[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-29 Thread Chord
Completely 100% agree with you, Ranojoy.  Thank you.


--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Ranojoy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Yea I got that :) I would have them on my list too.. Completely 
> strange vocals (other than the style) in some songs, although in 
> Arari Ariraro (Karuthamma) and Thirupachi Arivale (Taj Mahal) he 
> makes it work!
> To Chord and others, of course A R R still makes excellent music. 
> That was not being disputed here. All I was doing was answering 
your 
> question of "A R R living up to his standards (or not)."
> I do also believe that A R R built a fan-base based on his early 
90s 
> music, and he must be true to the aspect of his music that is not 
> reliant on technology (the untouchable, abstract). In the name of 
> innovativeness, he cannot isolate the fan base completely. He 
doesn't 
> go back to his earlier work, but he has to go back within himself 
and 
> stay honest to that. And I believe he does that, and because of 
this, 
> although SEL's jazz sounds like jazz, A R's jazz still sounds 
> Rahmanesque.
> 
> --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Vijay Iyer" 
>  wrote:
> >
> > the 3 tracks i ve listed are in reference to the 5 u said are 
> difficult to
> > LIKE
> > 
> > On Jan 28, 2008 2:42 AM, Vijay Iyer  wrote:
> > 
> > > Hey Rano, i definitely do agree to the 'generation' gap 
> herewhoa
> > > !! and to think the only generation gap was between elders who 
> used to
> > > listen to MSV and others and us lot who rediscovered film music 
> with A R
> > > R..a lot of people who have tuned in to  A R R s music 
should 
> go back
> > > and listen to ALL his stuff between 92 and 97
> > >
> > > I tried hard to replay all the songs in my mind and came up 
with 
> these 3
> > > for now..PAROTA PAROTA from Vandi Cholai Chinrasu, YEDUKU 
> PONDATI from
> > > Keezaku Cheemayile and KOKU SAIDE KOKU from Muthu.all 3 
> are very
> > > very situational but very very 'different'..there was a 
phase 
> where
> > > moviemakers and lyricists tried to overdo the jeans pant baggy 
> pant bit
> > > (started from gentleman and then hit the pits with the track 
onu 
> rendu moona
> > > da...from pudhiya manargal...notice the 1st stanza where 
the 
> words jeans
> > > and baggy are used and the tune seems so completely in 
> contrast !) and also
> > > overdose of elderly voices (again started from roja and then 
the 
> track in
> > > muthu which ive mentioned above).
> > >
> > > On a different note, i ve been literally humming IN LAMHON KE
> > > DAMAN..from jodhaa and accidentally slipped into the 
> interlude of SITIRA
> > > NILAVU from Vandi Cholai..if someone could mix and match 
and 
> cut and
> > > paste, id love to hear how it would sound...me thinks it would 
> fit perfectly
> > > atleast before the stanza where Madhushree starts off
> > >
> > > -Vijay
> > >
> > >   On Jan 27, 2008 11:12 AM, Ranojoy  wrote:
> > >
> > > >   Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 
> and 1996,
> > > > almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to 
find 
> 5 A R
> > > > songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a 
high
> > > > standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is 
astounding 
> from
> > > > that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is 
> phenomenal
> > > > and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and 
> many fans
> > > > think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality 
> over the
> > > > length of the entire album, which may or may not happen 
because 
> the
> > > > songs are extremely situational nowadays.
> > > > It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot 
> criticize this
> > > > aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many 
> fans who
> > > > have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and 
> before,
> > > > and have a right to express their feelings.
> > > > I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there 
> seems to
> > > > be a generational gap developing in this group :)
> > > >
> > > > --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com  40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > > "Chord"  wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What 
> does that
> > > > > mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements 
of
> > > > > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a
> > > > > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what 
> exactly are his
> > > >
> > > > > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after 
> album?
> > > > >
> > > > > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. 
> You take
> > > > > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about 
how 
> their
> > > > > earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music 
> back in
> > > > > the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own 
> success
> > > > > haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> > > > >
> > > > > Let'

[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-29 Thread Ranojoy
Yea I got that :) I would have them on my list too.. Completely 
strange vocals (other than the style) in some songs, although in 
Arari Ariraro (Karuthamma) and Thirupachi Arivale (Taj Mahal) he 
makes it work!
To Chord and others, of course A R R still makes excellent music. 
That was not being disputed here. All I was doing was answering your 
question of "A R R living up to his standards (or not)."
I do also believe that A R R built a fan-base based on his early 90s 
music, and he must be true to the aspect of his music that is not 
reliant on technology (the untouchable, abstract). In the name of 
innovativeness, he cannot isolate the fan base completely. He doesn't 
go back to his earlier work, but he has to go back within himself and 
stay honest to that. And I believe he does that, and because of this, 
although SEL's jazz sounds like jazz, A R's jazz still sounds 
Rahmanesque.

