Shankar Jaikishan: Chori Chori (1956/1975)

By the time Chori Chori was released the Raj Kapoor and Nargis couple was over. But that didn't affect the music, the Shankar Jaikishan team did very well. They basically defined the sound of the golden age of the Bollywood, the 50's. From Barsaat in 1949 to Jish Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai in 1960. The musical duo even won Chori Chori a filmfare award for best soundtrack.

The most popular Chori Chori songs are the romantic "Aaja Sanam" and "Jahan Main Jaati Ghar" (which is represented on the back of the Lp). They are both charming.

"Man Bhavan Ke Ghar" is for people who like the Mangheskar sisters duet in Azad, but this one in Chori Chori is even better. It was one of my favorites when I first got into Bollywood.

Weirdly enough I would always skip "Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi" because I didin't like the into. Then one day I let it play a little bit longer and it's now one of my favourites.

"Rasik Balma" is a beautifully sung song by Lata. I love the sitar, which is a rare instrument on the album.

"Us Paar Sajan" is good, it's sounds like some Indian folk.

A good cheerful first song,"Panchhi Banoon Udit Phiroon" makes me think a little bit of Madhumati.

Sorry if all I'm saying is how good the songs are, well that's really what I think and "Sawa Lakh Ki Lottery" is great. I love the duets on the Lp.

"All Line Clear" it good , but it's just weird after hearing an emotional song like Aaja Sanam, and then have this comical tune. It's the one I least like.

The last song, "Thillana" rocks. It's classical, but folk. It sticks out a lot from the rest of the album. I like what's different. I can't describe it, well you just have to hear it for yourselfs. Let me know what you think of it!

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Panchhi Banoon Udit Phiroon
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey: Aaja Sanam
3. Mohd. Rafi: All Line Clear
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Sawa Lakh Ki Lottery
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Rasik Balma

Side 2
6. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar: Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi
7. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Us Paar Sajan
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey: Jahan Main Jaati Ghar
9. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Man Bhavan Ke Ghar
10. M. L. Vasanthakumari: Thillana

Lyrics: Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Chori Chori

S. Dev Burman: Guide (1965/1966)

Guide is said to be one of the best bollywood soundtrack's of all time, but I don't feel that way about it. To me, it's not the greatest, it's in the "good soundtrack" category because it only has a few good songs. And honestly the movie makes you like the songs more not the opposite. The soundtrack should complement the movie, or I don't even mind when the soundtrack is better than the movie but in the case of Guide I was disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high.

Don't worry, I'm not that disappointed, this is still a good record. "Gaata Rahe Mera Dil" the first song and the hit tune of the movie, with it's mildly jazzy-rock'n'roll feel, is a romantic and classic duet by Kishore Kumar and Lata.

What I find special is the fact that they left the dialogue at the beginning of some tracks. Like for example the laugh in "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki". The song is my favorite, it's so carefree, because of it's simple and sweet melody.

"Sainya Be-I-Maan" and "Piya Tose Naina Laage Re" are great, but you really appreciate the music after watching the dancing and decor in the videos. The second of the two has some wacky noises in it.

After there is the charming, "Tere Mere Sapne" that has the same feel as the first song on the Lp.

The songs I don't like are "Din Dhal Jaye" and "Kya Se Kya Ho Gaye"

"Wahan Kaun Hai Tera" and "Megh De" are sung by S. Dev Burman and they are both better than I expected.

So, overall it's a good soundtrack but it's missing some extra something. It's said to be a classic , you listen and decide for yourselfs.


Tracks:

Side 1
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mageshkar: Gaata Rahe Mera Dil
2. S. D. Burman: Wahan Kaun Hai Tera
3. Lata Mageshkar: Piya Tose Naina Laage Re
4. Mohd. Rafi: Din Dhal Jaye

Side 2
5. Lata Mageshkar: Aaj Phir Jeene Ki
6. Mohd. Rafi: Tere Mere Sapne
7. Lata Mageshkar: Sainya Be-I-Maan
8. Mohd. Rafi: Kya Se Kya Ho Gaye
9. S. D. Burman: Megh de
10. Manna Dey & Chorus: He Ram (Bhajan Traditional)

Lyrics: Shailendra

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: S. Dev Burman Guide

Naushad: Baiju Bawra (1952/1975)

Baiju Bawra is another soundtrack by Naushad. If you liked Mughal-E-Azam there is a very strong chance that you will like this album as well. The first song, "Tori Jai Jai Kartar" gave me a bad first impression of the record, but don't worry it's the worst song of the album. It's a raga sung by Ustad Amir Khan, and yes I still find his singing annoying. It's a good thing it's a short song. The second song is my favourite. I know I said that I prefered Shamshad Begum's voice to Lata's in the song "Teri Mehfil Men Qismet Azmakar" (Mughal-e-Azam) but at the end of "Doi Koi Gae" Lata's voice really over shadows Shamshad's.

