Finally, the most awaited album of the year is out. What more would you want....19 beautiful tracks! The thirst for songs is finally over, I suppose! But still, I would enjoy his Indian albums more bcoz I can relate to it as I m not used to International genre of music. I hardly listen to any International artist, barring a few. I would still prefer "Mahive" or "Snehidhane", but then its ARR, and it had to be something extraordinary...and it is! I loved the music and the way he has created that International feel to some of his Desi tunes. I dont know how successful is BD out there but I believe Indians will surely appreciate his efforts.
To say, the lyrics of all the songs are nothing but average. Don Black could have done much better. All the performers have donne their job pretty well according to the press reviews, but the real hero of the play is its music and our man has done it in a grand way!!! We must all be thankful to Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber who have taken such a great effort to introduce a new composer into the global scene.
I quite like the music and it gradually grows on you as ususal. There are some highlights which I would like to bring forth:
Highlights Reasons 1. Bombay Awakes/ Only love I just love it. It has a haunting effect with Raga Shivranjani. Vocals are also good. 2. Bombay Dreams The prelude is excellent with live atmosphere of a Mumbai street created. Rhythm programming is fantastic. 3. How many stars? Beautiful...symphony opera kind of a song. 4. Closer than ever Excellently recreated. 5. Wedding Qawwali Superb...Sukhwinder & ARR have done a good job.
Now lets see at all the tracks in detail. This review would go quite some pages but please read it. Excuse me if too long.
Bombay Awakes: What a way to start an album. It really gives an impression of dawn where everything is yet to to be discovered. Rahman has used Raga Shivranjani as the basic melody and it has been created in symphony where the crescendo builds up after the first melody drops. This piece reminds me of the music which was used in Raj Kapoor's movies by Shankar Jaikishan. Remember "O mere sanam" from Sangam or "O basanti pawan pagal" from Jis Desh mein Ganga Behti hai. You'll find similar chords in these songs. The overall effect is just beautiful. It has that haunting effect and deep passion. The heavy strings and oboe are good and create the desired impact. The same is repeated as a song "Only love" with Preeya's voice and the concluding piece as "Bombay Sleeps".All are excellent symphonies by the "Mozart of Madras". Rating: 8/10
Bombay Dreams: The prelude is too good. All live voices have been captured and blended in a harmonious way to give it a typical Mumbai feel. All the singers have done a good job, especially Dalip Tahil and Preeya Kalidas.The build up of rhythm is also cool. The starting rhythm seems similar to that of "Ni main samajh gayi" from Taal. ARR is in full form singing the sargams and the sudden shift to "Life's never easy" and returning back to the main song is amazing. The female chorus singing the jathis sounds cool in an English song! Rating: 9/10
Like an eagle: It sounds like those old Shammi Kapoor songs with "O o janaa" especially. The female chorus is great and the song is also good. The part where ARR sings the aalap is just excellent. He creates sucha feel with these small things that the whole song becomes memorable. His speciality is that he never leaves any space empty in the songs. The Background is so strong with heavy bass and strings. Raza Jaffrey is a good singer though his hindi is...well lets excuse him! The rhythm is good and is catchy. Rating: 7.5/10
Love's never easy: "Ishq bina..." was one of my favourite tracks from Taal and it was famous globally too. Keeping this in mind, ARR must have decided to reuse this tune. The result has turned out to be fruitful. Raj Ghatak has rendered this song well.The chorus part "O oooo..." is too good. The song's highlight is the last bit (towards 3:45 till the end) where there are only strings and beautiful flute glides and he has produced this piece very well. We must all appreciate this that its very difficult to reuse Indian tunes into International ones as the audience is very varied. Its the talent and imagination with which he has fused the two elements. Good attempt. Rating: 7.5/10
Don't release me: Good vocals by Dalip Tahil. No one knew that he could sing so well. Till now he has only played negative or roles with minimal exposure in Hindi films. He's got a good break. He always had this passion to sing. He used to learn classical music from my grandfather and see today he's gone a long way. I was very happy to hear his voice.The song has good rhythmic patterns and chorus "Na kabhi chhodna". The song has more to say than to sing. Rating: 6.5/10
Happy endings: I like this song only because of Preeya's voice. She has quite a potential to become a full time singer. The only thing I dont like is the way the say "Yaai re", it sounds artificial. The song starts with slow percussions and picks up after a while. The lyrics are funny. It almost seems that a father is narrating a story to a small child about films. Had the lyrics been better, the song would have been a winner. Rating: 6.5/10
