Stella in London ?!

Hi everyone, I have decided that I am going to be finding a summer job in London. I cant' wait. I was wondering if any of you ''Londoners'' could help me out with a few of my questions.

1. Well I don't have anywhere to stay, so where is the cheapest (not like dangerous cheap, where only people out of jail or a mental institutions live) place I could stay?

2. Where can I get Indian records?

3. And Indian Movies (DVD's)? Also, are there any cinema's that show Indian films?

4. Where are the best places to go out?

And 5. What are your favorite things to do in London?


*If any of you would like to meet and talk, we could set up a little supper or meeting for Indian record collectors. That would be great. Thanks

Roshan: Bawre Nain (1950/1980)

Roshan, who was a musician trough out the 40's, got his first break as a music director with Bawre Nain. Heavily inspired by the 40's sound, this record represents the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. But the overall sound of this album is melancholic and slightly romantic (as in the artistic current).  

The most popular song on the record is ''Khyalon Men Kisi Ke'', it's sneaky and seductive.

You can find some joyful songs on the album, but you still feel some pain in the music. Like the playful ''Mujhe Sach Sach Batado'' and ''Roothe Hue Chanda''. They still feel a little bit like when someone sad tries to be happy.

My favorite songs on the album are the lonely ''Teri Duniya Men Dil Lagta Nahin'', the lovely duet ''Mohabbat Ke Maron Ka'' and ''Sun Bairi Balam''

It's not the greatest album, but still it is special. It has it's own original charm that makes it stand out. I enjoy it, what do you think? 

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Geeta Dutt & Mukesh: Khyalon Men Kisi Ke

2. Rajkumari & Mukesh: Mujhe Sach Sach Batado

3. Rajkumari: Roothe Hue Chanda

Side 2

4. Mukesh: Teri Duniya Men Dil Lagta Nahin

5. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Mohabbat Ke Maron Ka

6. Rajkumari: Kyon Mere Dil Men

7. Rajkumari: Sun Bairi Balam

Lyrics: Kidar Sharma

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Roshan | Bawre Nain

Shankar Jaikishan: Ujala (1959/1990)

Even if Shankar Jaikishan knew Shammi Kapoor because of there association with his brother, Raj Kapoor, it wasn't until Shammi did Ujala that they first collaborated together. Ujala has some gret tunes.

I first heard a glips of Ujala with the song "Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina" (my favorite) that was on a compilation Lp called Best of the 50's that came out in the 60's. This record came out in 1990, so does that mean that you couldn't listen to the rest of the songs until then.Well, I guess if you wanted the soundtrack to Ujala, you either had a cassette copy (I don't even know if it exists) or a 78 record or you had to wait until 1990 to get this Lp. It's just weird that they waited that long, because it's a decent soundtrack.

Anyway, like I said "Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina" is great, as well as "Duniyawalo Se Door" which is a cute playful love song that I really like. I also enjoy the typically 50's melody of the first song "Suraj Zarra Aa Paas Aa".

You also have a rare Mukesh and Mohd. Rafi duet with the song "Yaro Surat Hamari Pe".

Next you have two songs that resemble each other "Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha" and "O Mora Nadan Balma".They are the "cabaret" numbers, but I think Shankar Jaikishan could have simply chosen one of them for the movie.

Ujala reminds me of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (to see the post click here) , especially when you hear the songs "Aa Ab Laut Chalen" from JDMGBH and "Ab Kayan Jahen Hum" from Ujala. Both soundtracks where made during the same periode and Shankar Jaikishan seem to like using a chorus in the late 50's and beginning 60's.

I enjoyed this album very much, what do you think?

Oh and don't pay attention to the creepy Shammi Kapoor picture, because he is so cute in film.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Manna Dey & Chorus: Suraj Zarra Aa Paas Aa

2. Lata Mangeshkar: O Mora Nadan Balma

3. Mohd. Rafi & Mukesh: Yaro Surat Hamari Pe

4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha

Side 2

5. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshar: Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina

6. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Duniyawalon Se Door

7. Manna Dey & Chorus: Ab Kahan Jayen Hum

8. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Chham Chham Chhumak Chhumak

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri


Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Ujala

Kalyanji Anandji: Raja Saab (1969)

At first, I was a little scared of the album. The cover of Raja Saab reads "cheesy romantic comedy" with bollywood's "good girl" Nanda and the "good guy" Shashi Kapoor. But as much as I like Shashi Kapoor, I was hesitant because, Raj Kapoor (his brother) once said that Shashi would choose some of his roles for money and not quality. Plus the man, for some weird reason, can't dance, so my hopes weren't high on having great dance songs. The only good factors that attracted me to this album were of course, 1 : Mohd. Rafi and 2: the fact that it was composed by the duo Kalyanji Anandji. But once I listen to it, to my surprise the music eclipsed the movie and the people related to making the music on the album really came through, thanks guys.


