Thanks Vithur for sharing this...
We had an oppurtunity to meet him during delhi concert and interact with
him.The respect he has for rahman just stunned me.Actually he was smoking,he
didnt knew that rahman was in nearby vehicle,as we said to him,he throwed his
ciggarate off saying that rahman doesnt likes it.
Vithur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Rahmaniacs,
Keith peters , has been a famous base guitarist and has been assosciated with
ARR right from Roja till Sivaji.
1. When did you meet ARR ?.
I met Rahman in 1988, when I was working for Music Director Raj Koti. At that
time, he was around 18 years old. In 1990, when he was doing jingles, he had
called me for doing jingles. He has always been a very quiet boy. We used to
have lot of discussions about music. I have played a lot of ad jingles, themes
with Rahman. I was working in a Five Star Hotel, and used to play base guitar
every night. One night he called me and asked me to come and play for a song in
1991. That was for Chinna Chinna Aasai ( Roja ) . I asked him what was this
for, for which he replied " I am doing a movie, and hopefully it comes out
well". I told him that it would definitely be a hit, and not to worry.
2. What are the songs that you have played for Rahman ?
First of all, all songs I used to play in the night. Rahman was the cause
behind me leaving the Hotel. he told me " leave the hotel; Play for me". I
thank him a lot for getting me out of that hotel.
3. What was your experience of working with Rahman during Roja ?
Each song of Rahman is a different experience. He is a very great and good
composer, and hence each song is a unique experience. It seems Keith's speed of
playing is so much, that Rahman used to tell him " You should wait more than
you play ".
4. What is your experience in doing Live Programs ??
They are totally different from recordings. You have to be really alert
especially for Rahman songs. Its because you have to duplicate the same thing
thats on the record. My experience has been a different experience playing for
his concerts. we have to practise nicely and deliver
5. Which are the programs that you have enjoyed a lot ?
I play all different styles of music, like pop, jazz, rock and of course for
Rahman for Tamil Songs. I like little bit of Jazz. Even rahman loves that. My
kinf od Jazz is little modern. Each person on the band improvises on a
particular theme.
6. which song of Rahman did you love playing ?
All his songs are so beautiful. Esp Chinna chinna Aasai, Pudhu Vellai Mazhai.
Then came July Madham ( Pudhiya Mugam ) , Netru Illadha Matram ( Pudhiya Mugam
) . My base guitar was prominent in Kaadhal Rojave ( Roja ) and even Kadhal
Sadugudu ( Alaipyudhey )
7. what are the different styles of Base Guitar ?
The style that we play with fingers is called peeking style. Then is the slab
style with the thumb and the forefinger. Then comes the walking base( swing
pattern )
Swing Pattern :- Kannum Kannum ( Thiruda Thiruda ) ( Fast running base )
Slab Base - Kadhal Sadugudu ( Alaipayudhey )
8. Is there any song that you have not played for rahman ?
( Laughs) That we have to ask him. Before, when Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu
recording were done at the same place, I used to play for 3 songs the same day.
But I can play for 10 songs in the same day.
9. How many Children ?
MY wife is a housewife. I have two children. But all the support for me comes
from my wife. My daugther is studying in her Final year in Stell Marrys (
Chennai ) and my son is in his eighth standard. My son is learning rhthym
guitar. Daugther was learning some piano, but stopped now . I come from a
family of musicians. My father used to play any instrument. Just take and play.
he was not full into music. My brothers are all musicians. One is a Base
guitarist. he is in Mumbai . His name is Carl Peters, and the other one is in
Delhi. he is also a guitarist. Carl plays for films. The other brother plays in
Hotels. Basically, we are all Anglo Indians . and hence can't speak Tamil
fluently.
10. Is there any song which was recorded the entire night with Rahman ?
Yes. The song " Oh Maria Oh Maria " from Kadhalar Dhinam. we played it . But
Rahman didn't like it . So we were trying different patterns. Then we did Roja
Roja from the same film, and these two songs took the entire night for us. I
came home the next evening.
11. Have you ever thought why I am wasting my time and energy the entire
night and my skills are getting minimised here ??
No. I love working with Rahman. Its really wonderful to work with. So
pleasing and he is open to ideas. when we are working with Rahman, we do not
think abt sleeep . I am excited to do my best and make Rahman happy.
12. What kind of relationship do you share with Rahman ?
I respect him a lot as a good musician. Good friend and for his level
headedness. He is so big but nothing has happened to his head. and I admire him
for that. I keep telling this to everybody. Look at RAHMAN.
13. How much are you religious ?
I fear GOD. I thank God for all the blessings that he has showered on me.
14. Which praise can never be forgotten in your life ?
Rahman has praised me by saying " God Bless your hands ". Once I hurt my
thumb while recording. That time Rahman's incharge Samydurai had called me for
recording. I said I cant come. When I showed my thumb to Rahman, he said "
There are lot of evil eyes on you. People have casted eyes on you. Take care ".
15. Why everybody calles you as UNCLE ? ( Fun part )
Because they are mad. There was this guitarist player called Johnny who
started all this. He used to play for Rahman at times. Then it was continued by
H. Sridhar ( Rahman's Engineer ), and the entire team started calling me as
Uncle
16. Which place do you like in the world ?
I like America a lot. Thanks goes to Rahman. First , we went to Malayasia,
Dubai. Its only because of Rahman, that I have seen the whole world. I have
travelled a lot with Rahman. I like the US because of the music, country and
the place. I buy Base Guitars in New York in Guitar Centre, New York Elley. My
children are my best fans. They keep praising me and telling me and my wife .
Once in chicago, there was a boy who was running all along the stadium telling
that he was a fan of Keith.
17. Which are the songs which you feel has come out wonderfully with Rahman ?
July Madham, Chaiyya Chaiyya, Aiyoo Pathickicchi, Snegidhane .
18. You have seen so many music directors come , right from 1984 . How is the
industry progressing ?
I feel everybody is following Rahman's style, the patterns. But even if
anybody comes, Rahman goes a step ahead. He is the man who comes with new
sounds always. HE IS THE BOSS.
19. Has Rahman asked you for any new sounds anytimes ?
Sometimes, I take a process. But he says No. he always says " Take it dry",
and then he processes it. he always calls me last before he is going to mix the
sound to the song. he has got his own reason, and he knows best . He knows what
he is doing. I get the full feel of the song when I play. He lets me play and
do whatver I want. generally, he likes whatver I play. It synchronises well
with his thought. Because he knows what he wants. Rahman revolutioned the Music
sound. in 1990s, and he gave a lot of importance to base guitar. It was he who
brought this forward, as introductions for songs.
For eg :- Alaipayudhey - Kadhal Sadugudu ( the initial guitar bit comes in
front of the song )
Dil Se re song ( the pattern follows before )
Chaiyya Chaiyya ( there is a pattern )
Akkadu ( Indian ) He plays and shows all the patterns )
Kadhal Rojave ( roja )
chinna Chinna aasai ( Roja )
Rangeela ( Haire Haire pattern )
Fusion Music have played for zakir Hussain, Hariharan
final Words :- Listen to good music... STOP PIRACY.. Listen to Non Pirated
Music. , be confident and never take success to your heads.
--
regards,
Vithur
A.R.RAHMAN - MY BREATH & LIFE FORCE
---------------------------------
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