Maestro ilaiyaraaja news & titbits

[rajkumarc]

Thanks raja_fan. Kaatrai Konjam tune sounds superb. Really can't wait for the audio cd.

[kameshratnam]

Those who are in the USA and wish to receive the NEPV cds: Please fill up this form

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...ZXRQbnBwLUE6MQ

Your details will be only with me and i will not share them with any one.

Thanks to design and super help from SKV sir

[Bala (Karthik)]

So, "Kaatrai Konjam" is the song BR had written about (Gautham had played a version before mastering) - cross between "Naal thorum" (Devathai) and some other song.

[sakaLAKALAKAlaa Vallavar]

Kamesh, share this link in twitter/facebook/yahoo-groups for a wider reach! Since you are taking efforts, at all sites, the link shud be shared only by you. So there is single point control

[Vinodkumar]

Well the situation can be changed. First of all, I feel the problem lies in the fact that, the original source of the songs (be it compilations or whole albums) being sold by agi is not the original studio master tapes. If they are indeed using the original studio masters then they should invest in some hi-end analogue remastering EQUIPMENT and NOT just digital remastering SOFTWARE. I have heard rumors that for quite some movies the original studio master tapes were lost in a fire at the echo company. For such cases they MUST hunt down brand-new/minimally used LP records to be used as the original source. The fact is that if the audio source is noisy then it is very difficult to remove the noise without messing the signal with even the best digital remastering software. Hence the stress should be on hi-end analogue equipment (sensitive tape/LP heads, tube amplifiers, hi-end ADCs etc) and then digital remastering.

That is exactly the reason why I'm on the hunt for unused LP's. I'm in the process of acquiring a high end DSD/DXD audio interface to record the LP in its full glory. I can then play them in DSD/DXD or even down convert with a stellar quality. Even some of the albums from later 70's have unbelievable quality if you can get them brand new (unplayed old lp's). I'm very happy with the current interface which can do 192 khz. The DSD/DXD is in another league all together.

[Vinodkumar]

I am appalled, IR's early works not available for public to buy as CDs.
I haven't bought anything from Agi people!
Whoever these people are Agi or people with the rights, better they apply their mind, make sure, IR earlier works are available in CDs just like Oriental records did earlier!
enna ellarum on-line downloading mattumdhan pannanumaa, pannuvangala?
idiotic aa illai!
Get lost people! With this kind of mess, they are indirectly encouraging pirated copies!

You could try at shrimatis.com. They do carry quite a few IR albums (Oriental/Pyramid/Wilson names)

[baroque]

vinodkumar!

Good to know!

[rajaramsgi]

The process happens like this. Once the situation is explained to him, the tape starts recording and he starts humming the tunes. Finally the director selects one. But the tape remains intact. Earlier when Sundaarrajan was around ( he is no more) he used to remember all these things. To that extent when some one comes for a song and Raaja does not have time for a composing session, when the situation is explained to Sundarrrajan, he used remember an unused tune from the session with some other director which may fit in with the new requirement; and he will pick up that particular tape and take it further. That was the kind of system he was maintaining. And that was the level of his involvement in the whole process. You may be aware, that till his death, starting from the mid eighties, he was the one who used to sit with the singers and record the song; with the guidance from the tune tape, the notations he has made of the tune once it was finalised and the orchestral score sheet from the recording session.

Now I don't know whether such a practice is still on. And knowing the kind of people around, I doubt.

Thank you Karlkayan. This is one of the most best posts in recent months, - not for explaining how it all happens - as we know this from before but for bringing in Sundarrajan into this. He is an unsung hero who was with Raja sir from his initial days. I heard Sundarrajan used to be V.Kumar's assistant first before he joined Raja sir. We did not know that he is dead. This must have happened in recent years as he was alive during Andrum Indrum Endrum show in 2005, he even conducted a section in that show, also he spoke in the Making of Thiruvasagam video. He was surely a great assistant to Raja sir like many mentioned about him before. Please post any stories, photos or even videos about him, Govardhanam or any other Raja sir thalabadhis. We should pay tributes to them.

Many would object if I say Raja sir has V.Kumar, GKV influences in his music more than his much respected mentors.

[Vinodkumar]

That is exactly the reason why I'm on the hunt for unused LP's. I'm in the process of acquiring a high end DSD/DXD audio interface to record the LP in its full glory. I can then play them in DSD/DXD or even down convert with a stellar quality. Even some of the albums from later 70's have unbelievable quality if you can get them brand new (unplayed old lp's). I'm very happy with the current interface which can do 192 khz. The DSD/DXD is in another league all together.

Here is a sample clip from RosapooRavikaiKaari. This is a mono lp from 1979. It has taken quite a bit beating. However, hear the quality. This is RAW recording without any EQ or clip gains.. Pardon me for the short clip... http://soundcloud.com/raja4ever/ennulilengo

[ErneFsRurdy]

Where we can get the tickets of sep1 concert.