Hidden Gems: A Thread for Rare Musical Treasures

Hello all!

When a piece of music is popular or trendy, we often hear it playing everywhere, the YT views and likes skyrocket and it features on radio shows and loads of personal playlists. It becomes impossible to escape and some become earworms (in a good way)!

Then there are some songs that start out popular when they release, but their shine and brilliance endures through the years and they remain favorites.

But what about those rare and forgotten gems - pieces of music as brilliant, as poignant, as soulful as any popular tune but barely anyone has heard of them? Or those talented artists, independent musicians or start-up struggling bands whose irrepressible talent is just waiting to find that one major breakthrough?

Have you ever come across such a rare treasure? An artist or a piece of music that you wish had got their due? That you think deserved more popularity and love than they got? Or perhaps an Indie musician that you heard on Social Media?

We have just the thread for you to share them!

Welcome to

What you can post

- Rare pieces of music and songs by artists from any era, any genre, any language

- Original Songs by Classic, New or Indie artists that haven't gained attention or traction

- Cover versions of songs by Classic//Popular, New or Indie artists that have struck you

- Rare Alternate takes of popular songs by the same artist

- Standout reality show performances by contestants

Please DO NOT post

- YT links of popular videos or songs that everyone is familiar with

(such posts will be moved to the appropriate thread)

- Any songs that have been hits in the past or present

- Film (Bollywood/ Regional/ Hollywood) music videos of popular songs

- DO NOT SPAM the thread. Post only 3-4 posts at a time and allow others also to post.

- DO NOT post more than 3 YT links/ audio links in one post.

When you post please include:

- Name of the artists/ songwriters

- Any other related trivia about the artists

- Your opinion and why you like the piece of music you're sharing

Let's dive deep into the wondrous depths of such undiscovered melodies.

Maybe we'll discover new favorites to cherish and play on loop & thereby give the artists some much-needed exposure!

tag credits: Dreamofendless & Textstudio

Let me start with this Carnatic fusion piece.

I'm not a purist and I have always found fusion fascinating and these guys get it right. What I love most is the variations the violinist (Karthick) brings to his rendition of the pallavi (The main line in the song that it always returns to - much like this mukhda)

One of Saint Thyagaraja's most enduring and loved songs: Manavyala Kincharadate (Telugu) in Raagam Nalinakanthi.

The band is Indosoul and the violin player, Karthick Iyer has his own solo YT channel as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvppm1G8fro

taaLam: dEshaadi
Composer: Tyaagaraaja
Language: Telugu

manavi nAlaginca rAdaTE marmamella delpedanE manasA

ghanuDaina rAmacandruni karuNAnta rangamu delisina nA

karmakANDa mata krSTulai bhava gahana cArulai gAsi jendagA
gani mAnavA vAtAruDai kanipinci nADE nadaTa tyAgarAju

Meaning:
Oh Mind! Why can't you listen to the request of one like myself who has known the noble Raamacandra's (Lord Rama's) compassionate heart? I shall tell you the whole secret.

There was a time when men guided by selfishness and avarice began to indulge in VEDIC sacrifices and rituals (karmakaanda). They were entangled inextricably in the cycle of birth and death. It was then that Shree Rama condescended to incarnate as a human being with a view to demonstrate how one should conduct oneself in the path of righteousness leading to salvation.

Source: https://www.karnatik.com/c1020.shtml

I will get back to normal routine from next week.

Cheers ..

The Swedish Version of the Beatles' Long and Winding Road, beautifully rendered by Frida of ABBA. I'm in love with her vocals

I just came across this recently and was struck by how faithful it stays to the original tune, and still manages to bring its own flavour. And of course Frida's gorgeous voice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0DIP7ZtbTA

This song was my introduction to Steeleye Span, a British Folk Rock band. Needless to say, I was hooked and became a fan.

But they're still not that well-known. Could be that the genre they sing in is very niche and not for everyone.

Gaudete: A traditional hymn entirely in Latin.

The vocals are gorgeous (Maddy Prior is the female vocalist) and is entirely acapella.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbq2pPLW6I

Gaudete by Steeleye Span

Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiæ,
Hoc quod optabamus
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus.

Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.

Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur
Unde Lux est orta
Salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro,
Benedicat Domino
Salus Regi nostro.

Translation

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!

The time of grace has come
For which we have prayed
Let us devoutly sing
Songs of joy.

God is made man,
While nature wonders
The world is renewed
By Christ the King.

The closed gate of Ezekiel
Has been passed through
From where the light has risen [the East],
Salvation is found.

Therefore let our assembly sing praises now
At this time of purification
Let it bless the Lord:
Greetings to our King.

Source: https://mainlynorfolk.info/steeleye.span/songs/gaudete.html

The Carpenter's original rendition of the Beatles 'Ticket to ride' is well worth listening to and singing along.

https://youtu.be/fsgj4xcxXyA?si=6bvDJ57Jvr7w8rVd

And also the original meaningful take on the classic carnatic music composition Krishna ni begane baro (Krishna please come quickly) by Colonial Cousins

https://youtu.be/CJvK0dox0_M?si=P-gT2HbF7OTw_xwj

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Let me start with this Carnatic fusion piece.

I'm not a purist and I have always found fusion fascinating and these guys get it right. What I love most is the variations the violinist (Karthick) brings to his rendition of the pallavi (The main line in the song that it always returns to - much like this mukhda)

One of Saint Thyagaraja's most enduring and loved songs: Manavyala Kincharadate (Telugu) in Raagam Nalinakanthi.

The band is Indosoul and the violin player, Karthick Iyer has his own solo YT channel as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvppm1G8fro

taaLam: dEshaadi
Composer: Tyaagaraaja
Language: Telugu

manavi nAlaginca rAdaTE marmamella delpedanE manasA

ghanuDaina rAmacandruni karuNAnta rangamu delisina nA

karmakANDa mata krSTulai bhava gahana cArulai gAsi jendagA
gani mAnavA vAtAruDai kanipinci nADE nadaTa tyAgarAju

Meaning:
Oh Mind! Why can't you listen to the request of one like myself who has known the noble Raamacandra's (Lord Rama's) compassionate heart? I shall tell you the whole secret.

There was a time when men guided by selfishness and avarice began to indulge in VEDIC sacrifices and rituals (karmakaanda). They were entangled inextricably in the cycle of birth and death. It was then that Shree Rama condescended to incarnate as a human being with a view to demonstrate how one should conduct oneself in the path of righteousness leading to salvation.

Source: https://www.karnatik.com/c1020.shtml

It's one of the most beautiful kritis of thyagaraja bhagavadar and such a beautiful raga.I learnt this as a child. Thanks so much for the share.

Originally posted by: Padmajaan

It's one of the most beautiful kritis of thyagaraja bhagavadar and such a beautiful raga.I learnt this as a child. Thanks so much for the share.

Wow Padma! I had learned this one too! Did not know you were a student of Carnatic classical as well!

And you’re right it’s a beautiful raagam. It doesn’t exist in Hindustani music - Tilak Kamod is said to come close but there seem to many contentions to this claim. The film Kandukondein Kandukondein’s main title track is based on this and here’s another amazing mash-up/ acapella piece that I love by the IndianRaga alumni - a Carnatic music school in the US. Soooo good! 🤌🏽

https://youtu.be/Zf3b_S-LeRY?si=QqMGu9aFCPU_hgO6

Originally posted by: Padmajaan

The Carpenter's original rendition of the Beatles 'Ticket to ride' is well worth listening to and singing along.

This sounds like an entirely different song, doesn’t it? Karen Carpenter sounds like an Angel but it’s missing the hard edge of the original.