Blue -- shaken, stirred and stylish

This is undoutedbly one of the most-awaited albums this year, and AR Rahman [ Images ] goes all out to make the wait worth it.

Blue, the 70-crore multi-star extravaganza has a soundtrack that not only features Kylie Minogue [ Images ] in a casting coup of sorts, but also gives you Shreya Ghoshal [ Images ] as never before -- shaken, stirred and stylish.

Unfortunately, you may be a little disappointed with the first and the most high profile songs currently on air. Chiggy Wiggy featuring Kylie Minogue and Sonu Nigam [ Images ] is an elaborate composition with surprisingly pedestrian lyrics and a predictable melody. It is however painstakingly crafted and as you move from the sparse arrangements of Kylie's sections to that of Sonu's Bhangra pop, the canvas is suddenly a riot of mustard yellows and halwai oranges. It is a catchy dance track and there is not much more to that.

Quickly hop over to Aaj Dil, which is a fire and ice duet featuring Sukhwinder Singh [ Images ] and Shreya Ghoshal. Nothing is predictable about this song which draws inspiration from jazz, Carnatic, funk and what have you! Shreya Ghoshal gets into on a smouldering, sensuous avtar as she croons to Mayur Puri's evocative lyrics, ably supported by Singh. What also stand out are the guitar and bass lines. The pace, groove, melody and the vocals come together by design in Aaj Dil to make you go 'ooh yeah!'

Fiqrana again is an unpredictably built song, which progresses with great energy soaring sky high with the chorus. It is a tad lyric-heavy and a little too long but Vijay Prakash and Shreya Ghoshal do justice to this inspirational number.

If Bhula Tujhe harks back to Jaane Tu [ Images ]...Ya Jaane Na blame it on the credits. It has lyrics by Abbas Tyrewala and is sung by Rashid Ali who lent his voice to Kabhi Kabhi Aditi. It is a sad song, backed by an extensive western orchestra (Rahman's favourite Chennai String Orchestra) which gives it a 'big' sound. Guess now we know why Rahman picked up Rashid from a gig in London [ Images ]. He does not have a conventional, easy-on-the-ears voice, but a certain expression and timbre which will remind you of Rahman himself. And perhaps why the maestro gives him one of the more emotionally charged, melody-driven tracks in the entire album.  

The Blue Theme by Blaze, Raaqeb Aalam, Sonu Kakkar and Jaspreet is dark blue with its mean-street origins in rap with a dash of electronica. The track ends with a plunge into deep seas, thanks to some clever sound design.     

Up next is one of my favourites from the album, Rehnuma. Though the opening bars will definitely remind you of the title track of Jaane Tu ... (this too has lyrics by Abbas Tyrewala) with its slow jazz buildup, buckle up for Shreya Ghoshal. The girl is white hot and silken smooth in this killer track straight out of a 007 flick. Close your eyes to Rehnuma and you'll see slithering cocktail gowns and slim cigarettes, jet skis, limousines and smoking guns. And when Ghoshal goes for the kill in the chorus Qaatil adaa, she hits the spot, and how! Killer track.
 
The album ends on a disappointing note however with Yaar Mila Tha, featuring Udit Narayan and Madhushree. This folk pop track is conspicuous by its jaded lyrics and treatment, and probably not something you'd look forward to on the screen either. 

Blue is not your run-of-the-mill assemblage of hummable songs with catchy riffs and melodies. The music is as global in its influences and execution as can be expected from Rahman and the scale of the film. You cannot use conventional wisdom to analyse it.
   
Blue also helps us rediscover the incredibly talented Shreya Ghoshal, who was lost somewhere in the cacophony of the mindless, assembly-line romantic duets. Thanks to Rahman, Ghoshal rises to the occasion. All guns blazing.

Rediff Rating: 

Courtesy: rediff.com

Music Review: 'Blue'

Music maestro A.R. Rahman is back with another soundtrack after composing the tunes to "Delhi-6." For his next gig, he has chosen something different to work with, namely the action-thriller "Blue." The news that A.R. Rahman worked on "Blue," and teamed up with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, has caused a lot of buzz lately. Hopefully fans will appreciate this soundtrack since it offers a different sound and takes some time to get used to.