"Mohe Bhool Gaye Sanwariya" is a little less classical but focuses on the melodies and emotion. Lata'a voice is great, in a weird haunting way.

I usually like upbeat tracks, but "Too Ganga Ki Mauj" is an example of a good slow song. My favourite parts are when there is some "snake charmer flute", and I especially like the end when Lata and the chorus sing, even if it's just for a little moment.

In "O Duniya Ke Rakhwale", the background vocals, in the beginning part, really give a kick to the song. Mohd. Rafi's voice is the essence of the tune. Naushad should have put a song like this for Dilip Kumar's caracter in Mughal-e-Azam.

"Insaan Bano" and "Bachpan Ki Mohabbat" don't reach out and get me, there is nothing that special about them."Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj" is good when the drums and party start, it's good.

"Jhoole Men Pawan Ke Aai Bahar" is a good song, very playful. If you watch the clip, at the end of the video they are standing together and you can see the sky. It makes me think of this song (at the end of the clip, as well, you can see the silhouettes and the sky) in Mother india (1957)

If you're like me, and you don't really like Ustad Amir Khan's singing, I find that both "Sargam" and "Aaj Gawat Man Mero" are acceptable. He's not that bad.

For the score I would have given it 4/5, but I gave it 3.5/5 because I am not attracted to listen to this record over and over again. I listen to a few songs from time to time. I know the music is very good, I guess it's just not as good as Mughal-e-Azam, for me anyway. But it's deffinitely worth a listen.

*Update (January 08) Ok, now that I have gotten used to more classical soundktracks, I absolutly love this album. It just took me some time. 4/5!

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Ustad Amir Khan: Tori Jai Jai Kartar
2. Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum, Mohd. Rafi & Chotus: Door Koi Gae
3. Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Too Ganga Ki Mauj
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Mohe Bhool Gaye Sanwariya
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Jhoole Men Pawan Ke Aai Bahar
6. Ustad Amir Khan: Sargam

Side 2
7. Mohd. Rafi: Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Bachpan Ki Mohabbat
9. Mohd. Rafi: O Duniya Ke Rakhwale
10. Mohd. Rafi: Insaan Bano
11. Ustad Amir Khan & pt.d.v. Paluskar: Aaj Gawat Man Mero

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Naushad Baiju Bawra

Laxmikant Pyarelal: Bobby (1973)

Bobby ,this is an example of a soundtrack that is better than the movie (there is some bad acting, but that seems to be a must in Bollywood). I know Bobby was a hit, but I think it was in most part because of the songs, the Laxmikant Pyarelal team really came to it's rescue. Bobby is a really fun soundtrack , it's light, and just makes you dance. This is the first 70's album I ever heard, it's not very experimental like Rahul Dev Burman's famous soundtracks, but it does have it's own charm, even if it's a little cheesy.

The movie is most known for "Main Shair To Nahin", it's a good track, but as you have all surely noticed I like songs that are upbeat, like"Jhoot Bole Kauva Kate", witch is the second part of a duo of a first part mexican styled song called, "Na Mangun Sona Chandi" that I don't really like. After there is "Mujhe Kuchh Kahna Hai" (tum tum TUM...!), it is a bit slower but is a fun track, I like it. "Chabi Kho Jae" (If you watch the video: one pieces rock!,....Cough!)

"Beshark Mandir Masjid Todo" is like a track from a completely different movie, with Chandal's unique voice, it's interesting. As is "Ae Phansa", a groovy track a little reminiscent of the 60's, I really like the instrumental bits.

There is a cool track, here , but I think it's only available on a special Bobby Lp, if anyone has it, I would like to know the name of that song. Thanks













Here are an 7'' and a cassette for Bobby as well.