--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Vijay Iyer" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> the 3 tracks i ve listed are in reference to the 5 u said are 
difficult to
> LIKE
> 
> On Jan 28, 2008 2:42 AM, Vijay Iyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > Hey Rano, i definitely do agree to the 'generation' gap 
herewhoa
> > !! and to think the only generation gap was between elders who 
used to
> > listen to MSV and others and us lot who rediscovered film music 
with A R
> > R..a lot of people who have tuned in to  A R R s music should 
go back
> > and listen to ALL his stuff between 92 and 97
> >
> > I tried hard to replay all the songs in my mind and came up with 
these 3
> > for now..PAROTA PAROTA from Vandi Cholai Chinrasu, YEDUKU 
PONDATI from
> > Keezaku Cheemayile and KOKU SAIDE KOKU from Muthu.all 3 
are very
> > very situational but very very 'different'..there was a phase 
where
> > moviemakers and lyricists tried to overdo the jeans pant baggy 
pant bit
> > (started from gentleman and then hit the pits with the track onu 
rendu moona
> > da...from pudhiya manargal...notice the 1st stanza where the 
words jeans
> > and baggy are used and the tune seems so completely in 
contrast !) and also
> > overdose of elderly voices (again started from roja and then the 
track in
> > muthu which ive mentioned above).
> >
> > On a different note, i ve been literally humming IN LAMHON KE
> > DAMAN..from jodhaa and accidentally slipped into the 
interlude of SITIRA
> > NILAVU from Vandi Cholai..if someone could mix and match and 
cut and
> > paste, id love to hear how it would sound...me thinks it would 
fit perfectly
> > atleast before the stanza where Madhushree starts off
> >
> > -Vijay
> >
> >   On Jan 27, 2008 11:12 AM, Ranojoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > >   Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 
and 1996,
> > > almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 
5 A R
> > > songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
> > > standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding 
from
> > > that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is 
phenomenal
> > > and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and 
many fans
> > > think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality 
over the
> > > length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because 
the
> > > songs are extremely situational nowadays.
> > > It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot 
criticize this
> > > aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many 
fans who
> > > have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and 
before,
> > > and have a right to express their feelings.
> > > I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there 
seems to
> > > be a generational gap developing in this group :)
> > >
> > > --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com ,
> > > "Chord"  wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What 
does that
> > > > mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements of
> > > > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a
> > > > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what 
exactly are his
> > >
> > > > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after 
album?
> > > >
> > > > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. 
You take
> > > > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how 
their
> > > > earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music 
back in
> > > > the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own 
success
> > > > haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> > > >
> > > > Let's take JA. If you want to compare elements of JA to his 
most
> > > > highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, 
amazing
> > > > musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and
> > > > attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, 
catchy
> > > > rhythms, and innovativeness.
> > > >
> > > > So, what's 

Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-29 Thread Vijay Iyer
the 3 tracks i ve listed are in reference to the 5 u said are difficult to
LIKE

On Jan 28, 2008 2:42 AM, Vijay Iyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Hey Rano, i definitely do agree to the 'generation' gap herewhoa
> !! and to think the only generation gap was between elders who used to
> listen to MSV and others and us lot who rediscovered film music with A R
> R..a lot of people who have tuned in to  A R R s music should go back
> and listen to ALL his stuff between 92 and 97
>
> I tried hard to replay all the songs in my mind and came up with these 3
> for now..PAROTA PAROTA from Vandi Cholai Chinrasu, YEDUKU PONDATI from
> Keezaku Cheemayile and KOKU SAIDE KOKU from Muthu.all 3 are very
> very situational but very very 'different'..there was a phase where
> moviemakers and lyricists tried to overdo the jeans pant baggy pant bit
> (started from gentleman and then hit the pits with the track onu rendu moona
> da...from pudhiya manargal...notice the 1st stanza where the words jeans
> and baggy are used and the tune seems so completely in contrast !) and also
> overdose of elderly voices (again started from roja and then the track in
> muthu which ive mentioned above).
>
> On a different note, i ve been literally humming IN LAMHON KE
> DAMAN..from jodhaa and accidentally slipped into the interlude of SITIRA
> NILAVU from Vandi Cholai..if someone could mix and match and cut and
> paste, id love to hear how it would sound...me thinks it would fit perfectly
> atleast before the stanza where Madhushree starts off
>
> -Vijay
>
>   On Jan 27, 2008 11:12 AM, Ranojoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> >   Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 and 1996,
> > almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R
> > songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
> > standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from
> > that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal
> > and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans
> > think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the
> > length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the
> > songs are extremely situational nowadays.
> > It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this
> > aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who
> > have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,
> > and have a right to express their feelings.
> > I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to
> > be a generational gap developing in this group :)
> >
> > --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com ,
> > "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What does that
> > > mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements of
> > > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a
> > > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his
> >
> > > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?
> > >
> > > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. You take
> > > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their
> > > earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music back in
> > > the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own success
> > > haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> > >
> > > Let's take JA. If you want to compare elements of JA to his most
> > > highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, amazing
> > > musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and
> > > attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, catchy
> > > rhythms, and innovativeness.
> > >
> > > So, what's the problem? I get the feeling that no matter how
> > > objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be folks
> >
> > > who say the phrase above. And I guarantee you that these same folks
> > > would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to the Dil
> >
> > > Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for.
> > >
> >
> >  
> >
>
>


