Thursday, January 28, 2010

O.P. Nayyar: Mr. & Mrs. 55 (1955)

Another oldie. While not quite as good as the below, O.P. Nayyar's 'Mr. & Mrs. 55' [review] is a very worthwhile listen. There's a sweet, romantic vibe running through a lot of it, and what it perhaps lacks in terms of memorable songs, it makes up for in nostalgic charm. My favourite tracks are (predictably) Geeta Dutt's; 'Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata' and 'Nile Aasmani' in particular.Track listing:1.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Shankar Jaikishan: Anari (1959/1979)

Vintage Shankar Jaikishan, 'Anari' [review] [2] is delightful as can be. Lovely melodies, chirpy choruses, lively accordions, romantic strings, bicycle bells, Lata Mangeshkar... hard to resist really. I believe 'Nineteen Fifty Six' is the famous one, and it's indeed wonderful. But so is 'Ban Ke Panchhi'. And 'Tera Jana'. And at the moment I can't think of anything sweeter than 'Dil Ki Nazar Se.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Kalyanji Anandji: Haadsaa (1982)

I've mentioned a few times that Kalyanji Anandji scores post-1980 usually leave me cold... well, here's an exception. What's good about 'Haadsaa' is the fact that they seem to be exerting themselves again; trying to transcend what by 1982 had become formulaic, and mostly dull. Meaning better songs and melodies, more subtle/less tacky arrangements, and some pretty ace grooves. Hightlights are

Friday, January 1, 2010

Rahul Dev Burman: Caravan (1971)

One of RD Burman's most famous soundtracks, containing the quintessential Bollywood cabaret number 'Piya Tu Ab To Aja', sung by Asha Bhosle and performed on screen by the incomparable Helen. Song and scene both are awesome; elaborately arranged and staged, catchy, full of subtle (and not so subtle) eroticism - a classic. And a lot of you will know it already.The question is then, how's the rest