Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Baahubali - Devasena introduction trailer

Song: Baahubali - Devasena introduction trailer
Movie Name : Baahubali
Singers : Chorus
Music Director : M M Keeravani
 
  It is not often that the background music in a trailer catches your attention. Keeravani is perhaps one of the best, when it comes to re-recording and background music. The music in this trailer, which I have been listening to repeatedly is one that conveys courage and grandiose with just a tinge of sadness at the same time. It is hard to review instrumental pieces without appearing to be too carried away. Without any lyrics, the onus is purely on the instruments and vocals to convey emotion. Keeravani uses horns for the introduction, drums to build the energy, while using vocals to convey emotions. What a fantastic piece! The trailer just has two shots of Anushka from the movie, the music synchronizes perfectly to build momentum before her final look is revealed.
 
 Your move Illayaraja. I can only wonder what he will deliver for Rudramadevi movie that has the same Anushka in a title role.
 
Special Mentions: Can't help thinking about "Sri Rama lera" from SriRamarajyam and "Ruth aa gayi re" from 1947 Earth after listening to this music. 
 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Zariya

Song: Zariya
Movie Name : Coke Studio India Season 3 - Episode 1
Singers : Farah Siraj, Ani Choying Drolma
Music Director : A R Rahman
 
If you have not heard about Coke Studio yet, then please do yourself a BIG favour and check out the channel on youtube. Zariya is a fantastic song that embodies what Rahman has mastered in the recent years - collaboration with artists and bringing world music to India. The combination of Jordanian singing and Buddhist chants seems like an odd choice at the beginning, but give it a listen and tell me if you haven't come out of this experience with a different opinion. In addition to being a great listen, the song is also a powerhouse of talent. Apart from the obvious stardom of Rahman and Sivamani on drums, you have the phenomenal Mohini Dey on bass guitar (with a small solo in between), two incredible lead singers and an enthusiastic and talented group of chorus singers. The song also has a pretty good video of the recording that captures the infectious energy of the group
 
Listen on saavn.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Violin Song

Song: Violin Song
Movie Name : Iddaramayilatho
Singers : David Simon, Anitha
Music Director : Devisri Prasad
 
Perhaps the biggest drawback of this song, is the expectactions that come with naming a song as "Violin Song". Once you get past that, this is an exciting number that belongs largely to the fusion category. Devi excels at adding melody to fast paced numbers, and this plays to his strengths when Anitha joins the vocals in that low-pitch voice with intriguing lyrics. David Simon (who is this guy ??!) suits this song very well and is an example of the attitude that is important when a song is sung (along with the ability to maintain a pitch and rhythm).

Thursday, June 06, 2013

Ankahee

Song: Ankahee
Movie Name : Lootera
Singers : Amitabh Bhattacharya
Music Director : Amit Trivedi
 
"Kya kabhi savera
Laata hai andhera ?
Sookhi siyahi
Deti hai gawaahi
"
  The fact that this song stood out against the backdrop of two new released from Rahman (Mariyan and Raanjhnaa) in the recent past, should hopefully give you enough curiousity to listen to this song at least a couple of times. Lyricist and singer Amitabh Bhattacharya sings this melodious song against the canvas of canvas of familiar instruments. The song is slow without being cloying, breezy without being shallow, deep without being overbearing. Its a fine delicate balance, and it helps that the minimal orchestrization makes it sound like someone singing at a light music competition with a guitar in hand. Enough words, go listen to it!
 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Sri Rama lera

Song: Sri Rama lera
Movie Name : SriRama Rajyam
Singers : Shreya Ghoshal, Ramu
Music Director : Ilayaraja

  Happy to back with another Ilayaraja song. This song was my second favorite of this album (after Jagadanandakaraka) initially. But the wonderful rhythm, that second interlude and the feeling of emptiness in this song made me love this song! The song made a deeper impact when I saw this movie and the way the song made its way organically in to a scene. As I wish for Ilayaraja to retire with grace, its movies like this that I wish to see more of.

Now excuse me while I go sing Anthi Mazhai

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Song: Naa pedavilo
Movie Name : Moksha
Singers : Geetha Madhuri
Music Director : Vijay Kurakula

  After teasing with those small music samples in A Film by Aravind, and Nanadanavanam 120 kms (followed by a string of medicore compositions in a few movies), I have been waiting for Vijay Kurakula's next "good" composition. Moksha is a very good album and it looks like Vijay's forte lies in this horror/thriller genre. This song is my favorite in this album, sung beautifully by Geetha Madhuri. Vijay shows a lot of promise in this album and it seems like the right director can extract wonderful and different music from him. Here's hoping we will see more of him.
 
Listen to a sample of Naa Pedavilo at 7digital's website 

Monday, January 07, 2013

Recent favorites

Song: Meghallo
Movie Name : SVSC
Singers : Sri Ramachandra, Karthik
Music Director : Mickey J Meyer

  All the songs in this movie are good, and pretty "safe" numbers. This song in particular is the pairing of two good singers, and has a bit of Meyer's style and a conventional marriage song. I like it for the festive sound

Song: Nenjukulle
Movie Name : Kadal
Singers : Shaktisree Gopalan
Music Director : A R Rehman

  Whether its due to its early release, or due to its own strength, this is the standout song from Kadal. the Mani Ratnam-Rehman combination is going to raise expectations, and this album delivers for most part. The singer is a good find.

Song: Aaha Kadhal
Movie Name : Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal
Singers : Nandini Erikar
Music Director : Yuvan Shankar Raja

  Yuvan stops sounding like Yuvan in this song, and delivers a completely unpredicted song. The singer is another fabulous find, the song is extremely catchy from the first listen. For those looking for the Yuvan strokes, wait for the interludes. Wow!

Song: Reppalapai
Movie Name : Dhamarukam
Singers : Hariharan, Chitra
Music Director : Devisri Prasad

  One of the few recent tracks of DSP that stood out for me. I think the innovative use of Dhamarukam beat in the charanam was what did it for me.

Song: Mella Pookkudhe
Movie Name : Puthagam
Singers : Belle Raj, Deepa Miriam
Music Director : James Vasanth

  We have been waiting for yet another combination of James Vasanth, Deepa Miriam and Belle Raj since "Kangal Irandal". Nothing will ever beat that classic, but this is a really good song.

Friday, January 04, 2013

A Lady and the Violin

Song: Ayyayayoo Aananthamey/A Lady and the Violin
Movie Name : Kumki
Singers : Haricharan/Aditi Paul
Music Director : D Imman

  The best find of my trip to India. I heard this song during a taxi ride in Chennai and was instantly hooked to this song, especially after I heard the line "Nooru kodi vanavail maari maari seruthe" ! The base tune in this song is so good that I remembered it after just one listen. Today when I listen to it again, I have goosebumps. The male and female versions have their own charm. The male version has a more intriguing feel due to the percussion sounds, but the song undoubtedly belongs to Haricharan and his golden voice! D Imman reserves some of the best parts for the charanams where this song moves from a good song to a great song!