Tracks :

Side 1
1. Shailendra Singh: Main Shair To Nahin
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Shailendra Singh : Mujhe Kuchh Kahna Hai
3. Chandal: Beshark Mandir Masjid Todo
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Shailendra Singh: Chabi Kho Jae

Side 2
5. Manna Dey, Shailendra Singh & Chorus: Na Mangun Sona Chandi
6. Lata Mangeshkar & Shailendra Singh: Jhoot Bole Kauva Kate
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Ankhiyon Ko Rahne De
8. Lata Mangeshkar: Ae Phansa

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi & Vithal Bhai Patel

Stella_1's Score : 4/5

Get the music Now : Laxmikant Pyarelal | Bobby

Shankar Jaikishan : Shree 420 (2) (1955/1978) Pakistan

Another version of Shree 420 for Pakistan. It is missing the second half, with the male vocals, of "Ichak Dana Bichak Dana", but it has an additional Instrumental track of "Pyar Hua Igrar Hua". But it dosen't make up for the missing half of a song, that is why my rating is lower for this album.














Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Ichak Dana Beechak Dana
2. Mukesh & Chorus: Mera Joota Hai Japani
3. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar: Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Sham Gai Raat Aai
5.Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh & Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya

Side 2
6. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey & Chorus: Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh
7. Manna Dey & Chorus: Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala
8. Lata Mangeshkar: O janewale
9. Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua (Instrumental)

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailandra

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now (only additional track): Shankar Jaikishan | Shree 420 (Pakistan)

Shankar Jaikishan: Shree 420 (1955/1979)

Shree 420 is an other classic score by Shankar Jaikishan, to me it's almost like a sequel to Awaara (see post of Awaara). The hits and my favorite songs on Shree 420 are "Mera Joota Hai Japani" (it's a classic), a tune that critics indian society just after the independence in 1947, (here are some of the translated lyrics)

My shoes are Japanese

The pants are from England

The red hat on my head is Russian

But even then, my heart is Indian

and "Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua", a classic love song. It's playful, and at times you even feel a sadness when hearing it. Lata's and Manna Dey's vocals are great together.



Another thing I like about the soundtrack is the contrast, like for example, the rich "westernized" society is represented by the song "Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh" and the poor street society is "Ramaiya Vastavaiya".





Overall , a great soundtrack, I am not a fan of "O Janewale", but I like the charming little song, "Ichak Dana Beechak Dana", (the clip has English subs.) Can you guess?



For more info on the movie and songs there is a cool blog called filmi geek that talks about Shree 420, have a look.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar: Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua
2. Manna Dey & Chorus: Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala
3. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey & Chorus: Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh
4. Lata Mangeshkar: Ichak Dana Beechak Dana

Side 2
5. Mukesh & Chorus: Mera Joota Hai Japani
6. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Sham Gai Raat Aai
7. Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh & Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya
8. Lata Mangeshkar: O Janewale

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailandra

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan | Shree 420

Salil Chowdhury: Madhumati (1958/1976)

Madhumati is the only Salil Chowdhury record I have . I do not know any of his other music. But I can really hear the western influences, and I especially noticed the use of some guitar here and there. The Madhumati soundtrack to me is very simple and alive. But I found it sounded sometimes too much the same from song to song. They are all good songs, but not great songs. The obvious popular tracks are "Dil Tadap Tadap Ke" and, a track I don't like, "Aaja Re Pardesi " . But my "coup de coeur" (french expression that means , the one that I instantly loved) is "Chadh Gayo Papi Bichchua inspired by folk music. A nice "village boy/village girl" song, it makes me dance and takes it's roots from the indian folk dance called dandiya garba. So, over all, this is a good soundtrack, but for me anyway, I feel there is nothing that is really super fantanstic. But it's worth a listen, so hear for yourselves.

I suggest, the last part the the second side, (I can listen to over and over again) it's 3 songs: "Tan Jale Man Jalta Rahe" ( don't let the deep voice scare you) , "Ham Hal-E-Dil Sunaenge" and "Toote Hue Khwabon Ne". They are very good .

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Mukesh: Suhana Safar
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadke
3. Asha Bhosle, Sabita Chowdhury, Gulam Mohd. & Chorus:
Kanchle Kanchi Lai Lajo
4. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Tadap Tadap Ke
5. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Chadh Gayo Papi Bichhua

Side 2
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Aaja Re Pardesi
7. Mohd. Rafi: Jangal Men Mor Nacha
8. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi
9. Dwijen Mukherjee & Chorus: Tan Jale Man Jalta Rahe
10. Mubarak Begum: Ham Hal-E-Dil Sunaenge
11.Mohd. Rafi: Toote Hue Khwabon Ne

Lyrics: Shailendra and Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Salil Chowdhury| Madhumati