins & Jon Spencer, songwriters (Danger Mouse Featuring Run The Jewels & Big Boi) “HUMBLE.” — Duckworth, Asheton Hogan & M. Williams II, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar) “Sassy” — Gabouer & M. Evans, songwriters (Rapsody) “The Story Of O.J.” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (Jay-Z) Best Rap Album: 4:44 — Jay-Z DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar Culture — Migos Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator Best Country Solo Performance: “Body Like A Back Road” — Sam Hunt “Losing You: –Alison Krauss “Tin Man” — Miranda Lambert “I Could Use A Love Song” — Maren Morris “Either Way” — Chris Stapleton Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “It Ain’t My Fault” — Brothers Osborne “My Old Man” — Zac Brown Band “You Look Good” — Lady Antebellum “Better Man” — Little Big Town “Drinkin’ Problem” — Midland Best Country Song: “Better Man” — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Little Big Town) “Body Like A Back Road” — Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Sam Hunt) “Broken Halos” — Mike Henderson & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Chris Stapleton) “Drinkin’ Problem” — Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne & Mark Wystrach, songwriters (Midland) “Tin Man” — Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) Best Country Album: Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney Heart Break — Lady Antebellum The Breaker — Little Big Town Life Changes — Thomas Rhett From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton Best New Age Album: Reflection — Brian Eno SongVersation: Medicine — India.Arie Dancing On Water — Peter Kater Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai, Volume 5 — Kitaro Spiral Revelation — Steve Roach Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “Can’t Remember Why” — Sara Caswell, soloist “Dance Of Shiva” — Billy Childs, soloist “Whisper Not” — Fred Hersch, soloist “Miles Beyond” — John McLaughlin, soloist “Ilimba” — Chris Potter, soloist Best Jazz Vocal Album: The Journey — The Baylor Project A Social Call — Jazzmeia Horn Bad Ass And Blind — Raul Midón Porter Plays Porter — Randy Porter Trio With Nancy King Dreams And Daggers — Cécile McLorin Salvant Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Uptown, Downtown — Bill Charlap Trio Rebirth — Billy Childs Project Freedom –Joey DeFrancesco & The People Open Book — Fred Hersch The Dreamer Is The Dream — Chris Potter Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: MONK’estra Vol. 2 — John Beasley Jigsaw — Alan Ferber Big Band Bringin’ It — Christian McBride Big Band Homecoming — Vince Mendoza & WDR Big Band Cologne Whispers On The Wind — Chuck Owen And The Jazz Surge Best Latin Jazz Album: Hybrido – From Rio To Wayne Shorter — Antonio Adolfo Oddara — Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Outra Coisa – The Music Of Moacir Santos — Anat Cohen & Marcello Gonçalves Típico — Miguel Zenón Jazz Tango — Pablo Ziegler Trio Best Gospel Performance/Song: “Too Hard Not To” — Tina Campbell “You Deserve It” — JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise Featuring Bishop Cortez Vaughn “Better Days” — Le’Andria “My Life” — The Walls Group “Never Have To Be Alone” — CeCe Winans Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Oh My Soul” — Casting Crowns “Clean” — Natalie Grant “What A Beautiful Name” — Hillsong Worship “Even If” — MercyMe “Hills And Valleys” — Tauren Wells Best Gospel Album: Crossover: Live From Music City — Travis Greene Bigger Than Me — Le’Andria Close — Marvin Sapp Sunday Song — Anita Wilson Let Them Fall In Love — CeCe Winans Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: Rise — Danny Gokey Echoes (Deluxe Edition) — Matt Maher Lifer — MercyMe Hills And Valleys — Tauren Wells Chain Breaker — Zach Williams Best Roots Gospel Album: The Best Of The Collingsworth Family – Volume 1 — The Collingsworth Family Give Me Jesus — Larry Cordle Resurrection — Joseph Habedank Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope — Reba McEntire Hope For All Nations — Karen Peck & New River Best Latin Pop Album: Lo Único Constante — Alex Cuba Mis Planes Son Amarte — Juanes Amar Y Vivir En Vivo Desde La Ciudad De México, 2017 — La Santa Cecilia Musas (Un Homenaje Al Folclore Latinoamericano