IR New Albums - Old responses (5 Aug 2006)

Kavin, great point.

Vijayr, you have proven everything I wanted to say. You talk about the lack of orchestration. Precisely what I am saying. Today's chartbusters require no orchestration - Manmadharasa, Appadi podu and even Kaaka Kaaka are a case in point. Where is the orchestration? You give me a YamahaS90 synthesizer, and I will give you the orchestration.

As far as accepting Karagatakari is concerned, why should he not? Is there something written on the foreheads of those coming to him, saying they are not going to deliver quality?

As far as Fazil, KH and BM are concerned, they may be veterans, they may be IR loyalists. So what? Is that a negative? Fazil may not have made Tamil film for a long time. But is'nt that how he always works? Does'nt he always take a long break between his tamil films? So what if Kamal does not goto IR for non Rajkamal movies? What are you trying to prove? Is'nt it a positive if KH keeps going to IR for his home production always? On what basis are you saying that BM is washed up? Bcos his last 2 films did not do well? For that matter even MR's last 2 did not do too well? You talk about these 3 being IR loyalists? But you forget that they are IR loyalists, bcos like so many of us here, they believe in the quality of IR's musical output, each time, every time. Not judged by the no of cassettes sold, but by a unique character for each movie that IR creates, through his music, as only he can.

A case in point. Did you hear the Ramana songs? IR himself agreed that he did not understand the story properly. But then did you hear the bgm? I rest my case!

Kavin, I am just expressing my opinions on these albums. I am not saying that someone else shouldnt like Karagatakari or certain songs because I didn't like them.. On the other hand if ppl here like 12 bums keep questioning me on my opinions of IR's recent songs I'll let them know as to why I think they are'nt fresh

"As far as accepting Karagatakari is concerned, why should he not? Is there something written on the foreheads of those coming to him, saying they are not going to deliver quality? '

12bums, oh he can very well accept. But if the quality is bad(and you seem to agree with me here) IMO, I'll say so.

" BM is washed up? Bcos his last 2 films did not do well?"

BM hasnt been around since the mid-90s. MR is still pretty much a force to reckon with.

"But you forget that they are IR loyalists, bcos like so many of us here, they believe in the quality of IR's musical output, each time, every time"


They might believe, but that doesnt mean every album of theirs turns out to be as good as Varusham 16 or Moondram pirai, either in terms of cassette sales or technical excellence. Friends was average stuff. Julie Ganapathy and AOKK are'nt any better. Even some of the fans here in this thread have mixed opinions on these albums.

" Today's chartbusters require no orchestration - Manmadharasa, Appadi podu and even Kaaka Kaaka are a case in point. Where is the orchestration? You give me a YamahaS90 synthesizer, and I will give you the orchestration. "

by your own logic today's chartbusters dont need a great melody either, as proven by your examples. So why does IR give a melody like "kaatril varum geetham" and why do you go gaga over it? Think before you comment. IR has never been one to follow trend. His "Kaattu vazhi" song with natural instruments is an example. Virumandi is an example. But he doesnt do it consistently. As an aside, even synth can be used imaginatively.

I feel that people have started viewing film music in an album like mentality, without thinking how it would be if seen with a film. I have heard loads of expert opinions when "Avatharam" was released as to why Raaja has sung most of the songs. When the movie was released, everyone felt that Raaja's voice suited the character much better. Again I am hearing everybody "rubbishing" Harris Jayaraj's Anniyan. For all you know , if seen along with the movie, these songs might be apt.
similarly for a given story and set of situations, ONOK and AOKK songs might be the right choices. I have not heard these songs, but from my experience when Kadhalukku Mariyaadhai was released, I hated "Aanandha Kuyilin Paattu". However when I saw it with the movie I liked it.
Coming to the over use of synth, I am ok with it as long as it does not give you the jarring feeling in the head. Raaja goes for a soft glide touch for synth sounds unlike the crisp hi bass 'cicks' (whale and dolphin terms) that everyone else in the industry is using. Maybe he likes it that way. I have no problems with that. I liked the opening synth of "Unnai thaedi" from Konji Pesalam. Even in the much acclaimed "Elangaathu Veesudhe" from Pithamagan, synth is there. Again it didn't impress me to start with, however the melody of the tune and the voices used stood solidly and left an indelible mark in the melody map of recent times.
In my opinion any music review of a film song album will be complete and just only when viewed with the movie. Let us give Raaja that benefit of doubt and not act as Nakkeerars (Killjoys in this context).

Kajuraho song is awesome..others are ok type..kadhaluku mariyathey was far superior..

cine music is just for entertainment purposes. anybody is free to express his views here. afterall IR is just a musician - not a Prophet :))) instead of asking somebody to look for somewhere, it is better for the same people to refrain from replying to posts that they dont like.

there certainly cannot be arguments - as one's taste is fixed and one cannot like ONOK, Karagattakari, etc etc just because of IR's variety, IR's senility, IR's disinterest in music, IR's synth, u guys like it, etc etc.

I hear only IR's music just because it suits my taste. I was listening to Kaatrinile varum geetham songs yesterday (SPM movie) for hrs - Nobody but IR could have created such magic. So we are just deploring the fact that we are not even seeing a fraction of that IR in today's movies..... and some attribute it to IR's senility factor.... which may be totally correct.

So the point is nobody hates IR; everybody likes him as a musician. but liking his various albums depends on personal taste and expectations.

Discount of 10% for Casettes and DVDs of Thiruvasagam in Symphony until the 29th of June

http://www.chennaionline.com/music/d...iruvasagam.asp

In my opinion - Fazil, BM, Kamal prefers IR not just for music but more importantly for his ultimate BGM / Re-recording... which definitely elevates the quality of each frames of the film.
Even movies like Veerumandi, Ramana, Kasi, Bharti or Ivan had a great re-recording. I am sure both ONOK and AOK, BGM tracks will be g8.

Vijayr, it is unfortunate that you think I am questioning your opinions. It is just that I felt strongly about some of the things you said, especially since I felt you were totally writing him off. Personally I still eagerly await an IR album, and forme, an IR album has more repeat value than that of any other MD. We can continue our argument, but I am sure it will serve no purpose. You will stick to your stand and I will stick to mine. I apologise for any misunderstanding.

vijayr -> Your point is very well taken.. But I often keep wondering what goes thro' the minds of geniuses.., what makes an IR stop orchestration.., what makes Sachin restrain his cover drive.. We all know they can do it. And they are smart enough to understand what they're doing. If they still do something other than what they "usually do", is the onus on us to put ourselves into their shoes & try to understand their actions? We may not like what they do, but may be there is a point somewhere which we miss. May be it'll be an interesting exercise!!

"Kaatril Varum Geethame" reminds me of "Jyoti Kalasha Chhalake" [Lata mangeshkar's bhajan from "Bhabhi ki Chudiyaan"]