[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-28 Thread arr_raghu
ottagathe from kuyiline?
this been beaten to death in this group..
why do we dig up the same thing again and again..?


[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
 Sorry. Another good example:
 
 Ottagathe thattiko - Gentleman (1993)
 Kuyiline Thedi - Neelakkuyil (1954)
 
 
 "Ottagathe thattiko" was directly lifted from Neelakuyil.The music 
 director of Neelakkuyil, Raghavan master was a close friend of 
 Rahman's father K.A. Sekhar. 
 
 Both songs were huge hits in kerala.
 
 
> --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Shah Navas" 
>  wrote:
> >
> > All these discussions are signs that ARR will go down in the 
> history as a
> > Legend.. We just need to look at history to realise that. .
> > 
> > Good discussion..I am enjoying it a lot.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > On Jan 28, 2008 2:48 PM, jamshid TC  wrote:
> > 
> > >   *Vande Mataram* was released in 1997 on India's 50th 
> anniversary of
> > > independence .
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -Jamshid
> > >
> > > --- On *Sun, 1/27/08, shanavas.chemmamkuzhi <
> > > shanavas.chemmamkuzhi@>* wrote:
> > >
> > > From: shanavas.chemmamkuzhi 
> > > Subject: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own 
> standards"?
> > > To: arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com
> > > Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008, 10:27 PM
> > >
> > >
> > > I disagree here.Time won't affect the quality of music.Rahman 
> used the
> > > same tune in 1994 and 2000 ,and both songs were appreciated.
> > >
> > > Porale Ponnuthayi - Karuthamma (1994)
> > > Chanda Suraj Lakhon Tare - Vande Matharam (2000)
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with 
> Yahoo! 
> Search.<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51734/*http://tools.search.yahoo.c
> om/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping>
> > > 
> > >
> >
>




[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-28 Thread shanavas.chemmamkuzhi

Sorry. Another good example:

Ottagathe thattiko - Gentleman (1993)

Kuyiline Thedi - Neelakkuyil (1954)


"Ottagathe thattiko" was directly lifted from Neelakuyil.The music 
director of Neelakkuyil, Raghavan master was a close friend of 
Rahman's father K.A. Sekhar. 

Both songs were huge hits in kerala.


--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Shah Navas" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> All these discussions are signs that ARR will go down in the 
history as a
> Legend.. We just need to look at history to realise that. .
> 
> Good discussion..I am enjoying it a lot.
> 
> 
> 
> On Jan 28, 2008 2:48 PM, jamshid TC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> >   *Vande Mataram* was released in 1997 on India's 50th 
anniversary of
> > independence .
> >
> >
> >
> > -Jamshid
> >
> > --- On *Sun, 1/27/08, shanavas.chemmamkuzhi <
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote:
> >
> > From: shanavas.chemmamkuzhi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Subject: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own 
standards"?
> > To: arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008, 10:27 PM
> >
> >
> > I disagree here.Time won't affect the quality of music.Rahman 
used the
> > same tune in 1994 and 2000 ,and both songs were appreciated.
> >
> > Porale Ponnuthayi - Karuthamma (1994)
> > Chanda Suraj Lakhon Tare - Vande Matharam (2000)
> >
> >
> > --
> > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with 
Yahoo! 
Search.<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51734/*http://tools.search.yahoo.c
om/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping>
> > 
> >
>




Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-28 Thread neena kochhar
small correction in red ink...
   
