My Music Movies and Mutterings

MUTTERINGS #67 : ODE TO THE ENGLISH PLURAL

2011-03-22T14:28:00.001+11:00

Ode to the writer actually.....for his/her wit and excellent command of the English language. FYI: Shim is actually a slang word in Malaysia! Any guesses???

Ode to the English Plural

We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn’t the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn’t the plural of booth be called beeth?
Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let’s face it – English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren’t invented in England .
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,
and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don’t fing,
grocers don’t groce and hammers don’t ham?
Doesn’t it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.
If you have a bunch of odds and ends and
get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns down,
in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and
in which an alarm goes off by going on.
And in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother’s not Mop?

MUTTERINGS #66: TERE BINA.....

2011-03-09T18:13:00.007+11:00

Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi,
Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi

Tere Bina Zindagi Bhi Lekin, Zindagi, To Nahi,
Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi

Kaash Aisa Ho Tere Qadmo Se,
Chun Ke Manzil Chale Aur Kahi
Door Kahi - 2
Tum Gar Saath Ho, Manzilo Ki Kami To Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi

Jee Mein Aata Hai, Tere Daaman Mein,
Sar Jhuka Ke Ham Rote Rahe,
Rote Rahe - 2
Teri Bhi Aankho Mein, Aansuo Ki Nami To Nahi

Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi,
Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Bhi Lekin, Zindagi, To Nahi,
Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi

Tum Jo Keh Do To Aaj Ki Raat,
Chaand Doobega Nahi,
Raat Ko Rok Lo -2
Raat Ki Baat Hai, Aur Zindagi Baaki To Nahi

Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi,
Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Bhi Lekin, Zindagi, To Nahi,
Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi

From the movie "Aandhi" (1975), starring Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen. Playback by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Music by Rahul Dev Burman and lyrics by Gulzar.

MUTTERINGS #65: HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY 2011

2011-01-26T19:20:00.003+11:00

To all fellow Australians, and especially to the new Aussie migrants sworn in today at ceremonies all around the country, Happy Australia Day. May your barbie be always filled with snags, your beer bottle or wine glass never empty and our cricket team doing wonders on the pitch!!! Ok, ok, two out of three ain't bad, I guess, LOL.

Also on this great day is the Indian Republic Day. I would therefore like to wish all my friends from the Indian sub-continent a very Happy Republic Day.

BTW, due to work and personal commitments, I am taking some time off from blogging. I should be back in full swing some time next month. E-mails and comments are still always welcomed.

MUTTERINGS #64: WHERE CAN I FIND ANOTHER...

2011-01-19T21:42:00.003+11:00

OMG...after such a long time I listened to one of my favourite Malay songs from my favourite Malay actor, singer, musician and director, the late Putih Ramlee, better known simply as P Ramlee. This is considered one of his best songs from his famous movie, Ibu Mertua Ku (My Mother-In-Law).

The storyline revolves around the tragic love affair between Kassim Selamat (P Ramlee), a poor musician, and Sabariah Mansur (Sarimah), an heiress of a wealthy woman. The movie is notable in that the opening act starts out as a light-hearted romantic comedy, but at the 30 minute mark turns into a dramatic tragedy. For the full story, go to WIKIPEDIA. This film is considered a Malaysian classic, and is remembered for the song "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti" (Where Can I Find Another) and the famous eye-stabbing scene during the film's climax. Enjoy the video clip. Lyrics and translation provide below.

Lyrics:

Hendak ku nangis
Tiada berair mata
Hendak ku senyum
Tiada siapa nak teman
Kalaulah nasib
Sudah tersurat
Begini hebat
Apa nak buat

Di mana kan ku cari ganti
Serupa denganmu
Tak sanggup ku berpisah
Dan berhati patah
Hidup gelisah

Alangkah pedih rasa hati
Selama kau pergi
Tinggalku sendirian
Tiada berteman
Dalam kesepian

Dunia terang menjadi gelita
Cahaya indah tiada berguna
Keluhan hatiku
Menambah derita
Namun kau jua
Tak kunjung jelma

Di mana kan ku cari ganti
Mungkinkah di syurga
Untuk kawan berduka
Menangis bersama
Selama-lama

English Translation:

I want to cry
But I have no tears
I want to smile
But there is no one to accompany
If my fate
Has been determined
To be this bad
What can I do

Where can I find another
Like you
I can't bear this parting
And heartbreak
Living in agony

My heart aches so much
Since you've been gone
Leaving me all alone
With no one
In loneliness

The bright world becomes dark
Its beautiful lights become useless
The weeping of my heart
Adds to my sorrow
But you still
Never appear

Where can I find another
Perhaps in heaven
To grief with me
To cry with me
Forever and ever

Source: P. Ramlee's Songs and Lyrics

MUTTERINGS #63: WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

2011-01-18T10:34:00.004+11:00

SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because gosh-darn it, he's a maverick!

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a NEW CAR so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, That chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the Liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side.' That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish it's lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2010, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2010. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

MUSIC #89: EVERGREENS – GREAT INSTRUMENTALS 1969 (INSTRUMENTALS)

2011-01-16T16:25:00.002+11:00

The best of Polydor’s conductors and orchestras in one album. I give this recording 4 stars.

Evergreens – Great Instrumentals 1969: Instrumentals

Side One

1. Spanish Eyes – Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra

2. A Man And A Woman – James Last and His Orchestra

3. Guantanamera – Kai Warner and His Orchestra

4. Mexico – Roberto Delgado and His Orchestra

5. Love Is Blue – The Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra

6. Mr Sandman – Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra

Side Two

1. Games That Lovers Play – James Last and His Orchestra

2. Georgy Girl – The Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra

3. Capri Serenade – Kai Warner and His Orchestra

4. Strangers In The Night – Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra

5. La Bamba – Roberto Delgado and His Orchestra

6. Lara’s Theme – James Last and His Orchestra

MUSIC #88: AYA SAWAN JHOOM KE 1969 (HINDI OST)

2011-01-12T20:02:00.014+11:00

Welcome to the first simultaneous posting of soundtrack and movie review by yours truly and my friend Bollywood Deewana for this year. And to kick off, it is Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (Winter Comes A-Waltzing) which stars the undisputed "Action King" of Hindi cinema Dharmendra, along with the beautiful Asha Parekh, Balraj Sahni, Nazima, Bindu, Aruna Irani, and Rajindernath. The music is by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and the lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Both film and music were box office hits in same year that saw other great movies such as Aradhana, Do Raaste, Khanyadaan, Jahan Pyar Mile and Aadmi aur Insaan to name a few. It made the seventh top grossing film at the Indian Box Office in 1969 (see list below).

Top Ten Indian Box Office Hits of 1969

1. Aradhana: Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore

2. Do Raaste: Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz

3. Ek Phool Do Mali: Sanjay, Sadhana and Balraj Sahni

4. Prince: Shammi Kapoor and Vyjayanthimala

5. Inteqaam: Sanjay and Sadhana

6. Jeene Ki Raah: Jeetendra and Tanuja

7. Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke: Dharmendra and Asha Parekh

8. Bandhan: Feroz Khan and Mumtaz

9. Jigri Dost: Jeetendra and Mumtaz

10. Sajan: Manoj Kumar and Asha Parekh

The film boast some memorable songs, still well know to this day. The title track is a zippy number and in my opinion one of Rafi-Lata best fun duets and Saathiya Nahin Jaana as one of their better love duet. I must say I really do like Main Ek Haseena (hey, who doesn’t like Asha in the cabaret type songs?) especially for its movie clip. Ah, gone are the days when a bit of meat was revered and considered sexy. I wonder how many Bollywood actresses would be caught dead doing that same clip these days? I can just imagine the bad press :O

Anyway, I enjoy all the songs in this OST, my favourites being Saathiya Nahin Jaana, Majhi Chal, Bura Mat Suno, Yeh Shama To Jali and the title track. I give this 4.5 only because I am comparing it to other music from that year.

Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke 1969: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke – Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi and Chorus

2. Yeh Shama To Jali – Mohd Rafi

3. Main Ek Haseena – Asha Bhosle

Side Two

1. Majhi Chal – Mohd Rafi and Chorus

2. Saathiya Nahin Jaana – Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

3. Rama Duhai – Lata Mangeshkar

4. Bura Mat Suno – Mohd Rafi

MUTTERINGS #62: MR MEN AND LITTLE MISS...

2011-01-11T21:32:00.001+11:00

Which one are you???

MUTTERINGS #61: THE DRUNK AND THE BIKER

2011-01-11T21:11:00.001+11:00

A drunken man walks into a biker bar, sits down at the bar and orders a drink. Looking around, he sees three men sitting at a corner table. He gets up, staggers to the table, leans over, looks the biggest, meanest, biker in the face and says: "I went by your grandma's house today and I saw her in the hallway buck naked. Man, she is one fine looking woman!"

The biker looks at him and doesn't say a word. His buddies are confused, because he is one bad biker and would fight at the drop of a hat.

The drunk leans on the table again and says: "I got it on with your grandma and she is good, the best I ever had!"

The biker's buddies are starting to get really mad but the biker still says nothing.

The drunk leans on the table one more time and says, "I'll tell you something else, boy, your grandma liked it!"

At this point the biker stands up, takes the drunk by the shoulders looks him square in the eyes and says,

"Grandpa,....... Go home, you're drunk.

MUSIC #87: PRETTY WOMAN 1990 (ENGLISH OST)

2011-01-10T19:16:00.001+11:00

Ok don’t gag, but Pretty Woman is one of my favourite romantic movies of all time (have I lost my credibility here?). I can watch this movie over and over again and the tissues still come out….regardless.

Anyway, Pretty Woman is actually loosely based on a true story and was going to be a dark drama on prostitution when it was re-conceptualized into a romantic comedy with a bigger budget. The movie was written by J.F. Lawton and directed by Garry Marshall. It stars Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Jason Alexander and Laura San Giacomo. Pretty Woman's plot centres on down-on-her-luck Hollywood prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) who is hired by a wealthy businessman, Edward Lewis (Richard Gere), to be his escort for several business and social functions, and their developing relationship over the course of Vivian's week long stay with him. Roberts received a Golden Globe Award for her role.

The soundtrack to Pretty Woman was hugely successful and features the song "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison, which inspired the movie's title. Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1990. The soundtrack also features "King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West, "Show Me Your Soul" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, "No Explanation" by Peter Cetera, "Wild Women Do" by Natalie Cole and "Fallen" by Lauren Wood. The soundtrack went on to be certified three times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

My favourites from the movie include King of Wishful Thinking, It Must Have Been Love (one of my all time favourites along with Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Careless Whisper), Fallen and Oh Pretty Woman.

I give this OST 4 stars.

Pretty Woman 1990: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Wild Women Do - Natalie Cole

2. Fame 90 - David Bowie

3. King of Wishful Thinking - Go West

4. Tangled - Jane Wiedlin

5. It Must Have Been Love - Roxette

6. Life in Detail - Robert Palmer

Side Two

1. No Explanation - Peter Cetera

2. Real Wild Child (Wild One) - Christopher Otcasek

3. Fallen - Lauren Wood

4. Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison

5. Show Me Your Soul - Red Hot Chili Peppers

MUTTERINGS #60: THE AUSTRALIAN LAWYER’S EDUCATION

2011-01-10T11:49:00.001+11:00

Waswo X Waswo

The son of a cocky (Australian slang for farmer) from outback Queensland goes off to study Law at university. Not half way through the semester he has blown all of his money on the high city life.

He calls home. 'Dad, you won't believe what modern education is developing. They actually have a program here in Brisbane Uni that will teach a dog how to talk.'

'Bloody amazing!' his Dad says. 'Could we get Ol' Bluey (Blue Heeler – breed of dog) into the program?'

'No worries, just send him down here with $2000,' the young jackaroo (Australian slang for a young farmer or trainee in the agriculture field) says, 'I'll get him into the course.'

So father sends down the dog and $2000.

About two-thirds through the semester, the money again runs out. The boy calls home. 'So how's Ol' Blue doing, son?' his father wants to know.

'Awesome Dad! He'd talk Ya bloody head off. But you just won't believe this. He's such a brilliant talker, they'd like him to have a go in the reading class!'

'Read?' exclaims his father. 'No kidding! Jeez, I knew he was smart. Can you get Ol' Blue into that program?'

'Just send $4500. He's as good as in.'

As quick as the money arrives, it is spent.

At the end of the term the young bloke realises a problem...When he goes home for the holidays, his father will find out the dog can neither talk nor read. So on the way home he stops and shoots the dog.

When he arrives home his father is all excited. 'Where's Ol' Blue? I just can't wait to talk with him and see him read something!'

'Dad,' the boy says, 'It all had a bad outcome. Yesterday morning, just before we left to drive home, Ol' Blue was in the living room reading the Wall Street Journal. Out of nowhere he turned to me and asked, 'So, is your dad still shagging that little redhead barmaid from the pub?''

The father groans and whispers, 'I'll have to shoot that bastard before he blabs to your Mother!'

'I already did, Dad!'

'Good boy!'

The kid went on to be a successful lawyer.

MUTTERINGS #59: POOR BILLY…

2011-01-10T11:05:00.002+11:00

Billy was at school this morning and the teacher asked all the children what their fathers did for a living. All the typical answers came out, fireman, policeman, salesman, executives, government workers, doctors, but Billy was being uncharacteristically quiet and so the teacher asked him about his father.

"My father is an exotic dancer in a gay club and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes if the offer is really good, he'll go out with a man, rent a cheap hotel room and let them sleep with him."

The teacher quickly set the other children some work and took little Billy aside to ask him if that was really true. "No" said Billy, "He plays cricket for Australia but I was just too embarrassed to say."

MUSIC #86: DIL KI BAATEIN VOL. 1 (HINDI OST COMPILATION)

2011-01-08T12:51:00.007+11:00

Never got a mixed tape in my teenage years (sob sob)...though my brother did have his share of those from the fairer sex (at 6 feet tall and looking like Askshay Kumar...it was no mystery why there were a trail of girls...LOL). Anyway, here’s a compilation on MATTERS OF THE HEART that I am sure would get the hearts fluttering. Well it made mine.....did it yours???

Dil Ki Baatein Vol. 1 - A Compilation Of Heartfelt Songs

1. Kabhi Palkon Mein (Harjae) – Kishore Kumar

2. Kabhie Kabhie Meri Dil Mein (Kabhi Kabhie) – Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh

3. Ek Mulaqat Zaroori Hai (Sirf Tum) – Sabri Brothers and Jaspinder

4. Yeh Mulaqat Ek Bahana Tha (Khandan) – Lata Mangeshkar

5. Raat Ko Neend Aati Nahin (Judaai) – Alka Yagnik and SP Balasubramaniam

6. Lag Ja Gale Se (Woh Kaun Thi) – Lata Mangeshkar

7. Tum Bhi Chalo (Zameer) – Kishore Kumar

8. Humei Tumse Pyar Kitna (Kudrat) – Parveen Sultan

9. Aaj Ki Raat Yeh Kaisi Raat (Aman) – Mohd Rafi

10. Tera Chehra Mujhe (Aapas Ki Baat) – Kishore Kumar

11. Main Syair Toh Nahin (Bobby) – Shailender Singh

12. Dil Ki Baatein (Roop Tera Mastana) – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

PS: I acknowledge BS for providing some of the songs in this compilation.

