Tuesday 11 May 2010

Rahul Dev Burman: Apna Desh (1972)

Apna Desh

When I first saw the cover of 'Apna Desh' [review], I knew this was a record I needed to own. It took a while to get - copies always seemed to be snapped up right before my eyes - but after a few years my perseverance paid off. Hell, I even bought and watched the film while waiting (capsule review: It goes on and on, and then has a wonderfully camp last quarter) just to see the cover image in context – it encapsulates so much of what I love about good Bollywood soundtracks; the whole indian/western crossover thing.

And it's a great record, highlighted by the famous 'Duniya Men' (from which the image is taken), probably one of the most frequently blogged Bollywood YouTube clips there is. It's a classic RD Burman number, with all the grooves, licks, details, passion and fun that define his greatest moments. He even sings this one himself.

Additionally, the soundtrack features Asha Bhosle's multifaceted 'Aaja O Mere Raja'. Beginning with a whistle and a cool ska beat, it's sometimes laidback, sometimes dramatic, sometimes playful; always fabulous. 'Rona Kabhi Nahin' is sweet pop with a kid's chorus, and 'Suno Champa' is traditional with a very hummable melody. 'Lelo Lelo Babu Peelo Narial Pani' is both, and lovely.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Kajra Laga Ke
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Lelo Lelo Babu Peelo Narial Pani
3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Suno Champa
4. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: Rona Kabhi Nahin
5. Asha Bhosle: Aaja O Mere Raja
6. Asha Bhosle & Pancham: Duniya Men

15 comments:

  1. Tried everything but IE doesnt want to know mirror creator today
    Had no probs before will give a go tomorrow, thank you as always

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  2. Maybe try and install Firefox or Chrome? :)
    Email me, and I'll send you a direct link.

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  3. Thanks PC for another gem.

    Regds / Babu

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  4. Excellent!

    Another priceless gem to the crown of your blog :)
    This one is remarkable! Specially the cover is so wonderful. You have NO IDEA how MUCH I love the song "Duniya Men" and specially for the fact that I can sing it exactly like Burman in the gargling-distortion kinda sound. Feels so good with the "Aha ha hahaa". Requires some serious breathing skills to do that.

    Thank you SO MUCH. Finally a vinyl rip that will add that extra feeling of satisfaction every time I listen and sing-along :)
    YOU ROCK BIG TIME PC!

    Harshi :)

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  5. Thanks PC for another great RD album :)

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  6. Sr. No. for Rahul Dev Burman: Nehle Peh Dehlaa (1976)is 190 and this one should be 191 for file name.

    thanks for the excellent upload.

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  7. PC thanks, managed to get it today , looking forward to listening :)

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  8. Love this film and LOVE LOVE the music!!! Thanks PC, what a treat :) Have you received your Pancham Unmixed set yet?

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  9. I know I watched this movie as a kid but could not remember where the song "Lelo Lelo Babu Peelo Narial Pani" and "Rona Kabhi Nahin" came from. Always associated the movie with "Duniya Men" only. Well, I am enlightened now, aren't I? Thanks PC. Another DVD and LP that I have to add to my collection.

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  10. Thanks PC for another great RD album :)
    I like it.

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  11. As to Harshi's singing along to "Duniya Men" - I can only do the male "OOH!" and the female "AAAAARGH!", but those alone are SO much fun, especially to get the timing right :-) TNX PC.

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  12. Hahah yes!! I need to post a video of me doing that one of these days. Its FUNNNNNNNN =D

    Harshi

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  13. Hey PC!
    Where are you my friend???????

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  14. Considering how much I used to love Sun City Girls, how on earth could I have forgotten about this?! Was before I knew who Burman was I guess…

    Apna Desh

    Wonderful!

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