http://www.glamsham.com/music/reviews/15-blue-music-review-090904.asp
In many ways Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision's
BLUE is a unique film, having many firsts to its credit. It is Hindi
cinema's first ever under water, action adventure film with the cast
undergoing scuba diving training in order to shoot under some eighty
feet below the water, almost at the bottom of the sea! It is director
Anthony D'Souza's first film. Also, it is the first project where Oscar
winner A. R. Rahman has composed for action king, 'Khiladi' Akshay
Kumar. Yes, not many will be aware that even though Akshay Kumar and A.
R. Rahman have been dominating the Bollywood scene for more than a
decade, yet the two have never combined for any film, and so BLUE is
the first film where the two will share the same platform. Then we have
Australian pop sensation, Kylie Minogue, who features for the first
time in a Bollywood flick. With so many unique features to its credit,
combined with the finest international crew and some amazing underwater
action sequences, BLUE is the most anticipated Diwali release. And its
audio album too comes fraught with gargantuan expectations, BLUE being
the first album to be launched after A.R. Rahman's historic Oscar win.
And last and not the least, Resul Pookutty, another Oscar winner, is
the sound engineer for BLUE. Need we say more?
First let's
come to the most talked about song, featuring the international pop
sensation from Australia, Kylie Minogue, ''Chiggy Wiggy''. The number
is a perfect blend of soft pop and bombastic, earthy but all Punjabi
'bhangra', which makes it a totally 'dhamaal' dance track. Kylie's part
is naturally pop and the soft tune chosen is very infectious and
alluring, in -keeping with Kylie's super hot image. Her sensuously soft
vocals caress the senses and is the highlight of the composition, as
she is simply brilliant. The 'bhangra' part, sung by Sonu Nigam is no
great shakes, and shades of ''Tote Tote Ho Gaya'' (BICHOO) is present.
Although as seen in the promos of the song, the part where Akshay Kumar
comes in, accompanied by the sound of loud 'hoi' and 'dhols' and breaks
into the 'bhangra' jig, will certainly set the house on fire. All this
combined with the festive Diwali mood, the song having the added
propellants in the form of all the top stars of BLUE like Sanjay Dutt,
Lara Dutta and Zayed Khan, will no doubt rule the charts for a while,
although it will not have a long shelf life, as it is not worth the
hype. The A.R. Rahman stamp of quality is missing. His signature
musical orchestration, the fresh as a morning dew tune which is
expected from a Rahman composition too cannot be heard. The lyrics by
Abbas Tyrewala though are definitely fresh and instantly appealing.
However,
the next number, 'Aaj Dil Gustakh Hai', is a true blue Rahman number
and one is simply blown away by its sheer magical melody that is so
easy on the lips. The music maestro makes up for somewhat letting down
his fans, this time with a superb romantic composition, a fine love
ballad. The breezy song, complete with Rahman's superlative trademark
crescendo, single string guitaring and lovely background female
chorals, makes for a perfect romantic beach song. After a mesmerizing
''Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye'' (GHAJINI), Rahman comes up with another
gem of a romantic outing in the from of ''Aaj Dil Gustakh Hai''. The
moment the song commences with sensual female chorals and Sukhwinder's
trademark, well loved and admired TAAL type semi-classical singing, one
knows that this is Rahman's special Diwali gift to his fans. The number
may take a couple of hearings to grow, as is the norm with most Rahman
compositions, but grow it definitely will and stay on the play list of
many die-hard romantics for quite sometime. Sukhwinder is magical. His
chemistry with Rahman never fails, whether it is an inspirational,
romantic, situational or devotional composition, Sukhi always reserves
his best for Rahman. And 'sone pe suhaga' is the new nightingale,
Shreya Ghoshal, who is at her 'surily' best.
CHECK OUT: No BLUE song for Katrina!
''Fiqrana''
can be classified as a theme song, as it is a beautiful musical way
that the characters of the film are introduced through the song,
without it being too heavy on the senses. The dare devil, non caring
attitude of the protagonists is beautifully expressed through a highly
charged, high on octane composition that has a slight resemblance (in
parts) to Rahman's ''Dhakka Laka Bukka'' (YUVA). Vijay Prakash shows
that it's just not classical that he is adept at as he skillfully wades
through the song that has a slight rock touch to it as well. He is
aided by Shreya who comes in briefly and not to mention, Rahman's
acoustic innovations in the form of echo and synth. Once again the
opening guitar piece is haunting and keeps coming back, embellishing
the song, so does the amazing 'mukhda' which is the jewel in the crown.
Rajat Arora's lyrics go well with the spirit of the film and
successfully conveys the feel of the characters and introduces them to
the audience.