MUSIC #85: WHAM! – MAKE IT BIG 1984 (ENGLISH)

2011-01-06T20:48:00.003+11:00

Growing up, it seems everybody but I knew that George Michael was gay! Blame my naïve and trusting nature, that still plagues me to this day, haha. One may think it is a good trait to have; I myself find it a curse, makes me so gullible…..and I always learn the hard way that things and people are not what they seem. Oh well, some people learn the hard way, I guess.

Now why would GM being gay create such a response from me, you say? Because I fought the world for George...LOL….he was my teen idol, I loved him (and he did not even know I existed, sob, sob) and I had to fight my mum for putting up his posters in my mum’s so called elegant décor. But win I did….ha, ha. I may be gullible, but I am stubborn too.

So it is a no brainer when I tell you that Wham! was my favourite pop group from the 1980’s. For those of you who don't know, Wham! was a British pop duo formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. The duo sold 25 million copies between 1982 until they broke up in 1986.

Their debut album was “Fantastic” in 1983, followed by “Make It Big” and ending with “Music From The Edge Of Heaven” in 1986.

In my opinion, “Make It Big” was the best of the Wham! albums and chart wise it hit #1 in both the UK and the USA and spawned four singles, all topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. My favourites include Careless Whisper (still is to this day), Freedom, Heartbeat and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

I give this album 4 stars.

Wham! – Make It Big 1984

Side One

1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
2. Everything She Wants
3. Heartbeat
4. Like a Baby

Side Two

1. Freedom
2. If You Were There
3. Credit Card Baby
4. Careless Whisper

MUTTERINGS #58: THE SMART SARDARJI

2011-01-06T08:39:00.001+11:00

Elderly Sikh Man Riding A Bicycle.
Location: Amritsar, W. Punjab, India
Date taken: September 1946
Photographer: Margaret Bourke-White

A Sardarji (Sikh man with his full regalia) comes up to the Pakistan border on his bike. He's got two large bags over his shoulders. The guard Iqbal stops him and says, what's in the bags?' 'Sand,' answered the Sardarji. Iqbal says, 'We'll just see about that. Get off the bike. Iqbal's guard takes the bags and rips them apart; empty them out and find nothing in them but sand.

He detains the Sardarji overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags. Iqbal releases the Sardarji, puts the sand into new bags, heaves them on to the Sardarji's shoulders, and lets him cross the border.

A week later, the same thing happens. Iqbal asks, 'What have you got? 'Sand,' says the Sardarji. Iqbal does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand. He gives the sand back to the Sardarji, and crosses the border on his bike. This sequence of events is repeated every week for three years.

Then suddenly, the Sardarji doesn't show up and one day the guard meets him in a 'dhaba' (roadside food stall) in Lahore . 'Hey, Buddy,' says Iqbal, 'I know you are smuggling something. It's driving me crazy. It's all I think about...I haven’t had a decent night sleep in three years. Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?'

The Sardarji, sips his lassi (yoghurt drink) and says, 'bikes'. . . . . . . . . . . .

MUSIC #84: SHARAABI 1984 (HINDI OST)

2011-01-03T00:00:00.006+11:00

I wasn’t going to post this album for personal reasons....... But to shelf one of the greatest albums to come out of the 1980’s would be a great injustice, to the composer Bappi Lahiri, lyricists Prakash Mehra (who is also the director) and Anjaan, and singers Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle.

Sharaabi (Drunkard) stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Prada, Pran, Om Prakash, Deepak Parashar (loved him in the movie Nikaah) and Ranjeet playing the token villain. Amithabh plays a spoilt but generous hearted drunk son of an extremely rich and uncaring father Pran. Om Prakash plays the surrogate father and Jaya Pradha provides the romantic liaison. The movie is loosely adapted from the Hollywood movie, Arthur (which stars Dudley Moore).

Musically, in my opinion, this is one of Lahiri’s better albums and his choice of using Asha Bhosle as the female singer as opposed to her sister Lata Mangeshkar alongside Kishore Kumar just showed his calibre as one of the great new composers of the 1980’s and beyond. Kishore kumar just brought all the music to life in this album but if praises must be bestowed, it should be given to both the lyricists – Prakash Mehra for Manzilen Apni Jagah Hain and Anjaan for Inteha Ho Gayi Intezar Ki, De De Pyar De and my favourite, Mujhe Naulakha Mangawa De Re....especially the part where Kishore sings....

Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm

De Re Na
Log Kehte Hai Main Sharaabi Hoon (2)
Tum Ne Bhi Shaayad Yehi Soch Liye Haan
Log Kehte Hai Main Sharaabi Hoon

Kissi Pe Husn Ka Guroor Jawaani Ka Nasha
Kissi Ke Dil Pe Mohabbat Ki Rawaani Ka Nasha
Kissi Ko Dekhke Saanso Se Ubharta Hai Nasha
Bina Piye Bhi Kahin Hadh Se Guzarta Hai Nasha
Nashe Mein Kaun Nahin Hai Mujhe Bataao Zara
Kisse Hai Hosh Mere Saamne To Laao Zara
Nasha Hai Sab Pe Magar Rang Nashe Ka Hai Juda

Khili Khili Hui Subah Pe Hai Shabnam Ka Nasha
Hawa Pe Khushbu Ka Baadal Pe Hai Rimjhim Ka Nasha
Kahin Suroor Hai Khushiyon Ka Kahin Gham Ka Nasha

Nasha Sharaab Mein Hota To Naachti Botal
Maikade Jhoomte Paimaanon Mein Hoti Hulchul
Nasha Sharaab Mein Hota To Naachti Botal
Nashe Mein Kaun Nahin Hai Mujhe Bataao Zara (2)

Log Kehte Hai Main Sharaabi Hoon (2)
Tum Ne Bhi Shaayad Yehi Soch Liye Haan
Log Kehte Hai Main Sharaabi Hoon

Thodi Aankhon Se Pilaa De Re Sajni Deewaani (2)
Tujhe Main (2)
Tujhe Saanso Mein Basaa Loonga Sajni Deewaani
Tujhe Naulakhaa Manga Doonga Sajni Deewaani (2)
Aaaa Aaaa

Beautiful, beautiful lyrics in my opinion....And do listen to the music track too. Am I imagining it, or does it sound more like someone suffering from emphysema than cirrhosis of the liver? Regardless, I think it is just groovy. I give this album 5 stars.

Sharaabi 1984: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Jahan Mil Javen Chaar Yaar – Amitabh Bachchan and Kishore Kumar
2. Mujhe Naulakha Mangawa De Re – Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar
3. De De Pyar De – Asha Bhosle and Chorus

Side Two

1. Manzilen Apni Jagah Hain – Kishore Kumar
2. Inteha Ho Gayi Intezar Ki – Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
3. De De Pyar De – Kishore Kumar and Chorus
4. Music - Instrumental

MUSIC #83: COCKTAIL 1988 (ENGLISH OST)

2011-01-01T13:34:00.003+11:00

With all the free flowing grog in tradition with NYE celebrations, I thought this would be an apt posting for NY's day (and I know some of you may not want to see another drink for quite some time after last month's excessive bozing and eating). Cocktail the movie was directed by Roger Donalson with screenplay by Heywood Gould. It stars Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown and Elisabeth Shue. Not a Tom Cruise fan myself but I did watch the movie for Australian actor Bryan Brown (BB), who has performed in some outstanding movies and miniseries such as The Shiralee (one of my favourite Australian movies and I totally recommend you watch this heart wrenching film), Breaker Morant, F/X, Tai-Pan, The Thorn Birds and Australia.

In my opinion, if it wasn’t for BB, this movie would have been a total waste of money and it is no wonder that it got nominated for four Razzie Awards for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, Worst Actor and Worst Director; winning the Worst Picture and Screenplay award.

It did however carry some memorable songs to come out of the late 1980’s including Kokomo (No. 1 in the United States, Japan and Australia charts in July 1988) and Don’t Worry, Be Happy; with some good old classics like Hippy Hippy Shake (originally by Chan Romero), Tutti Fruitti and Rave On! (originally by Sonny West).

I give this album 4 stars.

Cocktail 1988 – The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Wild Again – Starship (formerly 'Jefferson Starship')

2. Powerful Stuff – The Fabulous Thunderbirds

3. Since When – Robbie Nevil

4. Don't Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin

5. Hippy Hippy Shake – The Georgia Satellites

Side Two

1. Kokomo – The Beach Boys

2. Rave On! – John Cougar Mellencamp

3. All Shook Up – Ry Cooder

4. Oh, I Love You So – Preston Smith

5. Tutti Frutti – Little Richard

MUTTERINGS #57: HNY 2011

2011-01-01T10:27:00.005+11:00

MUSIC #82: SURAJ 1966 (HINDI OST)

2010-12-28T15:45:00.001+11:00

Suraj (Sun, Sunshine) is a 1966 movie directed by T Prakash Rao and stars Rajendra Kumar, Vyjanthimala, Mumtaz and Ajit.

The movie boasts outstanding music by Shanker-Jaikishen (who won their 5th Filmfare award for best music director) and lyricists Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. Singer Mohammad Rafi won his 4th Filmfare best male playback singer for “Baharon Phool Barsao”, which in my opinion is one of Rafi’s best songs ever. My favourite in this OST is “Itna Hai Tumse Pyar” and of course, “Baharon Phool Barsao”. I give this album 5 stars.

PS: For excellent reviews of the movie, please visit Memsaab Story and Bollywood Deewana.

Suraj 1966: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Chehre Pe Girin Zulfen – Mohd Rafi
(Hasrat Jaipuri)

2. Baharo Phool Barsao – Mohd Rafi
(Hasrat Jaipuri)

3. Ek Baar Aata Hai – Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle
(Hasrat Jaipuri)

4. Itna Hai Tumse Pyar – Mohd Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur
(Hasrat Jaipuri)

Side Two

1. Title Music

2. Kaise Samjhaoon - Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle
(Hasrat Jaipuri)

3. Dekho Mera Dil Machal Gaya - Sharada
(Shailendra)

4. Titli Udi – Sharada
(Hasrat Jaipuri)

MUSIC #81: JEFFERSON AIRPLANE – JEFFERSON AIRPLANE TAKES OFF 1966 (ENGLISH)

2010-12-26T17:23:00.002+11:00

One of the momentous rock groups of the 1960’s, Jeffreson Airplane was formed in San Francisco California in 1965 and a pioneer of psychedelic rock movement. The band performed at all three of the most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969). The group's debut LP Jefferson Airplane Takes Off was released in September 1966. I give this album 4 stars with my favourite being “It's No Secret”.

Jefferson Airplane: Jefferson Airplane Takes Off 1966

Side One

1. Blues from an Airplane

2. Let Me In

3. Bringing Me Down

4. It's No Secret

5. Tobacco Road

Side Two

1. Come Up the Years

2. Run Around

3. Let's Get Together

4. Don't Slip Away

5. Chauffeur Blues

6. And I Like It

MUTTERINGS #56: WHY SOME MEN HAVE DOGS AND NOT WIVES

2010-12-26T08:47:00.001+11:00

1. The later you are, the more excited your dogs are to see you.

2. Dogs don't notice if you call them by another dog's name.

3. Dogs like it if you leave a lot of things on the floor.

4. A dog's parents never visit.

5. Dogs agree that you have to raise your voice to get your point across.

6. You never have to wait for a dog; they're ready to go 24 hours a day.

7. Dogs find you amusing when you're drunk.

8. Dogs like to go hunting and fishing.

9. A dog will not wake you up in the middle of the night to ask, "If I died, would you get another dog?"

10. If a dog has babies, you can put an ad in the paper and give them away.

11. A dog will let you put a studded collar on it without calling you a pervert.

12. If a dog smells another dog on you, they don't get mad. They just think it's interesting.

13. Dogs like to ride in the back of a pickup truck.

And last, but not least:

14. If a dog leaves, it won't take half of your stuff.

To test this theory (at your own risk):

Lock your wife and your dog in the garage for an hour. Then open it and see who's happy to see you! That is if you are game enough to try it….

MUTTERINGS #55: MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010

2010-12-25T00:00:00.001+11:00

To all friends and followers of

“My Music Movies and Mutterings”

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas!

MUTTERINGS #54: WHERE'S VEEN?

2010-12-17T10:09:00.002+11:00

In case you are wondering (well even if you are not, smile), I haven't jumped ship or anything like that...I have been on holidays since last week in not so sunny Queensland on the Gold Coast and will return to the blog sphere after Christmas.

I am still contactable via emails, so any questions etc etc, bring them on. If I don't do an update before Christmas, I would like to wish all my fellow blog visitors and peers a very Happy Christmas. Be safe on the roads and God bless.

MUSIC #80: PYAR MOHABBAT 1966 (HINDI OST)

2010-12-09T09:13:00.002+11:00

BTW, if you are feeling a sense of déjà vu with this posting....you are right. I stuffed up my numbering and short of redoing all the numbers in edit mode, I decided to re-post this album with the correct numbering. Yes the sequence is still in order; 'EVENS' for Hindi albums and 'ODDS' for everything else. So here is Pyar Mohabbat all over again....enjoy.

This OST has everything going for it – all the great singers of the 60’s – Rafi, Asha, Lata, Usha, Manna Dey and Sharda. It’s as if music directors Shankar-Jaikishan could not decide who to get so, they decided to get them all. I am surprised Kishore Kumar and Mukesh weren’t thrown in for good measure!!!

No wonder it’s one of my favourite albums of the decade, coupled with the fact that it is also a Dev Anand starrer, and not forgetting the very beautiful Saira Banu.

As mentioned, the music is by Shankar-Jaikishan and lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. If I have to chose my favorites from this album, they would have to be Pyar Mohabbat Ke Siva, Mil Gai Mil Gai, Aap Naraz Khuda Khair Kare, Tere Siva and of course Tujh Ko Dekh Ke. My verdict: Five stars, no less!!!

Pyar Mohabbat 1966: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

Aaj Aaye Banke More Sainya
Mil Gai Mil Gai Mil Gai Re
Aap Naraz Khuda Khair Kare
Dekho Dekho Madam

Side Two

Pyar Mohabbat Ke Siva
Tere Siva
Hello Hello Sun Sun Sun
Sabhi Kuch Hai Tujh Men
Tujh Ko Dekh Ke

MUTTERINGS #53: THE LITTLE FIRE-FIGHTER

2010-12-08T08:25:00.002+11:00

A fire-fighter was working on the engine outside the station, when he noticed a little girl nearby in a little red wagon with little ladders hung off the sides and a garden hose tightly coiled in the middle.

