Hi, great review man! I loved your analyzing of tracks rather than
sticking to ratings which others do :)
Also nice introduction (Lol)
--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Rajesh Wadhwa"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Ladies and gentleman.....
> Main hoon Raaj, Aap ka apna Raaj ('Raaj' nickname
> for 'Rajesh')
> Maaf karna Rahman sahib
> They think Yuvvraaj music didn't live up,
> They are wrong, very wrong
> Thoda sa classic
> Thoda sa epic
> Thoda sa urban
> Thoda sa groovy
> Thoda sa emotional
> Yeh sab mila ke, Yuvvraaj music is simply a masterpiece
>
> Aur Yeh India ke log
> Jo sochteh hai ke Rahman ka poorest album hai yeh aur Gulzar ka
> weakest lyrics
> Na sur hai na taal
>
> Par Yuvvraaj benega Blockbuster..... Musically aur Film bhi....
> Toh o bekhabar, jaan lo ek raaz
> Ab padhlo mera review of Yuvvraaj......
>
> So, here we are.... Yuvvraaj music is out and it's out with a
> BANG..... It's my most anticipated album, film, and everything
> related with Bollywood this year. Did it live up the hype? Was it
> Rahman at his best? What did the combination of Ghai-Rahman-Guzar
> create? Aaja mein haawaon pe bitha kar le chalo..... Tum hi to
meri
> dost ho.......
>
> Here song by song review of Yuvvraaj:
>
> 1. Main Hoon Yuvvraaj
> The magnificence of the album is immediately brought to the
attention
> of the listener with the first track, "Main Hoon Yuvvraaj With the
> Fifth Of Beethovan". The track is a befitting introduction to the
> main protagonist of the film, Deven Yuvraj, played by Salman Khan.
> And so naturally we have Salman mouthing dialogues in his
> characteristic charming, confident and unassuming manner, cashing
on
> his bad boy image. Salman's dialogues are well supported by
> the "Fifth of Beethovan". Ludwig van Beethovan needs no
introduction
> to the followers of Western classical music and this (performed to
> perfection by The Chennai String Orchestra) is the fifth symphony.
It
> is one of the most popular and well-known compositions in all of
> European classical music, and one of the most often-played
> symphonies. Why the genius music wizard A. R. Rahman has chosen
this
> particular piece (in all probability) is because Beethovan himself
> had dedicated this symphony to two of his patrons, one of whom was
> Prince Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz. And Salman plays the title role
> of 'Yuvraj', a prince.
>
> 2. Tu Hi Tu Meri dost Hai
> With such a brilliant and fulfilling start we move forward with
huge
> expectations and come across another brilliantly crafted "Tu Meri
> Dost Hain". The lilting signature tune sung by the composer, music
> maestro, A.R.Rahman that heralds the commencement of the track is
> absolutely divine (and so very infectious that one simply cannot
help
> but repeat it!) and the portion that follows, heavenly. Rahman's
> melody is breathtakingly simple and comes as whiff of fresh air in
> this era of mediocrity and plagiarism. The musical arrangements
are
> mind-blowing- simple guitar strums, bead sounds and of course the
> cello, (a stringed instrument, part of the violin family) played
(in
> YUVVRAAJ) by Katrina who is supposed to be a musician, adept at
> playing the cello. Shreya Ghoshal and Benny Dayal are simply
> extraordinary. Benny Dayal is a new find; he was fantastic in
JAANE
> TU
YA JAANE NA and he shows that "Pappu "was not a flash in the
pan
> through some superlative rendition in the present track. He will
> definitely earn a foothold in the music industry, in the field of
> playback singing. He has a distinct voice that is very macho as
well
> as sweet and his voice structure matches that of Salman Khan
> perfectly. Gulzar's lyrics are simple yet classy and very much
> identifiable, giving an insight into the relationship shared by
the
> two main protagonists of the film, Salman and Katrina. In other
> words, simply fantabulous! I am simply at a lost for words to
> describe the beauty of this composition. Special mention also to
> Gulzar saab for his gifted lyrics that add so much meaning to the
> song. Honestly, if it wasn't for Rahman's earlier release this
year
> from Jodhaa Akbar i.e. the amazing Khwaja Mere Khwaja, this would
be
> my pick for the most outstanding track of 2008. Genius!
>
> 3. Shano Shano
> After "Pappu Can't Dance" Rahman targets the Gen X yet again
> with "Shano Shano" a very contemporary and in sync with today's
time
> dance floor composition. And, the initial beats are just rocking.
