New Blog - Rumination

Hello all,
I have a new blog which can be found at http://blog.gksden.org. Its a wordpress based blog hosted right out of home. Do check it out!

-George

Ek Ladki Hai (Original Composition by Shashank Gokhale)

This is a song composed by Shashank Gokhale. I got introduced to Shashank through Muziboo. I really like his compositional and lyrical skills. This is the second song we have collaborated on.

Here is a short description about the song in Shashanks words:

“Composition is about portraying the feelings in the form of song which you can imagine…But writing a song on real life girl is really very very tough task….I took 8 years to do that…I was able to make something on a girl which is in my life forever…Though I fell its not that good and I can do 1000 times better than this… :D but I wanted to upload this on Muziboo…

I thought of writing English Song to express the feeling…but TRUTH is my feelings can be portrayed in HINDI language… :D and I think I couln’t have write that well in English…So kept that option for future…

I hope people would like it and yeah the Girl also for whom I tried writing this song…”

A special thanks once again to Sunny for arranging the music. Thanks to Shashank for giving me this opportunity.

Written and Composed by : Shashank Gokhale
Guitar by: Shashank Gokhale
BG music : Sunny
Main and Backup Vocals – George Kuruvilla

Lyrics:

Ek Ladki hai Sabse juda, Kuchh alag si hai usaki adaa

Ankho mein hai chaht bhari, Usake jaisi maine deki nahi ||Main||



Khud ke dil se ek din bas lad zhagad ke

Usane kahe saare Dil ke raaj

Mai to Har pal usako hi chahata tha

Na jane q samaza mai dil ki baat

Kya pal tha vo q dhal gaya

Ek raaj khulane se sab badal gaya ||1||



Apane khabo mein mujhko dekhti hai



Batein na usaki hogi kuchh bhi kum

Mere kandhe pe vo jab sir rakhati hai

Usaki aankhe to ho jati hai Num

Ek alag si usaki duniya

Lekin duniya ki hai apani kahaniya ||2||



Ek Ladki Hai (Original Composition by Shashank) at Muziboo.com

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi

I was totally unaware of this song till Shashank Gokhale and Adithi Devarajan asked me to sing this. Quite a groovy song. Hope you guys enjoy this cover.


Kabhi Kabhi Aditi at Muziboo.com

Home (Michael Buble Cover)

I’ve been doing a lot of rock and hindi lately that I’m beginning to forget my elements :-) So here is one on the softer side that I love. Its probably the most recognized song by Michael Buble. I would strongly encourage everyone to listen to his stuff as he is really gifted. Do listen and post your feedback.

Lyrics:

Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm

May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

And I’ve been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky, I know
But I wanna go home
Mmmm, I’ve got to go home

Let me go home
I’m just too far from where you are
I wanna come home

And I feel just like I’m living someone else’s life
It’s like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
‘Cause this was not your dream
But you always believed in me

Another winter day has come
And gone away
In even Paris and Rome
And I wanna go home
Let me go home

And I’m surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
Oh, let me go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home
I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all be all right
I’ll be home tonight
I’m coming back home


Home (Michael Buble Cover) at Muziboo.com

Hole Hearted (Extreme Cover)

This is a track Gaurav Mathur and I would jam on back in college. We decided to cover it for old times sake.

Guitar work, Bass and beats – Gaurav Mathur
Vocal – George Kuruvilla


Hole Hearted (Extreme Cover) at Muziboo.com

Let It Be (Beatles Cover)

I dont think this song needs an introduction. One of the most popular Beatles song, it talks about leaving our problems behind and moving on. I would also like to mention that the “Mother Mary” he is referring to is his mother Mary and not Mother Mary. It is always scary to cover classics such as this one, but I just had to :-)

This song is dedicated to my AMMA (mother). It happens to be one of her favorite songs and grew up listening to it. This is for you Amma!

Lyrics:

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....


Let It Be (Beatles Cover) at Muziboo.com

Luka

This is an old song by Suzanne Vega. The song talks about a very sensitive topic – Child Abuse. The main character is this song is a kid named Luka who is abused by his parents. The song is presented from his point of view. I love the way she presents a sensitive topic like Child Abuse in a simplistic and candid manner but still hits the point hard. Heres my version of the song.


Luka at Muziboo.com

Just the way you are

Dont know what to say about this song.. It holds a special place in my heart. Every time I sing or listen to it, I am filled with joy. Billy Joel definitely has the Midas touch according to me. Here goes….