The girl was wearing a fire-fighter’s helmet.

The wagon was being pulled by her dog and her cat.

The fire-fighter walked over to take a closer look. 'That sure is a nice fire truck,' the fire-fighter said with admiration.

'Thanks,' the girl replied. The fire-fighter looked a little closer. The girl had tied the wagon to her dog's collar and to the cat's testicles.

'Little partner,' the fire-fighter said, 'I don't want to tell you how to run your rig, but if you were to tie that rope around the cat's collar, I think you could go faster. '

The little girl replied thoughtfully, 'You're probably right, but then I wouldn't have a siren, would I?'

MUSIC #79: JAMES LAST – COPA CABANA HAPPY DANCING 1979 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-12-06T21:52:00.003+11:00

Looking at the cover art, this album conjures imagines of scattily clad and tanned South American women and those muscles and glistening South American men....hubba hubba....dancing frantically to the beats of Samba and Bossa Nova music....well they are...just not frantically. Having said that, if you like your Samba and Bossa Nova subdued, you will find this album to your taste. Me? I like my Samba a tad more energetic....I give this album 3.5 stars.

James Last – Copa Cabana Happy Dancing 1979: Instrumental

Side One

1. A Gay Ranchero

2. El Rancho Grande

3. Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah

4. Sly Mongoose

5. Feels So Good

6. Siesta

7. Caminito

Side Two

1. Perhaps? Perhaps? Perhaps?

2. El Choclo

3. Avalon

4. La Sorella

5. Copacabana

6. Chilli Concarne

MUTTERINGS #52: FLOWERS

2010-12-05T11:00:00.001+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11

Tis my faith that every flower....

Enjoys the air it breathes!

~ William Wordsworth, "Lines Written in Early Spring" 1798

MUSIC #78: 16 TOP HITS 1975 (HINDI OST)

2010-12-03T11:54:00.004+11:00

Here’s a collection of 16 hot songs from the early to mid 1970’s compiled by Polydor Records. One thing I did notice about this compilation is that Kishore Kumar is the only male singer featured. I wonder why? Any ideas from you out there?

BTW, I love the picture of Shoma Anand (from the movie Barood) on the cover. This is also the picture featured on fellow blog mate’s site, Music From the Third Floor.

My verdict: 5 star compilation

16 Top Hits 1975: Original Soundtrack Compilation

Side One

1. Bhool Gaya Sub Kuchh (Julie) – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

2. Waada Karo (Aa Gale Lag Jaa) – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

3. I love You, You Love Me (Barood) – Asha Bhosle

4. Kahe Ko Kahe Ko (Chori Mera Kaam) – Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle

5. Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya (The Train) – Lata Mangeshkar

6. Hey Maine Kasam Li (Tere Maine Sapne) – Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle

7. Jane Jaan (Jawani Diwani) – Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle

8. Churi Nahin Ye Mera Dil (Gambler) – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

Side Two

1. Maine Tujhe Manga (Deewaar) – Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle

2. Maar Diya Jaye (Mere Gaon Mera Desh) – Lata Mangeshkar

3. Hum Tum Tum Hum (Tyaag) – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

4. Meri Pyari Baheniyan (Sachaa Jhutha) – Kishore Kumar

5. Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas (Blackmail) – Kishore Kumar

6. Reshma Mera Naam Hai (Toofan) – Asha Bhosle

7. Yeh Public Hai (Roti) – Kishore Kumar

8. Pal Bhar Ke Liye (Johny Mera Naam) – Kishore Kumar and Usha Khanna

MUTTERINGS #51: BEAUTY

2010-12-02T08:18:00.000+11:00

By Veen
Motorola Handphone
"JAPANESE GARDENS, COWRA NSW"

There is no spot of ground, however arid, bare or ugly,

that cannot be tamed into such a state as may give an

impression of beauty and delight.

- Gertrude Jekyll

MUSIC #77: LA BAMBA 1987 (ENGLISH OST)

2010-11-30T19:03:00.003+11:00

La Bamba is a 1987 film written and directed by Luis Valdez and is based on the real life events that affected the live of rock star Ritchie Valens. The movie stars Lou Diamond Phillips (as Ritchie Valens), Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto and Elizabeth Peña.

Ritchie Valens

As with the movie, the soundtrack is also based on Ritchie Valen’s music and those of his R&R buddies of the 1950’s. Warner Brothers released the soundtrack in June 1987. Ironically, WB did not use Valen’s original recordings, but rather had the band Los Lobos record all of Valen’s songs. Even Bo Didley rerecorded his classic song “Who Do You Love?" for the movie.

If you like 1950’s R&R, then you would like La Bamba. My favorites from this ablum include the title song "La Bamba", "Come On Let's Go", "Ooh My Head", “Summertime Blues” and “Who Do You Love”.

My verdict: 4 stars.

La Bamba 1987: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

La Bamba – Los Lobos
Come On, Let's Go – Los Lobos
Ooh! My Head – Los Lobos
We Belong Together – Los Lobos
Framed – Los Lobos
Donna – Los Lobos

Side Two

Lonely Teardrops – Howard Huntsberry
Crying, Waiting, Hoping – Marshall Crenshaw
Summertime Blues – Brian Setzer
Who Do You Love – Bo Diddley
Charlena – Los Lobos
Goodnight My Love – Los Lobos

MUTTERINGS #50: THE RAISE

2010-11-29T11:32:00.001+11:00

A Mexican maid wants a pay increase. She asked her male employer but his wife was very upset about this and decided to talk to her about the raise.

Wife: 'Now Maria, why do you want a pay increase?'

Maria: 'Well, Señora, there are three reasons why I wan increase. The first is that I iron better than you.'

Wife: 'Who said you iron better than me?'

Maria: 'Jor husband say so.'

Wife: 'Oh.'

Maria: 'The second reason is that I am a better cook than you.'

Wife: 'Nonsense, who said you were a better cook than me?'

Maria: 'Jor husband did.'

Wife: 'Oh…'

Maria: 'The third reason is that I am better at sex than you in bed.'

Wife: (really furious now) 'Did my husband say that as well?'

Maria: 'No Señora...the gardener did.'

Wife: 'So how much do you want?'

MUSIC #76: SILSILA 1981 (HINDI OST)

2010-11-27T16:41:00.003+11:00

A Yash Chopra classic starring superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Rekha, Jaya Bachchan nee Bhaduri and Shashi Kapoor in a guest appearance. Silsila (Chains) tells the story of lovers’ lost and found, family obligations before self, and the taboo subject of adultery. Rumours have it that the very subject that was addressed in the movie was being played out in real life between actors Amitabh Bachchan and his on screen lover/adulteress Rekha.

The music is by Shiv-Hari (Shiv Kumar Sharma and Hariprasad Chaurasia) with lyrics by Javed Akhtar, Rajinder Krishnan, Hassan Kamal and Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan (the father of actor Amitabh Bachchan).

Both movie and songs were the rage of the early 1980s and are still well remembered among the masses to date especially “Rang Barse”. The soundtrack also sees Amitabh Bachchan singing most of his own songs in the movie. My favourites include “Dekha Ek Khwab” (there is only one part of this song on the album – why it is listed as Part 1 eludes me), “Neela Aasman So Gaya” and “Rang Barse”. I am disappointed that the song “Neeche Paan Ki Dukkan” sung by Amitabh and Shashi Kapoor was not included in the album....I thought that was an awesome rendition by both the stars! If anyone has this, please do share it with me!

My verdict: 5 stars

NB: The Shiv-Hari collaboration has also been responsible for other great music albums of the 1980s and 1990s such as Chandni, Darr, Lamhe, Faasle, Vijay and Sahibaan.

Silsila 1981 : The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum – Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

2. Dekha Ek Khwab Part 1 – Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Chorus

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

3. Neela Aasman So Gaya – Amitabh Bachchan

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

4. Tum Jo Todo Piya – Lata Mangeshkar

Meera Bhajan

Side Two

5. Sar Se Sarke – Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Chorus

Lyrics: Hassan Kamal

6. Rang Barse – Amitabh Bachchan and Chorus

Lyrics: Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

7. Neela Aasman So Gaya – Lata Mangeshkar

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

8. Ladki Hai Ya Shola – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

Lyrics: Rajinder Krishnan

MUTTERINGS #49: ROSES

2010-11-26T20:04:00.005+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
"MY ROSES"

Juliet:

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo:

[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Juliet:

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,

And for that name which is no part of thee

Take all myself.

Romeo

I take thee at thy word:

Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;

Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

From: Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare

MUSIC #75: ANDRE KOSTELANETZ - FIRE AND JEALOUSY 1961 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-11-24T11:15:00.005+11:00

André Kostelanetz is one of my favourite orchestral composer and conductor.

André Kostelanetz

Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Kostelanetz escaped in 1922 after the Russian Revolution. He arrived in the United States that year, and in the 1920s, conducted concerts for radio. In the 1930s, he began his own weekly show on CBS, André Kostelanetz Presents.

Kostelanetz was known for arranging and recording light classical music pieces for mass audiences, as well as orchestral versions of songs and Broadway show tunes. He made numerous recordings over the course of his career, which had sales of over 50 million and became staples of beautiful music radio stations. For many years, Kostelanetz also conducted the New York Philharmonic in pops concerts and recordings, in which they were billed as Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra.

André Kostelanetz may be best-known to modern audiences for a series of easy listening instrumental albums on Columbia Records from the 1940s until 1980. Kostelanetz actually started making this music before there was a genre called "easy listening". He continued until after some of his contemporaries, including Mantovani, had stopped recording. His music sold over 50 million copies!

Outside the United States, one of his best known works was an orchestral arrangement of the tune "With a Song in my Heart", which was the signature tune of a long-running BBC radio program, at first called Forces Favourites, then Family Favourites, and finally Two Way Family Favourites.

Kostelanetz's last concert was A Night in Old Vienna with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra at that city's War Memorial Opera House on December 31, 1979.

He died in Haiti on January 13, 1980, aged 78.

If you like Spanish and flamenco style music, you will love “Fire and Jealousy”. I give this album 4.5 stars and my favourites include Jalousie, Malaguena, Ritual Dance of Fire and Bolero.

Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra - Fire and Jealousy (1961)

Side One

1. Jalousie (Jealousy)

2. Cielito Lindo

3. Malaguena

4. Cordoba (From Cantos De Espana)

5. Adios

6. Spanish Dance No 1 (From La Vida Breve)

Side Two

1. Ritual Dance Of Fire (From El Amor Brujo)

2. Caminito

3. Bolero

MUTTERINGS #48: COCKATOOS

2010-11-23T13:24:00.002+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
"YELLOW CRESTED COCKATOOS"

WHITE COCKATOOS

Now the autumn maize is growing,

Now the corn-cob fills,

Where the Little River flowing

Winds among the hills.

Over mountain peaks outlying

Clear against the blue

Comes a scout in silence flying,

One white cockatoo.

Back he goes to where the meeting

Waits among the trees.

Says, "The corn is fit for eating;

Hurry, if you please."

Skirmishers, their line extendiing,

Shout the joyful news;

Down they drop like snow descending,

Clouds of cockatoos.

At their husking competition

Hear them screech and yell.

On a gum tree's high position

Sits a sentinel.

Soon the boss goes boundary riding;

But the wise old bird,

Mute among the branches hiding,

Never says a word.

Then you hear the strident squalling:

"Here's the boss's son,

Through the garden bushes crawling,

Crawling with a gun.

May the shiny cactus bristles

Fill his soul with woe;

May his knees get full of thistles.

Brothers, let us go."

Old Black Harry sees them going,

Sketches Nature's plan:

"That one cocky too much knowing,

All same Chinaman.

One eye shut and one eye winkin' --

Never shut the two;

Chinaman go dead, me thinkin',

Jump up cockatoo."

Andrew Barton ('Banjo') Paterson
Australian Poet 1864 - 1941

MUSIC #74: EK CHADAR MAILI SI 1986 (HINDI OST)

2010-11-22T11:41:00.003+11:00

Ek Chadar Maili Si (The Blanket Is Sullied) is a dramatic movie directed by Sukhwant Dhadda and adapted from the novella of the same title written by Rajinder Singh Bedi.

It depicts the tale of Rano (Hema Malini), who after the death of her husband Triloka (played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda) is forced to ‘marry’ her brother-in-law Mangal (Rishi Kapoor) who is 10 years younger than her and whom she treats as a son. The ceremony of “chadar dhalna” takes place, where a blanket is erected between the widow Bano and her brother-in-law Mangal and then removed to signify that Mangal is now her husband (although Mangal is in love with Raaji, played by Poonam Dhillon) and will take on the responsibilities of his deceased brother Triloka.

It is therefore no surprise that following the theme of the movie, the music of Ek Chadar Maili Si is intense and dramatic. It is composed by Anu Malik with lyrics by Makhan Singh, Sudarshan Fakir, Farooq Qaiser and Sardar Panchi.

My verdict: 4 stars

PS: For an in depth review of this movie, check out this posting at PICTURESQUE.

Ek Chadar Maili Si 1986: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

Mata Rani De Darbar – Dilraj Kaur and Chorus
Is Duniya Mein Aurat Kya Hai – Asha Bhosle
Mar Gayee Mar Gayee 1 – Asha Bhosle and Gurcharan Kaur Bagan

Side Two

Maa O Maa Sherewaliye – Mohd Aziz and Chorus
Log To Mandir Masjid Jayen – Asha Bhosle and Shabbir Kumar
Mar Gayee Mar Gayee 2 – Asha Bhosle and Gurcharan Kaur Bagan

MUTTERINGS #47: ROSELLA

2010-11-20T18:58:00.003+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
"ROSELLA IN PLUM BLOSSOM"

ROSELLA

Rosella bursts out of the tree like a flower.

I want to live in that time spiral.

You don’t even know you’re alive:

the sap flowing through your veins’

deathless insight.

These jasmines overhead,

flying by my wooden home.

~ Paul Magee

MUTTERINGS #46: TREES

2010-11-20T18:41:00.002+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
"TREES OF REMEMBRANCE - AUST. WAR MEMORIAL"

TREE

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

~ Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918)

MUSIC #73: GOOD MORNING VIETNAM 1987 (ENGLISH OST)

2010-11-18T20:17:00.005+11:00

The movie Good Morning Vietnam was directed by Barry Levinson and depicts the real life antics of Armed Forces Radio disc jockey Adrian Cronauer, played by comedian Robin Williams. The script was written by Mitch Markowitz, however, most of the humour in the film was improvised by Robin Williams during filming. Although nominated for both the Oscar and Golden Globe for his role (justifiably so), Robin only took home the Golden Globe award for his efforts.

