Monday 11 February 2008

Rahul Dev Burman: Shaan (1980)

Shaan

And more. Same composer, same year (same almost-impossible-to-scan-decently cover), similar sound. Much of what I said below goes for 'Shaan' [review] as well... a treasure chest of weird, wild and wonderful sounds (and mixtures thereof); a gold mine for DJs looking for samples. Choice cuts: 'Doston Se Pyar Kiya', a John Barry-esque disco stomper featuring Usha Uthup* in what would have been Shirley Bassey's role had this been a James Bond song; and 'Pyar Karnewale', an ace electro-driven Asha Bhosle number backed by wah wah guitars, echoey horns and loads more groovy details.

Not as consistent as 'Rocky', but still a very worthwhile soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. Usha Uthup: Doston Se Pyar Kiya
2. Mohd. Rafi: Naam Abdul Hai Mera
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle: Mittua
4. Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Usha Mangeshkar: Janu Meri Jaan
5. Asha Bhosle: Pyar Karnewale
6. Mohd. Rafi, R.D. Burman & Chorus: Yamma Yamma
7. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar & Chorus: Dariya Mein Jahaz Chale

* Listening to the Usha Uthup track, I remembered I have an album of hers where she covers Western disco and pop hits of the late 70s, among them her famous take on 'Don't Stop Till You Get Enough' - I'm adding it as a bonus.

22 comments:

  1. Usha Uthup "24 Carats":
    http://lix.in/12a7b9e8

    And if anyone can remind me what the original versions of tracks 2, 3 and 10 were, I will, if not sleep better at night, at least not need to think about it anymore :-)
    PC x

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  2. I saw "Shann" in your photo shares yesterday so I knew what you were planning.

    Thus I thought: YUM!

    If I flash on what those tracks are based on, I'll let you know.

    Uthup has further of those - sometimes unfortunate - western selections at her website for download. Chill as she needlessly covers "Hotel California."

    http://ushauthup.com .

    I only pass this along because I adore Usha Uthup, but these were clearly career missteps.

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  3. double your money's worth :)
    thanks as always PC

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  4. Hahaha... crikey! It's not even very competent, I've heard much better versions of HC at weddings.
    But yeah, Usha... I quite like her voice, the smokyness of it, the stuff she did for Burman was great. I'm not that keen on her cover versions though (including most of the 24 Carats tracks), they just seem a bit pointless, beyond the inevitable kitsch-factor. Is there any original stuff (besides the soundtracks) worth checking out?
    PC x

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  5. Probably some original stuff, such as recordings of her live performances, but nothing I've come across.

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  6. Didi Usha Uthup celebrates' her 60th Birthday on Star Singer

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=WA4B0zE0Lg0

    :)

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  7. My collection of 9,000+ Hindi movie songs only contains about 15 sung by Usha, although admittedly I don't have a lot from the 1980's as it's not an era whose films I like much...she seems to have only sung for RD and Bappida though. Thanks for the extra---I look forward to hearing her sing the covers...

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  8. 9,000+ Hindi songs... I'm trying to get my head around that, not quite managing it. Wow!!
    PC x

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  9. hey pc! thanks. that album is great, as usual, great choice!
    would like to hear more from that 78/84 era!

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  10. Two very groovin, bouncin, posts. Thanks so much.

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  11. Thanks

    In Mittua is a quote of Rasputin by Boney M

    Sorry I didn't see the 2d link

    Aha Yeh Root Mastani is a take of Cuba by the Gibson Brothers
    Mujhko Kisise Ab I can't remember either but
    Soja Mere Ladle doesn't sound familiar to me

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  12. Hey PC,

    Do you have the vinyl of ZAMANE KO DIKHANA HAI (1981), music by RDB, its a great soundtrack.

    Thanks so much for SHAAN, its rocking !!

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  13. Nah, works fine now :-) (from where I'm sitting anyway). Unless it specifically states that the file is deleted/expired/no more, it's usually just a temporary glitch, ie. try back a few hours later.
    PC x

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  14. Hi PC, Working now. Thanks.
    I have only one fine score by Rajkamal - Sawan Ko Aane Do. Might you have another by this artist?

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  15. I found an excellent scan online of the back cover of "24 Carats," which credits all lyrics - translations or originals, whatever they are - to Halim Sabir. Do the credits also credit the composers? I'm trying to find a composer for "Mujhko Kisise Ab," and maybe that information will lead us to the other two unknown titles as well.

    By the way... only Usha Uthup could pull off disco cheese like this!

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  16. Nope, no composer credits to be found, nothing on the labels either.
    PC x

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  17. Really? Awww.

    But thanks man. You're fantastic.

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  18. "Aha Yeh Root Mastani" is a cover of 'Cuba' by The Gibson Brothers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp9ecwfjbUU), "Mujhko Kisise Ab" is Boney M's 'Gotta Go Home' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0mkl9RT5UU) and "Soja Mere Ladle" is a cover of 'Bermuda Triangle', a song by Barry Manilow!! I'm almost ashamed I know this (heh-almost!). PC, this is a truly awful album and I love it!! Thanks a million!!!!

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  19. Man, you really nailed that! That is totally information to keep. Thank you!

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