En Manos De Los Macorinos) — Natalia Lafourcade El Dorado — Shakira Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album: Ayo — Bomba Estéreo Pa’ Fuera — C4 Trío & Desorden Público Salvavidas De Hielo — Jorge Drexler El Paradise — Los Amigos Invisibles Residente — Residente Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano): Ni Diablo Ni Santo — Julión Álvarez Y Su Norteño Banda Ayer Y Hoy — Banda El Recodo De Cruz Lizárraga Momentos — Alex Campos Arriero Somos Versiones Acústicas — Aida Cuevas Zapateando En El Norte — Humberto Novoa, producer (Various Artists) Best Tropical Latin Album: Albita — Albita Art Of The Arrangement — Doug Beavers Salsa Big Band — Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta Gente Valiente — Silvestre Dangond Indestructible — Diego El Cigala Best American Roots Performance: Killer Diller Blues — Alabama Shakes Let My Mother Live — Blind Boys Of Alabama Arkansas Farmboy — Glen Campbell Steer Your Way — Leonard Cohen I Never Cared For You — Alison Krauss Best American Roots Song: “Cumberland Gap” — David Rawlings “I Wish You Well” — The Mavericks “If We Were Vampires” — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit “It Ain’t Over Yet” — Rodney Crowell Featuring Rosanne Cash & John Paul White “My Only True Friend” –Gregg Allman Best Americana Album: Southern Blood — Gregg Allman Shine On Rainy Day — Brent Cobb Beast Epic — Iron & Wine The Nashville Sound — Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Brand New Day — The Mavericks Best Bluegrass Album: Fiddler’s Dream — Michael Cleveland Laws Of Gravity — The Infamous Stringdusters Original — Bobby Osborne Universal Favorite — Noam Pikelny All The Rage – In Concert Volume One [Live] — Rhonda Vincent And The Rage Best Traditional Blues Album: Migration Blues — Eric Bibb Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio — Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio Roll And Tumble — R.L. Boyce Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train — Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi Blue & Lonesome — The Rolling Stones Best Contemporary Blues Album: Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm — Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm Recorded Live In Lafayette — Sonny Landreth TajMo — Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Got Soul — Robert Randolph & The Family Band Live From The Fox Oakland — Tedeschi Trucks Band Best Folk Album: Mental Illness — Aimee Mann Semper Femina — Laura Marling The Queen Of Hearts — Offa Rex You Don’t Own Me Anymore — The Secret Sisters The Laughing Apple — Yusuf / Cat Stevens Best Regional Roots Music Album: Top Of The Mountain — Dwayne Dopsie And The Zydeco Hellraisers Ho’okena 3.0 — Ho’okena Kalenda — Lost Bayou Ramblers Miyo Kekisepa, Make A Stand [Live] — Northern Cree Pua Kiele — Josh Tatofi Best Reggae Album: Chronology — Chronixx Lost In Paradise — Common Kings Wash House Ting — J Boog Stony Hill — Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley Avrakedabra — Morgan Heritage Best World Music Album: Memoria De Los Sentidos — Vicente Amigo Para Mi — Buika Rosa Dos Ventos — Anat Cohen & Trio Brasileiro Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration — Ladysmith Black Mambazo Elwan — Tinariwen Best Children’s Album: Brighter Side — Gustafer Yellowgold Feel What U Feel — Lisa Loeb Lemonade — Justin Roberts Rise Shine #Woke — Alphabet Rockers Songs Of Peace & Love For Kids & Parents Around The World — Ladysmith Black Mambazo Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling): Astrophysics For People In A Hurry — Neil Degrasse Tyson Born To Run — Bruce Springsteen Confessions Of A Serial Songwriter — Shelly Peiken Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In (Bernie Sanders) — Bernie Sanders And Mark Ruffalo The Princess Diarist — Carrie Fisher Best Comedy Album: The Age Of Spin & Deep In The Heart Of Texas — Dave Chappelle Cinco — Jim Gaffigan Jerry Before Seinfeld — Jerry Seinfeld A Speck Of Dust — Sarah Silverman What Now? — Kevin Hart Best Musical Theater Album: Come From Away — Ian Eisendrath, August Eriksmoen, David Hein, David Lai & Irene Sankoff, producers; David Hein & Irene Sankoff, composers/lyricists (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Dear Evan Hansen — Ben Platt, principal soloist; Alex