If you are into the late 1960’s and early 1970s pop era, this is the soundtrack for you. Although around 30 songs were used in the film (see chart listing below), only 12 songs were released as a soundtrack. I would have thought that seeing the success of the first soundtrack and that of Dirty Dancing in the same year, Festival Records would have released a second soundtrack to Good Morning Vietnam. I know I would...but hey, what would I know.

The soundtrack went platinum in the US and made it to #10 on the The Billboard 200 Albums Chart and #1 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. The Louis Armstrong song, “What a Wonderful World” was released as a single and became a top 40 hit twenty years after its original release.

Source: Wikipedia

My verdict: 5 stars

Good Morning Vietnam 1987 – The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/Nowhere to Run – Robin Williams/Martha Reeves and The Vandellas

2. I Get Around – The Beach Boys

3. Game of Love – Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders

4. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/Sugar and Spice – Robin Williams/The Searchers

5. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/Liar, Liar – Robin Williams/The Castaways

6. The Warmth of the Sun – The Beach Boys

Side Two

1. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/I Got You (I Feel Good) – Robin Williams/James Brown

2. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/Baby, Please Don't Go – Robin Williams/Them

3. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/Danger! Heartbreak Dead Ahead – Robin Williams/The Marvelletes

4. Five O'Clock World – The Vogue

5. California Sun – The Rivieras

6. Adrian Cronauer (Dialogue)/What a Wonderful World – Robin Williams/Louis Armstrong

MUSIC #72: TERE GHAR KE SAMNE 1963 (HINDI OST)

2010-11-16T08:46:00.004+11:00

Tere Ghar Ke Samne (In Front Of Your House) was a hit movie and hit soundtrack of 1963. It was directed and written by Vijay Anand and starred his brother, producer and 1960’s heart throb Dev Anand, the beautiful Nutan, Rajindernath and veteran Om Prakash.

The soundtrack is by legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman with lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri. The hit songs from this movie include Ek Ghar Banaunga, Tu Kahan Ye Bata and Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukara...which are my favourites and I would add Dil Ki Manzil to the equation too.

My verdict: 4.5 stars

Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

Ek Ghar Banaunga – Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi
Yeh Tanhai Haere Hae –Lata Mangeshkar
Dil Ki Manzil – Asha Bhosle and Chorus
Tu Kahan Ye Bata – Mohd Rafi

Side Two

Soon Le Tu Dil Ki Sada – Mohd Rafi
Dekho Rooth Na Karo– Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi
Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukara – Mohd Rafi

MUTTERINGS #45: IN THE NAME OF LOVE...

2010-11-15T20:09:00.005+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
GALAHS - "LOVE ON LINE"
Thanks LW for the caption!

Check out this news article from NineMsn.

A public servant in Canberra is facing disciplinary action after he emailed the entire immigration department to track down a girl he met at a party. Apparently this girl left such an impression on Steve Tucker. Poor Steve is now facing disciplinary action for the e-mail

Call me a romantic...well I am...but I think Steve should be applauded instead of disciplined...the fact that the poor man still went ahead and sent an e-mail, knowing very well that he would be in trouble for breaching work Internet protocols.... and not forgetting that he would be rubbished for the rest of his life, from his mates for his gesture! Sigh, things you only read in M&B and see in Bollywood movies.

Then comes the bureaucrat to meddle in the matters of the heart. Cut the boy some slack, I say.

What do you think?

MUTTERINGS #44: TUMULTUOUS...

2010-11-14T18:34:00.004+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
"TUMULTOUS"

"Nothing is more beautiful than the love,

That has weathered the storms of life.

The love of the young for the young,

That is the beginning of life.

But the love of the old for the old,

That is the beginning of things longer."

~ Jerome K Jerome ~

MUTTERINGS #43: APOCALYPSE NOW?

2010-11-13T19:18:00.004+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11
"BLACK HAWKS OVER WODEN VALLEY"

APOCALYPSE NOW?

Remembrance Day 11.11.2010

MUTTERINGS #42: WHO WENT SILLY TODAY?

2010-11-13T18:58:00.002+11:00

By Veen
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ11

Yes, yours truly went silly today...

Two books,

Five DVDs (see Gord...Cinema Paradiso) and

Five CDs later...

Life is good!

MUSIC #71: THE DUKE MEETS THE COUNT - BATTLE ROYAL 1961 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-11-12T22:23:00.003+11:00

Lovers of jazz, the Duke and the Count - Here’s a chance to consider which musician reign supreme. My verdict? Too close to call...but I give the album 4 stars.

The Duke Meets The Count: Battle Royal 1961

Side One

1. Battle Royal

2. To You

3. Take The “A” Train

4. Until I Met You

Side Two

1. Wild Man

2. Segue in C

3. BDB

4. Jumpin’At The Woodside

MUSIC #70: RAJA RANI 1973 (HINDI OST)

2010-11-09T14:10:00.002+11:00

Another gem from the 1970’s and music director Rahul Dev Burman. It’s been an album that been eluding me and viola, one day I get an email from a friend in the UK …. “Veen, do I have an LP for you!” Well, did he ever. Thank you Shafiq….I have been wearing out the needle of my player listening to this (and another MP3 album actually, Abhinetri, from my friend Babu....thank you Babu!).

Raja Rani (King and Queen) the movie is directed by Sachin Bhowmick and stars Hindi screen legend Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. For an insight to the movie, check out my friend Greta’s review at MEMSAAB STORY.

In my opinion, this is one of RD great albums, although it is not as well known as his others such as Caravan, Yaadon Ki Baraat and Sholay. However, this album would differ from RD’s other albums as most of the songs here are in the mujhra or court dancing music style and classic Hindi movie genre…except for “Jab Andhere Hota Hai” which is in the typical RD cabaret style music and the start of “Na Tum Se Hui Na Hum Se Hui” … great insert of psychedelic music here.

For me all the songs are great in their own rights but if I had to pick favourites, I am going for “Jab Andhere Hota Hai” and “Lal Chunariya Odhke”. Asha Bhosle was nominated Best Female Playback Singer for "Jab Andhera Hota Hai", the only Filmfare nomination for Raja Rani. It does not surprise me, as both the song and Asha sizzle! BTW, Anand Bakshi is the lyricist for this album.

My verdict: 5 stars

Raja Rani 1973: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Lal Chunariya Odhke – Lata Mangeshkar

2. Ja Re Ja MainNe Tujhe Jaan Liya – Lata Mangeshkar

3. Jab Andhere Hota Hai – Asha Bhosle, Bhupendra and Chorus

Side Two

1. Main Ik Chor Too Meri Rani – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

2. Han To main Kya Kah Raha Tha – Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh and Rajesh Khanna

3. Phir Aankh Se Aansoo Barse – Lata Mangeshkar

4. Na Tum Se Hui Na Hum Se Hui – Lata Mangeshkar

MUTTERINGS #41: WHERE DO ASTRONAUTS HANG OUT?

2010-11-08T10:41:00.001+11:00

Where do astronauts hang out?

Get it????

MUSIC #69: BERT KAEMPFERT – A SWINGIN’ SAFARI 1962 ( INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-11-06T18:25:00.003+11:00

One of composer/conductor Bert Kaempfert's better known albums. I give the album 4 stars.

What do you think?

PS: You can find Bert’s bio HERE.

Bert Kaemfpert: A Swingin’ Safari 1962

Side One

1. A Swingin’ Safari

2. That Happy Feeling

3. Market day

4. Take Me

5. Similau

6. Zambesi

Side Two

1. African Beat

2. Happy Trumpeter

3. Tootie Flutie

4. Wimoweh

5. Black Beauty

6. Skokian

MUSIC #68: JANE ANJANE 1971 (HINDI OST)

2010-11-03T20:00:00.005+11:00

Jane Anjane (Friends and Strangers) is a 1971 Bollywood movie directed by Shakti Samanta and stars Shammi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar. You can catch a review of this film, posted simultaneously on BOLLYWOOD DEEWANA.

The soundtrack to Jane Anjane is composed by Shankar Jaikishan and lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri, S. H. Bihari and Gulshan Bawra. This is one great album, with nearly all the singing heavy weights of Bollywood lending their voices to this soundtrack – Asha, Lata, Rafi, Kishore, Manna Dey and Sharda. There is bound to be something here for everyone.

I personally like Ram Kasam (Asha just shines here), Teri Neeli Neeli Ankhon Ki (one of Rafi-Lata best duets in my opinion), Jane Anjane Log Mile and Cham Cham Baje Re Payaliya. I give this album 4.5 stars

Jane Anjaane 1971: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Ram Kasam Bura Na Manoongi – Asha Bhosle

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

2. Teri Neeli Neeli Ankhon Ki – Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

3. Aya Apni Nagaria Men – Manna Dey, Suman Kalyanpur and Chorus

Lyrics: S. H. Bihari

4. Jane Anjane Log Mile – Kishore Kumar

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

Side Two

1. Cham Cham Baje Re Payaliya – Manna Dey

Lyrics: S. H. Bihari

2. Mohe Jal Men Phansae Lio – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

3. Jane Anjane – Sharda

Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

MUTTERINGS #40: THE TRUCKIE AND THE EMU

2010-11-02T09:44:00.002+11:00

An Aussie truckie walks into an outback cafe with a full-grown emu behind him.

The waitress asks them for their orders.

The truckie says, 'A hamburger, chips and a coke,' and turns to the emu, 'What's yours?' 'I'll have the same,' says the emu.

A short time later the waitress returns with the order 'That will be $18.40 please,' and the truckies reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change and pays.

The next day, the man and the emu come again and he says, 'Fish and Chips and a coke.' The emu says, ' I'll have the same.'

Again the truckie reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.

The third day, the man and the emu arrive and the truckie says, I'll have a steak, baked potato and a salad'. ‘Same for me,' says the emu.

Shortly the waitress brings the order and says, 'That will be $32.80.' Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table.

The waitress cannot hold back her curiosity any longer. 'Excuse me mate, how do you manage to always pull the exact change from your pocket every time?'

'Well, love' says the truckie, 'a few years ago, I was cleaning out the back shed, and found an old lamp. When I cleaned it, a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes.

My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there.'

'That's brilliant!' says the waitress. 'Most people would ask for a million dollars or something, but you'll always be as rich as you want, for as long as you live!'

'That's right. Whether it's a litre of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact money is always there.' says the man.

Still curious the waitress asks, 'What's with the emu though?'

The truckie pauses, sighs, and answers, 'My second wish was for a tall bird with a big arse and long legs, who agrees with everything I say!!!

PS: To FC, from the Aussie Bird!

MUSIC #67: THE STYLISTICS – THE BEST OF THE STYLISTICS 1975 (ENGLISH)

2010-11-01T20:24:00.006+11:00

I remember listening to this on 8 track cassette, for the first time, on the road trip from our home in Kluang (Bat Town), Johore to my grandparents’ for holidays. By this time, dad had his Datsun 120Y, painted yellow orche... the colour of poo I used to say. I thought it was the most awesome car ever. Obviously, I had no taste as a child! Hmm...questionable now too...

The Stylistics was formed in Philadelphia in 1968 with lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn. The Stylistics went on to become one of the most successful soul groups of the first half of the 1970s, achieving twelve straight U.S. R&B top ten hits. Their hits include "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)", "You Are Everything", "Betcha by Golly, Wow", "I'm Stone in Love with You", "Break Up to Make Up", and "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (my favourite).

My verdict: 4 stars.

The Stylistics: The Best Of The Stylistics 1975

Side One

1. You Make Me Feel Brand New

2. Betcha By Golly Wow

3. Rockin' Roll Baby

4. Break Up To Make Up

5. You're A Big Girl Now

6. Doin’ The Streets

Side Two

1. I'm Stone in Love With You

2. Heavy Fallin’ Out

3. Let's Put it All Together

4. You are Everything

5. People Make the World Go Round

6. I Got A Letter

MUSIC #66: DASTAK 1970 (HINDI EP OST)

2010-10-30T10:47:00.004+11:00

Dastak (Knock - on the door by using the palm of one’s hand) is directed by Rajinder Singh Bedi and stars Sanjeev Kumar and Rehana Sultan. It is one of my favourite movies from the 1970’s but somehow I don’t think it’s everyone’s cup of tea. The movie focuses on the dark side of human relationships – that of society, man vs woman and husband vs wife....and on the world’s oldest on-going profession – prostitution. For a synopsis of the movie, check out Passion For Cinema HERE.

I am pretty sure that there was no LP produced for this movie (you of course can prove me wrong...and I have been, by my friend Babu..see comments plz). Madan Mohan composed the music and Majrooh Sultanpuri is credited for the lyrics. If you are expecting anything zippy or feel good, then this is not the album for you. But if you like melancholy classical Hindi tunes, Dastak is definitely a goer. Me? I love the album (and movie) and give it 5 stars!

Dastak 1970 – The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Baiyaan Na Bharo Balma – Lata Mangeshkar

2. Maai Re Main Kaise Kahoon – Lata Mangeshkar

Side Two

1. Tum Se Kahoon Ek Baat – Mohd Rafi

2. Hum Hain Mataa-A-Koocha-O-Bazar Ki Tarah – Lata Mangeshkar

MUSIC #65: MORE DIRTY DANCING 1988 (ENGLISH OST)

2010-10-28T18:53:00.004+11:00

Following the success of the first Dirty Dancing soundtrack in 1987, RCA released a second music recording from the movie, simply titled “More Dirty Dancing” in 1988. The album went multi platinum as well. For a full review of the soundtrack, go to my Dirty Dancing post HERE.

My rating: 4 stars

More Dirty Dancing 1988 – The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. (I've Had) The Time of My Life (Instrumental Version) 1 - The John Morris Orchestra

2. Big Girls Don't Cry - The Four Seasons

3. Merengue - Michael Lloyd & Le Disc

4. Some Kind of Wonderful - The Drifters

5. Johnny's Mambo - Michael Lloyd & Le Disc

6. Do You Love Me - The Contours

7. Love Man - Otis Redding

Side Two

1. Wipe Out - The Surfaris

2. These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding

3. De Todo Un Poco - Michael Lloyd & Le Disc

4. Cry to Me - Solomon Burke

5. Trot the Fox - Michael Lloyd & Le Disc

6. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles

7. Kellerman's Anthem - The Emile Bergsteign Chorale

8. (I've Had) The Time of My Life (Instrumental Version) 2 - The John Morris Orchestra

MUTTERINGS #39: BABY'S FIRST DOCTOR VISIT

2010-10-28T10:58:00.004+11:00

Sorry, I just could not resist adding another joke. I promise I’ll post DIRTY DANCING II tonight or tomorrow morning. Till then….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baby’s First Doctor Visit

A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first exam.

