:tchu-tchu-tchu-tchu:
sunil.. mudiyala...
ata
sunil.. toomuch...
:tchu-tchu-tchu-tchu:
sunil.. mudiyala...
ata
sunil.. toomuch...
sunil, my bad english. very bad, actually. i didn't knew how to translate the tamil word "chellam" sorry if my post was mis-leading. i shud have stopped with the word 'favourite'.
lets talk only about music :)
Absolutetly...especially after watching IR on youtube teach Bhava .. the man acts it out..not just sings..Quote:
Originally Posted by KV
Dhoni is an acoustic delight .. Shreya can be conferred honorary citizenship of TN :-) (and some kids of rich politicians/stars kicked out :-) ).. na. muthukumar shows maturity in lyrics.. ofcourse, TN is the land of the poets and musicians
Caught up with Dhoni and Mayilu. My thoughts on them...
dhoni: A very simple and sincere album with pleasant melodies. I was expecting some poignant stuff (i'm sure the film will have some poignancy or melodrama, depending upon the capabil;ity of the director) but was surprised to see very easy-mood melodies. My preferences ranked here:
1. Vaangum - The most brilliant composition in the album. Suresh has already posted all my thoughts, about the jazz element and the tala pattern. I can only add that a 68 year old composer, teams up with a 64 year old singer and few instrumentalists whose age could be between 40-65, to dish out one of the most youthful and peppy numbers ever. It is the surprise song for me, because I never expect that kind of guitar usage from Raaja (since it is not pure classical style, which Raaja does usually). Raaja, in my opinion, has pushed his limit and experimented well in this song.
2. Vilayaattu: Many of us here have our own likes/dislikes or reservations about Hariharan. Heck, even raaja himself might have some reservations. But we must admit that Raaja is totally besotted with Hariharan. For in every other film, he gives hariharan atleast one song that is totally befitting his voice. And its been this way since about 12 years may be. Lot of people associate Hariharan's songs (hits) more with ARR but empirically, I suspect Raaja must have given more songs to Hariharan than ARR. Clearly Raaja loves this guy, for consistently giving him some wonderful songs. coming to this song, it is a very mature melody. Hariharan sang it with great poise and sincerity. On a parallel plane, i almost imagined this as a S.D.Burman composition (sung by SDB himself). I dont mean, IR used some SDB song... but the song has the quality/mood of the songs that SDB did in some of his bengali private albums. Shreya's rendition is also quite good. in my opinion, we cannot compare both renditions because shreya's pronunciation is slightly folksy(intentionally nasal at places) while hariharan goes more on a very lazy style of pronunciation. Equally listenable!
3. Chinna Kannile: Sweet, enjoyable no doubt. Nice rendition. Beautiful interludes. But I have some reservations about the composition (particularly the pallavi). I felt it is a bit too simple and less heart-tugging, from the standards of Ilaiyaraaja. It is not bad. But it is like any other 'good' composition by any other music director (not totally newbies). I mean, if a Vidyasagar comes up with this song I would have definitely said "fantastic" but I put Raaja on a higher pedestal and hence, I am unable to eulogize this song beyond calling it a good song.
4. Thaavi Thaavi: Again a nice, listenable composition with wonderful interludes! The charanams flow flawlessly back to Pallavi. But then, I am not sure if it will continue to enthuse me 2 years from now. I felt the pallavi very nursery-rhymish though good to hum. But i must say that Raaja's rendition is very good. Very warm and sweet (i dont know why i did not feel so at some points in Kalagane kanulatho in Gaayam-2). But in this song, he gets it very right!
In all, a very good album after Sneha Veedu. Certainly promising!
Moving over to Mayilu:
1. Yathae - easily the pick of the album. Raaja goes full-throttle right from word go (with that bass line bounce). It is amazing that he still pursues various colours in Keeravani raagam. The guitar strumming + table in charanams is a brilliant one by raaja - something that again proves that he is not stuck in past but is constantly trying new things. A brilliant composition overall.
2. AadhiSokka - This is a typical Raaja song of 80s, updated to 2012. The quality of melody is so 80s (which means Raaja is the same). One can feel it all the more in charanams, the melody is very Bharathiraja+Raaja kind. The way he has painted that old raajaism on new canvas. amazing. What brilliant interludes. Loved this.