Lacamoire, Stacey Mindich, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, producers; Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, composers/lyricists (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Hello, Dolly! — Bette Midler, principal soloist; Steven Epstein, producer (Jerry Herman, composer & lyricist) (New Broadway Cast Recording) Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media: Baby Driver — (Various Artists) Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 — (Various Artists) Hidden Figures: The Album — (Various Artists) La La Land — (Various Artists) Moana: The Songs — (Various Artists) Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media: Arrival — Jóhann Jóhannsson, composer Dunkirk — Hans Zimmer, composer Game Of Thrones: Season 7 — Ramin Djawadi, composer Hidden Figures — Benjamin Wallfisch, Pharrell Williams & Hans Zimmer, composers La La Land — Justin Hurwitz, composer Best Song Written For Visual Media: “City Of Stars” — Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, songwriters (Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone) “How Far I’ll Go” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Auli’i Cravalho) “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (‘Fifty Shades Darker’)” — Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Zayn & Taylor Swift) “Never Give Up” — Sia Furler & Greg Kurstin, songwriters (Sia) “Stand Up For Something” — Common & Diane Warren, songwriters (Andra Day Featuring Common) Best Instrumental Composition: “Alkaline” — Pascal Le Boeuf, composer (Le Boeuf Brothers & JACK Quartet) “Choros #3” — Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza & WDR Big Band Cologne) “Home Free (For Peter Joe)” — Nate Smith, composer (Nate Smith) “Three Revolutions” — Arturo O’Farrill, composer (Arturo O’Farrill & Chucho Valdés) “Warped Cowboy” — Chuck Owen, composer (Chuck Owen And The Jazz Surge) Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella: “All Hat, No Saddle” — Chuck Owen, arranger (Chuck Owen And The Jazz Surge) “Escapades For Alto Saxophone And Orchestra From Catch Me If You Can” — John Williams, arranger (John Williams) “Home Free (For Peter Joe)” — Nate Smith, arranger (Nate Smith) “Ugly Beauty/Pannonica” — John Beasley, arranger (John Beasley) “White Christmas” — Chris Walden, arranger (Herb Alpert) Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals: “Another Day Of Sun” — Justin Hurwitz, arranger (La La Land Cast) “Every Time We Say Goodbye” — Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Clint Holmes Featuring Jane Monheit) “I Like Myself” — Joel McNeely, arranger (Seth MacFarlane) “I Loves You Porgy/There’s A Boat That’s Leavin’ Soon For New York” — Shelly Berg, Gregg Field, Gordon Goodwin & Clint Holmes, arrangers (Clint Holmes Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater And The Count Basie Orchestra) “Putin” — Randy Newman, arranger (Randy Newman) Best Recording Package: El Orisha De La Rosa — Claudio Roncoli & Cactus Taller, art directors (Magín Díaz) Mura Masa — Alex Crossan & Matt De Jong, art directors (Mura Masa) Pure Comedy (Deluxe Edition) — Sasha Barr, Ed Steed & Josh Tillman, art directors (Father John Misty) Sleep Well Beast — Elyanna Blaser-Gould, Luke Hayman & Andrea Trabucco-Campos, art directors (The National) Solid State — Gail Marowitz, art director (Jonathan Coulton) Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package: Bobo Yeye: Belle Epoque In Upper Volta — Tim Breen, art director (Various Artists) Lovely Creatures: The Best Of Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds (1984 – 2014) — Tom Hingston, art director (Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds) May 1977: Get Shown The Light — Masaki Koike, art director (Grateful Dead) The Voyager Golden Record: 40th Anniversary Edition — Lawrence Azerrad, Timothy Daly & David Pescovitz, art directors (Various Artists) Warfaring Strangers: Acid Nightmares — Tim Breen, Benjamin Marra & Ken Shipley, art directors (Various Artists) Best Album Notes: Arthur Q. Smith: The Trouble With The Truth — Wayne Bledsoe & Bradley Reeves, album notes writers (Various Artists) Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Tradition — Ted Olson, album notes writer (Various Artists) The Complete Piano Works Of Scott Joplin — Bryan