S. Dev Burman: Chhupa Rustam (1973)

Chhupa Rustam isn't bad, but I can't help thinking , haven't I heard that before, but it was better when I heard it last. It feels like S. D. Burman is copying a sound that is popular for that time. And honestly, I actually don't mind really cheesy songs if they can make it up with great melodies or fantastic beats and instrumentals. So, when a song feels empty, like most on the record, it kind of gets on my nerves. That's the problem I have with S. D. Burman, it's like trying to squeeze juice out of a rock.

Asha Bholse totally saved this album by breathing some life into her songs, that without her, would have been static. In short I would have dissed this soundtrack if it wasn't for her.

The best songs are the last three. "Suno Suno Suno" has a nice earthy more traditional vibe. "Jaloon Main Jale Mera Dil", has a nice atmosphere, but tries to much to be a "Helen song" that doesn't quite do the trick. My favorite and last tune is "Main Hoon Chhui Mui" because of the vocals and again the songs jazzy atmosphere.


Here is Part 1 and Part 2 of the video for the qawwali , it's ok but nothing great.


Also, I am not shure if I like or dislike this video for the song "Jo Main Hota" ... you decide.

I think that people who haven't heard many Hindi soundtracks will certainly enjoy this album more than I did. But I am telling you that there are much better choices out there. And knowing Vijay Anand films, his movies, from my personal point of view, are better than the music in them.

Tracks:


Side 1
1. Manna Dey & Chorus: Chhupe Rustam Hain
2. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Jo Main Hota
3. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Bolo Kya Ham Ko Doge


Side 2
4. Kishore Kumar: Dheere Se Jana
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Suno Suno Suno
6. Asha Bhosle: Jaloon Main Jale Mera Dil
7. Asha Bhosle: Main Hoon Chhui Mui


Lyrics: Neeraj & Vijay Anand

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: S. D. Burman Chhupa Rustam

Rahul Dev Burman: The Train (1970)

Well, The Train is a good soundtrack for a bad film. The songs aren't serious . They are, like most of the songs from the 60's and 70's, light hearted and mostly for entertainment. So in that context, the songs are great fun to listen too. (Good for parties)


The best songs are given to two of the greatest vamps in hindi cinema, Helen and Aruna Irani. Helen gets great cabaret numbers, the first "Maine Dil Abhi Diya Nahin" is amusing, but I prefer the great vocals and sixties swing in "O Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha" (even if the guy in the video strangely looks like Prince, hum... maybe that's where he got his look?) Aruna Irani gets my favorite song on the album, "Saiyan Re Saiyan" it's great to dance to.

At least these ladies can dance because they have to make up for the main actrice in the movie, Nanda, that can't. In "Gulabi Ankhen" Rajesh and Nanda just ruin the great song with there bad, but weirdly charming, dancing.

The slower songs, "Kis Liya Maine Pyar Kiya" and " Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kajal "arent anything special. But between the two I prefer the first.

Tell me what you think.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Mohd. Rafi: Gulabi Ankhen

2. Asha Bhosle & Rahul Dev Burman: O Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha

3. Asha Bhosle: Saiyan Re Saiyan

Side 2

4. Lata Mangeshkar: Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya

5. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kajal

6. Asha Bhosle: Maine Dil Abhi Diya Nahin

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: R. D. Burman The Train

Naushad: Babul (1950/1982)

Sorry, I seem to be on a roll for uploading mediocre music theses days and I am sad to say that Babul is not an exception (I will make it up on my next post). The album has 12 songs, and Naushad, who produced the film, should have sacrificed quantity and concentrated on quality. But I did notice some effort by Naushad to make some good songs that strengthen Dilip Kumar's romantic ''doomed lover/tragic hero'' persona.


Just one thing before I start on the songs. Shamshad Begum and Talat Mahmood vocals on this album represent 80% of what is good on the album. The other 20% is for the musicians and Naushad, who should have worked a bit harder. Come on Naushad, it makes me sad when I know you can do so much better!

Anyway, ''Huns Walo Ko'' is great to listen too, but the classic Babul song is ''Milte Hi Ankhen''. That song made me buy the album, but it's the only one that really got me.

The second side is better. It has nice duets like ''Nadi Kinare'' sung by Shamshad Begum and Talat Mahmood and ''Kisi Ke Dil Men'' sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum. I really like the vocal combinations in both of these songs. I find that they compliment each other well.


The tragic Dilip Kumar song, ''Mera Jeevan Sathi'' has to be my second favorite, with Talat Mahmood's striking vocals and great melody.


Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Panchhi Ban Men
2. Talat Mahmood: Husn Walon Ko
3. Shamshad Begum: Na Socha Tha Yeh
4. Talat Mahmood & Shamshad Begum: Milte Hi Ankhen
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Lagan More Man Ki
6. Shamshad Begum & Chorus: Chhod Babul Ka Ghar


Side 2
7. Shamshad Begum & Talat Mahmood: Duniya Badal Gayi
8. Shamshad Begum & Chorus: Dhadke Mera Dil
9. Talat Mahmood, Shamshad Begum & Mohd. Rafi: Nadi Kinare
10. Shamshad Begum: Jadoo Bhare Nainon Men
11. Shamshad Begum & Lata Mangeshkar: Kisi Ke Dil Men
12. Talat Mahmood: Mera Jeevan Sathi


Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3 .5/5

Get the music now: Naushad Babul