Just the way you are at Muziboo.com

Phir Dekhiye

This is one of my favorite songs from the hindi movie Rock On. I worked with Jay Swaminathan on this cover. He is responsible for the guitar and keyboard parts in the song, and also the mixing. Originally sung by Caralisa Monteiro, here is our attempt at covering this beauty.


Phir Dekhiye- Rock On! - SEL Cover at Muziboo.com

La Bamba (Cover)

Last couple of weeks have been some of the most stressful of my life. By God's grace, all issues have been sorted and I feel so free. I think this song is a reflection of my state of mind right now. Hope you guys enjoy it.


La Bamba at Muziboo.com

Cemetary Gates (Pantera Cover) - Featuring Gibson Guitarist

I’ve wanted to do this song for a long time, but never found a guitarist to cover it.. n then I met Gibson :-) He gave me the opportunity to collaborate and here it is. This is one of the greatest rock ballads period!


Cemetary Gates (Pantera Cover) - Collaboration with Gibson Guitarist at Muziboo.com


Lyrics:

Reverend, reverend,
Is this a conspiracy?
Crucified for no sins
No revenge… beneath me.
Lost within my plans for life,
It all seems so unreal.
Im a man cut in half in this world,
Left in my misery.

(instrumental)

The reverend he turned to me
Without a tear in his eyes.
Its nothing new for him to see,
I didnt ask him why.
I will remember…
The love our souls had sworn to make.
Now I watch the falling rain
All my mind can see now is your (face).

Well I guess
You took my youth
And gave it all away.
Like the birth of a new found joy,
This love would end in rage…
And when she died
I couldnt cry,
The pride within my soul.
You left me incomplete
All alone as the memories now unfold.

Believe the word.
I will unlock my door…
And pass the cemetery gates.

Sometimes when Im alone,
I wonder aloud,
If youre watching over me
Some place far abound.
I must reverse my life
I cant live in the past.
Then set my soul free,
Belong to me at last.

Through all those complex years
I thought I was alone.
I didnt care to look around
And make this world my own…
And when she died
I shouldve cried and spared myself some pain.
You left me incomplete,
All alone as the memories still remain.

The way we were,
The chance to save my soul…
And my concern is now in vain.
Believe the word,
I will unlock my door…
And pass the cemetery… gates

(instrumental)

The way we were,
The chance to save my soul…
And my concern is now in vain.
Believe the word,
I will unlock my door…
And pass the cemetery…

Gates
Gates

Say - John Mayer Cover

Among all the crap that comes out these days, here’s a song that truly has a positive message and should inspire us all. I fell in love with it instantly the first time I listened to it. Probably my favorite John Mayer song so far. I hope you guys enjoy it too.



Say (John Mayer Cover) at Muziboo.com

Dheere Dheere (Original Composition) - Collaboration with Sunny

I am extremely excited to be posting this song. This is the first time I have worked on an original composition. The song, Dheere Dheere was composed, written and mixed by Sunny . Sunny is a Sound Engineer who works with Sandeep Chowta . I got to know Sunny through Muziboo . He is amazingly gifted and I am so happy to have worked with him on this project. It took us about a month to complete this one since we were trying to fit our work schedules in between. But I feel it was well worth the wait. Hope you all enjoy this one.


Dheere Dheere (Original Collaboration with Sunny) at Muziboo.com


-George

Soulful Music At Its Best

I was watching Idol gives back last Wednesday. For those of you who are not familiar with this show, its a special episode on American Idol which is geared towards raising money for charities all around the world. Anyway, there were a lot of pop stars, actors, sports icons etc who participated in the show to help the cause. But one person stuck out among the crowd like a shining star with her genuine concern towards AIDS in Africa - none other than ANNIE LENNOX. Her performance left me spellbound and left me crying as it came from the bottom of her heart and her pain resonated with me. I wanted to share it with the rest of you as this is soulful music at its best. The song she sang is a cover of "Many Rivers to Cross" written by Jimmy Cliff in 1969.

Hats off to ANNIE LENNOX for a mind blowing performance!

Jashn e Bahara

Hindi does not come naturally to me. However that doesn't stop me from trying Hindi songs :-) Here is my attempt at my favorite song from Jodha Akbar. I heard this for the first time about a month back(thanks to my wife for introducing me to this one) and got totally obsessed with it. It took me a day to get the timing and diction right (to some degree). I really enjoyed performing this and hope the audience enjoys it as much.