S. Wright, album notes writer (Richard Dowling) Edouard-Léon Scott De Martinville, Inventor Of Sound Recording: A Bicentennial Tribute — David Giovannoni, album notes writer (Various Artists) Live At The Whisky A Go Go: The Complete Recordings — Lynell George, album notes writer (Otis Redding) Washington Phillips And His Manzarene Dreams — Michael Corcoran, album notes writer (Washington Phillips) Best Historical Album: Bobo Yeye: Belle Epoque In Upper Volta — Jon Kirby, Florent Mazzoleni, Rob Sevier & Ken Shipley, compilation producers; Jeff Lipton & Maria Rice, mastering engineers (Various Artists) The Goldberg Variations – The Complete Unreleased Recording Sessions June 1955 — Robert Russ, compilation producer; Matthias Erb, Martin Kistner & Andreas K. Meyer, mastering engineers (Glenn Gould) Leonard Bernstein – The Composer — Robert Russ, compilation producer; Martin Kistner & Andreas K. Meyer, mastering engineers (Leonard Bernstein) Sweet As Broken Dates: Lost Somali Tapes From The Horn Of Africa — Nicolas Sheikholeslami & Vik Sohonie, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Various Artists) Washington Phillips And His Manzarene Dreams — Michael Corcoran, April G. Ledbetter & Steven Lance Ledbetter, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Washington Phillips) Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Every Where Is Some Where — Brent Arrowood, Miles Comaskey, JT Daly, Tommy English, Kristine Flaherty, Adam Hawkins, Chad Howat & Tony Maserati, engineers; Joe LaPorta, mastering engineer (K.Flay) Is This The Life We Really Want? — Nigel Godrich, Sam Petts-Davies & Darrell Thorp, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Roger Waters) Natural Conclusion — Ryan Freeland, engineer; Joao Carvalho, mastering engineer (Rose Cousins) No Shape — Shawn Everett & Joseph Lorge, engineers; Patricia Sullivan, mastering engineer (Perfume Genius) 24K Magic — Serban Ghenea, John Hanes & Charles Moniz, engineers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer (Bruno Mars) Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical: Calvin Harris Greg Kurstin Blake Mills No I.D. The Stereotypes Best Remixed Recording: “Can’t Let You Go (Louie Vega Roots Mix)” — Louie Vega, remixer (Loleatta Holloway) “Funk O’ De Funk (SMLE Remix)” — SMLE, remixers (Bobby Rush) “Undercover (Adventure Club Remix)” — Leighton James & Christian Srigley, remixers (Kehlani) “A Violent Noise (Four Tet Remix)” — Four Tet, remixer (The xx) “You Move (Latroit Remix)” — Dennis White, remixer (Depeche Mode) Best Surround Sound Album: Early Americans — Jim Anderson, surround mix engineer; Darcy Proper, surround mastering engineer; Jim Anderson & Jane Ira Bloom, surround producers (Jane Ira Bloom) Kleiberg: Mass For Modern Man — Morten Lindberg, surround mix engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Eivind Gullberg Jensen & Trondheim Symphony Orchestra And Choir) So Is My Love — Morten Lindberg, surround mix engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Nina T. Karlsen & Ensemble 96) 3-D The Catalogue — Fritz Hilpert, surround mix engineer; Tom Ammermann, surround mastering engineer; Fritz Hilpert, surround producer (Kraftwerk) Tyberg: Masses — Jesse Brayman, surround mix engineer; Jesse Brayman, surround mastering engineer; Blanton Alspaugh, surround producer (Brian A. Schmidt, Christopher Jacobson & South Dakota Chorale) Best Engineered Album, Classical: Danielpour: Songs Of Solitude & War Songs — Gary Call, engineer (Thomas Hampson, Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony) Kleiberg: Mass For Modern Man — Morten Lindberg, engineer (Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Trondheim Vokalensemble & Trondheim Symphony Orchestra) Schoenberg, Adam: American Symphony; Finding Rothko; Picture Studies — Keith O. Johnson & Sean Royce Martin, engineers (Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony) Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5; Barber: Adagio — Mark Donahue, engineer (Manfred Honeck & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) Tyberg: Masses — John Newton, engineer; Jesse Brayman, mastering engineer (Brian A. Schmidt, Christopher Jacobson & South Dakota Chorale) Producer Of The Year, Classical: Blanton Alspaugh Manfred Eicher David Frost Morten Lindberg Judith Sherman