3. Entha kutham - a poignant composition. The mood of this song immediately takes us to the sombre feel that probably would find its rightful place in a Naan Kadavul perhaps. The female humming (aaraaro) is like a small glow in that song, keeping the proceedings warm. Charanams have the right flow. Raaja's rendition is good! Infact, i think i would rank this song as top, if we have to ignore the standard melody as barometer.
4. Thukkamenna - a standard 80s raaja melancholic (suitable for rustic films) song. Except for the nostalgic element, it didnt get me excited much.
5. Kalyanam & namaloda - again usual rustic numbers reminiscent of 80s raaja. namaloda had good interludes/instrumentation. I dont think they will carry much recall value compared to other songs.
To sum up - Yathae, Enna kutham and adhisokka symbolize his versatality (known anyway). each a brilliant song in their own right. Since i liked 3 out 6 songs, I can say I have mixed opinions on this album, but the qualitative aspects of the 3 songs I liked far outweigh the other 3, which makes this album very interesting for me. In short, I am not at all disappointed. Raaja delivers!
Sure!Quote:
Originally Posted by sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar
Don't worry, my English isn't perfect. You're post wasn't misleading, I was just being silly... I went to Google translator and searched "Chellam" and it listed Dear, Darling, Child, Sweetie and Honey :grin: I'll assume you meant Dear. Naan Thamizh karka vendum
Sorry for the digressionQuote:
Originally Posted by Sunil_M88
Last week we had a Typewriting in தமிழ் தட்டச்சு பட்டறை (Tamil session in Minnesota). There was a lot of enthusiasm. We hope to hold few more sessions.
I am totally hooked up to Velayaatta Padagotti... absolutely fantastic.
There were a few other songs that I have heard over 100 times in a few days... this is one of those.
It seems Sengattu Bhoomiyile is a disaster
http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-r...le-review.html
Comments worth noting: Is this IR's music ? Hilarious comments :-)
On Quality of movies: It goes without saying that we cannot take movies as intense as many of the Hollywood movies. My son who is just 5 years old was spellbound yesterday to see the "Alien" movie, taken in the 80s. I watched it for the nth time and still the suspense and screenplay looks so fresh and exciting as before. Many others are there in that category.
On the other hand, 90% of our movies fall in a category: Love, Arival, and Vulgarity. IR composes music for these mediocre ones too.
Why aren't we rising to the occasion and take solid movies that are watchable again and again....
Can Virumandi become a Usual Suspects ? I am not sure, but a novel attempt at least. I wish we could get some family entertainers at least in the future.
I dont understand?. What is has digital has to do with this?. why voice reproduced with fidelity is not good enough? digitally processing tavil to shenai is just a fad than trend (mostly by MDs who cant think beyond). There is so much great music world over that still produces instrument/voice sound with fidelity, that is no way inferior. It need not be done, unless such processing/manipulation itself can be justified as an art form (like brush stokes in paintings) rather than a mandatory step.Quote:
Originally Posted by venkkiram
VeLayaatta PadagOtti is a sweet melody that is going in a loop in my ipod now. Interestingly both versions - Hariharan's and Shreya's have their unique flavours and are great in their own right. Shreya's pronunciation is EXCELLENT! The lyrics are simple, yet profound. The SDBurman feeling is probably because it's a 'boat' song!
Anegan - I would definitely enroll but I live on the other side of the ocean.
end dig//
I've started to drown in Yathea :musicsmile: First interlude is monstrous :thumbsup:
Just like Yuvan, Bhavatharini too has this has rustic voice appeal and just like her brother, I believe the composer inside her is stronger than the singer. But here she truly excels, though I think her voice has been auto-tuned here and there.
The songs has shades of Yaarum Thodatha (Ajantha)
Sengaathu bhoomiyilae didn't feel like IR to me too. Worssttu!
Yipeee Dhinakar Rajaram and i went to richie street chennai and we were 1st one to get the dhoni audio cd.
