Tuesday 15 June 2010

Rahul Dev Burman: Salaam Memsaab (1978)

Salaam Memsaab

Up until recently, this soundtrack was on my Bollywood want list. Now, after having obtained a copy, I'm not sure why. Not that I dislike 'Salaam Memsaab'; it does have its moments, but it's not really what I'd call an essential Burman score.

There's the instrumental of course; they tend to be worthwhile. It's quite long for a change, comprising two very different themes. The first has bongos, panting, a cool organ... and John the Playboy's mum telling him to come back; the second is pure schmaltz with a European feel. 'Tera Kaha Naub Be Kiya' is pleasant enough; it starts off great, has a nice Latin feel and a few disco touches towards the end, but ultimately not very exciting. The album's highlight is 'Tum Bhi Meri Jaan'; it sounds like a cabaret number though I can't be sure as there doesn't seem to be any clips from the film on YouTube. Also multi-faceted, with a spy jazz intro, a swing-based main part (there's a moog in there as well) and a bit of bop towards the end.

Maybe I'll hang on to it.

Track listing:
1. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Ham Bhi Rahon Men Khade Hain
2. Asha Bhosle: Tera Kaha Naub Be Kiya
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Ham Bhi Rahon Men Khade Hain
4. Music
5. Kishore Kumar: Jaane Wale Sunta Ja
6. Asha Bhosle: Tum Bhi Meri Jaan
7. Mohd. Rafi & Bhupinder: Na Sharab Se Koi Vaasta
8. Kishore Kumar: Ham Bhi Rahon Men Khade Hain

7 comments:

  1. Keep playing it, its a grower , one of my faves especially the wacky vocal bit just brilliant

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  2. Thanks PC for this rare album.

    Regds / Babu

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  3. Thanks Very much PC for the rare album...

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  4. Jaane waale suntaa jaa , it would be not jaane wake... Spell check!

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  5. Duly noted and corrected. Are all your comments this impolite?

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