Best Music Video: “Up All Night” — Beck “Makeba” — Jain “The Story Of O.J.” — Jay-Z “Humble.” — Kendrick Lamar “1-800-273-8255” — Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid Best Music Film: “One More Time With Feeling” — Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “Long Strange Trip” — (The Grateful Dead) The Defiant Ones — (Various Artists) “Soundbreaking” — (Various Artists) Two Trains Runnin’ — (Various Artists)

Best Orchestral Performance: Concertos For Orchestra — Louis Langrée, conductor (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra) Copland: Symphony No. 3; Three Latin American Sketches — Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) Debussy: Images; Jeux & La Plus Que Lente — Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony) Mahler: Symphony No. 5 — Osmo Vänskä, conductor (Minnesota Orchestra) Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5; Barber: Adagio — Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) Best Opera Recording: Berg: Lulu — Lothar Koenigs, conductor; Daniel Brenna, Marlis Petersen & Johan Reuter; Jay David Saks, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) Berg: Wozzeck — Hans Graf, conductor; Anne Schwanewilms & Roman Trekel; Hans Graf, producer (Houston Symphony; Chorus Of Students And Alumni, Shepherd School Of Music, Rice University & Houston Grand Opera Children’s Chorus) Bizet: Les Pêcheurs De Perles — Gianandrea Noseda, conductor; Diana Damrau, Mariusz Kwiecień, Matthew Polenzani & Nicolas Testé; Jay David Saks, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus) Handel: Ottone — George Petrou, conductor; Max Emanuel Cencic & Lauren Snouffer; Jacob Händel, producer (Il Pomo D’Oro) Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel — Valery Gergiev, conductor; Vladimir Feliauer, Aida Garifullina & Kira Loginova; Ilya Petrov, producer (Mariinsky Orchestra; Mariinsky Chorus) Best Choral Performance: Bryars: The Fifth Century — Donald Nally, conductor (PRISM Quartet; The Crossing) Handel: Messiah — Andrew Davis, conductor; Noel Edison, chorus master (Elizabeth DeShong, John Relyea, Andrew Staples & Erin Wall; Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir) Mansurian: Requiem — Alexander Liebreich, conductor; Florian Helgath, chorus master (Anja Petersen & Andrew Redmond; Münchener Kammerorchester; RIAS Kammerchor) Music Of The Spheres — Nigel Short, conductor (Tenebrae) Tyberg: Masses — Brian A. Schmidt, conductor (Christopher Jacobson; South Dakota Chorale) Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: Buxtehude: Trio Sonatas, Op. 1 — Arcangelo Death & The Maiden — Patricia Kopatchinskaja & The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Divine Theatre – Sacred Motets By Giaches De Wert — Stile Antico Franck, Kurtág, Previn & Schumann — Joyce Yang & Augustin Hadelich Martha Argerich & Friends – Live From Lugano 2016 — Martha Argerich & Various Artists Best Classical Instrumental Solo: Bach: The French Suites — Murray Perahia Haydn: Cello Concertos — Steven Isserlis; Florian Donderer, conductor (The Deutsch Kammerphilharmonie Bremen) Levina: The Piano Concertos — Maria Lettberg; Ariane Matiakh, conductor (Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin) Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 — Frank Peter Zimmermann; Alan Gilbert, conductor (NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester) Transcendental — Daniil Trifonov Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: Bach & Telemann: Sacred Cantatas — Philippe Jaroussky; Petra Müllejans, conductor (Ann-Kathrin Brüggemann & Juan de la Rubia; Freiburger Barockorchester) Crazy Girl Crazy – Music By Gershwin, Berg & Berio — Barbara Hannigan (Orchestra Ludwig) Gods & Monsters — Nicholas Phan; Myra Huang, accompanist In War & Peace – Harmony Through Music — Joyce DiDonato; Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor (Il Pomo D’Oro) Sviridov: Russia Cast Adrift — Dmitri Hvorostovsky; Constantine Orbelian, conductor (St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra & Style Of Five Ensemble) Best Classical Compendium: Barbara — Alexandre Tharaud; Cécile Lenoir, producer Higdon: All Things Majestic, Viola Concerto & Oboe Concerto — Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Tim Handley, producer Kurtág: Complete Works For Ensemble & Choir — Reinbert de Leeuw, conductor; Guido Tichelman, producer Les Routes De L’Esclavage — Jordi Savall, conductor; Benjamin Bleton, producer Mademoiselle: Première Audience – Unknown Music Of Nadia Boulanger — Lucy Mauro; Lucy Mauro, producer Best Contemporary Classical Composition: Danielpour: Songs Of Solitude — Thomas Hampson, Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony Higdon: Viola Concerto — Roberto Díaz, Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony Mansurian: Requiem —Alexander Liebreich, Florian Helgath, RIAS Kammerchor & Münchener Kammerorchester Schoenberg, Adam: Picture Studies —Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony Zhou Tian: Concerto For Orchestra —Louis Langrée & Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