-George

Grace Kelly

I did this song a while back. I've been obsessed with it since I heard it for the first time. It is so unconventional and yet so catchy. The story behind the song is quite interesting. Mika was trying to get a record deal and all the recording companies wanted him to change his sound into a common pop mould. He wasnt pleased with this and expresses it quite clearly in this song. I feel this song has attitude both from a lyrical and musical perspective, which is probably why I like it so much.

Heres my humble attempt at covering this beauty!

-George





Lyrics:

Do I attract you?
Do I repulse you with my queasy smile?
Am I too dirty?
Am I too flirty?
Do I like what you like?

I could be wholesome
I could be loathsome
I guess I'm a little bit shy
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me without making me try?

I try to be like Grace Kelly
But all her looks were too sad
So I try a little Freddie
I've gone identity mad!

I could be brown
I could be blue
I could be violet sky
I could be hurtful
I could be purple
I could be anything you like
Gotta be green
Gotta be mean
Gotta be everything more
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you walk out the door!

How can I help it
How can I help it
How can I help what you think?
Hello my baby
Hello my baby
Putting my life on the brink
Why don't you like me
Why don't you like me
Why don't you like yourself?
Should I bend over?
Should I look older just to be put on your shelf?

I try to be like Grace Kelly
But all her looks were too sad
So I try a little Freddie
I've gone identity mad!

I could be brown
I could be blue
I could be violet sky
I could be hurtful
I could be purple
I could be anything you like
Gotta be green
Gotta be mean
Gotta be everything more
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me?
Walk out the door!

Say what you want to satisfy yourself
But you only want what everybody else says you should want

I could be brown
I could be blue
I could be violet sky
I could be hurtful
I could be purple
I could be anything you like
Gotta be green
Gotta be mean
Gotta be everything more
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me?
Walk out the door!

I could be brown
I could be blue
I could be violet sky
I could be hurtful
I could be purple
I could be anything you like
Gotta be green
Gotta be mean
Gotta be everything more
Why don't you like me?
Why don't you like me?
Walk out the door!

Here Comes the Sun (Beatles Cover)

Beatles to me has had the must influence in the history of rock music. I grew up listening to them and they've had a tremendous impact in my life from a musical perspective.

This particular song was written by George Harrison while sitting in Eric Clapton's (who is another favorite of mine) garden. Its a very simple song that has withstood the test of time and remains in our hearts as one of the greats!

The guitar work on this track is once again by Gibson Guitarist. I did the main vocals first and then recorded 3 separate tracks for the harmony and mixed it down. Hope you guys enjoy this one.

-George

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is considered one of the greatest rock tracks of all time. This is rumored to contain backward satanic messages, as if Led Zeppelin sold their souls to the devil in exchange for "Stairway To Heaven." All the rumour did is increase peoples curiosity and make the song even more of a phenomenon.

I've always wanted to sing this song and so when Gibson Guitarist asked me if I wanted to collaborate with him on this one, I was really excited. Gibson Guitarist (Joby) also hails from Kerala, India but is currently based out of Malaysia. He is an amazing guitarst and is responsible for the brilliant guitar work on this track. Hope you guys enjoy this one.

A brief introduction

Hi everyone,
I'm pretty excited to be finally blogging. I've had an account setup for over a year now and been procrastinating since. Lately I have gone back to my true passion - Music and I thought the blog is a good way to spread my music. I am part of the Muziboo community and collaborate with a number of people there. Some of my collaborations will be posted here.

For those of you who dont know me, I am currently based out of Chicago, but hail from Changanacherry, which is a small town in Kerala, India. Although I am from Kerala, I spent most of my teenagehood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates before heading to Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Ranchi, India to pursue my Bachelors in Electrical Engineering. It is here that I met my better half, Roshan James. Some of the best years of my life were spent here. From BIT, I headed to New York to complete my Masters in Electrical Engineering at Columbia University in New York. After my MS, I moved to Chicago to work with Denmac Systems as a Nework Consultant. I've been in Chicago for the past 4.5 years. You can find more about my career here.

So, I hope you will join me in my musical journey and post your honest feedback regarding my music. I would also be happy to hear from you about songs you would like to hear me sing. Stay tuned :-)

-George