Well, in my opinion, the concert was gripping in the beginning - 30mins approx, boring in the middle - 30 mins approx agn, rocking from chaiyya chaiyya to vande mataram. Concert could have been better. I'd blame it on the song selection. Will detail my concerns little later...
-----Original Message----- From: Gopal Srinivasan Sent: 25/07/2010 13:38:57 Subject: [arr] Review: A R Rahman Rocks O2 Arena In Dazzling London Concert Review: A R Rahman Rocks O2 Arena In Dazzling London Concert Jul 25, 2010 Krishna Kumar A R Rahman's Jai Ho! concert, O2 Arena, London - Krishna Kumar A R Rahman's Jai Ho World Tour London concert at the O2 Arena was a rollicking show of light-and-sound play; a nod to Rahman's popular and personal journey. Journey Home, says the promo tag for A R Rahman's world tour that's in its final leg in the United Kingdom. On Saturday at the O2 Arena in London, the Grammy-winning musician cut a ticket home for teeming Indians with a snazzy, thumping show of song and dance. Rahman and his singers did play along with the concert regulars but the accent here was more on a seamless, pluralist ethos that has fused well with his music over an 18-year career. So there, white dancers shook it to thudding Bhangra beats, the ever-nimble Blaaze rapped along with Rahman, Ganesha imagery was followed by Sufi strains and Dekho aayi Holi mixed well with Humma humma and Harshdeep Kaur's Ik Onkar satnam. Maa Tujhe Salaam Kicks Off Rahman Concert Ads by Google Indian Hindi Movie Everything to do with Indian Hindi Movie items. Yahoo.com Jersey Shore Soundtrack Feat. DJ Pauly D - Beat Dat Beat Buy The Soundtrack Now! shop.MTV.com In an elegant blue-light display, Rahman kicked the concert off with bits of Maa tujhe salaam from Vande Mataram. There was the rewind, as images from Rahman's early years flashed, to the strains of Oh saya from Slumdog Millionaire. The concert trailblazer followed, when Rahman was joined by Benny Dayal, Alphonse Joseph and Vijay Prakash for the smashing Athiradikkaaran from Sivaji - The Boss. The mood shift came with the mellow The Journey Home (Bombay Dreams, the musical) and Yeh jo des hai (Swades), propped with kites and projected images of the Des and its heartland. Dreams on fire (Slumdog Millionaire), Nazrein milaana (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na) and Barso re megha (Guru) followed, all interspersed with duels on the tabla, flute, violin and guitar and brief, choreographed set-pieces. Rahman Returns, Dil Se Read on A R Rahman – The Mozart of Madras As the first Indian to win two Oscars, Rehman, the Mozart of Madras, has enabled Indian music to move onto the world stage. The next segment was on with Rahman's plucky rendition of Dil se (Dil se). The Bombay theme was played with flames flickering for backdrop, setting it up for Hariharan who signed on with Bharat humko (from Roja, including much-cheered bits from the Tamil original), joined in by other singers including Neeti Mohan and Shweta Pandit. Rahman joined a hologram-ized Lata Mangeshkar for the lovely Lukka Chhupi from Rang De Basanti that was followed by Rahman's Azadi (Bose - The Forgotten Hero). The peppy groove was back with Pappu can't dance saala (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na) and Neeti Mohan's Hello Mister Edhirkatchi (Iruvar). Urvasi urvasi (Kaadhalan) played out into a mix with Benny Dayal's Taxi (Sakkarakkatti). Rahman And The Spiritual Beat Rahman's rendition of Only You (Vande Mataram) set the tone for a segment that drifted between the spiritual and the classical. As Rahman, eyes closed, sang Mere wajood ki tu hi wajah, mere sujood ki bhi tu hi wajah to a cheering crowd, it was hard to miss the point. Later, O Paalan Hare (Lagaan) was followed by the brilliant Khwaja mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar). Clearly, the organizers have worked on the mix. Rahman's nod to Michael Jackson -- aptly, a bit from Black or White -- was a surprise entry. Rahman And Jai Ho! World Tour The regular concert peeve -- over some of the big hits not being played -- could be heard, though a medley was duly stitched to cover missed ground. Rahman's stature as a global musician, probably, doesn't allow him to do the regular "music show" drill anymore. This world tour had promised a "theatrical experience" and the organizers were spot-on. There was stray fumbling with the lyrics and a bit of embellishment overkill; sample an acrobat tangling herself up to prop the lines Jinke sar ho ishq ki chaaon paaon ke neeche jannat hogi. But that's what concerts are all about in our times of showpiece entertainment. In a rare interactive mode, Rahman bid the stock fake goodbye, only to return to wind it up on a high with Jai ho (Slumdog Millionaire) and Vande mataram. After the nearly-three hour show, the conversion was palpable. From individuals jostling for queue space outside of the arena to a motley, gratified crowd trickling out as one. All part of the journey home. Read more at Suite101: Review: A R Rahman Rocks O2 Arena In Dazzling London Concert http://worldmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/review-a-r-rahman-rocks-o2-arena-in-dazzling-london-concert#ixzz0uhHlXO3J ------------------------------------ Are you searching for a reason, to be kind? <b> Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com Admin: [email protected] To Subscribe: [email protected] To Unsubscribe: [email protected]! Groups Links