The first song ''Raju Ka Hai Ek Khwab'' and the last ''Jin Ki Kismat Men'' are basically the same song but the intros and the tempos are different. I prefer the last version.

One of my favorite songs on the album is "Tu Jungle Ki Morni" and even if I don't understand that much hindi, I think it's the stupidest (meaning the lyrics don't mean much) song on the record, but it's the bounciest one

But honestly, I enjoy listening to all the songs on the album. They all have a little something special even is they are cheesy. The other one's I enjoy are the funny "Kal Raat Wali" and the slower more romantic "Sajna Tere Bin" and "Humne Aaj Se Tumhen".

For what it is, a light and fun soundtrack, it's great fun. It's good classic 60's bollywood. Tell me what you think?

Tracks

Side 1

1. Mohd. Rafi: Raju Ka Hai Ek Khwab

2. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Humne Aaj Se Tumhen

3. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Tu Jungle Ki Morni

Side 2

4. Mohd. Rafi: Kal Raat Wali

5. Lata Mangeshkar : Sajna Tere Bin

6. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Kisi Meherban Ki

7. Mohd. Rafi: Jin Ki Kismat Men

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Kalyanji Anandji Raja Saab

Khemchand Prakash: Mahal (1949/1978)

Mahal was one of the first ''horror'' hindi movies. The film, which made Madhubala a star, was produced by the famous studio, Bombay Talkies.


This all female soundtrack is normal for the 1940's when heroines were more popular than the heroes.

Everyone who knows Mahal associates ''Aayega Aanewala'' as the hit of the movie and also as one of Lata Mangeshkar's best. But I prefer the next one on the album ''Ek Teer Chala'' because the beginning sounds so creepy. Well when I think about it the hole album has a creepy feel to it, in part because of the notes chosen by the composer, Khemchand Prakash.


My favorite is ''Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya''. Give it a chance, it gets good from the middle of the song .


The dance music is good, but I find it more atmospheric then for dancing.


The album has great dramatic and sad music, but it fails to impress me. I don't have much to say about it because I can't connect with this album. If I do in the future I will post an update on this post, but for now I just not into this one.

Tell me what do you think of Mahal.


Tracks:

Side 1

1. Lata Mangeshkar: Aayega Aanewala

2. Rajkumari: Ek Teer Chala

3. Rajkumari & Zohra Ambala: Chhun Chhun Ghungharwa

4. Dance Music

Side 2

5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mushkil Hai Bahot

6. Rajkumari: Ghabra Ke Jo Ham
7. Rajkumari: Main Hoon Hansee Hoon

8. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya

9. Music

Lyrics: J. Nakshab

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Khemchand Prakash Mahal

Kalyanji Anandji: Qurbani in English

To start off, Yeay! Qurbani in English! (these aren't easy to find) This is not the official film soundtrack for Qurbani. If you want to hear the Hindi version just click here to see Music from the Third Floor's post.

''Aap Jaise Koi'' is Qurbani's original hit, but ''What A Wonder It Will Be'' sung twice, once by Sharon (which I like better) and once by Bashir Sheikh isn't quite what I expected. Bashir also wrote the lyrics, which I find sometimes plain. But I can give his lack of poetry the benefit of the doubt because I didn't find any info on him. I don't know if he is a song writer or just a singer.

By the way, there are missing intros to the songs, ''Let Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It'' and ''Each Time I See Your Face''. Coincidentally they are my favorite on the album and outshine they're hindi counterparts.

The context of the song ''Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It'' is about love and nostalgia, but the hindi version ''Qurbani, Qurbani'' is about friendship, god and sacrifice. It's the least related to the film version but, from my point of view, it's better then the hindi version. And on the plus side I like they're English accents in the song when they say ''yesteryear'' and ''fear''.

''Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face'' is my favorite on this album. It has a nice melody an instrumental break including synthesizers. The hindi version is ''Hum Tuhme Chahte Hain'' but my favorite on the original Qurbani soundtrack is ''Laila O Laila''.