> It's interesting to see what Gulzar delivers here because is
> this "rock-n-roll" type of songs. Shano Shano made me all
energetic
> when listening. It has the groove, the mastee, and the smashing
> composition of Rahman. The start of the vocals shifts the song
into
> another tone, and it mixes typical Bollywood romantic songs with
the
> Rahman groove and roll. This is unique stuff by Rahman and that's
> what he always does. When was the last time you heard such a song?
> Never. Rahman experiments and delivers big time here. I'm already
in
> love with this song. It has the requisite thump, required disco
> beats, the usual rap and combined with (at times) quite unique as
> well as funny style of singing by a host of artists like Sonu
Nigam,
> Srinivas, Karthik, Timmy, Sunaina, Vivienne Pocha and Tina makes
it a
> happening song and dance number. What must be kept in mind is that
> the picturisations will be superb (with Ghai at the helm of
affairs)
> and so it will definitely serve as a tension reliever.
>
> 4. Tu Muskura
> The soundtrack then diverts itself onto the SOUL of Yuvvraaj with
the
> utterly spellbinding Tu Muskura. The cello marks a sensational
return
> and solo cellist V.R. Sekar and Elidh Martin (K M M C Faculty) do
> Rahman proud with some fine performances. Their cello play is
> underpinned by a percussion that hypnotises you soothingly from
the
> start and keeps you firmly in a trance until the very end. As if
that
> wasn't enough, the allure of a previous melody (belonging to Tu
Meri
> Dost Hain) sweeps past you briefly as Rahman magically weaves it
into
> the song via the deft strings of Seenu's Mandolin play.
> And yet, we have not even discussed the true catalyst of the song.
So
> many have written her off but Rahman as we know, is loyal to his
> singing dynasty. And so marks the return of an old favourite: Alka
> Yagnik. Alka Yagnik sounding a bit like the nightingale of India,
> Lata Mangeshkar, holds fort in this soothing love ballad , "Tu
> Muskura" and Javed Ali who impressed all with "Jashne Bahara"
> supports her with his high octave singing. Well in my opinion
(based
> on her singing here) it will be a travesty if she is not nominated
> for the best female playback singer (award) for a performance that
is
> as mesmerizing as the musical backdrop that she sings against. She
is
> simply a transformed singer here, sometimes unrecognizable and
from
> recollection, her last performance of such magnitude was Rang Hai
> (Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities) which confirms the mastery of
ARR
> over his singers. Javed Ali did a great job in Jashn-e-Bahaara but
> plays second fiddle here to the bewitching vocals of Alka.
Gulzar's
> lyrics grab your inner soul and churn out what is left of your
> emotions
WOW! This is definitely one step closer to musical
> heaven
.you could quite literally waste away hours, even days
> listening to this soul stirring masterpiece!
>
> K M M C - KM Music Conservatory, an Institution, started by Rahman
> this year.
>
> 5. Mastam Mastam
> After such an emotionally draining roller coaster that was Tu
Muskura
> one feels the need for a break and a diversion. Rahman duly
obliges
> with Mastam Mastam, a delightfully uplifting track that also ranks
as
> the most innovative of the soundtrack and also one of the best of
> 2008. The music is simple yet oozes witchcraft (the dhol and cello
in
> tandem, play mind games on you like you have never heard before!),
> playful but at times melancholy, witty but with an underlying
> message. The interaction between the singers, Sonu Nigaam
> (outstanding as ever), Alka Yagnik, Naresh & Benny, is another
> highlight as are the incredibly unique and diverse lyrics, hats
off
> to you Gulzar saab! The Broadway musical influence shines through
in
> Mastam Mastam. Now, with this, as with most other tracks of this
> album, picturisation would play an important part in its
> appreciation. Seems like a heavily choreographed fun song, with
> references to cats and other animals and the same captured in the
> sound effects. Extremely dramatic and lively the song stands out
for
> its skillful use of backing vocals, a touch of accordion and a
robust
> rhythm section. The rock and roll touch and the style of singing
take
> us back to the era of the fifties and sixties, the Shammi Kapoor
> times. However, once again the plus point of the song are the
lyrics
> by Gulzar .We have heard of Hinglish but Gulzar Sahab comes up
with
> Hindi-Persian, although this is not the first time that he has
done
> it to perfection before. Who can forget his classic super hit, all
> time favourite number "Zee haal-e-maskin makun ba ranjhish"
> (J.P.Dutta's GHULAMI)? All in all another superlative number that
> will look fabulous on screen with some frenzied, rock and rollish
> dancing.
>
> 6. Zindagi
> The soulful journey of Yuvvraaj passes through Zindagi in which
the
> composer continues to amaze in more ways than one. Depending on
your
> preferences and mood swings, you could potentially enjoy this more
> than Tu Muskura. First up expect to be blown away by the Woodwinds
> play by P M K Naveen Kumar. If you recover from that, there is the
> enticing piano and strings of the Chennai String Orchestra.
