Listen Up!

U2 presents their 3D concert film

  Irish rock band U2 premiered their 3D Vertigo Tour concert film (http://www.u23dmovie.com/) at the highly anticipated Sundance Film Festival in Utah last weekend. Screened at the Eccles Center, the 80-minute long film was the talking point at a festival that usually showcases critically acclaimed films by talented moviemakers the world over.

  Shot in South America, the film is pegged as a real-live concert experience with viewers having to wear special 3D glasses. In an article reported by MTV, U2 guitarist, The Edge said this was the first time he has actually seen the band on stage.

  The film was shot in digital film entirely and aims to give viewers a taste of a real-live concert experience. With 5.1 Surround Sound and highly advanced digital imagery, the film is said to be at the cutting-edge of technology.

The band's frontman, Bono is quoted as having said, "U2 tickets can be a bit expensive. We fight to keep them reasonably priced, but you know how it goes. And people who are going to high school or college don't always have the cash. So my hope for people who are thinking, 'Well, I'm kind of into that band,' is that they'll give us a shot and see what we've got."

  For U2 loyalists like me, this might be as close as we can get to a live show till the next time they play live in Toronto. And I'm certainly not complaining! The film is set to release in February in Canada. LISTEN UP! to U2... in 3D.

The games we play

  It started off as an interesting venture that brought music and the gaming industry together. And its success has gone beyond popular expectations. An article in Reuters and Billboard, reports that "in the two months since MTV Networks and Harmonix released the music-based videogame "Rock band," players have purchased and downloaded more than 2.5 million additional songs made available after the game's initial distribution."

For the uninitiated, Rock Band is a video game that was created by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and distributed by Electronic Arts Partners. This game is available in both XBox 360 and PS 3 versions. The game revolves around its players playing different instruments (virtually of course!). Wikipedia describes this by saying, "Rock Band allows players to perform in virtual "bands" by providing up to four players with the ability to play three different peripherals modeled after music instruments (a guitar peripheral for lead guitar and bass guitar gameplay, a drum peripheral, and a microphone). These peripherals are used to simulate the playing of rock music by hitting scrolling notes on-screen. "

  I read this article with great interest because the statistics are staggering. At a time where the music industry is suffering due to decreased CD sales, thanks to illegal downloading and online music piracy, it is quite remarkable that a video game can generate so much interest. And that is can actually get consumers to spend money the legal route.

  The MTV-released games Rock Band and Guitar Hero are a huge success and the fact that consumers are paying 99 cents per song or a $1.99 for bundles of three is an interesting trend. There are several bands that have participated in this venture by making their music available for the video games. Rumours have it that rockers Metallica are leading the way in terms of music downloads. MTV has been quoted as saying that the Metallica trio of "Ride the Lightning," "Blackened" and "Justice for All" is the best-selling "Rock Band" download.

  Encouraged by the response to their games, the bigwigs at MTV Networks are working on plans to include more artists under this venture, and even creating games around specific music genres!

  Apart from this, there is talk in the industry, of making new music available to gamers who can download it and replace the original soundtracks every so often. This option itself opens up so many new possibilities. Other video game producers are also focussing on sprucing up their soundtracks and offer their consumers other options, like those initiated by MTV and its collaborators.

Asha in Toronto

A little birdie tells me that the grand dame of Bollywood, the lovely Asha Bhonsle is set to perform at the Roy Thompson Hall later this year. To be exact, she is scheduled to stage a live performance on April 4, 2008 in downtown Toronto celebrating 75 years of music.

  Her fans pan across all possible age groups with my father recollecting her songs for Burman Junior and Senior as being his favourites. My teenage cousin on the other hand remembers her for Rangeela re. Such is the diversity of this extremely talented artist.

  To say that she's keep abreast with the times is an understatement. She was quick to catch on to the remix trend when it began and worked with Leslie "Lezz" Lewis to co-produce an album dedicated to Rahul Dev Burman way back in the mid-nineties. Since then, she has released several indipop albums and managed to stay in the memory of an audience that has short-term memory.

  Despite being the sibling of the illustrious Lata Mangeshkar, Asha has always been able to maintain an identity that is vastly different from her sister. Their legendary competition was rumoured to be the inspiration for the film Saaz which saw even Zakir Hussain in a special role! The sisters however claim there was never any ill will between them.

  To have an opportunity to watch Asha live in concert is a chance that not many in our generation have had. Whether you remember her for her classical treats or peppy A R Rahman numbers, there's no doubt that this living icon has a legacy of her own. Take some time out and have a listen to the lady in the flesh, LISTEN UP! to Asha Bhonsle live in Toronto!

 

Breaking the Jinx

The British music scene has been responsible for bringing many talented desi musicians to the fore. Manchester-based band Jinx fit right into that category of successful musicians in the bhangra-meets-RnB genre. The band is now set to wow the world with their brand new single Punjab Nachda off their second album Jus Jinx.

   With over 6 years of experience on the DJ circuit in the UK, Dubz and Jogi - the Jinx duo - have several hits to their credit. Gal Sun was a monster hit from their debut album. Following that success was the track Dil da Jaani, taken from their recently released, second album Jus Jinx.

  Their tracks have been smash hits on most Asian music charts across the UK. When asked to describe their sound, the guys from Rochdale, offer, "British Asian music, fused with urban and experimental, made for all ages and for everyone to enjoy." This straightforward, no-nonsense approach is what draws many to their music. I'm not a bhangra fan by a long shot but I genuinely liked the new track and can see it becoming a party favourite at clubs across the city.

  Last year saw them on massive tours all across the world including countries like India, Pakistan and European nations like Norway. This year their brand new single Punjab Nachda (take a sneak peek below) promises to set the mood for a rocking 2008. LISTEN UP! to Jinx.

All things new...

  The new year is here. Resolutions are part and parcel of the deal. And every year I promise myself that I will listen to more and more great music and that's the one (and ONLY!) resolution I actually manage to stick to. I wish I was as dedicated to the other causes in my life! ;)

  Without taking the cliched "flashback" route, I have to admit 2007 was sparkling in all aspects musical. Established artists breaking moulds or brand new artists taking the world by storm, 2007 saw it all. This year I'm looking forward to more of the same and more. I want to listen to great original music, not regurgitated notes that try to form some semblance of music. I want younger voices to be heard and the older ones to challenge themselves and offer something new to their loyal audiences. Whether or not, these demands will be met is a whole other story.

  Every year I set myself a rather strange target. Not to lose those extra pounds or save that extra money. Nopes, not for me those "normal" goals. I aim for greater things. All musical naturally! I want to listen to at least 5 artists I haven't heard before or genres of music I haven't been exposed to earlier. I hit that target in 2007 (and how!) and I can't complain about the money spent in that pursuit. Whether it was a blues-reggae band that played in Greek town in the middle of summer or whether it was The Hives who opened for Maroon 5 or closer to home, artists like Kidd Skilly whom I haven't heard too much of before, 2007 was fantastic in every way.

  2008 promises all this and more. I started off my year with listening to this wonderfully talented jazz artist called Jill Scott. The video below is a classic and was made famous more recently by Fantasia Barrino on American Idol. I loved this version of it for the simple vocal prowess displayed by Ms Scott and the ever reliable George Benson. LISTEN UP! for a good helping of some soul-enriching jazz!