By 4 pm IST today evening. We were the first IR fans to purchase the CD. Sadly we had to struggle for 5 days to get the CD. WORST MANAGEMENT
Dhinakar Rajaram and i visited the sony india chennai office. We met Mr. Suresh who is in charge of the office. We straight away asked why this delay and he said the delay was because the master cd was given to them late and hence the delay. One fine day they suddenly came up and said audio release. Sony has assured us that from the next time they will try to take Ilayaraaja albums for release and they will consult our group too. Dhinakar showed the man our group raja fans an many other IR groups on the net- basically fan groups. They thanked Ilayaraaja fans for showing so much of interest in buying originals
Thanks Kamesh. :D I see the cover also mentions about downloading from iTunes. I tried searching in iTunes. It is still not available.
I thought it was just meQuote:
Originally Posted by Sunil_M88
Dhoni - 2nd attempt
"Vaangum Panathukku" is the standout from this album. Balu owns it. Bluesy base but the tune, the sandhams are so Thamizh. *That* is Raaja. :notworthy: That, is signature, fidelity and security which comes with supreme confidence. That's the only way he knows i guess
Cncur with aakarsh on the other songs. Chinna Kannile is definitely not Raaja standard (and percussion is the least of the problems). And what's with ShreyaG's voice? Why does it sound different?
Mayilu beats Dhoni...
If there is any debate on who's the greatest Indian playback singer (male), let's end it, please. Rafi will understand
"Vaangum Panathukkum" 1st interlude is a beauty. Enna flow...
Plum ,
I thought Kaathiruppen Kaathiruppen was a louly , you get a really nice feel listening to it.
I think it was one of Reeta's best songs with very beautiful flute interludes
I think the bass is pizzicato from a double bassQuote:
Originally Posted by KV
And the bass lines sound more like blues than jazz style 'walking' bass
I think so too.. but Dhoni tunes seem to be built with longer phrases.. orchestration seems to be standard/classic IR.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bala (Karthik)
Bala, Ippollaam all and sundry beat dhoni so not surprising mayilu did, too :)
Bala,
As I had said in my writeup of 'vaangum panathukkum', the bass is definitely blues. Wonderfully done by Raja. Having a blues base and a typical film song!! The drumming though is more in the jazz style.
Dhoni Telugu version
http://www.raaga.com/channels/telugu...p?mid=A0002863
Strange choice of singers for the important song of the album. But SPB song sounds even better in telugu. Actually, superb!
and the singer who song vilayaatta in telugu doesnt get the warmth of Hariharan
"Ilaiyaraaja and the Synth Myth" - some thoughts that I have been munching on for a week...
http://www.backgroundscore.com/2012/...ynth-myth.html
Very nice article Suresh!Quote:
Originally Posted by sureshmehcnit
Sad but reveals the current generation trend clearly!Quote:
P.S: And, why does the very sound of Dhoni songs irritates my roommate though he could repeatedly listen to Aravaan songs, is something I am yet to understand.
Dear Suresh JiQuote:
Originally Posted by sureshmehcnit
Yes indeed a wonderful analysis. Your last line -
It is not the Synth. It could be the Sound recording. It definitely is the Melody. Melody is all!
- Really gets to the core and definitely sums your write-up.
BTW SEL also used that loop for Lakshya title song and though I'm not sure I think GVP has used that same effect if not loop for Pirai Thedum and the later is one of my most fav songs of 2011. So yes, this further supports the argument of melody being the biggest lifeline of a song/instrumental. The melody has to be concrete from whoever composes it, but to an extent that too depends on the listeners taste.
The last tracks from Raaja Saab with complete emotional synth overdose are Neeral Udal Kazhuvi (Sounds like a cousin of Celebration of life from Aayrathil Oruvan) and Thedi Vantha (Ponnar Shankar). These two tracks, have tall pillars in all three categories i.e. Synth, Sound-engineering and melody.
Digression//
To those, who think Synth arrangements make the refreshing quotient less compared live recording - I just have to say one word "VANGELIS".
Sengathu Bhoomiyile reviews. Contrasting opinions on music/BGM.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...ure-winner-797
"In ornate lettering, “Isaignani Ilaiyaraja's Sengathu Bhoomiyile” flashes on screen, a tribute to the music maestro. The story goes that Ilaiyaraja was moved to tears by the climax of the film and wrote a song ‘En usuru enna vittu', which ‘would echo in the hearts of the audience all the way to the parking area'. I admit I fell for this prelude. This is one of the three reasons I won't word-punch this movie right away ..... The music is nothing to write home about. The background score is jerky and often arbitrary. It sounds like a template of Ilaiyaraja's."