In all, the record is great but if it would have only come out in english I wouldn't have been so excited to listen to it.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Sharon Prabhakar: What A Wonder It Will Be*

2. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face

3. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It

Side 2

4. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: I You Were Prince Charming

5. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Don't Ever Leave Me

6. Bashir Sheikh: What A Wonder It Will Be*

*Track 1 & 6 composed by Biddu

Lyrics: Bashir Sheikh

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Kalyanji Anandji Qurbani in English

N. Dutta: Sadhna (1958/1982)

In the early days, N. Dutta was the assistant to musical director S. D. Burman , so I was scared that there would be a S. D. Burman clone out there, but ''S. D. Burman the second'' he is not (I was relieved). N. Dutta's soundtrack for Sadhna is a little unexpected gem. Every song has it's own charm, making none of them a bore to listen to.


In the film,Vyjayanthimala (one of my favorite and one of the best dancers in Indian cinema) plays a courtesan. Thank god, because that's a good excuse for great dancing (Kathak) and great music.Well it basically insists on having a brothel scene, ''Kahoji Tum Kya Kya Kharidoge'' is what you get. The tabla is great and there are just enough rhythm changes to make you head spin (but in a totally good way).

Like I said in my last post, the best qawwali that I've heard up to date is ''Aaj Kyon Hamse Parda Hai'' . It has great music and vocals.

Next on my favorite list is a song sung by Geeta Dutt, Yeay! (Her and Shamshad Begum have to be the best playback singers ever). We only get one song on the album sung by her, but it's one of the best. ''Tora Manva Kyo Ghabraye'' is a mellow song with a timeless memory. It has a sweet into as well (nice flute).

The rest of the songs ''Aise Vaise Thikane Pe Jana Bura Hai'' , ''Sambhal Ae Dil'' and ''Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko'' are quite nice. I enjoy this album very much. What do you think?



Tracks:

Side 1

1. Lata Mangeshkar: Kahoji Tum Kya Kya Kharidoge

2. Lata Mangeshkar: Aise Vaise Thikane Pe Jana Bura Hai

3. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Sambhal Ae Dil

Side 2

4. Mohd. Rafi & Balbir: Aaj Kyon Hamse Parda Hai

5. Lata Mangeshkar: Aurat Ne Janam Diya Mardon Ko

6. Geeta Dutt: Tora Manva Kyo Ghabraye

Lyrics: Sahir

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: N. Dutta Sadhna

Bappi Lahiri: Pyaas (1982)

Pyaas is a good record, but it was released in 1982 the same year that Disco Dancer and Namak Halaal came out. The music is ok but it could never beat those two soundtracks.



"Om Namah Shivae" (Male), I first heard on the "Disco CD" on Bollywood for beginner's vol.2. But there are two versions on the record. The first is sung by Kishore Kumar and his son Amit Kumar. This version, my favorite, is more disco-funk and longer than the second. Asha Bhosle (who is starting to get older and it shows in her voice as well) sings the softer version. Strangely, this one loosely resembles The Lipps 1980 release and mega hit "Funkytown".


For the rest of the songs Bappi Lahiri cools the disco down and moves towards a slower more traditional and mellow vibe. Aspecially, with "Dard Ki Ragini", Lata almost goes semi-classical, well maybe not, but for Bappi it's close.

Sorry the quality of second side of the album isn't very good. Too bad because I enjoy the soft "Sath Mera Chhodakar". So sorry for the clicks. And while I am apologising, I am sorry but I couldn't find one video of Pyaas, so sorry again.

Yes, this album has a qawwali too, "Hamari Yaad Ki" which is quite nice. (My next record post has a qawwali as well, that's even better. I guess that it's my current theme at the moment, 3 records in a row)

Anyway, listen and tell me what you think!




Tracks:

Side 1
1. Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar & Chorus: Om Namah Shivae
2. Asha Bhosle: Raat Sone Ko Hai
3. Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey: Phool Chahiye Na
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Dard Ki Ragini


Side 2
5. Asha Bhosle: Om Namah Shivae
6. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Sath Mera Chhodkar
7. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Hamari Yaad Ki (qawwali)
8. Kishore Kumar: Phool Chahiye Na (Sad)


Lyrics: Kulwant Jani, Naqsh Lyallpuri & Shiv Kumar Saroj

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Bappi Lahiri Pyaas