An IR musical is always eagerly awaited (though it had seen better reception in the 80’s). After Mumbai Express, where as an album he succeeded quite well, expectations don’t run sky high but at least they are acceptable. When I heard about Balu Mahendra teaming up with IR, I was naturally looking out for some soulful music, as this pair always got along musically very well. This album certainly lives up to my expectation.
Songs
Unnalae : How do you think a seduction song would sound? How have you heard it sound? You aint hear nothing baby till you’ve heard what the maestro has to offer. Ilayaraja scores the first strike with this beautiful seduction melody. A song that starts with a female whispers assumes as voluptuous proportion as a Pamela Anderson in full form. Jazz, neatly crafted blues, trumpets, flowing warm strings, a catchy beat. Mr. Maestro has offered you more than you can possibly ask for. Another brilliant aspect of this song is the female lead. And if you are wondering who this new rustic voice belongs to , then prepared to be surprised for it is the manmada raasa, Malathi. I’ve been saying for quite a while in my reviews that she has a phenomenol voice that can be used for any type of song and here it is ladies and gentle man, the maestro has found her. She has done a superfluous rendering. She is here to stay. The male lead by Ranjith, (amazingly similar to tippu)has done very well too. Oh God, I may go on and on about this song. Hear it to believe it.
Rating: Originality - 10/10, Lead singers - 10/10, Instrumentation - 10/10
Andha naal gnabagam: When it comes to handling slow ballads, there is no better person than IR. ’’Ennai thalaata varuvaala’’ from Kadhaluku Mariyadhai gave a new meaning to such songs. Here gain IR proves what stuff he is made up of in this jazz melody. The song starts in the typical IR way and towards the first BGM too you may not find anything special, though absolutely pleasing. The first charan is where we get a real magnitude of IR’s composition. Voices beautifully match the flowing beat and instrumentation , primarily consisting of his favourite violin. In the 2nd BGM, IR just lets himself go with a mixture of Bells and Violins. A very notable aspect of the song again is the new freshness in the lead singers. Both have done a very neat job, so typical of an IR song. Full marks to another 5 minutes of bliss.
Any resemblance to ’’manjal poosum’’ from friends, is purely becaus the raaga is the same.
Rating: Originality - 10/10, Lead singers - 9/10, Instrumentation - 8.5/10
Ennada Ninachae: What is a Danush film without a gaana song? Only difference is that it is the master’s way of giving you a chance to let your hair down. Simple tune, the usual support from Tavil to lend the catchy part of the beat. So what’s new? It is the way the MD has handled the song. The male vocal lead, by Vijay Yesudos and Ranjith, have shown a very promising way to present a song. Who ever said that a gaana song should be incorrigible and an absolute vomit of illegible words. IR has proved that even in such songs lyrics should be neat and very legible. Hearing the Tavil and a new variation of a base string, you may even start to wonder if it has been tuned by ’’ maestro Deva’’. No Sir, it is an inspiring IR.
Rating: Originality - 10/10, Lead singers - 7/10, Instrumentation - 7.5/10
Kaatu vazhi: A usual IR slow song sung by IR. We may often tend to shoo of such songs when hearing the audio, but forget that these songs fit the situation to a T. IR has started this song like any of the earlier numbers that he has sung but in the BGM he brings a surprise classical western country/jazz/celtic tune to lend it a different flavour. The titillating strings that follow the song from the 2nd half of the song gives a very rich feeling. The best part about these songs is that immediately you can imagine a lonely bullock cart with the lead pair eloping in it, as the bullock cart driver, an old man sings aloud. IR’s voice sounds a bit jaded. Is it deliberate or age?
Rating: Originality - 8/10, Lead singers - 6/10, Instrumentation - 7.5/10
Kili Thatu: For a moment if you were hearing a ’’ooru vittu ooru vandhu’’ or any other song. You may be excused for this song seems to be a rehash of a variety of his earlier numbers. not to say that the song is a deliberate copy but resemblance could have been easily avoided. Some songs you will find resemblance in this, otherwise good number are 1) Kuyiluku po from en uyir thozhan 2) paatu solli from Azhagi 3) a flute bit from povoma oorgolam - chinna thambi. But that said, the female lead consisting of Bhavadhaarini and Joti have done a very nice job. Bhava’s voice has matured beyond the shrill tone in the higher octaves and it blends very well.
Rating: Originality - 5/10, Lead singers - 7.5/10, Instrumentation - 6.5/10
Song Name : Unnalae Thookam
Singers: Ranjith, Malathi
Song Name : Andha Naal Gnaabagam
Singers: Vijay Yesudas, Shreya Ghosal
Song Name : Ennada Ninaicha
Singers: Ranjith & Vijay Yesudas
Song Name : Kaattu Vazhi Nadaiya
Singers: Dr.Ilaiyaraja
Song Name : Killi Thattu Killi
Singers : Bhavatharini & Jothi
Over all, this is a very very original and must hear album. A real treat for all IR fans.