Ooh la la: Though the original version is better, one cannot ignore this piece. The song is okay but what is astonishing is the piano interludes with a digital sound. Its too good. The whole melody changes. This is his special quality. Andrew Playfoot's vocals are okay but the song is too short. It has only the mukhda and then the interludes. Rating: 6/10
Shakalaka Baby: A sure shot winner on International pop charts. It has got all the elements which are required for a track to succeed globally: rhythm, pace, techno sound, vocals, lyrics, everything. The highlight is during the beginning of the song when one can hear drones of tanpura..a true fusion! I think he has retained Vasundhara's voice in the beginning. Cool song! Sure to catch up...Rating: 8/10
Are you sure: A videshi song with desi rhythms (14 beats) of "Sona nahin" from "1 2 ka 4. The song is good with claps and the vocals going like "Takita dha" in the beginning. What is more amazing is the rhythm pattern; it goes off beat when they say "famous" (it starts one beat later after completing the 14 beat cycle). The International audience must have never heard such a rhythm pattern. The use of flute is also good. Rating: 7/10
I could live here: Folk tunes at their best! The starting flute piece in Raga Bhairavi gives us a typical Arabian flavour; a deserted feel. The song has no percussions...only in the interludes one can hear 3-4 ghatam beats. The flute work is amazing. ARR didnt Bhairavi didnt get enough of Bhairavi after "Mera rang de basanti chola" from TLOBS: its my favourite song. Short and sweet song. Rating: 7/10
Chhaiyya chhaiyya: Nothing new...only he has remixed the song a bit and programmed it differently. There are cool electric guitar strokes and synth leads through out. This song will remain a landmark in the history of Indian cinema. No wonder Webber was initiated to Rahman after listening to this song. Rating: 7.5/10
How many stars: I agree with the guy who told that this song was similar to the song from "Alladin". Its a fantasy song with an opera kind of a feel. Truly amazing! The build up of crescendos and strings is something I admire. Both the vocalists have done a commendable job. Soft but passionate song. Rating: 8.5/10
Salaam Bombay: Another favourite of mine. Its on the lines of "Yenna solla pogirai" from Kandukondain, especially the strings part. Srinivasamoorthy must be commended for his excellent arrangements. The chorus "Salaam Bombay" is great. The rhythm is also cool. Towards the end, the song comes up to a typical Arabian genre of music. ARR is genuinely inspired from Arabian music. The song begins with the strains of sitar and the chorus and then the rhythm gradually picks up. The rhythm is quite familiar to that of "Kahin aag lage" from Taal. The song changes its scale regularly. All and all a great song. It captures the spirit of Bombay. Rating: 8.5/10
Closer than ever: What can I say...but absolutely divine! This song is too good man. It was my favourite song from Taal and is my favourite song from BD too. The prelude by Hariharan is played on the flute and once the rhythm starts with the tanpura...its magic! The harmony has been changed with the sitar in the background. The lyrics are also decent. It gives me the feeling of the Titanic song and I can actually imagine the actors standing on the top of the ship spreading their hands in the air. In the first interlude there is great work by ARR where he changes the melody. Beautiful glides of the harp. Great...absolutely great! Rating: 9.5/10
Journey home: This is also a great track. The song begins with typical ARR rhythms and goes on to a beautiful melody. Raza has done a good job. The flute pieces are excellent. It is a wanderer's song and it feels like one. The programming is good. ARR sounds great when he sings "Sawariya". He sounds like a classical singer. Good effort and good chords (like what Vijay and Rano like).The chorus at the end is also good. Rating: 8.5/10
Ganesh: Another groovy track after Love Check. Totally rhythm based.Sivamani blossoms in this track showing his skills. This song has a typical sound like at the time of Ganesh immersion. The piece gives a total rustic feel with cymbals, khanjaris, kartals, claps and natural commotion. The piece gains momentum when the strings and chorus enter and ends with a normal tihaai (beat ending 3 times). Rating: 7.5/10
Wedding Qawwali: Great song...great composition....great vocals! The start itself is great when ARR sings "Mubarakaa..." and the rhythm picks pace. Its based on Raga Jog (Nattai) and Madhmad Sarang. In the interlude when ARR sings the sargam, it reminded me of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Sure, ARR's inspired by him and who is not? The flow of the lyrics is good and thanks to the multi-talented Sukhwinder. ARR has started using North-Indian flavour a lot these days. This shows his diversity and versatality. I love this number and will surely be liked by all Indians. Rating: 9.5/10
So, its finally done and said. Overall 8/10. What do you say guys? Truly, ARR has proved himself once again and his efforts have been worthwhile. It was a bit difficult to write the review...so many tracks (not used to it), diverse music and complicated patterns. Hope it clicks here. I wish him all the luck! Now BD was not enough...that Baba is releasing on the 15th. Double treat!!!Waiting for all other releases of ARR and wish the list goes on & on & on.......
Take Care Bye Swapnil
posted at: 14:51 | permanent link to this entry