The golden touch

Gary Lawyer needs no introduction. Hes well known to western music aficionados in India as a man who can override barriers of genre - singing rock-and-roll just as easily as jazz or country.

With a compilation of his best songs,Gary Lawyer shows that hes still the man with the golden voice

Gary Lawyer needs no introduction. Hes well known to western music aficionados in India as a man who can override barriers of genre – singing rock-and-roll just as easily as jazz or country. Popularly known as the man with the golden voice,Lawyer will release a collection of his best songs in an album entitled Nights on Fire: The Best of Gary Lawyer at Hard Rock Café,Lower Parel,tonight. The album was to be released much earlier,but because of the terrible events in Mumbai,we postponed it, Lawyer says.

Nights on Fire was a huge hit when it was first released, says the singer,and people have been asking me how they can get hold of the song. So when I took the idea of coming out with a compilation of my best songs to Virgin EMI,Nights on Fire was obviously included. The album,he says,also includes two new songs. One is Save the Tiger,about a cause thats really close to my heart. The proceeds from this song will go to the Conservation Trust of India. The other song is She Dances,which is a wonderful,danceable track. Nights on Fire,which is already available in stores,is doing very well,he informs. And Im not just saying that, he laughs,I was informed by the record label that its second only to Enrique Iglesias on the International albums list in India.

When asked which is his favourite track on the album,he laughs and says,You may not believe me,but I actually have no favourites here. I love them all so much. Lawyer maintains the same impartiality with regard to music genre. I love singing – be it rock or jazz or country. It really makes no difference to me. For instance,if Im singing with Louis Banks,I can easily do jazz. But when its with my band,I do rock.

In a career spanning nearly two decades,the singer has seen much critical and popular acclaim. Lawyer became a household name in India with five albums to his credit and his work in numerous television commercials as singer,composer and lyricist. One of the most memorable remarks with regard to his talent,he says,came from a foreigner who said that instead of singing in India,Lawyer should be singing abroad. I dont know if it was a backhanded compliment or not, the singer shrugs,But yes,its been a life full of compliments.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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The golden touch

Gary Lawyer needs no introduction. Hes well known to western music aficionados in India as a man who can override barriers of genre - singing rock-and-roll just as easily as jazz or country.

Gary Lawyer needs no introduction. Hes well known to western music aficionados in India as a man who can override barriers of genre - singing rock-and-roll just as easily as jazz or country.