Kudos to Coke Studio: Laili Jaan lives on!
With new track, Zeb and Haniya make a stellar comeback in season 6.
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:
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.
.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
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: