By: ManjuChandran
AFTER a lifetime of working in IT and business, Mustafa Khetty returned to his first passion of music and released his debut single Requiem For New Zealand last month. The composer and songwriter released the powerful and lyrically emotive song in remembrance of 51 innocent people murdered in a mosque during a terror attack in New Zealand on March 15 2019. The song is also dedicated to victims of hate crime around the world.
Eastern Eye got Mustafa Khetty to select 10 songs he loves. He said: “I have selected 10 songs based on the what is effectively a first immediate walk down memory lane.
Classical music from India and the west are the major influences, with contemporary music spread across the globe.”
Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles: This song can be performed as an orchestra instrumental, with a single guitar, hard rock band flavour or soothing ballad. It can be played dramatically or with an acoustic guitar, with minimal chord changes and words, and it is still rapturous. That is the underlying beauty.
Long Train Running by The Doobie Brothers: Rhythmic and catchy, right from the beginning its riff catches the listener’s attention. It is American blues/indie/rock at its best.
Highway Star (Made in Japan Live) by Deep Purple: Probably the finest hard rock live performance. This was Jon Lord, Ian Gillian, Roger Glover and Ritchie Blackmore creating pure magic. Essentially, a rock instrumental band with Ian’s powerful voice and range adding an eclectic layer over the instruments.
Honest Lullaby by Joan Baez: Amazing songwriter and poetess with a genius for melody and lyrics. Captivates the ear to listen intently to the lyrics and melody.
Soon by YES: Emotive and ambient with another world sound, the blend of Jon Anderson’s voice intricately merged with Steve Howe’s guitar and Chris Squire’s bass and Rick Wakeman’s legendary keyboard wizardry. Each line is a melody on its own. Articulate, lyrical and haunting.
Losing My Religion by R.E.M.: 1990’s pop and it rings a bell with the youth of the day, finding their identity in the digital maze.
Savour by Carlos Santana: With Jose ‘Chepito’ Areas as part of the percussion team, this track captures the Santana magic, with both drum and percussion solos that makes one wonder, if these guys had more than two hands. Among the finest live performance songs of the 1970’s. Thrilling from start to finish and an adrenalin rush.
Clouds in The Sky by Kitaro: A classic new age song continuing in the tradition of Tangerine Dream. Kitaro’s ability to create moods is legendary, combining synth and traditional Japanese instruments to create a grand soundstage and then colouring it with cross melodies and harmony to capture the listener.
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin: Perhaps a rock ballad that inspired and influenced many. It stands the test of time and remains an all-time favourite. Simplicity and the first part has no drums. There are three transitions, but it links and weaves together as a single entity.
Joy by John McLaughlin & Shakti: Indian classical music is a synthesis of scales and complex rhythm and its intensity can be transcendental. John absorbs it and transforms classical acoustic guitar unlike any other and sets the reference that only legends could do. Among the wizards in Indian classical music, he has won a place in the hearts of both western and Indian music aficionados.
