O. P. Nayyar: Phagun (1958/1989)

Now this is one I like. I love this entire album (It has 12 songs). I don't think everyone will, because it's really for the 50's fans. It can be dull if you like the wacky and weird, but give this one a listen, you might be delightfully surprised.

Even tough it's not as musically detailed or refined as some more classical inspired soundtracks, I am attracted to it's simplicity.

The title music at the beginning is a dramatic intro. (that should be required for all hindi films).

The classic, "Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya" comes next. It is also the theme of the soundtrack, and can be heard in the "Title Music","Piya Piya Piya" and "Teer Yeh Chup Ke". It's the fist time I have heard a theme in old hindi cinema. They have it all the time now, but it is especially used in western classical scores.

The dramatic start and mainly the chorus at the end of "Barso Re" make it stand out a bit. Also enjoyable are"Chhun Chhun Ghungroo Bole" and "Teer Yeh Chup Ke".

The song I least like is "Shokh Shokh Aankhen". I don't know why, but I noticed it was the most western inspired, with it's guitar and accordion.

The end of the 50's was a peek for Asha Bhosle's voice. It's great on this album.


Here is a modern remake of "Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya". Oh, god! I think I will stick with the 1958 version.

Enjoy the album and leave me your comments!

Track

Side 1
1. Title Music
2. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya
3. Asha Bhosle: Sun Ja Pukar
4. Asha Bhosle: Chhun Chhun Ghungroo Bole
5. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Ja Meri Chhod De Kalahi
6. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Shokh Shokh Aankhen


Side 2
7. Asha Bhosle: Piya Piya Piya
8. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Tum Rooth Ke Mat Jana
9. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Main Soya Aankhiyan Meeche
10. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Barso Re
11. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Bana De Bana De Prabhuji
12. Asha Bhosle: Teer Yeh Chup Ke


Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi


Stella_1's score: 4/5


Get the music now: O. P. Nayyar | Phagun

Shankar Jaikishan: April Fool (1964/1970)

The very versatile Shankar and Jaikishan team bring us the lovely and mildly jazzy April Fool .

I don't usually fall for the "love songs", but this time I did with "Meri Muhabat". It has great melody and wins it's place as my favorite on the record. And guess what, it's sung by my favorite playback singer Mohd. Rafi, that's a plus! But, I must add that none of the songs on the album really wowed me at all, I was kind of disappointed.

The songs that stand out a bit are the "Title Music" and the attractive and soft "Aa Gale Lag Ja" .

I haven't seen the movie but there seems too be the image of a modern and independent woman (in a swimsuit, drinking and dancing) in the film which is represent in"Mera Naam Rita Christina" as a fun and westernised song. I also think it is a disguise in the movie, so she dresses like a vamp, but I can't be sure.

I also enjoy "April Fool Banaya" which is the most upbeat and fun song on the record.

Sorry, but overall this record doesn't do anything for me.

* If you watch the clip, this guy has the best sweaters ever.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Title Music

2. Mohd. Rafi: Aa Gale Lag Ja

3. Lata Mangeshkar: Mera Naam Rita Christina

4. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Tujhe Pyar Karte Hain

5. Mohd. Rafi: Meri Muhabat Pak Muhabat

Side 2

6. Mohd. Rafi: Kehdo Kehdo Jahanse Kahdo

7. Lata Mangeshkar: unki Pehli Nazar Asar Kargaye

8. Mohd. Rafi: April Fool Banaya

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan April Fool

Update

Hi everyone ! I updated these files. They are 192kbps MP3's instead of 97kbps WMP files.

For files just click on the link beside each album cover, or click on the usual link on the albums old post. (Posts: Barsaat, Namak Halaal or Navrang)

Links:

Shankar Jaikishan: Barsaat

Bappi Lahiri: Namak Halaal

C. Ramchandra: Navrang

More uptades of old albums I posted will be coming at the soonest in the new year. Until then, enjoy!

Shankar Jaikishan: Janwar (1965) ep

Janwar has some great tracks (I wish I had the hole album, but you can get an extra song that isn't on the ep at Eastern eye).

* I am putting this on up just to see if I finally have files that are of a normal standar (192 kbps) (and especially if litlgrey can ok me) and then I will put up all the albums on the parties, sarees and melodies blog at that bit rate. Anyway I will continue about Janwar...

It best knows for "Dekho Abto" which is a hindi remake of "I want to hold your hand" from the Beatles. It's a good song, but there are some unknown playback singers (well to me). They are S. D. Batish and S. Balbir, if anyone knows a bit of info on these guys it would be great to hear it.

"Lal Chhadi" and "Tumse Achha" are fun as well.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Mohd. Rafi: Lal Chhadi

2. Mohd. Rafi: Meri Mohabbat

Side 2

3. Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle (S. D. Batish & S. Balbir) & Chorus: Dekho Abto

4. Mohd. Rafi: Tumse Achha

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Janwar

Shankar Jaikishan: Barsaat (1949/1973)

Barsaat is Shankar's and Jaikishan's first movie score. Not only was this movie a hit, but it established Raj Kapoor and his team as one of the best movie makers of the 50's.

Many songs on this album. Not all great, but still good. The classic "Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya" is one of my favorites. As well as "Barsaat Men Ham Se Mile" which are the songs that stand out on the record.

"Palti Kamar Hai" is most appreciated, while watching the film. The longing village girl (played by Nimmi) sadly waits the return of her lover, but in a parallel montage, you see he is dancing with an other woman without any care in the world. Great use for a song in a flick.


Great duet, "Chhod Gaye Balam" Lata and Mukesh's vocals are great. Again, this is better while watching the film. This is not the case of the film being better that the soundtrack, it's just that the images and the songs really do complete each other.

I also enjoy "Ab Mera Kaun Sahara", even if it is a sad song. Well when you thing about it about 90% of the film, the characters are kind of depressed. It's melancholic (Not as much as Aag, but still) and a romantic view of despair and seeing no hope, but looking and singing really well as you do it.

I recommend this soundtrack , but I recommend the film (because you have both) more. Also because the imagery (especially the lighting) is brilliant.

Tracks

Side 1

1. Lata Mangeshkar: Jiya Baqarar hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Palti Kamar Hai
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Bichhde Hue Pardesi
5. Mohd. Rafi: Zindagi Men Hardam

Side 2

6. Lata Mangeshkar: Hawa Men Udta Jae
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Ab Mera Kaun Sahara
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh : Chhod Gaye Balam
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Meri Aankhon Men Bas Gaya
10. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Barsaat Men Ham Se Mile

Lyrics: Hastrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, Jalal Malihabadi & Ramesh Shastri

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Barsaat

Shankar Jaikishan: Awaara (1951/1966) ep

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Dam Bhar Jo Munh Phere

Side 2
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Ek Bewafa Se Pyar Kiya
4. Mukesh: Awara Hoon

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri

For music and more, see Awaara

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Bobby (1973) ep

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Shailendra Singh: Main Shair To Nahin
2. Chanchal: Bashak Mandir Masjid Todo

Side 2
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Shailendra Singh: Chabi Kho Jae
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Ankhiyon Ko Rahne De

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

For music and more, see Bobby