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...ure-winner-797
"...Ilayaraja’s background score is the backbone of the film. It gives the right emotions at the right places..."
thanks,
Krishnan
I don't have a problem with him liking Aravaan. I like Aravaan music immensely myself. I just wonder what in the sound of Ilaiyaraaja music makes them not even give a chance and listen to the entire song once.Quote:
Originally Posted by venkkiram
Totally forgot that Lakshya song. I have some reservations about Thedi Vandha song, though it is an excellent melody. Sampled voices, I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunil_M88
@Sunil_M88 using Synth is not a sin :-) imo I find Raaja the composer is not at ease using it..to provide a tennis analogy Raaja using Live orchestration is like watching Fedex on grass/hard courts..a poetry in motion. Why do you wanna see Fedex nudge and prod in clay.
Suresh/sunil - this is precisely what I was talking about yesterday. What in IR prevents the youththu from giving it a chance - why the uncool man dressed uncooly and uncool to flaunt as a taste in peer circles. As simple as that. As someone noted, if the same audio is released with Yuvan's name, it might do much nbetter
Is the audio CD any better for Dhoni? Listen to this Raja number from the obscure KannukkullE (2009) - http://www.thiraipaadal.com/tpplayer...1'&lang=en Especially the 2nd interlude. That's what I am talking about. Real violins against a single real violin followed by a real flute. Sounds fantastic. Dhoni songs, the orchestration particularly, somehow don't sound this *crisp*. Only the SPB song sounds perfect.
Suresh - could you please elaborate on what you mean by sampled voices.
Wizzy - Yes, synth is no sin. I don't think you understood my post. I'm a defender of using synth, as I use it myself extensively :) BTW Raaja Saab is one of the finest pioneers of synth music, so don't know why you think hes not at ease using it when in fact he's mastered the art of it.
venkki/plum - I don't have the right to say this but I think the majority of the current generation born in the mid 80s to late 90s and certainly millennium onwards don't really feel the need to revisit Raaja Saab's forgotten early material therefore they are disabling themselves from his music. Hence, they might be taking his recently released material at face value and find they cannot relate to it after first impressions hence don't bother going back to give it a second chance.
Folks,
I have been telling this for a while, but got beaten up for saying so. Its a trend Karthikraja that got IR sucked into. Too many instruments fighting for space and yet you cannot hear any single instrument clearly. Name one song or IR where you were able clearly hear an instrument crisp and clear. Probably ASK's theme was the one I heard in a long time.
Change sound engineer - that's the only thing I can say.
Good article, Suresh. Yes, it is the melody or tune that matters. But I hope in this context, I hope your readers dont underestimate the value of live acoustic recordings. Dhoni is an acoustic delight..I will say that 1000 times (notice the decay of the sounds - my main earphones are broke, I need to get it fixed, it is going to be much better in it). Please buy the CD and play it on tower speakers a bit loudly. It is very difficult to reproduce IR songs in playback equipment because of the large number of instruments used. You need to get good equipment for the "separation" and low bass of drums.
Yes, synths have been used in IR songs for a long time (bad usage easily noticed in thenRalE ennai thodu itself - I cannot imagine all the 80s songs with Dhoni like sound - pure heaven). Puru has confirmed that synth strings play along with real strings most of the time to add 'body'. But people like me have been very specific about our complaints with synths. Major problems are with the drum and string sounds. Recently, this seems to have been remedied. Mainly because the current synths - do not synthesize sound - but playback sampled sounds i.e recorded sounds of real instruments. Same thing goes for drum loops (Rahman is a pioneer in this area).
Currently, my major gripe is the too liberal usages of "delays" (echo in normal terms). Very bad. This is done mainly in "modern" songs.. the rustic/folksy ones seem to be unmarred this way. Yes, in this context, fire the sound engineer.
Suresh, you are right Dhoni is nandhala-2, especially with thavi thaavi. Similarly, mayilu is kaathal jathi-2.