The doctor arrived and examined the baby, checked her weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed.

"Breast-fed," she replied.

"Well, strip down to your waist," the doctor ordered.

She did. He pinched her nipples, pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a very professional and detailed examination.

Motioning to her to get dressed, the doctor said, "No wonder this baby is underweight. You don't have any milk."

I know," she said. "I'm his Grandma, but I'm glad I came."

MUTTERINGS #38: TWO BEAUTIFUL POEMS

2010-10-27T15:10:00.006+11:00

A WOMAN'S POEM:

Before I lay me down to sleep,

I pray for a man who's not a creep,

One who's handsome, smart and strong.

One who loves to listen long,

One who thinks before he speaks,

One who'll call, not wait for weeks.

I pray he's rich and self-employed,

And when I spend, won't be annoyed.

Pull out my chair and hold my hand.

Massage my feet and help me stand.

Oh send a king to make me queen.

A man who loves to cook and clean.

I pray this man will love no other.

And relish visits with my mother.

A MAN'S POEM:

I pray for a deaf-mute gymnast nymphomaniac;

With big tits who owns a bar on a golf course,

And loves to send me fishing and drinking.

This doesn't rhyme and I don't give a shit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS: I know I am going to get crucified for this (LOL), but I have to agree with Henry Higgins (My Fair Lady) at times, "Why can't a woman be more like a man?" We are such complicated creatures!!!

MUSIC #64: NASHE KI MAZAA [VOLUME 2] 2010 (HINDI OST COMPILATION)

2010-10-25T20:16:00.006+11:00

Wow, what great responses to my NASHE KI MAZAA (The Joy of Intoxication) compilation post (see HERE). Thank you to everyone who provided comments. The post generated some really healthy discussions, e-mails as well as suggestions for Nashe Ki Mazza Volume 2…. and 3 and 4! Therefore, if you see your suggestions are not captured here, rest assured it will be in Volume 3 or 4.

PS: Mr Naidu and Nasir Saab, your suggestions will be made available in the latter compilations…I have been too busy to rip my records but will be doing so within these couple of weeks.

I have to admit I have ‘cheated’ here a bit….there are some MP3s here as there were no records for some of the songs in this list. These would be the post 1991 songs in the compilation. The reason they made it are for their tunes and obscurity (e.g. songs 12 and 18). And I have also added two non-filmi songs, listed as bonus tracks at the end of the compilation. To break the monotony, I also included a couple of dialogues

Hope you enjoy Nashe Ki Mazaa Volume 2 and I promise (well I’ll try anyway) Nashe Ki Mazaa Volume 3 and 4 will be just as entertaining if not better. So watch this space.

Nashe Ki Mazaa [Volume 2] 2010 – A Compilation of Intoxicating Music

1. Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai (Kati Patang 1970) – Kishore Kumar

2. Too Pee Aur Jee (Des Pardes 1978) – Kishore Kumar

3. Apne Dil Men Jagah Dijije (Hawas 1974) – Asha Bhosle

4. Aao Huzoor Tumko (Kismat 1968) – Asha Bhosle

5. Baagh Men Phool (Night In London 1967)^ – Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi

6. Abhi Toh Haath Men Jaam Hai (Seeta Aur Geeta 1972)^ – Manna Dey

7. Dialogue Dharmendra Drunk (Seeta Aur Geeta 1972) – Dharmendra and Hema Malini

8. Na Jao Saiyan Chhod Ke Baiyan (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam 1962)# – Geeta Dutt

9. Hoon Abhi Main Jawaan Aye Dil (Aar Paar1954)§ – Geeta Dutt

10. Yeh Jo Halka Halka (Souten Ki Beti 1989)* – Kishore Kumar and Anuradha Paudwal

11. Nadiya Se Dariya (Namaak Haraam 1973)+ – Kishore Kumar

12. Hum Ko Hone De Sharabi (Koi Kisise Kum Nahin 1997) – Kumar Sanu and Abhijeet Bhattacharya

13. Teri Meri Yaari Badi Puraani (Charitraheen 1974)§ – Asha Bhosle

14. My Name is Anthony Gonsalves (Amar Akbar Anthony 1977)Ω – Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan

15. Dialogue Drunk Amitabh Talks To Mirror (Amar Akbar Anthony 1977) – Amitabh Bachchan

16. Din Dhal Jaye Haye (Guide 1965)# – Mohd Rafi

17. Ai Mere Dil (Daag 1952) – Talat Mahmood

18. Do Ghoont Pila De Sakhiya (Kala Suraj 1985) – Narendra Chancal

19. Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko (Kala Pani 1958)# – Mohd Rafi

20. Hai Duniya Usiki Zamana Usika (Kashmir Ki Kali 1964)# – Mohd Rafi

21. Bonus Track: Thodi Thodi Piya Karo (Pankaj Udhas Signature Collection 2009) – Pankaj Udhas

22. Bonus Track: Paani Sharaab Mein (Paani Sharaab Mein 2002) – Arvinder Singh

Legend:

* suggested by B Seshadri

# suggested by Dusted Off

^ suggested by Bollywood Deewana

§ suggested by Shalini

Ω suggested by Ava

+ suggested by Harry K

MUTTERINGS #37: FIRST DATE

2010-10-24T15:14:00.003+11:00

Another thing I like about Sunday (apart from the obvious....NO WORK!) are the supplements that come with the weekend papers. This is where I get my dose of all the latest diet, style, travel, hot cars, celebrity goss, exercise, recipes, horoscope, yadda, yadda, yadda information (not that I pay any attention to it, usually!). One of supplements that I don’t miss is ‘The Sunday Telegraph’s BODY + SOUL’. And this week, Dr Gabrielle Morrissey (Pg 28, Sunday 24 October 2010) brings you “First Date Etiquette”.

After my last rant, it is clear that manners and etiquette is a dying art in this day and age (a fact established by all the negative comments I received on MUTTERINGS #36)....so I can understand why Dr M may be projecting on that subject. She focuses on three aspects of dating: appearances; talk the talk; and rapport.

She goes on to say that dressing well is a must and a no brainer. Ok, I agree, to an extent. Because dressing well can mean being clean i.e. no B.O.; Garments pressed (I have seen people coming to interviews with crumpled shirts etc) and dressing accordingly to the date venue, i.e. cocktail dress to a bowling alley (but who cares). But it seems appearances are everything according to Dr Morrissey. What a load of hogwash and how shallow that she thinks the human race is? But then maybe we are. I admit a nice looking guy will get my attention (I am not dead, yet!) but it is what he has to say and his values and the similarities to mine and his thoughts about ME that count the most. On the other hand, I idolize some celebrities because they are BEAUTIFUL people. But then I ask myself, “What about these days and the world of Internet dating and relationships?” Nine out of ten times, bloggers for instance, don’t post their pictures on their sites. It is the person’s values, blog matter, how and what they write about that attracts the cyber visitor, not the person’s looks.

Next on Dr M’s list is ‘talk the talk’. She says that one has to balance talking with listening. Agree. Totally. No matter how much I love my own voice (joke), I’d like a response and not be the one to do all the talking. Then she says stick to easy cultural topics such as music, books, food, hobbies and humour. So, no talking about the ex, the rash on your foot (what did you think I was going to say), what you thought about the crap labor government (oops, I just broke the rule here, didn’t I)....in other words lie??? So when do you tell the truth?

Finally one has to focus on building rapport. Somehow I think this is linked with “talk the talk” and me thinks Ms Morrissey has nothing else to say and therefore needed to come up with another point.... hence point three. “Be wary with giving away too much”, she says. Not sure what she means by this. Wouldn’t work with me, I am a blabber mouth.

After all that...I have to let you on a secret....it’s been 20 years since I have dated.....and here I am, arguing with the expert!!! So on that premise, I’d like to know what you think is essential on your first date? What emphasis do you put? What maketh the second date and the third....etc, etc? What's the clincher for you? Do tell.

MUSIC #63: DIRTY DANCING 1987 (ENGLISH OST)

2010-10-22T20:14:00.003+11:00

Don’t know about you, but mention Dirty Dancing, and automatically that lean supple body of Patrick Swayze comes to mind (fan face) - and the famous quote - “No one puts Baby in a corner”!

I had just started my first uni degree when this movie came out and was the first movie I went to watch with my new found friends. Yes my parents were quite strict in this aspect and I was only allowed to go out or watch movies with the family, or at least chaperoned….yah, so archaic….And then suddenly, here I was, at uni, away from home and all this freedom…Scary yet exhilarating. Anyway this post is about the music, not my life story!

Dirty Dancing, the movie, was released in August 1987 and features Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Cynthia Rhodes, and Jerry Orbach. The story, set in 1963, is a coming of age drama about a teenage girl's rebellion against her father by starting a relationship with a dance instructor during a family summer vacation. Although a low-budget film by a new studio and with no major stars (except for Broadway legend Jerry Orbach in a supporting role), Dirty Dancing became a massive box office hit and it was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video.

Dirty Dancing, the soundtrack, generated two multi-platinum albums and multiple singles, including "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", which won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a Grammy Award for best duet.

As the movie was set in the early 1960’s, the film's soundtrack started as an oldies music revival. But what no one expected was the demand for the album which caught RCA Records by surprise. Even before a single had been released, there were a million albums on back-order for the OST. The Dirty Dancing album spent 18 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 album sales charts and went platinum eleven times, selling more than 42 million copies worldwide. It spawned a follow-up multi-platinum album in February 1988, entitled More Dirty Dancing, which I will be posting shortly.

Songs from the album which appeared on the charts included:

1. (I've Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes: #1 on the pop charts.

2. She's Like the Wind – Patrick Swayze (yes, he sings too): #3 in 1988.

3. Hungry Eyes – Eric Carmen: #4 in 1988.

4. Yes – Merry Clayton: #45 in 1988.

My verdict: 4 stars

Dirty Dancing 1987 – The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. (I've Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

2. Be My Baby – The Ronettes

3. She's Like the Wind – Patrick Swayze

4. Hungry Eyes – Eric Carmen

5. Stay – Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs

6. Yes – Merry Clayton

Side Two

1. You Don't Own Me – The Blow Monkeys

2. Hey! Baby – Bruce Channel

3. Overload ¬ Alfie Zappacosta

4. Love Is Strange - Mickey & Sylvia

5. Where Are You Tonight? – Tom Johnston

6. In the Still of the Night – The Five Satins

NOTE: On 15 October 2007, RCA Records re-released a 20th anniversary edition of the soundtrack. The release contained remastered versions of the original album's songs (in a different tracklisting) plus additional tracks, as well as a DVD featuring promotional video and photo material.

MUSIC #62: PADOSAN 1968 (HINDI OST)

2010-10-20T19:47:00.005+11:00

One of my favourite comedies from the 1960’s which stars the beautiful Saira Banu, Sunil Dutt, singer/actor Kishore Kumar and all time best Bollywood comedian Mehmood. Check out the movie review on my mate’s Bollywood Deewana aka BD’s post HERE. In the coming weeks, both BD and I will be simultaneously reviewing movies and soundtracks together. A two in one bonanza for all you Bollywood movie and music buffs!

The music of Padosan (Female Neighbour/The Girl Next Door...the beauty of the Hindi language is that it has a gender connotation with nearly every noun and adjectives...I believe it is similar with the French language) is by Rahul Dev Burman (RD) and Rajinder Krishnan. When buying records, my rule of thumb is, if it is by RD, I can expect some really good music. And this album is no exception.

The signature song of this album is of course “Mere Samnewali Khirki Men” or “From My Front Window” which is the premise of the movie; it is where the hero see his beautiful female neighbour and starts to (lip, lip sync...you gotta watch the movie/video clip to know what I am talking about) sing to her. It has a really catchy tune and was a big hit when the music was released and it is still widely remembered, a song used by young men trying to woo girls. I must say it is my favourite from the movie, along with “Main Chali Main Chali” and “Bhai Batur”.

Another highlight of the album is Ek Chatur Naam” or “A Clever Woman” which parodies Hindi and Carnatic styles of singing. I read somewhere that rumour has it, the song was improvised during recording by Kishore Kumar and a real ‘duelling banjo’ actually happened between him and Manna Dey, who took offence of being ‘showed up’ by a non-classical trained singer (Kishore Kumar) (though only on screen). Hence the reason Mehmod had to lend his voice for some of the verses in the actual song. True or not, I really don’t know.

PS: Nasir Saab/Mr Naidu, do you know anything about this?

My verdict: 4.5 stars

Padosan 1968: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

Mere Samnewali Khirki Men (Happy) – Kishore Kumar
Main Chali Main Chali – Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Chorus
Aao Aao Sanwariya – Manna Dey
Sharam Aati Hai – Lata Mangeshkar

Side Two

Bhai Battoor – Lata Mangeshkar
Kehna Hai Kehna Hai – Kishore Kumar
Ek Chatur Naam – Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey and Mehmood
Mere Samnewali Khirki Men (Sad) – Kishore Kumar

MUTTERINGS #36: WHY DO I BOTHER?

2010-10-18T19:20:00.003+11:00

I am feeling a bit thin skinned today and not accepting rejection too well. Before I go on any further, in my opinion, I think I am friendly, polite, accommodating, usually have something good or witty to say…but obviously, not everyone share my views (Did I mention I am big headed too and full of BS? LOL).

And before you go jumping to conclusions, I am talking about posting comments on blogs and not getting a response back from the owner or having your comments deleted altogether. Not sure about you, but I was brought up or under the impression (or delusion) that it was rude not to acknowledge correspondence. I always respond to letters and any cards that I receive and I take it to apply to e-mails and comments on blogs too, seeing that the art of letter writing and postcard sending is a dying form of correspondence (BTW, thank you again HK for the postcard from Turkey). Maybe I read too many Enid Blyton books in my childhood and did not watch enough violent movies (do High Chaparral and Bonanza fall under this category? I thought not!) and live in a cocoon that the world actually is a lovely, lovely place.....

I find this ‘rudeness’ does not only apply in the social arena, it is also prevalent in the business world. I would send e-mails to peers in other areas, asking them for information or input into a joint government response, and I get no response that they have received the e-mail or will be providing me with the info etc etc. How rude. Some of you may say that it is a “given” that a response will be provided; or being busy; that a reply is a waste of time; or that it clogs up the e-mail folder….I say BS and it is just a “bahana”…excuse for being inapt and lacking of social etiquette.

Ok, maybe I am being a bit harsh in the context of business e-mails, or non solicited e-mails. I can understand that with work pressures, an e-mail or two may slip. But what about those sent and received in the blog sphere? I am talking about legit comments or e-mails here, not nasty or inappropriate messages, or spam mails. The last time I looked, the definition of a blog or web log is “a place to read, write, edit, share, reflect and /or discuss opinions or matters of interest”. If one did not want others to join or share these discussions, why then have a public blog? Get a diary instead, I say, keep it under lock and key or make your web log private. If someone took the effort to post a comment on your blog or took the effort to write to you, don’t you think they deserve a response, at least? What do you think? I would be happy to receive your comments. Or am I being totally thin skinned here, as I said I was? Either way, your comments are appreciated.

