Naushad: Amar (1954/1977)

I know, an other one from Naushad, Amar is a pretty good soundtrack. There are few of the songs that I really got addicted too. The first is ''Tere Sadqe Balam'' it sounds great and also means something. In short, in means, take advantage of every happy moment because you never know if you will have an other like it. The second I am addicted too is ''Na Shikwa Hai Koi'' , I just love to listen to it. I wish I knew what it meant? (probably something sad)



All the songs have female vocals except for one. "Insaf Ka Mandir Yeh" is not even sung by Dilip Kumar's character, yet it describes his emotional struggle. It's a good song, but I find it more meaningful when I watch the clip.


No sitars for poor Nimmi's songs. "Oodi Oodi Chhai Ghata" is playful."Umangon Ko Sakhi" is nice, and the village song "Ek Baat Kahoon Mere Piya" is boring.

For "The sad songs" like "Na Milta Gham To" and "Janewale Se Mulaqat", I like "Radha Ke Pyare Krishna Kanhai" the best.

Basically this album is for people who like sweet soft melodies. Tell me what you think.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Oodi Oodi Chhai Ghata
2. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Insaf Ka Mandir Hai Yeh
3. Asha Bhosle: Radha Ke Pyare Krishna Kanhai
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus: Umangon Ko Sakhi
5. Lata Mangeshkar: Janewale Se Mulaqat
6. Dance Music

Side 2
7. Lata Mangeshkar: Tere Sadqe Balam
8. Asha Bhosle: Ek Baat Kahoon Mere Piya
9. Lata Mangeshkar: Khamosh Hai Khewanhar Mera
10. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Shikwa Hai Koi
11. Lata Mangeshkar: Na Milta Gham To

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Naushad Amar

Naushad: Kohinoor (1960/1978)

Sorry, not much to say about Kohinoor, the title means Diamond by the way, besides that it's sweet. It's not Naushad's best work, it's nothing compared to "Baiju Bawra" and "Mughal-E-Azam"

The playback singers are great. I enjoyed the first track "Jadoogar Qatil" , it's a mix of melodies as well as a mix of sounds caused by the of indian and western instruments. But my favorite on the album is "Tan Ragloji Aaj Man Ranglo" , a beautiful duet sung by Lata and Mohd. Rafi (my favorite male playback singer). The last song, "Madhuban Men Radhika Nache" also deserves mention, it's a 2 part "grand finale" that is great to listen too, what I like about it is the tabla that embellishes the accelerating rhythm.




If you watch the clips, Dilip Kumar is great , it really looks like he is playing the sitar. It's so rare too see the actors actually playing the instruments or at least imitating realistically a musician.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Asha Bhosle : Jadoogar Qatil
2. Lata Mangeshkar : Dil Me Bajin pyar Ki Shehnaiyan
3. Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus : Tan Rangloji Aaj Man Ranglo
4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi : Do Sitaron Ka Zamin Par

Side 2
5. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi : Koi Pyar Ki Dekhe Jadoogari
6. Mohd. Rafi : Dhal Chuki Sham-E-Gam
7. Mohd. Rafi : Madhuban Men Radhika Nache - Part 1
8. Mohd. Rafi : Madhuban Men Radhika Nache - Part 2

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Naushad Kohinoor (there are only 7 tracks, because 7 and 8 are together)

Rahul Dev Burman: Teesri Manzil (1966)

I decided to put Teesri Manzil up even if Music from the Third Floor (Teesri Manzil means Third Floor by the way) already did, but it's not available to download on his blog anymore, so I just wanted to make this classic accessible again, as soon as I could.

The film stars Shammi Kapoor, which is a 60's rock'n'roll teen Idol, he's a mix between Elvis and the Beatles. Teesri Manzil is a classic by Rahul Dev Burman. It's a romantic and fun soundtrack with an experimental twist that is powered by a big range of musical instruments.

The first track is a great instrumental song, it's a wacky mix of spy movies, horror movies and rock'n'roll soundtracks in one. It's one of the best first tracks on a bollywood vinyl ever! It really sets the right mood and atmosphere for the popular "Aaja Aaja". Well, it's officially called "Main Hoon Pyar Tera" it's a Hindi rock'n'roll classic. (If you like Gunaam from Ghost World this is for you!)

Next is "Deewana Mujhse Nahin" a love song that doesn't boar you because it's playful. Like Guide witch is by his father many of the songs on the record include the dialogue. Pitche Pitche Pitche!

Gentle ladies? No wonder she says shut up idiot! And when "Main Inpe Marta Hoon" finally begins, there is a great upbeat tune with some yelling that bring a more experimental feel, a little bit like the Broadway classic West Side Story from 1961 (Cool). Sorry Burman, but it's this song just isn't as "cool".

Rahul Dev Burman starts with the drums on "O Haseena" and "Tumne Mujhe Dekha". The first is a really great duet and the second a slower love song.

"O Mera Sona" is another great duet, one of my favorite's on the album.

Please leave your comments, I know you are going to like this one.

*Extra* If you want some interesting info on this or other bollywood movies there is a great web site called Planet Bollybob!
Also there a site by a professor at the University of Iowa with some info on the movie and actors Philip's fil-ums: notes on Indian Popular Cinema.

Tracks:

Side 1
1. Title Music
2. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Main Hoon Pyar Tera
3. Mohd. Rafi: Deewana Mujhse Nahin
4. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Main Inpe Marta Hoon

Side 2
5. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: O Haseena
6. Mohd. Rafi: Tumne Mujhe Dekha
7. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: O Mera Sona
8. Music

Lyrics: Majrooh

Stella_1's score: 4/5

Get the music now: Rahul Dev Burman | Teesri Manzil

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