Salil Chowdury: Annadata (1972)

I posted a shortened EP release of 'Annadata' [review] way back in 2007 and liked it enough to want to hear more. It took me a while to find the full length version; it was however worth waiting for.

The early 1970s was obviously a time of much innovation and experimentation in Indian film music, yet Salil Chowdhury belonged to an older school; of simple melodies, elegantly arranged. The pretty 'Raton Ke Saye', the cheerful 'Champavati Aja' and the joyous 'Guzar Jaye Din' combine classic songwriting with a warm and unaffected sound. Without the sonic gymnistics of Chowdhury’s colleagues they still seem modern; in a strange but very appealing way they remind me of Western easy pop and soft rock of the same period. The smooth-flowing, meditative (almost trippy) 'Yahan Ab Kya Rahna' is another understated gem. This really is a lovely and highly recommended soundtrack.

Track listing:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Raton Ke Saye
2. Kishore Kumar: Guzar Jaye Din
3. Mukesh: Nayan Hamare
4. Music
5. Title Music
6. Lata Mangeshkar: Nis Din Nis Din
7. Manna Dey, Sabita Choudhury & Chorus: Yahan Ab Kya Rahna
8. Kishore Kumar, Sabita Choudhury & Chorus: Champavati Aja

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Laxmikant Pyarelal: Sharafat (1970) / Salil Chowdhury: Mere Apne (1971)

Been a while, sorry about that. Busy days. But here to tide you over until I get back on something approaching a regular schedule are a couple of singles I found in the back of the 7" box.

Neither of the 'Sharafat' [review] songs are particularly noteworthy; 'Pehle Na Dekha' is an OK ballad, but forgettable. 'Mere Apne' [review] is a bit more interesting; 'Hal Chal Thik Thak Hai' is chirpy and kind of sweet, and 'Roz Akel Aae' has a nice, trippy feel to it. No pictures sleeves on either I'm afraid.

BRB.

Track listing, Sharafat:
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Pehle Na Dekha
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Raja Jani

Track listing, Mere Apne:
1. Kishore Kumar & Mukesh: Hal Chal Thik Thak Hai
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Roz Akel Aae

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Salil Chowdhury: Annadata (1971) / Sonik Omi: Ek Khilari Bawan Pattey (1972)

Let's do some EPs again. Two excellent ones, from music directors I don't usually expect it - which, as so often before, just goes to show you can never be sure what to except from Bollywood records.

'Annadata' is the poppy one, with a great, feel-good 60s vibe. Starts off with a pretty Lata Mangeshkar song, followed by Kishore Kumar's ace 'Guzar Jaye Din'; rock 'n' roll light, chirpy and fun. Then more sweetness from Lata before ending with the almost trippy 'Yahan Ab Kya Rahnae', sung by Manna Dey and Sabita Chowdhury (Salil's wife?)



'Ek Khilari Bawan Pattey' is slightly more out there; sounds pretty much like what you'd expect from the sleeve, very Burmanesque, especially 'Behroopiye Log Sare'; distorted organ, cool percussion, horn stabs, guitar licks, a wicked beat... But really, all three tracks are awesome (I love the children's chorus on 'Jio Mere Ladle').

Two near flawless records, the unfortunate fact that some of the songs are shortened notwithstanding - I think they did that a lot though to fit the format. I have no idea if LP versions exist (both scores are rare), but if they do they're certainly worth looking for.

Track listing, 'Annadata':
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Raton Ke Saye
2. Kishore Kumar: Guzar Jaye Din
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Nis Din Nis Din
4. Manna Dey, Sabita Chowdhury & Chorus: Yahan Ab Kya Rahnae

Track listing, 'Ek Khilari Bawan Pattey':
1. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Jio Mere Ladle
2. Asha Bhosle: Le Le Yeh Dil Ka Nageena
3. Asha Bhosle: Behroopiye Log Sare

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Salil Chowdhury: Mere Bhaiya / Usha Khanna: Honeymoon (1972)

This one came out of left field: Neither Salil Chowdhury nor Usha Khanna have ever struck me as the most exciting of Bollywood composers (although rumour has it that the latter made some good ones); then I stumbled over this two-fer real cheap, figured I'd have a listen... and guess what? It's excellent! It's an unassuming sleeve (unassuming? downright awful more like it), but inside lie a couple of ace songs.

The 'Mere Bhaiya' tracks are mostly traditional, but of the sort I like... 'Pyas Liye Manwa' for instance, very nice. 'Chanchal Man Par Chhaye' also has a certain charm to it, even though Chowdhury's attempt at rock 'n' roll isn't on par with, say Shankar Jaikishan at their best. It's the 'Honeymoon' side however that's the main point of interest, with two killer tunes included: 'Jeevan Hai Ek Sapna' gallops off like a Morricone western thing (whistling, guitar twangs and whip cracks) and has a great soaring melody, while 'Mere Pyase Man Ki Bahar' begins really lovely with the two singers calling to each other, then a cool shuffling beat starts up, and then the main melody which reminds me a bit of Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra's 'Summer Wine' - something that can only be a plus (that might be just me though), absolutely great stuff!

Yup, I really need to check up on Usha Khanna a bit more.

Track listing (1-4: Mera Bhaiya, 5-8: Honeymoon):
1. Lata Mangeshkar: Chhod Chali Ghar Tera
2. Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey: Marzi Hai Tumari
3. Lata Mangeshkar: Pyas Liye Manwa
4. Manna Dey: Chanchal Man Par Chhaye
5. Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle: Mere Pyase Man Ki Bahar
6. Mohd. Rafi: O Sathi, O Sathi, O
7. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Jeevan Hai Ek Sapna
8. Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Do Dil Mile

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