   
  Hi Vij and Rano...
   
  may be this so called 'generation gap' is a mere 'generation continuum' and 
different members are at different parts/sections/ length of this continuum... .


neena kochhar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Vij and Rano...
   
  may this so called 'generation gap' is a mere 'generation continuum' and 
different members are at different parts/sections/length of this continuum

Vijay Iyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hey Rano, i definitely do agree to the 'generation' gap 
herewhoa !! and to think the only generation gap was between elders who 
used to listen to MSV and others and us lot who rediscovered film music with A 
R R..a lot of people who have tuned in to  A R R s music should go back and 
listen to ALL his stuff between 92 and 97
   
  I tried hard to replay all the songs in my mind and came up with these 3 for 
now..PAROTA PAROTA from Vandi Cholai Chinrasu, YEDUKU PONDATI from Keezaku 
Cheemayile and KOKU SAIDE KOKU from Muthu.all 3 are very very 
situational but very very 'different'..there was a phase where moviemakers 
and lyricists tried to overdo the jeans pant baggy pant bit (started from 
gentleman and then hit the pits with the track onu rendu moona da...from 
pudhiya manargal...notice the 1st stanza where the words jeans and baggy are 
used and the tune seems so completely in contrast !) and also overdose of 
elderly voices (again started from roja and then the track in muthu which ive 
mentioned above).
   
  On a different note, i ve been literally humming IN LAMHON KE DAMAN..from 
jodhaa and accidentally slipped into the interlude of SITIRA NILAVU from Vandi 
Cholai..if someone could mix and match and cut and paste, id love to hear 
how it would sound...me thinks it would fit perfectly atleast before the stanza 
where Madhushree starts off
   
  -Vijay


  On Jan 27, 2008 11:12 AM, Ranojoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 and 1996,
almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R
songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from
that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal
and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans
think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the
length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the
songs are extremely situational nowadays.
It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this
aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who
have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,
and have a right to express their feelings.
I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to
be a generational gap developing in this group :)   

--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What does that 
> mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements of 
> Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a 
> progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his 
> standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?
> 
> I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. You take 
> rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their 
> earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music back in 
> the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own success 
> haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> 
> Let's take JA. If you want to compare elements of JA to his most 
> highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, amazing 
> musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and 
> attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, catchy 
> rhythms, and innovativeness. 
> 
> So, what's the problem? I get the feeling that no matter how 
> objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be folks 
> who say the phrase above. And I guarantee you that these same folks 
> would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to the Dil 
> Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for.
>


  
  







  




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Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-28 Thread neena kochhar
Hi Vij and Rano...
   
  may this so called 'generation gap' is a mere 'generation continuum' and 
different members are at different parts/sections/length of this continuum

Vijay Iyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hey Rano, i definitely do agree to the 'generation' gap 
herewhoa !! and to think the only generation gap was between elders who 
used to listen to MSV and others and us lot who rediscovered film music with A 
R R..a lot of people who have tuned in to  A R R s music should go back and 
listen to ALL his stuff between 92 and 97
   
  I tried hard to replay all the songs in my mind and came up with these 3 for 
now..PAROTA PAROTA from Vandi Cholai Chinrasu, YEDUKU PONDATI from Keezaku 
Cheemayile and KOKU SAIDE KOKU from Muthu.all 3 are very very 
situational but very very 'different'..there was a phase where moviemakers 
and lyricists tried to overdo the jeans pant baggy pant bit (started from 
gentleman and then hit the pits with the track onu rendu moona da...from 
pudhiya manargal...notice the 1st stanza where the words jeans and baggy are 
used and the tune seems so completely in contrast !) and also overdose of 
elderly voices (again started from roja and then the track in muthu which ive 
mentioned above).
   
  On a different note, i ve been literally humming IN LAMHON KE DAMAN..from 
jodhaa and accidentally slipped into the interlude of SITIRA NILAVU from Vandi 
Cholai..if someone could mix and match and cut and paste, id love to hear 
how it would sound...me thinks it would fit perfectly atleast before the stanza 
where Madhushree starts off
   
  -Vijay


  On Jan 27, 2008 11:12 AM, Ranojoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 and 1996,
almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R
songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from
that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal
and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans
think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the
length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the
songs are extremely situational nowadays.
It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this
aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who
have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,
and have a right to express their feelings.
I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to
be a generational gap developing in this group :)   

--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What does that 
> mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements of 
> Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a 
> progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his 
> standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?
> 
> I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. You take 
> rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their 
> earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music back in 
> the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own success 
> haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> 
> Let's take JA. If you want to compare elements of JA to his most 
> highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, amazing 
> musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and 
> attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, catchy 
> rhythms, and innovativeness. 
> 
> So, what's the problem? I get the feeling that no matter how 
> objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be folks 
> who say the phrase above. And I guarantee you that these same folks 
> would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to the Dil 
> Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for.
>


  
  







  

 


   
-
 Sent from Yahoo! - a smarter inbox.

Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-28 Thread Vijay Iyer
Hey Rano, i definitely do agree to the 'generation' gap herewhoa !!
and to think the only generation gap was between elders who used to listen
to MSV and others and us lot who rediscovered film music with A R R..a
lot of people who have tuned in to  A R R s music should go back and listen
to ALL his stuff between 92 and 97

I tried hard to replay all the songs in my mind and came up with these 3 for
now..PAROTA PAROTA from Vandi Cholai Chinrasu, YEDUKU PONDATI from
Keezaku Cheemayile and KOKU SAIDE KOKU from Muthu.all 3 are very
very situational but very very 'different'..there was a phase where
moviemakers and lyricists tried to overdo the jeans pant baggy pant bit
(started from gentleman and then hit the pits with the track onu rendu moona
da...from pudhiya manargal...notice the 1st stanza where the words jeans
and baggy are used and the tune seems so completely in contrast !) and also
overdose of elderly voices (again started from roja and then the track in
muthu which ive mentioned above).

On a different note, i ve been literally humming IN LAMHON KE
DAMAN..from jodhaa and accidentally slipped into the interlude of SITIRA
NILAVU from Vandi Cholai..if someone could mix and match and cut and
paste, id love to hear how it would sound...me thinks it would fit perfectly
atleast before the stanza where Madhushree starts off

-Vijay

On Jan 27, 2008 11:12 AM, Ranojoy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>   Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 and 1996,
> almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R
> songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
> standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from
> that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal
> and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans
> think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the
> length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the
> songs are extremely situational nowadays.
> It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this
> aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who
> have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,
> and have a right to express their feelings.
> I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to
> be a generational gap developing in this group :)
>
> --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com ,
> "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What does that
> > mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements of
> > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a
> > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his
> > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?
> >
> > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. You take
> > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their
> > earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music back in
> > the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own success
> > haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> >
> > Let's take JA. If you want to compare elements of JA to his most
> > highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, amazing
> > musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and
> > attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, catchy
> > rhythms, and innovativeness.
> >
> > So, what's the problem? I get the feeling that no matter how
> > objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be folks
> > who say the phrase above. And I guarantee you that these same folks
> > would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to the Dil
> > Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for.
> >
>
> 
>


Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-28 Thread Shah Navas
All these discussions are signs that ARR will go down in the history as a
Legend.. We just need to look at history to realise that. .

Good discussion..I am enjoying it a lot.



On Jan 28, 2008 2:48 PM, jamshid TC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>   *Vande Mataram* was released in 1997 on India's 50th anniversary of
> independence .
>
>
>
> -Jamshid
>
> --- On *Sun, 1/27/08, shanavas.chemmamkuzhi <
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote:
>
> From: shanavas.chemmamkuzhi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?
> To: arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008, 10:27 PM
>
>
> I disagree here.Time won't affect the quality of music.Rahman used the
> same tune in 1994 and 2000 ,and both songs were appreciated.
>
> Porale Ponnuthayi - Karuthamma (1994)
> Chanda Suraj Lakhon Tare - Vande Matharam (2000)
>
>
> --
> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! 
> Search.<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51734/*http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping>
> 
>


[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-27 Thread shanavas.chemmamkuzhi

I disagree here.Time won't affect the quality of music.Rahman used the 
same tune in 1994 and 2000 ,and both songs were appreciated.

Porale Ponnuthayi - Karuthamma (1994)
Chanda Suraj Lakhon Tare - Vande Matharam (2000)





Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-27 Thread Sunder
Yes i totally agree with you that today all the other music directors are 
exactly a xerox of ARR (infact color xerox), so it is difficult to maintain the 
orginality. For that reason ARR has to do lot of hardwork, infact he is doing 
more than his 100%. 

I don't understand one thing, if he tries something new you people say ARR is 
lost his magic, and he doesn't do that you people say its resembles like his 
previous compositions bla bla... comon guys grow up...


 
Regards 

S.Sunder



- Original Message 
From: jamshid TC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, 28 January, 2008 9:21:13 AM
Subject: Re: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

For that matter i cried once when i was listening to Lukka chuppi from rang de 
basanti and "yeh jo des hei tear" in some other occation
 
One important thing what chord mentioned in his earlier mail. When rahman came 
he introduced a new type of music to the people in india.His style was totally 
diffrent from the contemporary music directors that time .So everything he 
delievred that time was something people got to experince diffrent from others. 
and then we know , he set that trend and somany people followed his school.That 
time  people  could listen to a song and tell that its that "new guy's song" . 
While today its gone.its tough to diffrentiate for a non-rahman fan :-).
 
apart from this aspect as chord said , for me rahman's standard of music 
composition
has improved a lot from those days.I feel rahman can easily deliver a 
"raakkozhi randum muzhichirukku" or " pennalla pennalla" even now but it won't 
stand apart . But rahman with what he was that time i don't expect a "yeh jo 
des hei tera"  or  "khalbali " from him.
 