MUTTERINGS #35: THE DO-GOODER

2010-10-18T12:47:00.005+11:00

Source: CV Library

A newly arrived immigrant walks into Woolies (Woolworths Supermarket). He finds cat food at special prices. He picks a dozen cans of cat food and goes to the check out.

Source: Virgin Media

The Manager gets suspicious.

Source: Dangerous Intersection

He thinks that this guy might not have a cat and will probably eat the cat food himself. He shows the man cans of proper tuna, but the immigrant insists that the cat food would suffice. Still thinking that the man was going to eat the cat food, the Manager then asks the man to show him his cat before he could let him have cat food. The man goes home, returns with a cat and the manager allows him to buy the cat food.

Source: Love To Know

The next week, the immigrant sees in the junk mail, dog food at special prices. He goes back to Woolies, picks a dozen cans of dog food and goes to the check out. The Manager sees him and again gets suspicious. He thinks that this guy may have a cat but he could not possibly have a dog too and thinks that he will probably eat the dog food. Again, the do-gooder manager shows the immigrant cans of beef stew and fresh mince but the immigrant insists that the cans of dog food would suffice. The Manager once again asks the man to show him the dog before he can let him have dog food. The man goes home and returns with a dog. He gets to buy the dog food.

The following week the man comes to Woolworth's with a bag. He asks the manager to put his hand in the bag. The Manager puts his hand in the bag, feels something slimy and immediately pulls it out. He shouts at the man, "What the hell! This is shit, you Idiot!

Source: The Expired Meter

The man calmly replies, "Yes, now may I please buy some toilet paper?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moral of the story: There's help and then there's HELP. Don't stereotype people!

MUSIC #61: DJ DAVE – INGIN BERSUA 2010 (MALAY COMPILATION)

2010-10-17T13:23:00.002+11:00

It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” and that Bollywood music directors have been notorious for plagiarising western music and making it their own....all in the name of appreciation and tribute to their western idols.

But what is lesser known is the imitation of Bollywood music by other musicians (apart from maybe the Black Eyed Peas) and singer-song writers....however one such artist was DJ Dave, a Malaysian Punjabi singer that made famous many Hindi songs of the 1960’s and 1970’s that he converted using Malay lyrics. Check out the compilation of his hits that I have compiled here and see if you can recognise the original Hindi songs.

A little about DJ Dave – born Sukhdev Singh, he took on the initials of his parents, Dhammi and Jagjit, and abbreviated his name to Dave, and viola, the birth of DJ Dave.

He started off as a mail sorter with Malaysian Post, with ambitions of becoming a Post Master but it all changed when one day, after singing a Hindi song at a children function. Already known as a great singer within social functions, he was asked by a young child why he wasn’t singing those beautiful Hindi songs in Malay. The very next day, he went to a recording studio for an audition and after being told he had to brush up on his Malay, he returned to studio six months later, his Malay polished and a contract! And the rest is history. Today, Dave has 35 hit music albums to his name, in five languages - English, Hindi, Malay, Cantonese and Punjabi.

The result of his success? The manager at Life, the recording company that signed him up, lost his job! Because he had overlooked tying Dave up in a long term agreement. EMI had moved in and signed Dave up for 3 years. And from then, for the next 20 years Dave stayed with EMI.

In the process, Dave revolutionized music in Malaysia by giving the local Indian and Malay people a huge inventory of great songs from Hindi movies sung in Malay. And in 1992, he started his own label Dave’s. D J Dave also goes by the name of Irwan Shah Abdullah, the name he took on when he converted to Muslim when he married his Malay wife. He received the Malaysian equivalent of a knighthood in 2005 which bestows him the title of “Datuk”.

His last album was, Mar Gaye Oye! in 2005, a collection of Punjabi songs, consisting of 8 tracks, of which three feature the famous Indian singer, Kavita Krishnamurthy.

Source: India Glitz

DJ Dave – Ingin Bersua: A compilation of DJ Dave’s songs

1. Ingin Bersua (I’d Like To Meet)

2. Sendiri Lagi (Alone Again)

3. Mana Janji Mana Cinta (Where’re the Promises, Where’s the Love)

4. Air Mata Kasih (Tears of Love)

5. Sungguh Kau Istimewa (You Are So Special)

6. Pesan Untuk Teman (A Message For A Friend)

7. Pengantin Tiba (The Bride Has Arrived)

8. Masa Yang Lepas (Time Forgone)

9. Ku Cium Pipi Mu (I Kiss Your Cheeks)

10. Seruling Kasih (Flute of Love)

11. Kanda Dan Dinda (My Husband and My Wife)

12. Ku Tak Ingin Menangis Lagi (I Don’t Want To Cry Anymore)

13. Tuah Badan (Luck Of The Draw)

14. Maafkanlah (Forgive Me)

MUSIC #60: LAKHON ME EK 1971 (HINDI OST)

2010-10-15T10:02:00.004+11:00

Lakhon Me Ek (literally translated = “one in a hundred thousand” but actually means “One In A Million”) the album is just as it name suggests….a rare gem that has gotten lost in music obsecurity, in my opinion, only because the film did not boast the superstars of the era. It did however star the Bollywood comic of all time, Mehmood. I know I saw this movie as a kid but I have to admit I can’t remember much, if any actually, about it. Another DVD to add to my want list, that’s for sure.

The album is by Rahul Dev Burman and lyrics are by Anand Bakshi. The most famous and popular song from this album is “Chanda O Chanda” and one of my favourites. Check out the youtube clip included in this post. Next on my list would be “Main Tera Naam”, a very ‘cabaret’ sounding tune but unfortunately, I could not find any clippings for it. Would have really loved to see the dance scene….so if anyone out that has a clipping, please do share! And then there’s “Jogi O Jogi”, a real hoppity tune that had me imagining Jeetendra and Leena Chandravakar, doing their crazy dance scenes in beat with this tune. And if you like parody tunes, “Mere Samne Wale” will surely get you going! So sit back and enjoy this one in a million soundtrack.

My verdic: 4 stars

Lakhon Me Ek 1971 – Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Chanda O Chanda – Lata Mangeshkar

2. Ye Duniya – Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle

3. Main Tera Naam – Asha Bhosle

Side Two

1. Jogi O Jogi – Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar

2. Chanda O Chanda – Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

3. Mere Samne Wale – Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle

4. Title Music – Instrumental

PS: Thank you Mr Naidu for finding the song clip of "Main Tera Naam". Here tis'.

MUTTERINGS #34: SEVEN DEGREES OF BLONDE

2010-10-14T14:26:00.002+11:00

FIRST DEGREE

A married couple were asleep when the phone rang at 2 in the morning.

The wife (undoubtedly blonde), picked up the phone, listened a moment and said, "How should I know, that's 200 miles from here!" and hung up.

The husband said, "Who was that?"

The wife said, "I don't know, some woman wanting to know if the coast is clear."

SECOND DEGREE

Two blondes are walking down the street.

One notices a compact on the sidewalk and leans down to pick it up.

She opens it, looks in the mirror and says, "Hmm, this person looks familiar."

The second blonde says, "Here, let me see!"

So the first blonde hands her the compact.

The second one looks in the mirror and says, "You dummy, it's me!"

THIRD DEGREE

A blonde suspects her boyfriend of cheating on her, so she goes out and buys a gun.

She goes to his apartment unexpectedly and when she opens the door she finds him in the arms of a redhead.

Well, the blonde is really angry.

She opens her purse to take out the gun, and as she does so, she is overcome with grief.

She takes the gun and puts it to her head.

The boyfriend yells, "No, honey, don't do it!!!"

The blonde replies, "Shut up, you're next!"

FOURTH DEGREE

A blonde was bragging about her knowledge of state capitals.

She proudly says, "Go ahead, ask me, I know all of them."

A friend says, "OK, what's the capital of Wisconsin ?"

The blonde replies, "Oh, that's easy: W."

FIFTH DEGREE

What did the blonde ask her doctor when he told her she was pregnant?

"Is it mine?"

SIXTH DEGREE

Bambi, a blonde in her fourth year as a UCLA freshman, sat in her US government class.

The professor asked Bambi if she knew what Roe vs. Wade was about.

Bambi pondered the question then finally said, "That was the decision George Washington had to make before he crossed the Delaware ."

SEVENTH DEGREE

Returning home from work, a blonde was shocked to find her house ransacked and burglarized.

She telephoned the police at once and reported the crime.

The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit, patrolling nearby was the first to respond.

As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, the blonde ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps.

Putting her face in her hands, she moaned, "I come home to find all my possessions stolen.

I call the police for help, and what do they do?

They send me a BLIND policeman!!!

***********************************

Love is blind and what’s more it is colour blind!

MUSIC #59: THE CITY SLICKERS – A GO! GO! 1960s (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-10-13T18:00:00.008+11:00

I tried and I tried, I looked everywhere….I could find no reference to this band….all I got from Google was City Slickers, the definition from Wikipedia and the Hollywood movie starring Billy Crystal. Then I found a reference to Spike Jones with his back up band, The City Slickers. Not sure if it’s the same, but check out this WIKIPEDIA link. So sorry folks, no-can-give-info; but most appreciate some, if you had. Ta.

Regardless, not one of the better instrumentals (reading the commentary on the back of the LP one would not have thought so) but there are some old time favourites here and also, the different genres of music. So basically, there is something here for everyone. If I had to describe this album, I’d call it elevator music. See if you agree. My rating: 2.5 to 3 stars.

The City Slickers: A Go Go (1960’s)

Side One

1. Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime (Foxtrot)

2. Born Free (Slow Rock)

3. My Love (Twist)

4. More (Cha Cha Rock)

5. Some Sunday Morning (Fox Trot)

6. Somewhere My Love (Waltz)

Side Two

1. Red Roses For A Blue Lady (Fox Ttrot)

2. Strangers In The Night (Slow)

3. Secondhand Rose (Fox Trot)

4. I Wish You Love (Cha Cha Rock)

5. Poison Ivy (Twist)

6. The Wedding (Slow Rock)

MUTTERINGS #33: SENIOR WEDDING

2010-10-11T13:12:00.000+11:00

Arrgh....Mondays should be abolished, especially today! But I needed a break so you are stuck with this joke. One phase of my life that I am not looking forward to...Wait....I already have some of those symptoms! HELP….

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass a pharmacy.

Jacob suggests to Rebecca that they go in. Jacob addresses the man behind the counter.

Jacob: "Are you the owner?"

The owner/pharmacist answers: "Yes."

Jacob: "We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?"

Pharmacist: "Of course, we do."

Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"

Pharmacist: "All kinds."

Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism?"

Pharmacist: "Definitely."

Jacob: "How about suppositories?"

Pharmacist: "You bet!"

Jacob: "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis and Alzheimer's?"

Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety. The works."

Jacob: "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antidotes for Parkinson's disease?"

Pharmacist: "Absolutely."

Jacob: "Everything for heartburn and indigestion?"

Pharmacist: "We sure do."

Jacob: "You sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?"

Pharmacist: "All speeds and sizes."

Jacob: "Adult diapers?"

Pharmacist: "Sure."

Both Jacob and Rebecca look at each other and nodded with a smile.

Jacob: "We'd like to use this store as our Bridal Registry, thank you."

MUSIC #58: JHUK GAYA AASMAN 1968 (HINDI OST)

2010-10-10T10:44:00.003+11:00

Jhuk Gaya Aasman (The sky has relented) is a 1968 movie starring Rajendra Kumar and Saira Banu. It was directed by Lekh Tandon with music by Shankar Jaikishan, and lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra and S.H Bihari (see the back of the LP cover for the listing) . The film is a remake of the Hollywood film "Here comes Mr. Jordan (1941)". It performed "below average" at the box office but did rather well musically.

The most notable song from this movie would be "Kaun Hai Jo Sapnome" an outright copy of the song "Marguerita", an Elvis Presley song, from his movie "Fun In Acapulco" (see my posting HERE). It is one of my favs from this album, along with "Kahan Chal Diye" and "Unse Mila Nazar". I give this OST 3.5 stars.

Jhuk Gaya Aasman 1968: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

Kahan Chal Diye - Mohd Rafi
Unse Mila Nazar - Lata Mangeshkar
Sacha Hai Pyar (Happy) - Mohd Rafi
Kisiki Jaan Lete Hai - Asha Bhosle

Side Two

Kaun Hai Jo Sapnome - Mohd Rafi
Meri Ankhon Ki Nindiya - Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi
Mere Tumhare Beech Me - Lata Mangeshkar
Sacha Hai Pyar (Sad) - Mohd Rafi

MUTTERINGS #32 :AUSTRALIAN TACT

2010-10-07T11:59:00.008+11:00

Three blokes were working on a high rise building project, Macca, Chook and Gazza. Chook falls off and is killed instantly.

As the ambulance takes the body away, Gazza says, "Someone should go and tell his wife." Macca says, "OK, I’m pretty good at that sensitive stuff, I'll do it."

Two hours later, Macca comes back carrying a slab of VB. Gazza says,” Where did you get that, Macca?"

"Chook's missus gave it to me." "That's unbelievable, you told the lady her husband was dead and she gave you beer?"

Macca says, "Well not exactly. When she answered the door, I said to her, "You must be Chook`s widow." She said, "No, I'm not a widow."

And I said, "Wanna bet me a slab?"

********************************************

Australian Facts:

1. Australians have a great sense of humour and enjoy a bit of a laugh. However PC is putting at end to this.

2. Aussies that are particularly prone to bragging, fantasizing, or just telling people absolute nonsense, are known as BULLSHIT ARTISTS.

3. Aussies are notorious for so call “abbreviating” people’s names. This is actually untrue as the name change could actually be longer than the real name e.g. Sims would be called Simmo! No abbreviation here.

4. It is said that Australian men are the most tactless of the male breed. Or the most honest, depending which way you want to look at it, LOL!

5. A SLAB is a carton of beer. It can consists of 24 cans or 24 STUBBIES of beer.

6. A STUBBIE is a small bottle of beer, usually 375ml or 345ml.

7. Most Australian beers are ALES.

8. A COLDIE is an ice cold beer.

9. GROG is beer or alcohol.

10. PISS is also beer or alcohol, or urine :O

11. “To be on the PISS” is to be drinking alcoholic beverages excessively.

12. “PISSED” could mean one is drunk or angry, depending on the context!

13. Another word for “PISSED” is BLOTTO (abbreviated from the word blotted) = Way too much to drink.

14. Taking the PISS (out of someone/something) is to make fun of someone or something, or kidding with someone about something e.g. “Don’t be upset mate, I was only taking the piss out of you.”