Rahman's
> fusion of these incredible sounds is the best remedy for a
stressful
> mind! The distinct vocals are instantly recognizable but this is
not
> Hariharan listeners, this is Srinivas, another long time favourite
of
> Rahman who also sang in the brilliant Yeh Jo Zindagi Hai (Earth
> 1947). In fact with such awesome vocals, one wonders why we have
not
> heard more from him. Gulzar outdoes himself once again and for his
> complete collection in Yuvvraaj, runs away with the best lyrics of
> the year award. Zindagi is another must listen.
>
> 7. Dil Ka Rishta
> After this, Dil Ka Rishta follows the suite, and what can I say
here?
> The song starts with a grand opening - a terrific start. It moves
you
> completely and puts you in a trance. The song is an epic
musically.
> Beautiful, soulful, colorful, fascinating..... I mean, words
aren't
> enough really. Dil Ka Rishta is a musical novel literally. It
> completely took me in awe. The composition is as unique as it can
get
> really. Again, who others could have composed this? Some could
have
> tried, but they certainly couldn't have reached this level.
Rehman's
> classical vocals are just off the charts. The songs blends Indian
> classic with Western folklore. And, Yuvvraaj's background plays
with
> so grinding resonance. The song clearly demonstrates a magnum
opus.
> It's like those Shakespeare's plays, but in musical tones. This is
my
> favorite song of the album, and the best song of the year.
> Dil Ka Rishta begins with a full-blown orchestral prelude and the
> song takes off from there. The track enjoys a fusion of styles,
> Indian, and western classical, instrumental and vocal, with Rahman
> doing a bit of voice percussion as well. The penultimate track Dil
Ka
> Rishta is a diversion of a completely different kind that takes
you
> by complete surprise! Initially you don't realize as a beautiful
> piano introduction is cut short by a cello play but your senses
are
> instantly awestruck by the powerful nature of the drums and the
full-
> blown orchestration that follows immediately after that. Welcome
to
> the PASSION of Yuvvraaj and another unique twist to the
soundtrack!
> This one has it all; a catchy tune, peppy beats, symphony
orchestra,
> English verses (by Blazze) and some killer vocals by Sonu Nigaam,
> Roopkumar Rathod and ARR himself. Rahman puts this potpourri of
> ingredients to amazing use and delivers another winner even
thought
> strictly speaking, the song is clearly situational and is attached
to
> the relationship of the three brothers in the movie. Fascinating
yet
> irresistibly Rahman! One is amazed at the versatility of the
creative
> genius called Allah Rakha Rahman and the YUVVRAAJ soundtrack dons
a
> magnificent garb through this track. And before the song gets all
> instrumental and hi-fi in comes Sonu Nigam and Roop Kumar Rathod
and
> the number assumes a completely new shade with normal peppy tune,
> English lyrics by Blazze and chorus singing by Suzanne D'Mello,
> Clinton Crejo and Viveinne Pocha. A truly world class composition
> this one!
>
> 8. Manmohine Morey
> Manmohini Morey starts so melodiously. What a humming start. It's
> those classical Indian songs, but with urban beats and modern
music.
> Rahman beautifully mixes Indian classic with modern beats. It's
so,
> so good classical number. It's picturized on Anil I think and on
the
> screen - Anil will create fire with this one. It's among the best
> trans-composition I've heard and Vijay Prakash sings it like an
ace.
> The lyric is simple here, but serves its purpose. Superb fusion of
> cello string sounds and mild classical alaap brings
forth "Manmohini
> Morey". Those who loved the "Man Mohini" of HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM
> will definitely relish this one here is another treat in store for
> the die-hard semi-classical patrons who do not mind some good
fusion
> with normal commercial tunes. Vijay Prakash shows his vocal
control
> and is quite good. The "Tu Muskura" cello piece gels with the
> composition and a sense of pain and suffering and of being
separated
> from the beloved is conveyed well through it. A fantastic
conclusion
> to a brilliant album.
>
>
> The year 2008 has been a good one for Rahmanics, what with JODHAA
> AKBAR, ADA-A WAY OF LIFE and JAANE TU...YA JAANE NA (and GHAJINI
to
> follow!) all hitting the stands, which is very rare as Rahman has
> become very selective of late. Well, we want to say 'Eureka' as we
> finally run into YUVVRAAJ! One just cannot find a single
composition
> that can be classified as less than masterpiece.
>
> NOTE: Grab the YUVVRAAJ audio album, snatch it or go ahead and
even
> steal it!
>