>From one true blue Rahman number to another,
''Bhoola Tujhe'' and it is an absolute delight that the talented team
of Rahman, Abbas Tyrewala and Rashid Ali, who had given us the hugely
popular and heartwarming ''Kabhi Kabhi Aditi'' (JTYJN) are back with a
beauty! This number is a hauntingly beautiful 'sufi' based composition
that is absolutely divine. Rashid Ali's vocals enthrall the senses, his
maturity as a singer from ''Kabhi Kabhi'' to ''Bhoola Tujhe'' is to be
heard to be believed. The song commences with an elaborate, totally
trademark Rahman orchestra, playing a haunting tune, followed by simple
guitar strums, and as Rashid Ali's vocals take over, one is simply
mesmerized by the sheer genius of the maestro and the beauty of the
song. Lyrics by Abbas are heavenly, and take the listeners to a totally
different level with its divine references. And we are reminded of what
Abbas had told us in an informal chat that he does not write lyrics for
money, but selectively as a hobby.
Take a bow Rahman, Abbas
and Rashid. Shades of ''Khwaja Mere Khwaja'' and ''Piya Haji Ali'' are
present, may be because they have the same theme. Feast on by putting
it on repeat mode!
Rahman's theme songs have been as revered as his
songs, and the reason is simple. The maestro, with his sheer class and
command over music is able to spin wizardry with his heavy duty
orchestrations and scintillating assembly of tunes, and in a sense he
has pioneered the theme song revolution in the Hindi film music scene.
Since BLUE is an action adventure under water thriller, naturally the
scope for some highly charged musical extravaganza is on the cards and
this is exactly what we have in store with the ''Blue Theme. The
composition is partly instrumental with the sound of the exotic Bahamas
finding prominent place along with other highly eclectic beats and
sounds like the chopper flying etc.
The highlight of the theme
is again the Rahman crescendo, which is absolutely something to die
for! As the tempo heightens gradually and the peak is reached, one is
left spell bounded. Extraordinary! Superlative! The talented group of
six singers, Blaaze, Sonu Kakkar, Neha Kakkar, Raqueeb Alam and
Jaspreet are electrifying and fantastic as they sing in a group and the
chorus, as they go, ''Blue''. Raqueeb Alam and Sukhwinder Singh provide
lyrics and the spirit of BLUE is superbly conveyed. The similes used to
highlight the perils and beauty of the sea are very apt - ''Sagar ke
dil mein, Jitney khazane, Dil ke sagar mein utne fasane, Aatish
angaare, Sholon ke dhaare, Rangeen sharare, Baarish ke tare, Satrang
wafa ka, Sagar mein kyon hai, Kabhi surkh lahoo hai, Kabhi rang blue
hai!'' Another composition that can be kept on the repeat mode and
heard over and over again.
When ''Rehnuma' commences one feels
that Rahman has done a repeat of ''Anjaana Anjaani'' (YUVA) but as the
song slowly unfolds and all its musical gems are churned out for the
pleasure of the listeners, it is a different experience altogether.
Well, we are short of words for the praise of the Beethovan of the
East. As we try and get out of the magical spin of this seductive,
passionate song, that has such a rocking background signature tune (the
enthralling guitaring) that marvelous crescendo, as the tempo is built
up slowly and surely that we are left wondering how the music wizard
managed to compose a number quite uncharacteristic of himself. The song
belongs to Shreya whose seductively base vocals (reminding of Geeta
Dutt) are superlative, as she goes ''Qaatil ada' in precariously high
pitch, with utmost ease that she makes the listeners delirious and Sonu
Nigam, Rahman's favourite for a long time, comes back to support Shreya
matching her step for step. The 'mukhda' is infectious as Sonu goes
''Rehnuma', a slight R. D. Burman touch to the song can be felt.
To
bring the album to a close, Rahman's ever reliable lieutenant, Udit
Narayan, comes out of semi-retirement for this endearing 'ched-chaad'
song that is sung in a cute conversational manner, and the 'madhur si'
Madhushree supports him ably. The rocking and rolling rhythm is simply
enchanting, and this combined with some international feel musical
addendums in the background make for a lovely composition. The use of
Indian musical instruments like the synthesized 'shehnai' and Western
percussions and piano blend gently into the song making it a 'hat ke'
experience. The use of Bhojpuri lyrics, along with Hindi, Urdu and
Punjabi by the powerhouse of talent, Abbas Tyrewala, is unique and
relishing. And we know why Rahman has called Udit out of
semi-retirement (for the unaware, Udit is now of the top
singer/producer of Bhojpuri films/songs) to render this song. Moreover
one never knew that the maestro had it in him to compose a song that
will strike right at the heart of the hinterland.
To sum up,
BLUE is one of Rahman's finest album of the last couple of years and
what is exceptional is that Rahman has managed to do the impossible,
combined best of both the worlds as the compositions will find
patronage amongst both mass and class. All the songs are our
favourites, yet the ones that stand out are, ''Bhoola Tujhe'',
''Fiqrana', ''Yaar Mila Tha'' and the ''Blue Theme''.
Simply a
must buy! Even those few who are not Rahman fans should buy and give
this album a hear so as to see what they are missing out on!
Rating - 4/5