15. Despite being called the “Original Australia Beer” and its heavy international presence, no Australian would be caught dead drinking Foster’s beer in Australia. The only time Australians drink Foster’s is overseas, when they have no other choice!!! Foster's Lager is made mostly for export in Australia, or made under license in other countries.

16. VB is an Australia beer. It stands for VICTORIAN BITTER. It’s usually the type of beer preferred by the working classes or blue collared males. A BITTER is a well hopped beer.

17. A WATERING HOLE is not where the animals go to drink but rather your favourite pub. Wait a minute, at the end of the night, is there a difference???

18. Ordering a beer in a pub in Australia: Different states have different terminology and measurements for dispensing beer in pubs and clubs.

Source: Doug's Republic

• Pony/5 oz: 140 ml

• Beer (Victoria)/Butcher/Seven oz: 200 ml

• Pot/Schooner/Middie/Handle/Beer (NT)/10 oz: 285

• Schooner (NSW, Queensland, Victoria): 485 ml

• Jug: 1140 ml

MUSIC #57: RAVI SHANKAR AND ANDRE PREVIN - CONCERTO FOR SITAR AND ORCHESTRA 1971 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-10-05T10:55:00.003+11:00

Music for the soul and relaxation....no write-up required. My rating: 4 stars

Ravi Shankar and Andre Previn - Concerto For Sitar and Orchestra 1971

Side One

First Movement - Raga Khamaj
Second Movement - Raga Sindhi Bhairavi

Side Two

Third Movement - Raga Adana
Fourth Movement - Raga Manj Khamaj

MUTTERINGS #31 - BUYER BEWARE

2010-10-04T15:01:00.000+11:00

An Australian Quality Control Engineer, who's been married to a very tiring woman for over two years, finally cracked under the pressure and sent a note to his father-in-law....

"Your product description is misleading and defective and does not meet my requirements and specifications. Your representation contravenes the Trade Practices Act 1974. Please provide full refund."

The smart father-in-law replies, "The product warranty has expired. The manufacturer is no longer responsible. Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware!".

MUSIC #56: NASHE KI MAZAA 2010 (HINDI OST COMPILATION)

2010-10-02T20:29:00.006+10:00

I was doing some spring cleaning the other day and I came across an old mix tape that had amongst other songs, some ‘sharabi’ or drunken songs. And that of course, gave me the idea to make an alcohol fuelled song compilation album from my record collection. Hope you enjoy my effort.

PS: I also found a tape with Raj Kapoor Hits that included snippets of interviews with the legend and commentaries from fellow colleagues. I’ll put that compilation up soon too.

Nashe Ki Mazaa 2010 – A Compilation Of Intoxicating Music

01. Thodi Si Jo Peeli Hai (Namak Halaal) – Kishore Kumar

02. Mujhe Duniya Walo Sharabi Na Samjho (Leader) – Mohd Rafi

03. Yeh Lal Rang (Prem Nagar) – Kishore Kumar

04. Yeh Kya Hua (Amar Prem) – Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna

05. Maine Pee Sharab (Naya Raasta) – Mohd Rafi

06. Peelo Aj Peelo (Patanga) – Mohd Rafi

07. Han Ji Han Main Ne Sharab Pee Hai (Seeta Aur Geeta) – Lata Mangeshkar

08. Cholene Do Nazuk (Kaajal) – Mohd Rafi

09. Maine Peena Seekh Liya (Goonj Uthi Shenai) – Mohd Rafi

10. Main Nashe Mein Hoon (Main Nashe Mein Hoon) – Mukesh

11. Pee Kar Sharab Khelunga (Ganwar) – Mohd Rafi

12. Sharabi Ja Sharabi Ja (Bhai Bhai) – Lata Mangeshkar

13. Chal Chal Mere Bhai (Naseeb) – Mohd Rafi and Amitabh Bachan

14. Chalka Yeh Jaam (Mere Humdum Mere Dost) – Mohd Rafi

15. Sharabi Mera Naam (Chandan Ka Palna) – Lata Mangeshkar

16. Main Sharabi Nahin (Khilona) – Asha Bhosle and Mohd Rafi

17. Main Hoon Saaqi Tu Hai Sharabi (Ram Aur Shyam) – Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

18. Mujhe Peene Ka Shauk Nahin (Coolie) – Shabbir Kumar

19. Sharabi Sharabi (Noor Jehan) – Suman Kalyanpur

20. Manzilein Apni Jagah Hai (Shaarabi) – Kishore Kumar

MUTTERINGS #30: I JUST GOT 'PINGED'...

2010-10-02T10:54:00.001+10:00

I just received an e-mail from Blogger for a "DMCA takedown notification". It seems Blogger was notified by a third party, that in accordance to the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that my Elvis "Fun In Acapulco" post allegedly infringes upon the copyrights of others.

Has anyone out there ever had this issue? What does this actually mean? Let me know...

Veen....

MUSIC #55: ELVIS PRESLEY – FUN IN ACAPULCO 1963 (ENGLISH OST)

2010-09-29T12:19:00.023+10:00

Sorry guys, just haven’t been in the mood to sit and write reviews. The weather has been just too good (I just love spring and autumn) and I rather spend my evenings outside enjoying nature. Anyway, here I am, and I have to thank Mr Naidu of Bollywood DVD Restoration for reacquinting me with this album. The reason? There is a track in this OST which has been copied (yes, yet another) and reproduced in Hindi – the album is “JHUK GAYA AASMAN, and I will be reviewing this OST (can I really call it an “original” soundtrack?) next. To all Hindi music lovers: Can you spot the song in question???

Now to the Elvis album. Fun in Acapulco was Elvis’ 13th movie and premiered on 27 November 1963. Elsa Cardenas and Ursula Andress play his love interests in the movie. This movie is the third of his tropical travelogue films for Paramount Pictures after Blue Hawaii and Girls! Girls! Girls!, which finds Elvis south of the border - in Mexico.

For a review of the movie, check out THIS site.

Fun in Acapulco is the nineteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2756, in November 1963. Recording took place at Radio Recorders in Hollywood on 22 and 23 January 1963, and at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on 26 and 27 May, 1963. The album peaked at #3 on the Top Pop Albums chart.

The the album used lots of brass instruments, mirroring the trend at the time when Herb Albert and his Tijuana band was immensly popular (and also keeping in line with the theme of the movie – Mexican), elements of mariachi music, another music genre made popular in Mexico and the Pasodoble or bull fighting music. My favourites include Fun in Acapulco, Marguerita, Bossa Nova Baby and Love Me Tonight.

My rating: Four stars.

Elvis Presley – Fun In Acapulco 1963: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Fun in Acapulco

2. Vino Dinero y Amor

3. Mexico

4. El Toro

5. Marguerita

6. The Bullfighter Was A Lady

7. No Room to Rhumba in A Sports Car

Side Two

1. I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here

2. Bossa Nova Baby

3. You Can't Say No in Acapulco

4. Guadalajara

5. Love Me Tonight

6. Slowly But Surely

Trivia:

1. While some exterior scenes were shot in Acapulco, Mexico, Elvis's scenes were shot in Hollywood. He never went to Acapulco in his lifetime.

2. Elvis could not wait to finish filming Fun in Acapulco. Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he had met 1959, had just moved to Memphis from Germany and was waiting for him.

3. "Bossa Nova Baby" was released as a single one month prior to the soundtrack. The single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

4. The bossa nova craze of the 1960s was a Brazilian phenomenon rather than Mexican. But the American public did not know better, so Paramount and RCA got away with it. And another thing, they don't even speak Spanish in Brazil! Brazil is the only country in South America that has Portuguese for its national language.

5. Fun In Acapulco was Ursula Andress’ first American movie. However, her first English speaking movie was Ian Fleming’s “Dr No”, as pearl diver Honey Ryder. Her character and sex symbol status was made famous by the scene where she rises out of the Caribbean Sea in a white bikini. The scene made Andress the "quintessential" Bond girl.

6. Ironically, Dr No was also the first James Bond movie, starring Sean Connery as James Bond.

MUTTERINGS # 29: THE CHINESE DETECTIVE

2010-09-29T07:42:00.000+10:00

Apologies for this 'stereotype' joke. No offence meant....All in the name of laughter. Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A guy suspected that his wife was cheating on him, so he hired a Chinese detective... The cheapest one he could find.

This is his report:

Most honourable sir,

You leave house. I watch house.

He come house. I watch.

He and she leave house. I follow.

He and she go hotel. I climb tree. I look window.

He kiss she. She kiss he.

He strip she. She strip he.

He play with she. She play with he.

I play with me. I fall off tree.

I no see.

So no fee.

Yours Sincerely,

Dong Lee

MUTTERINGS #28: WITTY SIGNS...

2010-09-28T12:05:00.003+10:00

***************************************

Sign over a Gynaecologist’s Office:

"Dr. Jones, at your cervix"

***************************************

In a Podiatrist's office:

"Time wounds all heels"

***************************************

On a Septic Tank Truck:

" Yesterday's Meals on Wheels"

***************************************

On a Plumber’s truck:

"We repair what your husband fixed"

***************************************

On another Plumber's truck:

"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber"

***************************************

On a Church's Bill board:

"7 days without God makes one weak"

***************************************

At a Tyre Store:

"Invite us to your next blowout"

***************************************

On an Electrician's truck:

"Let us remove your shorts"

***************************************

In a Non-smoking Area:

"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire,

and take appropriate action"

***************************************

On a Maternity Room door:

"Push! Push! Push!"

***************************************

At an Optometrist's Office:

"If you don't see what you're looking for,

you've come to the right place"

***************************************

On a Taxidermist's window:

"We really know our stuff"

***************************************

On a Fence:

"Salesmen welcome!

Dog food is expensive!"

***************************************

At a Car Dealership:

"The best way to get back on your feet...

Miss a car payment!"

***************************************

Outside a Car Exhaust Store:

"No appointment necessary.

We hear you coming!"

***************************************

In a Vet’s waiting room:

"Be back in 5 minutes.

Sit! Stay!"

***************************************

In a Restaurant window:

"Don't stand there and be hungry;

Come on in and get fed up!"

***************************************

In the front yard of a Funeral Home:

"Drive carefully - We'll wait"

***************************************

Radiator Shop:

"Best place in town to take a leak"

***************************************

And my favourite....
To think I deal with this on a daily basis!

Sign on the back of yet another Septic Tank Truck:

"Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"

***************************************

MUSIC #54: JAL BIN MACHHLI NRITYA BIN BIJLI 1971 (HINDI OST)

2010-09-25T20:00:00.011+10:00

Another movie by the great Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram, this time with the music from Laxmikant-Pyarelal and lyrics by Majrooh. I have to admit that it was only a few years ago that I became familiarised with the songs from Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (Water without Fish, Dance without Sprite)…..what an unfulfilled life I must have led since then, LOL. I think this is one of Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s better albums, although there is some plagiarising happening here and I am pretty surprised Ennio Morricone has not sued the duo for the blatant copying! Maybe it is the case of copying is the best form of flattery. See (actually listen) if you can spot the music. Hint: It is the title music to one of the most famous 1960’s Spaghetti Westerns of all times, starring the (then) dashing Clint Eastwood.

The title song, sung by Lata Mangeshkar is truly breathtaking. I just love the synthesised ‘bird calls’ and ‘pigeon coos’ in that melody. Then there is the duo with Mukesh, Baat Hai Ek Boond Si. The string instruments in this score are just fabulous. Yes, I know I am using quite a few superlatives here and it is only song two. Karja Laga Ke also has quite a bit of ‘animal’ sounds thrown in it for good measure and I don’t know why Siamese court music comes to mind when I hear the song. Must be the use of the xylophones (ranat) and horizontal gong-chimes (kong wong) in the score. Makes me want to break out in traditional Siamese dance with those long fake gold fingernails!!!

I am not even going to attempt to talk about Side Two. Why? Cos’ the album just keeps getting better. And whatever you do, don’t miss Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se. On that note, I give this OST 5 stars!

For an excellent review of this movie, please visit BOLLYWOOD DEEWANA.

Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli 1971: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Jal Bin Machhli - Lata Mangeshkar

2. Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men - Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh

3. Karja Laga Ke Bindiya Saja Ke - Lata Mangeshkar

4. Jo Main Chali Phir Na Miloongi - Lata Mangeshkar

Side Two

1. Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se – Mukesh

2. O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai - Lata Mangeshkar

3. Jhoomke Gaye Dil - Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh

Trivia: Did you know that there is a Facebook following of Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli? Check it out HERE.

MUTTERINGS #27: A QUIET BEER...

2010-09-24T14:54:00.001+10:00

There I was is sitting at the bar staring at my beer when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.

"Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I looked at him sadly.

"Come on, man," the biker says, "I don't want you to break down and cry. I can’t stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I said. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my old lady in bed with the gardener and then my dog bit me."

"So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all.

I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve; then you, you jack-ass, show up and drink the whole thing! ...... But enough about me, how's your day going?"

MUSIC #53 – THE ANDREW SISTERS – FRESH AND FANCY-FREE 1957 (ENGLISH)

2010-09-23T10:32:00.003+10:00

To be honest, I have been a bit under the weather and really can’t be bothered blogging or surfing the net….so apologies friends if I have not visited your blog/s recently.

So I am not going to give much write-up about this album, only a bit of background on the Sisters (plagarised from Wikipedia) and to say that if you like harmony singing, dance hall, swing and boogie-woogie music, you’ll like Fresh and Fancy-Free. The music in this ablum is conducted by Bill May and his orchestra.

I give this album 3.5 stars

The Andrews Sisters were a harmony singing group consisting of three actual sisters LaVerne, Maxene and Patty – Laverne Sophia, contralto and redhead (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), Maxene Angelyn, soprano and brunette (January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and Patricia Marie "Patty" Andrews mezzo-soprano lead singer and blond (born February 16, 1918). Their harmonies and songs are still in train today, covered by entertainers such as Bette Midler, the Puppini Sisters and Christine Aguilera. Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over well over 75 million records (that being the last official count released by MCA Records in the mid-1970s). Their hit number Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, can be considered an early recording of rhythm and blues.

They are survived by Patty, the youngest at 92.

The Andrew Sisters – Fresh and Fancy-Free (1957)

Side One

1. The Song Is You

2. You Do Something To Me

3. Comes Love

4. Nevertheless

5. With Every Breath I Take

6. Of Thee I Sing

Side Two

1. Hooray For Love

2. My Romance

3. Tea For Two

4. I Could Write A Book

5. Let There Be Love

6. Younger Than Springtime

MUTTERINGS #26: THE DEFINITION OF GLOBALISATION

2010-09-22T20:37:00.001+10:00

Question: What is the truest definition of Globalisation?

Answer: Princess Diana's death.

Question: How come you ask?