I would say ,that time he could just deliver the gifted talent he got and it 
got easily accepted and stood apart. where as today, he is putting immense hard 
work on top of his gifts to stand apart.
 
 
-Jamshid


--- On Sun, 1/27/08, shanavas.chemmamkuz hi  wrote:

From: shanavas.chemmamkuz hi 
Subject: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?
To: arrahmanfans@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008, 7:34 PM



I used to cry when i listen to "Porale ponnuthayi" from Karithamma 
and "Ye ajnabi" from Dil se. Pure magic!!

I want the same magic back in Rahman music.I dont care Subash k jha 
or Joginder tuteja or any other so called critics, but i want all of 
them criticize Rahman now.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM IN PUSHING AN ARTIST WHO IS CAPABLE TO DELIVER 
EXTRA-ORDINARY MUSIC.

fyi : Criticism is not new to AR. One south indian magazine called 
him "one film wonder" in Genteman review..But AR prove them wrong.

Regards
Shanavas

--- In arrahmanfans@ yahoogroups. com, "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] .> wrote:
>
> I think it's a matter of taste, nothing more. I'm all for 
specific 
> constructive criticism within reason. To hear "Rahman not living 
up 
> to his own standards" for every fricking release of his nowadays 
is 
> not within reason for me. Ok, there are some fans not as happy 
with 
> Rahman's music today compared to the past. Of course they have a 
> right to express what they feel. I have to accept that as THEIR 
> OPINION, not a fact. Disappointed with the music for such and 
such 
> reason? Fine with me. Didn't like the song for such and such 
> reason? Ok! Rahman's not as good as he used to be? That's not 
> getting past me!
> 
> You mentioned hardly any songs unliked in Rahman's earlier days. 
Be 
> careful of confounding variables including novelty, change in 
sound, 
> music scene, music taste. Judging Rahman's music certainly 
requires 
> an examination of the predominant music scene and most certainly, 
> Rahman's music STOOD OUT more in his early days than today. To 
me, 
> that doesn't make his music from that time period superior or a 
> fulcrum by which to judge subsequent soundtracks. IMO if you 
asked 
> Rahman himself whether his music has worsened over time or if he's 
> not living up to his own standards from the past, I think he would 
> scoff and say, of course not.. He sets the standard for himself 
each 
> time he releases an album for better or for worse. I''m sure he 
has 
> his favorites, but I'm pretty sure he would be just as proud or 
> critical of his music back then as today. Yes, I agree, his songs 
> have become more situational, but films too have become more 
specific 
> in theme in content with diverse storylines demanding different 
types 
> of music from Rahman. Rahman is more selective today too.
> 
> I'm in my 30s. I'm a relatively late oncomer to Rahman&#

RE: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-27 Thread Dasun Abeysekera

I agree with Rano that the first 5 years of ARR's entry into Movie Music 
brought about an astounding outpouring of quality music that early listeners 
like Rano and myself, among many, were so overwhelmed and mesmerized. I can 
still recall the goosebumps I felt all over me when I first heard those 
scintillating and crystal clear synth sounds of Pudu Vellai Mazhai in my living 
room; its glissandos inducing many cool thrills up my spine. This was before 
his minor-digression into Prabhudeva influenced rhythmic songs over the 
colorful melodies of those first years, which attracted the first wave of harsh 
criticisms of ARR's falling below his own standards; and in ARR's defence, let 
me say that he did admit to being somewhat guilty of diverting his attention to 
more commercial efforts during the 95-97 period. Coming back to the early 
years, true, we have not heard those same sounds from ARR in recent times, but 
that is certainly not to say that he has given up, or even consciously softened 
his emphasis over these standards, which, to me, are still a league above the 
prevailing norm. That is not to mention the now very widely accepted fact that 
the prevailing norm has largely been shaped by ARR's pioneering work of those 
early years! 

Before we delve into a serious discussion about comparing and criticizing 
standards of different eras, we have to ask what we mean by 'standards': Are we 
comparing originality, aesthetic judgment (or taste), use of technology, choice 
of movies and lyrics, choice of singers and instruments, etc? Most of these 
standards, ARR himself acknowledged early on in his career, were very close to 
his heart and the advancement of which were among his main reasons for entering 
the movie industry. So, while I’m sure he is open enough to allow criticisms of 
his works, he would love to know on what facts we base our judgments. Also, for 
the sake of balance, I will compare the works of the 5-year period from 1992-96 
with the 5-year period from 2003-07. I am just trying to keep aflame, perhaps 
by lighting a side fire or two, what I feel is a very worthy topic for 
discussion. All my thoughts here will be open for debate for I too am still 
learning and would love to hear the thoughts from what, to us ‘old-timers’, has 
now become quite a massive group! 