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Review: Pal - Arijit Singh | Rochak Kohli | Monsoon Shootout OST

SONG: Pal FILM: Monsoon Shootout SINGER: Arijit Singh MUSIC: Rochak Kohli LYRICS: Sumant Vadhera

It’s almost always a pleasure to listen to Arijit Singh sing. More so, when his vocals swim over a sparse soundscape. The more minimal the production, the better he sounds. And just listening to his first collaboration with Rochak Kohli for Monsoon Shootout’s Pal, you can tell this isn’t going to be just another song by Arijit. It’s light, yet the lyrics are loaded with meaning. Mind you, it isn’t burdensome, though. And that’s what we like about Rochak’s music. It’s hummable, it stays with you and he has a knack for picking his lyricists. Arijit being on this track is the cherry on top.

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This Or That: Ali Zafar’s ‘Julie’

Where we pick at two versions of the popular track by the Pakistani star

Team bandook

Coke Studio Season 10, Episode 4: The song? ‘Julie’ by Ali and Danyal Zafar. Released September 1, 2017. Current view count: 1.5 million. One brother’s powerful vocals, the other’s strong, confident strumming. It was an act that stays etched in memory.

Patari’s ‘Live & Raw’ session with Ali Zafar: This one’s video dropped on November 24. Current view count: 4.5K views. And while you can listen to this version and love it just as much as the original, there’s a feeling that the video could have been so much better, given that it features a young, popular Pakistani singer-actor, is a co-production fronted by what is known as Pakistan’s biggest streaming service and the sound production is on par with the best. It retains that ‘live & raw’ vibe they were shooting for’, but did they have to go so ‘raw’ on the location of the shoot? The video looks dark, dingy and totally un-appealing.

Could it have done better? For sure. Check out their other videos.

What are your thoughts, guys?

Check out the two videos here:

Coke Studio Version

Patari’s Live & Raw Version

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Music video or ad? Take your pick. Beliebers love it either way!

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Justin Bieber’s ‘Friends’ gets a music video. Well, somewhat!

The track and the pop star feature in a full-length commercial for Germany’s T-Mobile

Team bandook

Ever felt like you wanted to take your fav music idol everywhere and not just in your ears (via your headphones)? Well, a brilliant (and deceptively simple) ad does just that.