Answer : An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, riding in a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky (check the bottle before you change the spelling), followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles, treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian made medicines.

And this was originally written by a Canadian, using American Bill Gates' technology, and you are reading this on an Australian blog on your computer that probably uses Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian truck drivers, onto a Danish ship hijacked by Indonesian pirates using Russian AK 47s , which finally reaches America and unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen at the New York docks, and trucked to you by Mexican illegals!

That, my friends, is globalisation!

MUTTERINGS #25: NOW WHO’S DOING WHOM???

2010-09-21T12:00:00.001+10:00

A man owned a small farm in Australia.

The Fair Work Australia Office claimed he was not paying proper wages to his staff and sent a representative out to interview him.

"I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them," demanded the rep.

"Well," replied the farmer, "There's my farm hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $500 a week plus free room and board. He also gets triple time for working on a Sunday and a slab of beer for a Happy Hour every Friday."

"The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $400 per week plus free room and board. She doesn't work on Sundays and I provide paid satellite television for free in her room," he said.

“Then there's the half-wit.

He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work around here. He makes about $20 per week, Pays his own room and board, and I buy him a bottle of whiskey every Saturday night. He also sleeps with my wife occasionally."

"That's the guy I want to talk to...er, the half-wit," says the agent.

"That would be me," replied the farmer.

MUSIC #52: NAVRANG 1959 (HINDI OST)

2010-09-19T20:00:00.005+10:00

If you appreciate classical Indian music and dancing, this is a not to be missed album and movie. And to reinforce what a great masterpiece this is, both in cinematic and musical terms, here’s a simultaneous worldwide posting (from two corners of the world) of the movie review by my friend and fellow blogger, Bolly Deewana (Click HERE for the movie review) and the music by yours truly.

Like the movie, which is directed by the great Rajaram Vankudre Shantaram, the music is by another bollywood heavyweight of that era, C. Ramchandra (CR). CR is also credited for other masterpieces such as Patanga (1949), Sargam (1950),Yasmin (1955), Devta (1956), Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957) and Baarish (1957) to name a few.

As appropriately noted on the back cover of the LP, the highlights of the movie are its exquisite dance numbers and the rich variety of music numbers ranging from the popular to the classical, and sung by Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey and newcomer (and my favourite singer) Mahendra Kapoor (I am surprised he did not get a rap on the back cover though). Rumour has it that Lata Mangeshkar, who was usually the first choice of most music directors of that time, was not asked to sing any of the scores because CR and Lata, who had been having an affair, had a falling out because CR would not leave his wife for Lata! And it is interesting to note that sibling solidaritary and support is not evident in this instance, as Asha obviously had no qualms of taking over badi didi’s (elder sister’s) spot! Oh well, it could be the case of ‘papi pet ka sawaal’ (literally translated as “a matter of the sinful stomach” = survival).

I like and enjoy all of the songs in this album, and Side Two more so than Side One but if I have to choose, my favourite would be “Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi” sung by my favourite singer Mahendra Kapoor. This song is also his debut as a playback singer and came to be a chartbuster hit. The lyrics of this song are just phenomenal; translated the first and second verses would be the following:

Mahendra Kapoor:

Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi

The night of half moon is half gone

Reh na jaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi

Hopefully what we have to say is not halved (left unsaid), this rendevous halved (cut short)

Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi

The night of half moon is half gone

Reh na jaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi

Hopefully what we have to say is not halved (left unsaid), this rendevous halved (cut short)

Aadha hai chandrama

Half is the moon

Asha Bhosle:

Piya aadhi hai pyaar ki bhaashhaa

My dearest, half (unfulfilled) is the language of love

Aadhi rehne do man ki abhilaasha

Therefore, let your desires be halved (partly relinquished)

Aadhe chalke nayan aadhe chhalke nayan

The eyes are half closed (downcast), the eyes are half closed (downcast)

Aadhi palkon mein bhi hai barsaat aadhi

The lashes too are half closed (downcast) and this rain halved (a drizzle)

Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi

The night of half moon is half gone

Reh na jaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi

Hopefully what we have to say is not halved (left unsaid), this rendevous halved (cut short)

Aadha hai chandrama

Half is the moon

Note: “Aadha/Aadhi” literally translates to half or halved in English. The words in brackets would be a better/most appropriate English subsitute in this instance.

Apologies if I got some of this wrong - my mother tongue is actually Punjabi and even that, I admit, I don’t speak too well, being educated in English and Malay

I give this album 4 stars.

Navrang 1959: The Original Soundtrack

Side 1

1. Kari Kari Andhiyari Thi Raat – Asha Bhosle and C. Ramchandra

2. Are Ja Re Hat Nat Khat – Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor

3. Aa Dil Se Milale – Asha Bhosle

Side 2

1. Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan – Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey

2. Shyamal Shyamal Baran Komal Komal Charan – Mahendra Kapoor

3. Tum Mere Mai Teri – Asha Bhosle

4. Adha Hai Chandrama Raat Adhi – Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor

Don’t forget to read the movie review HERE at Bollywood Dewana.

MUSIC #51: NAT KING COLE – WILD IS LOVE 1960 (ENGLISH)

2010-09-17T11:02:00.002+10:00

For all you jazz/blues lovers and fans of Nat King Cole, here a nifty album from the great singer. And interestingly, Cole narrates before each song in the album, so it is actually like a story as each song goes. It is said that Love is Wild is Cole’s desire to conquer Broadway on an LP, a sort of musical story with one interconnected narrative that would flow through each tune.

I am not going to go into detail in this post, as there is a really good write-up HERE at Blog Critics on this album; but I will give a bit of information on the "King" below.

Born Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), and known professionally as Nat "King" Cole, he was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice. He was the first African-American to host a television variety show, a no mean feat in a then (?) racist America. On November 5, 1956, The Nat King Cole Show debuted on NBC-TV, which created great controversy at the time.

Cole began his performing career in the mid 1930s while still a teenager, adopting the name "Nat Cole". His older brother, Eddie Cole, a bass player, soon joined Cole's band, and they made their first recording in 1936 under Eddie's name. They were also regular performers at clubs. Cole acquired his nickname "King" performing at a jazz club, a nickname presumably from the nursery rhyme about Old King Cole.

Cole was a heavy menthol cigarette smoker, believing that smoking up to three packs a day gave his voice the rich sound it had (Cole would smoke several cigarettes in rapid succession before a recording for this very purpose). Unfortunately, the smoking caused him to contract lung cancer and he died of the disease in 1965, aged only 45.

He was married twice, first to Nadine Robinson and second to singer Maria Hawkins Ellington, just six days after his divorce to Nadine became final. Cole and Maria had five children: Natalie (born 1950); adopted daughter Carole (the daughter of Maria's sister), (1944–2009), who died of lung cancer at 64; adopted son Nat Kelly Cole (1959–1995), who died of AIDS at 36; and twin girls Casey and Timolin (born 1961).

His notable songs include "The Christmas Song" (1946)(Cole recorded that tune four times) "Nature Boy" (1948), "Mona Lisa" (1950), "Too Young" (the #1 song in 1951), his signature tune "Unforgettable" (1951) and "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (1963), which reached #6 on the Pop chart. Cole also acted and sung in a few movies, which included Citizen Kane (1941), China Gate (1957) and the comedy Cat Ballou (1965) with Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin.

I give this album 4 stars.

Nat King Cole – Wild Is Love (1960)

Side One

1. Introduction

2. Wild Is Love

3. Hundreds And Thousands Of Girls

4. It’s A Beautiful Evening

5. Tell Her In The Morning

6. Are You Disenchanted

7. Pick-Up

Side Two

1. Beggar For The Blues

2. World Of No Return

3. In Love Again

4. Stay With It

5. Wouldn’t You Know

6. He Who Hesistates

7. Wild Is Love Finale

MUSIC #50: NIGHT IN LONDON 1967 (HINDI OST)

2010-09-14T21:02:00.002+10:00

Unlike the other notable Hindi movies of 1967 such as Upkar, Ram Aur Shyam, An Evening In Paris, Farz and Hamraaz, Night In London seems to be buried in obscurity in the movie and music vaults. I really can’t understand why because I think it is one of the best soundtracks of that year.

I may not have seen this movie which stars Biswajeet, Mala Sinha, Helen and Anwar Hussain (to be honest, I can’t remember actually) but I definitely grew up listening to the songs! And what awesome songs they are. Especially Mera Naam Hai Jameela. I just love it – The opening music with the folk guitar and bass electric guitar, followed by the violins….the bongos during the verses….and the great use of trumpets, trombone and the electric guitar in between the verses….spectacular! And brought to life in the movie by the alluring Helen. Check it out in this YouTube clip.

Now, am I imagining it, or do I hear snippets of the music that will be used nearly 25 years later by the composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal in their hit song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” from the Subhash Ghai movie, Khalnayak? Do you hear it? Well, please correct me if I am wrong.

And then, there is the jazzy Nazar Na Lag Jaye and the beautiful love song Ba Hosh-O-Hawas, both by Mohd Rafi and another of my favourite, Sun Ai Bahar-E-Husn sung by my favourite singer, Mahendra Kapoor .

So, four years on, the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo just kept getting better and better, their popularity strengthened by their partnership with lyricist Anand Bakshi. My verdict? 5 star bliss.

Night In London 1967: The Original Soundtrack

Side One

1. Night In London – Mohd Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

2. Mera Naam Hai Jameela – Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus

3. Baagh Men Phool – Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi

Side Two

1. Nazar Na Lag Jaye – Mohd Rafi

2. Ba Hosh-O-Hawas – Mohd Rafi

3. Sun Ai Bahar-E-Husn – Lata Mangeshkar and Mahendra Kapoor

4. Mere Yaar Tomi – Mohd Rafi

Dedication: This posting and album is dedicated to my friend SE. Hope you enjoy the album friend. It is one I will definitely bring along to that deserted island ;-)

MUTTERINGS #24: MY UTMOST SYMPATHIES TO A FRIEND...

2010-09-14T19:16:00.001+10:00

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,

And you shall see that in truth,

You are weeping for that which has been your delight.

~ Kahlil Gibran

MOVIE #07: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES 1988 (JAPANESE/ENGLISH ANIME)

2010-09-13T12:15:00.004+10:00

I used to admonish my other half when he stayed up late and watched Japanese anime (I am still perplexed as to why it is shown that late at night – usually after 10.00 pm on SBS). It all backfired when one night, with nothing on telly, I watched my first Japanese anime and to boot, it was an offering from the famous Studio Ghibli. Ever since, I have been a fan. If you want to give anime a go, I recommend you start with GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (GOTF) (or Hotaru No Haka in Japanese) from Studio Ghibli, one of the finest anime created and one of the most touching war films ever made, anime or not. It is directed by Isao Takahata, who also wrote the screenplay.

Set in the aftermath of World War II, GOTF focuses on the lives of Setsuko and his young sister Seita and how they struggle against both the elements of wartime and a depreciating Japanese empire. The most striking thing about GOTF is probably how real everything seems and its depiction of the gravity of the era and war. I cried quite a few times during the course of the movie, and by saying this, I hope I have not put off any blokes that may be reading this – it is mushy, yes, but it deals with war, human emotions and sibling love – not the boy meets girl, stick finger down throat, stuff. And what’s wrong with that I say!!! Anyway, I’ll save that argument for another time.

To the movie – With the Japanese empire in crisis and food shortages a daily occurrence, it is heart breaking to see a brother struggle to make ends meet for his sister, who does not understand the gravity of the situation, especially when the children have had an idyllic childhood, sheltered from the war until the war finally arrives in Japan.

It is now 1945 and Japan is losing the war. Setsuko and Seita’s lives crumble when the children lose their mother in a bombing and their father, whilst he is in service with the Japanese navy. Setsuko has to ‘grow up’ overnight and look after his sister. At first, they take refuge at some relative’s place. When the true colours of the relative emerge, Setsuko leaves to fend for himself and his sister. They make do in a cave by the river. What seems like a Huckleberry type fun adventure soon shows its true form. Seita develops skin disease from malnutrition and things get from bad to worse. The kids are forever hungry, and Setsuko has to resort to theft. To find out what happens to the children, I recommend you watch GOTF. I give this movie 5 stars.

PS: Don’t let the release date put you off – the quality of the anime is phenomenal! As you can see from the pictures.

FYI: The story is based on the semi-autobiographic novel by the same name, whose author, Akiyuki Nosaka (born 1930), lost his sister due to malnutrition in 1945 wartime Japan. He blamed himself for her death and wrote the story so as to make amends to her and help him accept the tragedy.

Due to the graphic and truly emotional depiction of the negative consequences of war on society and the individuals therein, some critics have viewed Grave of the Fireflies as an anti-war film. Roger Ebert (American film critic) considers it to be one of the most powerful anti-war movies ever made. Animation historian Ernest Rister compares the film to Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List and says, "It is the most profoundly human animated film I've ever seen."

Websites to check out:

http://www.ghibli.jp/
http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/films/
http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/studio-ghibli.html

MUSIC #49: A SWINGING SAFARI WITH BERT KAEMPFERT AND JAMES LAST – BERT KAEMPFERT AND JAMES LAST IN CONCERT LP 9 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-09-13T00:03:00.029+10:00

The last of the Bert K and James L “Swinging Safari” nonet. Hope you enjoy/enjoyed the compilation.

Bert Kaempfert and James Last In Concert – LP 9

Side One – Bert Kaempfert

1. Some Of These Days

2. Caravan

3. I Can't Give You Anything But Love

4. Hold Me

5. Out Of Nowhere

6. There I’ve Said It Again

Side Two – James Last

1. Mack The Knife

2. America

3. Begin The Beguine

4. Perfida

5. Donkey Serenade

6. Kumbaya

MUSIC #48: A SWINGING SAFARI WITH BERT KAEMPFERT AND JAMES LAST – THE JAMES LAST BEAT LP 8 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-09-13T00:01:00.005+10:00

The James Last Beat – LP 8

Side One

Cecilia
Everybody Get Together
Blowin' In The Wind
Aquarius
Go Away Little Girl
I Hear Your Knocking

Side Two

Let The Sunshine In
Girl Of The North Country
House Of The Rising Sun
When I'm Dead And Gone
Proud Mary
She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

MUSIC #47: A SWINGING SAFARI WITH BERT KAEMPFERT AND JAMES LAST – INSTRUMENTALLY KAEMPFERT LP 7 (INSTRUMENTAL)

2010-09-13T00:00:00.002+10:00

Instrumentally Kaempfert – LP 7

Side One

Somebody Loves Me
It's The Talk Of The Town
The World We Knew
Tammy
How Deep Is The Ocean?
(You Are) My Way Of Life

Side Two

Unchained Melody
I'll Get By
It Makes No Difference
Once In A While
Two Can Live On Love Alone
Where Flamingos Fly

Het the album HERE.