So let us investigate ARR’s Standard Deviation over the 15 years of his reign! 
I will post my discussion in categorical parts so that I don’t estrange you 
with an unpleasantly long email! If you are interested in the discussion, look 
for the subject line 'ARR's Standard Deviation - Part X - ' in your 
inboxes for there are 100s of emails now flowing per day and I understand that 
you may not have the time to go through each and every email. 

Best regards,
Dasun


To: arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:12:02 +
Subject: [arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?
















  



Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years,  between 1992 and 
1996,

almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R

songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high

standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from

that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal

and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans

think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the

length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the

songs are extremely situational nowadays.

It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this

aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who

have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,

and have a right to express their feelings.

I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to

be a generational gap developing in this group :)



--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>

> I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews.  What does that 

> mean exactly?  Is it purely subjective or are there elements of 

> Rahman's best works that can be operationalized?  If ARR is a 

> progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his 

> standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?

> 

> I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists.  You take 

> rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their 

> earlier works outshine later works.  "Oh, this group's music back in 

> the 70s was so much better than their work now".  Their own success 

> haunts them down the road, if they let it.

> 

> Let's take JA.  If you want to compare elements of JA to his 

[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-27 Thread shanavas.chemmamkuzhi

I used to cry when i listen to "Porale ponnuthayi" from Karithamma 
and "Ye ajnabi" from Dil se. Pure magic!!

I want the same magic back in Rahman music.I dont care Subash k jha 
or Joginder tuteja or any other so called critics, but i want all of 
them criticize Rahman now.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM IN PUSHING AN ARTIST WHO IS CAPABLE TO DELIVER 
EXTRA-ORDINARY MUSIC.

fyi : Criticism is not new to AR. One south indian magazine called 
him "one film wonder" in Genteman review.But AR prove them wrong.

Regards
Shanavas


--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I think it's a matter of taste, nothing more.  I'm all for 
specific 
> constructive criticism within reason.  To hear "Rahman not living 
up 
> to his own standards" for every fricking release of his nowadays 
is 
> not within reason for me.  Ok, there are some fans not as happy 
with 
> Rahman's music today compared to the past. Of course they have a 
> right to express what they feel.  I have to accept that as THEIR 
> OPINION, not a fact.  Disappointed with the music for such and 
such 
> reason?  Fine with me.  Didn't like the song for such and such 
> reason?  Ok!  Rahman's not as good as he used to be?  That's not 
> getting past me!
> 
> You mentioned hardly any songs unliked in Rahman's earlier days.  
Be 
> careful of confounding variables including novelty, change in 
sound, 
> music scene, music taste.  Judging Rahman's music certainly 
requires 
> an examination of the predominant music scene and most certainly, 
> Rahman's music STOOD OUT more in his early days than today.  To 
me, 
> that doesn't make his music from that time period superior or a 
> fulcrum by which to judge subsequent soundtracks.  IMO if you 
asked 
> Rahman himself whether his music has worsened over time or if he's 
> not living up to his own standards from the past, I think he would 
> scoff and say, of course not.  He sets the standard for himself 
each 
> time he releases an album for better or for worse.  I''m sure he 
has 
> his favorites, but I'm pretty sure he would be just as proud or 
> critical of his music back then as today.  Yes, I agree, his songs 
> have become more situational, but films too have become more 
specific 
> in theme in content with diverse storylines demanding different 
types 
> of music from Rahman.  Rahman is more selective today too.
> 
> I'm in my 30s.  I'm a relatively late oncomer to Rahman's music 
(mid 
> 90s) but I enjoy all his music from day 1 to now.  I view him as a 
> progressive artist who is maturing at every step and willing to 
> experiment, even if all his experiments are not appreciated by the 
> masses or his fans. I am just as critical of his music from Roja 
to 
> Jodha Akbar and not all his music is appreciated by me.  In fact, 
I 
> find some of his music from his early days extremely radical and 
hard 
> to reach, far from appealing emotionally, although admittedly 
> brilliant on a left brain level. Yes, some of his best work IMO is 
> from his early days, but I also find some of his best work from 
> recent soundtracks too!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Ranojoy"  
> wrote:
> >
> > Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years,  between 1992 and 
> 1996,
> > almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 
5 A 
> R
> > songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
> > standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding 
from
> > that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is 
> phenomenal
> > and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many 
> fans
> > think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality 
over 
> the
> > length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because 
the
> > songs are extremely situational nowadays.
> > It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot 
criticize 
> this
> > aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many 
fans 
> who
> > have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and 
before,
> > and have a right to express their feelings.
> > I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there 
seems to
> > be a generational gap developing in this group :)
> > 
> > --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord"  wrote:
> > >
> > > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews.  What 
does 
> that 
> > > mean exactly?  Is it purely subjective or are there elements 
of 
> > > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized?  If ARR is a 
> > > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly 
> are his 
> > > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after 
album?
> > > 
> > > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists.  
You 
> take 
> > > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how 
> their 
> > > earlier works outshine later works.  "Oh, this group's music 
back 
> in 
> > > the 70s was so much better than their work now".  Their ow