A German T-Mobile ad has Justin Bieber serenade a fan listening to his latest track (featuring BloodPop) in public places and at home. The idea being that the network is so good, you can stream the singer in high-definition anywhere.

It’s so well produced that fans are already quite kicked and some even going as far as saying that it might as well be the official music video (there isn’t one yet, just a lyric video).

But as one waits for that, it’s time to watch this video on repeat.

And here’s why…

It features the early family-friendly version of Bieber

This video gives you full-on Christmas feels

It features JB moonwalking (because… why not?

Also, which Belieber wouldn’t wanna be that close to their idol

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Deelite MC’s ‘Rendeh’ is a delight to listen to

Why we think you ought to check out the album and the title song’s video

Bryan Durham

Our first introduction to Rana Jai Rajput aka Deelite MC came when BBC Asian Network’s Preeya Kalidas listed him as one of the most played upcoming Asian MCs on their station. When she asked her guest, the influential Charlie Sloth to rank them, Deelite ranked third behind Raja Kumari and Tazzz.

And so, we heard his newest eight-track album ‘Rendeh’ (released earlier this year, available on streaming platforms like Apple Music, Saavn, Google Play and Spotify).

And boy, he sure knows how to spit them rhymes hard and fast with a mad flow. And there’s variety, so that’s always a plus. His stories, rooted in the real, get even more relatable.

Kaam Kar, which features on the album already has a video out. As does Desi Rock. But it is the latest video (for Rendeh) that holds you.

The video features a young boy running out to play and running into a group of mask-wearing children. They bully him, push him around. He runs away at the start, but eventually finds the courage to stand up to them.

The words resonate with anyone who has ever been bullied and as such, holds a strong message, without really being preachy. We asked Deelite about the title song and he said, “It has me interpreting the music scene mixed with instances from real life in a video narrative. What I do is tackle everything from bullying to egos with the #Rendeh reference.”

We recommend checking out Rendeh (video and album). Deelite tells us proudly from the UK, “I have a new album (that’s nearly finished and is expected) to drop shortly. If u think Rendeh is fire, wait for this new project!”

We’re waiting.

And if you wanna meet the guy, he’s coming down to India in early April for two weeks.

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Balle Balle - Tried&Tested

What we thought of the musical directed by Viraf Sarkari

Bryan Durham

Balle Balle! The very words evoke a sense of mirth. And that’s plentiful in Viraf Sarkari’s English play - a Broadway-meets-Bollywood staged extravaganza - that’s larger-than-life yet so endearingly personal, that you might as well like a fly-on-the-wall as the manic melee that is a big, fat Indian wedding, unfolds before you. You will be entertained and that is a guarantee. Take it from me. Everything from the sets to the costumes hold your attention. The scene-stealers in the cast will vary from person to person but you will remember each one. Obviously, the music has been aptly selected to reflect the moods in each act and they’ve been perfectly choreographed, too. Yes, right from the perfect pirouette to the perfected tumbles. And if you think of leaving soon after the final bows happen, you’ll be treated to a pleasant surprise. Like that last guest at a party you won’t want to leave before your hosts leave… the stage (the accompanying video - forgive the blurry visuals - tell the story). Viraf, take a bow. You totally deserve it!

WHAT: Balle Balle, a Broadway styled theatrical show by Wizcraft International Entertainment (P) Ltd WHERE: Balgandharva Rangmandir, @Bandra WHEN: The show is being screened Tuesdays to Fridays 8 pm onwards and twice on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm and 8 pm.

It's an AndreTimmins, Sabbas Joseph and Viraf Sarkari production.

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Stuff we learnt while #BackstageWithEd: When asked about the one tattoo he wished he hadn't gotten, Ed Sheeran told us he'd rather have all his tattoos or keep none at all.

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The moods of Kygo's Indian fans.

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French bands Colt Silvers and Last Train embark on their debut 11-city India tour

As part of the Bonjour India Festival, the rockers will perform through November and December, starting with Delhi and Chennai

 Team bandook

As we write this, the Bonjour India Festival, curated and created by the French Institute in India would have gone underway.

