C. Ramchandra: Navrang (1959)

C. Ramchandra made Navrang's soundtrack as colourful and grandiose as the movie. There is no Lata Mangeshkar (queen of the fifties as the usual female voice for C.Ramchandra) too be found. Instead C. Ramchandra chose her sister, Asha Bhosle. Her voice on this album is magnificent from beginning to end.

Especially with songs like "Kari Kari Andhiyari Thi Raat", "Are Ja Re Hat Nat Khat", "Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi" and my favorite "Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan".


This is one of my favorite C. Ramchandra albums, I only know the hindi one's (and I'm still looking for my favorite, Nirala). He started his career for Tamil and Marathi films, I would love to hear them. He is definitely on my top 5 composer list, because of his versatility, from classical to rock'n'roll or jazz, he is great to listen too. But if we come back to Navrang, it's a great album.



Tracks:

Side 1

1. Asha Bhosle & C. Ramchandra: Kari Kari Andhiyari Thi Raat
2. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Are Ja Re Hat Nat Khat
3. Asha Bhosle: Aa Dil Se Milale

Side 2
4. Asha Bhosle & Manna Dey: Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan
5. Mahendra Kapoor: Shyamal Shyamal Baran Komal Komal Charan
6. Asha Bhosle: Tum Mere Mai Teri
7. Asha Bhosle & Mahendra Kapoor: Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi

Lyrics: Barat Vyas

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: C. Ramchandra Navrang

Naushad: Andaz (1949/1971)

I liked, Andaz, the movie (mostly because the cast comprises of the 3 greatest hindi actors of all time, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Nargis, all in one film) but the music not so much. Frankly, I was disappointed. Usually Naushad delivers, but sadly not this time.

The songs aren't worth mentioning one at a time. The album in it's entirety is boring and feels flat. The only two songs that are acceptable, are the first and the last. ''Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj'' is a classic, then the last one and my favorite is ''Dar Na Mohabbat Karle''. Is it just me or I can't hear any piano, yet in the film (young and skinny) Dilip Kumar is playing that instrument. Ah whatever, I don't care because this is a great Shamshad Begum and Lata duet. I love it when they sing together.





Tracks:


Side 1
1. Mukesh: Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj
2. Mukesh: Tu Kahe Agar
3. Mukesh: Toote Na Dil Toote Na
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tod Diya Dil Mera
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Koi Mere Dil Men



Side 2
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Uthaye Ja Umke Sitam
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Yun To Apas Men Bigadte
8. Mukesh: Hum Aaj Kahin Dil Kho Baithe
9. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Meri Ladli
10. Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum: Dar Na Mohabbat Karle



Lyrics: Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Naushad Andaz

Shankar Jaikishan: Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

I got this one a while back and I didn't listen to it until about a few weeks ago. I was delightfully surprised that I liked it. But I prefer listening to the record without the videos that go with each song.

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai's main character, Raju, played by Raj Kapoor, makes his living by singing.

The first song ''Mera Naam Raju'', great up beat start, with a great melody and a funky intro that adds a slight Arab twist.

''Kya Hua'' is a nice Lata and Asha duet.

I had already heard ''Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai'' on a compilation album, so this was the only song I knew before listening to the entire record. I wasn't disappointed, all the songs seem to have a link that makes the album great as a hole. (Here is an extended beginning with good music that is not on the album.)

Next is the playful ''Ho Main Ne Pyar Kiya'' and then after is ''Pyar Kar Le'' which I find boring.

''Ham Bhi Hain Tum Bhi Ho'' (or as I like to call it, aka Hoy hoy!) is great fun.

I didn't like this ''Begani Shadi Men Abdulla Diwana'' at first, it grows on you.

We have the classic ''O Basanti'' which is the sad song on the album.

The record ends with ''Aa Ab Laut Chalen'', one word, wow. What makes this song special is the descending female vocals with the ascending chorus in the back. I think it sounds great in a kind of creepy good way.

Good album overall.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Mukesh: Mera Naam Raju
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Kya Hua
3. Mukesh: Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Ho Main Ne Pyar Kiya
5. Mukesh: Pyar Kar Le

Side 2

6. Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Ham Bhi Hain Tum Bhi Ho
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Begani Shadi Men Abdulla Diwana

8. Lata Mangeshkar: O Basanti Pavan

9. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Aa Ab Laut Chalen

Lyrics: Shailandra

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan| Jis Desh Men ...

Shankar Jaikishan: Amrapali (1966/ 1979)

Amrapali was a flop when is was released in 1966. But I don't really know why? And weirdly enough, it was picked for India's entry as best foreign film for the Oscars.

Sticking with the theme of high class prostitutes. Amrapali is basically considered the same thing as Umrao Jaan but higher class and from a different time (about 500 B.C.). She is a Nagar Vadhu (bride of the city) and lives with the royals.

This is one of my favorite Shankar Jaikishan soundtracks. It's a little known gem. And I haven't seen the movie, but the music is definitely not the cause for it's bad luck at the box office.