[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-27 Thread Chord
I think it's a matter of taste, nothing more.  I'm all for specific 
constructive criticism within reason.  To hear "Rahman not living up 
to his own standards" for every fricking release of his nowadays is 
not within reason for me.  Ok, there are some fans not as happy with 
Rahman's music today compared to the past. Of course they have a 
right to express what they feel.  I have to accept that as THEIR 
OPINION, not a fact.  Disappointed with the music for such and such 
reason?  Fine with me.  Didn't like the song for such and such 
reason?  Ok!  Rahman's not as good as he used to be?  That's not 
getting past me!

You mentioned hardly any songs unliked in Rahman's earlier days.  Be 
careful of confounding variables including novelty, change in sound, 
music scene, music taste.  Judging Rahman's music certainly requires 
an examination of the predominant music scene and most certainly, 
Rahman's music STOOD OUT more in his early days than today.  To me, 
that doesn't make his music from that time period superior or a 
fulcrum by which to judge subsequent soundtracks.  IMO if you asked 
Rahman himself whether his music has worsened over time or if he's 
not living up to his own standards from the past, I think he would 
scoff and say, of course not.  He sets the standard for himself each 
time he releases an album for better or for worse.  I''m sure he has 
his favorites, but I'm pretty sure he would be just as proud or 
critical of his music back then as today.  Yes, I agree, his songs 
have become more situational, but films too have become more specific 
in theme in content with diverse storylines demanding different types 
of music from Rahman.  Rahman is more selective today too.

I'm in my 30s.  I'm a relatively late oncomer to Rahman's music (mid 
90s) but I enjoy all his music from day 1 to now.  I view him as a 
progressive artist who is maturing at every step and willing to 
experiment, even if all his experiments are not appreciated by the 
masses or his fans. I am just as critical of his music from Roja to 
Jodha Akbar and not all his music is appreciated by me.  In fact, I 
find some of his music from his early days extremely radical and hard 
to reach, far from appealing emotionally, although admittedly 
brilliant on a left brain level. Yes, some of his best work IMO is 
from his early days, but I also find some of his best work from 
recent soundtracks too!




--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Ranojoy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years,  between 1992 and 
1996,
> almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A 
R
> songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
> standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from
> that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is 
phenomenal
> and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many 
fans
> think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over 
the
> length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the
> songs are extremely situational nowadays.
> It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize 
this
> aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans 
who
> have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,
> and have a right to express their feelings.
> I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to
> be a generational gap developing in this group :)
> 
> --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord"  wrote:
> >
> > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews.  What does 
that 
> > mean exactly?  Is it purely subjective or are there elements of 
> > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized?  If ARR is a 
> > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly 
are his 
> > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?
> > 
> > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists.  You 
take 
> > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how 
their 
> > earlier works outshine later works.  "Oh, this group's music back 
in 
> > the 70s was so much better than their work now".  Their own 
success 
> > haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> > 
> > Let's take JA.  If you want to compare elements of JA to his most 
> > highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, 
amazing 
> > musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and 
> > attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, 
catchy 
> > rhythms, and innovativeness.  
> > 
> > So, what's the problem?  I get the feeling that no matter how 
> > objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be 
folks 
> > who say the phrase above.  And I guarantee you that these same 
folks 
> > would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to 
the Dil 
> > Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for.
> >
>




[arr] Re: Can someone define "living up to ARR's own standards"?

2008-01-27 Thread Ranojoy
Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years,  between 1992 and 1996,
almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R
songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high
standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from
that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal
and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans
think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the
length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the
songs are extremely situational nowadays.
It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this
aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who
have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before,
and have a right to express their feelings.
I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to
be a generational gap developing in this group :)

--- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews.  What does that 
> mean exactly?  Is it purely subjective or are there elements of 
> Rahman's best works that can be operationalized?  If ARR is a 
> progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his 
> standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album?
> 
> I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists.  You take 
> rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their 
> earlier works outshine later works.  "Oh, this group's music back in 
> the 70s was so much better than their work now".  Their own success 
> haunts them down the road, if they let it.
> 
> Let's take JA.  If you want to compare elements of JA to his most 
> highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, amazing 
> musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and 
> attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, catchy 
> rhythms, and innovativeness.  
> 
> So, what's the problem?  I get the feeling that no matter how 
> objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be folks 
> who say the phrase above.  And I guarantee you that these same folks 
> would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to the Dil 
> Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for.
>