The use of Indian musical structures and Indian instruments like sitar, bass sitar, flute, santoor and tabla helps create a new sonic landscape for these 15 timeless classics. The melodies are interpreted by composer, arranger and sitar player Tushar Bhatia.
In each song a single instrument is highlighted on a bed of orchestration. The bass/lead sitar define the notes of Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday and Bachelor Boy. The popular Do-Re-Mi from Sound of music is interpreted on the santoor, while in Lara’s theme from Dr Zhivago each note comes alive.
The versatility of the Indian flute is demonstrated by the fact that several songs have flute as the main instrument including Oh Carol, The loco-motion (a 1962 song written by American songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King is a popular and enduring example of the dance-song genre), There’s a kind of hush (written by Les Reed and Geoff Stephens, but made popular by The Carpenters), I Need to be in Love (Carpenters), Glaveston (1969 song written by Jimmy Webb and popularised by Glen Campbell.)
Strangers in the Night (made famous in 1966 by Frank Sinatra), Are you Lonesome Tonight (a 1926 popular song by Lou Handman and Roy Turk recorded by a number of singers, best known by Elvis Presley), Spanish eyes (performed by the likes of Elvis Presley, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton and Faith No More), Volare (Italian Domenico Modugno’s signature song and the only song that originated in Italy to reach number one on the Billboard Hot), The Most Beautiful Girl (made popular by versions of Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and Pet Shop Boys) and Always on my Mind (American country music song made popular by Elvis Presley) are all given an Indian touch on Indian instruments.
A good album for casual, relaxed listening, even meditating!
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