I prefer the second side with ''Tadap Yeh Din Raat Ki'', ''Nacho Gao Nacho'' and the wonderful instrumental ''White Dress'' (I listened too it over and over again)

I also like "Neel Gagan Ki Chhaon" that is on the first side. The other two tracks are ok, but I don't find myself listening to those much.

Too bad that Shankar and Jaikishan didn't decide to put the instrumental bit when Amrapali has a dance battle. Here is the clip . It's intense and kind of funny, so enjoy!

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Jao Re Jogi
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Tumhen Yaad Karte Karte
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Neel Gagan Ki Chhaon

Side 2
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tadap Yeh Din Raat Ki
5. Chorus: Nacho Gao Nacho
6. Instrumental: White Dress Dance

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Amrapali

Khaiyyam: Umrao Jaan (1981)

The soundtrack of Umrao Jaan centers on the character of a female poet/tawaif (high class prostitute) from the1840's. She was born into a normal family but is kidnapped by her uncle and sold too a brothel. Never the less, she becomes highly educated, and also trained in dance (Kathak) and song. Throughout the movie the songs are mainly used too describe Umrao Jaan's her inner thoughts, mostly her sadness that she expresses trough her performances.



The poetess is praised for her lyrical genius and that is what, I find, stands out in the songs. Written by Shahryar, the language he uses is manipulated with great precision. Very interesting to listen too (if you can't understand Hindi or Urdu, like me, here are the lyrics).

The most popular songs are the classics,''Dil Cheez Kya Hai'' and ''In Ankhon Ki Masti'', here is the sample of the lyrics of the second.

...
There are thousands of legends attached to these eyes
There are thousands of legends
The lust of these eyes

You are not the only one alone
You are not alone in love with me, disgraced
In love with me, disgraced
In this city, like you
In this city, there are thousands of madmen like you
There are thousands of madmen
There are thousands intoxicated by the lust of these eyes
The lust of these eyes

Only I, only I
Only I serve liquor with my eyes
Serve with my eyes
To say it, in the world
To say it, in the world there are thousands of bars...

My favorite songs are actually the less known .''Kahe Ko Byahe Bides'' and ''Pratham Dhar Dhyan-Raag Mala'' in which Umrao Jaan learns too sing.

This is definitely not an album that can get you out of the blues, but more of a romantic view of despair, love and hate. Great classical inspired music.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Asha Bhosle: Dil Cheez Kya Hai
2. Asha Bhosle: Justuju Jiski Thi
3. Jagjit Kaur: Kahe Ko Byahe Bides
4. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Shahida Khan & Runa Prasad: Pratham Dhar Dhyan-Raag Mala

Side 2
5. Asha Bhosle: In Ankhon Ki Masti
6. Talat Aziz: Zindagi Jab Bhi
7. Asha Bhosle: Yeh Kya Jageh Hai Dosto
8. Asha Bhosle: Jab Bhi Milti Hai
9. Shahida Khan: Jhoola Kinne Dala

Lyrics: Shahryar

Stella_1's score : 3.5/5

Get the music now: Khaiyyam Umrao Jaan

Requests

Hi, I am sorry for being so slow these past months. It's just that I am a student and I don't have much time too upload my records. But I have some time in my schedual in the week of the 12th of november 2007. And I haven't chosen which ones too upload next. So basically, just write the names of the records and your requests. If I have them, I will make them a priority. Thanks for your patience

Stella_1

Naushad: Leader (1964)

Naushad has some suprises on this album. Leader brings changes in his style that is defined mostly by indian classical and folk music. This soundrack is like Naushad à la S .Dev Burman.

Aspecially, with songs like ''Mujhe Dunyawalo Deedar Hai'', ''Ajkal Shauqe'', ''Hameen Se Mohabbat'' , and ''Aj Hai Pyar Ka Faisla''.The first one is more jazzy and typical 60's bollywood. The last one has a simple melody but is accompanied by a wacky video. It's great stuff.


But you still can hear the old Naushad, in''Ek Shahinsha Ne Banavake'' also mostly in the instrumental intro to ''Dayya Re Dayya'' which is, by far, the best song on the album. S. Dev Burman takes those horns as an intro to the song Hothon Pe Aisi Atba , three years later in Jewel Thief (1967)


What makes Leader special and a good soundtrack too some and a bad soundtrack too others, is the fact that it mirrors the transition between the old 50's bollywood and the new jazzy rock'N'roll sounds of the 60's. It's not really one or the other. I personally am also a bit in between, I don't love it, and I don't hate it. But it sure is a classic worth listening too. Tell me what you think.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Tere Husn Ki
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Ek Shahinshah Ne Banavake
3. Mohd. Rafi: Mujhe Dunyawalo Deedar Hai
4. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Ajkal Shauqe

Side 2
5. Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Dayya Re Dayya
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Aj Hai Pyar Ka Faisla
7. Mohd. Rafi: Hameen Se Mohabbat
8. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Apni Aazadi Ko Ham

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Naushad Leader