An ambitious tie-strengthening initiative between France and India, the festival will serve as a platform for innovation and creativity.

 In fact, as part of this initiative, French bands Colt Silvers and Last Train embark on their first-ever 11-city India tour, all through November and December.

About Colt Silvers

They hail from Strasbourg

Colt Silvers comprises of vocalist Tristan, bass player Nicolas, guitarist Florian and drummer Julien.

Were dubbed by the magazine Les Inrockuptibles as the French Alt-J.

Their debut release was ‘Night of the Living Robots’ in 2009

Shares Julien, "We are currently promoting our latest album SWORDS. In comparison to the album, the sound we create on stage is a hundred times more intense.”

About Last Train

Comprises of four childhood friends from the East of France - vocalist Jean-Noel Scherrer, guitarist Julien Peultier, Drummer Antoine Baschung and bass player Timothee Gerard.

Their first two EPs ‘The Holy Family’ and ‘Fragile’ received critical acclaim.

They’ve opened for renowned musicians like Muse and Rival Sons.

In 2016, Last Train won the biggest French festival for upcoming bands, Le Printemps de Bourges.

Earlier this year, the band recently released a full length album ‘Weathering’ on their own label, ‘Cold Fame Records’.

Scherrer says coming to India is an “amazing thing” and that coming to the country was a first for everyone in the band. “We are impressed about getting the opportunity,” he said

This tour is being presented by Mumbai-based music management company, Mixtape.  

TOUR DETAILS

25th November, 2017: India Bike Week, Goa (Only Colt Silvers)

26thNovember, 2017: The Storytellers’ Bar, Pondicherry

29thNovember, 2017: antiSOCIAL, Mumbai

30thNovember, 2017: The Humming Tree, Bangalore

01st December, 2017: Cloud 9, Shillong

02ndDecember, 2017: O2, Guwahati

03rdDecember, 2017: Live In Lakes, Kolkata

06thDecember, 2017: Café Live And Loud, Gangtok

09thDecember, 2017: NH7 Weekender, Pune (Only Colt Silvers)

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Album Review: Everyday Is Christmas - Sia

RATING: 4/5

Bryan Durham

1. Santa’s Coming For Us Goes perfectly with that hot cuppa chocolate and marshmallows first thing in the morning after Christmas.. Quite the getter upper.

2. Candy Cane Lane Feels old-school in a good way. Right-round Christmassy. Sassier and has more swagger. Definite call to action. See ourselves dancing in the streets singing to this.

3. Snowman So familiar-sounding, the warmth just seeps through. Best to cuddle in with a loved one as that gentle blues rhythms soothe you over.

4. Snowflake Something a mother would sing as a lullaby to her child. This might not be limited to just the season!

5. Ho Ho Ho Pre-gaming before the party begins? Christmas parties last long and Sia captures that mood perfectly. Close your eyes and you’ll see how fun this song can really get. Images come alive in your head, just with the music and words. The randomness fits, for sure!

6. Puppies Are Forever That familiar Sia drawl has you reaching for the lyrics more here than anywhere else. It is also the one song that clearly spells out her intent for this album. You can play it any time of the year and not just at Christmas

7. Sunshine Think of a fair. Or a buzzing bar. In fact, you can almost imagine this being played live and it lighting up a stadium with its sunniness.

8. Underneath The Mistletoe With a hook that harks you faintly back to Chandelier, Sia adds to the loveliness of a much-celebrated moment during the holiday season.

9. Everyday Is Christmas The title song is also the one with the potential to become the next ‘All I Want For Christmas’. It’ll have you singing along with Sia. RIch, powerful and creatively produced, it’s a joy to listen to.

10. Underneath The Christmas Lights Her alternative to Silent Night Holy Night? Sure feels that way. Lilting in tone, it reminds you of Nana Mouskouri as it then builds into the Sia we know and love.

VERDICT: Sia's Christmas album paints pictures in our heads. It is the kind of music everyone - not just those who celebrate Christmas - will love. Truly an album for all seasons and reasons!