KARACHI: More than the terrain and traditions Pakistan and Afghanistan share, music is something that connects people on both sides of the Durand Line.
Be it the glorious melodies of Sardar Ali Takkar or the catchy pop tunes created by Ahmad Zahir, they have all contributed immensely to the collective heritage of this region. And amongst all those songs, Coke Studio’s take on Afghani singer Ahmad Zahir’s Laili Jaan – done by Zeb and Haniya – is a winner. It is officially the second song of Coke Studio Season 6.
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Zahir’s original track is a sensation for a number of reasons. The singer brought a pop and Elvis-inspired feel to this region’s music and the track successfully penetrated several boundaries due to its comprehensible romantic lyrics. Laili Jaan is immensely popular amongst non-Pashtoons and non-Persians residing in Balochistan. A testimony to this is the fact that Rostam Mirlashari – one of the stalwarts of modern-day Balochi music – has done a cover of this song and the original track continues to be a major hit at Persian and Balochi musical evenings.
The arrangement for Coke Studio’s version of Laili Jaan blurs boundaries with incredible ease. Packed with groove, courtesy Italian bassist Pino Pecorelli and Cuban drummer Ernesto Lopez Maturell, the number should be an instant hit with the audience. With such an assortment of instruments – from oud to saxophone to rubab – it could have all turned easily into a mesh of inorganic sounds. However, the arrangement ensures every note is put to use in this relatively short offering by Zeb and Haniya, who are accompanied by some extremely enduring yet explosive musicians.
After a somewhat shaky start with Jogi, Coke Studio’s Laili Jaan is a strong reminder that producer Rohail Hyatt is still adamant on bringing something fresh to the table. Would the song have been the same had the regular house band featured in it? Probably not, but that is not to take away anything from Zeb and Haniya. Zeb’s cheery charm and the Viccaji sisters’ snazzy backing vocals, strike the right chords. And that sax solo by Peppe D’argenzio is just amazing.
Kudos to Coke Studio for bringing out the best this soil has to offer and more importantly, getting back to the roots of our cultural influences and re-inventing them so nicely that the soul is not sacrificed yet the identity is repackaged.
Here are the reactions to the release of this new single on Twitter:
Ok, this is actually really fun. Unlike anything @cokestudio has produced till now. 'Laili Jaan' with Zeb & Haniya. http://t.co/4pcq6VkPVd
— Kala Kawa (@kaalakawaa) October 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/yumnaf90/status/393370155821957120
Laili Jaan is beautiful, just like all other Zeb & Haniya songs. But none of them come close to the sweetness that Paimona was.
— Faizan 🇵🇸 (@thoraoffbeat) October 24, 2013
Listen to #LailiJaan http://t.co/xeGXjnBk1b . Happiness Guaranteed . via @rohwit
— Prashant Rao (@prashy74) October 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/rahimsjamal/status/393355728615776256
Thought, after Jogi, coke studio 6's second song would be better. After today's "Laili Jaan" I am beginning to lose hope.
— toldja cat 🦋 (@manahylk) October 24, 2013
Some Good Persian and Jazz Music #LailiJaan #NowListening
— Iqbal Hussain Usfzai (@_iYousafzai) October 24, 2013
wow amazing..utter brilliance...maza aa gaay Laili Jaan, Coke Studio Pakistan, Season 6: http://t.co/k5zKhftxJr via @youtube
— Waqas Habib Rana (@waqas464) October 24, 2013
Don't understand a word but it's awesome!!! Zeb & Haniya- Laili Jaan, Coke Studio Pakistan, Season 6: http://t.co/GKFaC4XQgj via @youtube
— Shivani Mohan (@Chevane) October 24, 2013
COMMENTS (14)
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When will Pakistani realize the harmful effects of sugary soft drinks and stop their promotion through sports and culture? Don't they realize that the citizenry will pay heavily in terms of health issues for a little "free" fun?
I think both the songs released so far have missed the mark
An awful cover of a great song, rather an anthem for Afghans, Iranians and Tajiks. I expected better from Zeb & Haniya. Fusion does not work in this rendition at all. It would have sounded better if it was done like Paimona, but in an uptempo style.
Zeb and Haniya are always a treat to listen to and in Laili Jaan its no different though I did get the feeling of the jazz style being a little monotonous and needed a bit of improvisation. I would still give Jogi 2 points more, while Coke Studio gets full marks for effort.
This must be the oiginal video by Ahmad Zahir sang in 1977 jst before he was killed http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OKn3XbnacDs
Mummy Daddy version of orignal Ahmed Zahir's song. I liked it even i am not a Mummy Daddy person. Afghan music is beautiful
Coke Studio still failed to live up to its first 3 seasons. The song was good, but definitely would be better off with lesser instrumentation and a more desi feel - the new international backing band that we've seen so far doesn't nail the desi, Eastern feel in my opinion the way the previous house band did.
@123 get a life!
@123: "Mediocrity" ? You sound like one of those critics who just HAVE to criticize something in order to breath. Coke Studio Pakistan inspired countries like India and the Arab countries to launch there own versions, something "mediocre" cannot do that..
Absolutely brilliant. All praises....
pakistan is a funny place. they pat on their own back. one movie 'waar' which was a decent hit, now they are on the moon! saying we are the best in the world.
same with this program. mediocrity at its best! still, we are the best ! huh?
Very upbeat, energetic & fun song. Though I didn't understand the lyrics but I really liked the feel of this song. Rachel/Zoe backed up Zeb very nicely. CokeStudio6 rocks!!
I'm no music critic, but seems like there is to much going on there for my liking. If you try to focus on something you will start feeling disoriented.