What We Think:
This soundtrack may not be one of A.R. Rahman's best work, but the tracks are somewhat enjoyable. The songs "Aaj Dil Gustakh Hai" and "Fiqrana" are definitely likeable - both tunes have a surprisingly different sound that makes their harmony romantic. "Rehnuma" is another romantic duet, performed by Sonu Niigaam and Shreya Ghoshal. But it may not stay with the listener for long. A.R. Rahman brings back Rashid Ali from "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na" for the track "Bhoola Tujhe" and it brings back the original sound of the music composer. "Yaar Mila Tha" is a full-on masala party track performed by Udit Narayan and Madhushree. It sounds different from anything that Rahman has done before. As for "Chiggy Wiggy," any composer could have created it, but listen to it two-three times and you'll be addicted! The only thing that grabs your attention is the chemistry between Sonu Niigaam's bhangra portion and Kylie Minogue's Australian accent. We end the album with the track "Blue Theme" which gives lots of high Punjabi energy, complete with a lively orchestra and great vocals.

Best Tracks:
"Aaj Dil," "Fiqrana," "Bhoola Tujhe," "Yaar Mila Tha"

Worst Track:
"Chiggy Wiggy"

Final Verdict:
"Blue" is not a path-breaking soundtrack, but it is thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully orchestrated. A.R. Rahman's experiment with different sounds definitely gives it a good vibe.
 

Courtesy: desihits.com

Kylie Minogue Goes Bollywood With "Chiggy Wiggy"

Early this year the Bollywood musical style rolled into the pop charts when the Pussycat Dolls collaborated with A.R. Rahman on a version of the Academy Award winning song "Jai Ho!" from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Now one of the world's biggest pop stars, Kylie Minogue, is collaborating with producer A.R. Rahman and singer Sonu Nigam on her own venture into Bollywood music making. Kylie Minogue is credited with worldwide album sales in excess of 60 million as well as seven #1 singles in the UK, two top ten singles in the US and a Grammy Award. The song "Chiggy Wiggy" will be included on the soundtrack for the upcoming film Blue which is due in theaters in October 2009. Check out the video below with one of the film's stars Akshay Kumar. 

Courtesy: about.com

Kylie Minogue's 'Chiggy Wiggy' For the Film 'Blue'

We have all been waiting for the collaboration between Kylie Minogue and A.R. Rahman and now it's finally here!
The two music celebs have worked together on the underwater adventure "Blue." and the promo for one of Kylie's tracks in the film has finally been revealed. We're dying to show it to all you viewers!
The tune, interpreted by Kylie Minogue and Sonu Niigaam, shows Kylie at a club dancing in a flashy dress while Akshay Kumar drops onto the stage and dances with her. So without further ado, check out the song promo entitled "Chiggy Wiggy" and tell us if it gets you moving to the beat.

Courtesy: desihits.com

Rahman’s Blue on T-Series

The music of the mega-budget Blue has been bought by T-Series (Hindi language rights). The film is produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd. and directed by Anthony D’Souza.

This action-packed adventure movie stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan and Rahul Dev. Katrina Kaif and Kylie Minogue make special appearances in “item” songs.
The music is by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Mayur Puri, Abbas Tyrewala.

Courtesy: screenindia.com

Kylie Minogue thrilled to work with AR Rahman

Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue says she was thrilled to work with Oscar winning music director AR Rahman in Bollywood film Blue. The 40-year-old singer plays herself in the film, and also performs a set-piece song-and-dance routine in the underwater thriller starring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Katrina Kaif.


"It was an incredible experience (to work with AR Rahman),” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying. "I met AR Rahman at the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards (in London last month). I couldn't believe I was doing a song with him in Bollywood so soon after," she added.


The film is about a sunken treasure ship and is said to have been inspired by the Hollywood production, The Deep. On being asked if she would like to be a part of some of the Bollywood movies in future, Minogue said she would certainly consider.


"I got a lot of love here. Right now this feeling is just sinking in but certainly in future I will do more if I get the chance,” she said. "I didn't know much of Hindi but it does not matter because everyone was very cooperative and I had fun and joy. I Wanted to be part of Bollywood for a while and it was great opportunity that came by," she added.


Courtesy: oneindia.in

Fame takes its toll on Rahman

The past year which spawned about a dozen Hindi and Tamil soundracks, and the whirlwind Slumdog Millionaire experience and its culmination with the Oscars, has taken its toll on the music maverick from Madras’ genius’ health. According to close friends of the composer, since his return home after the Oscars, Rahman has been very unwell, so much so that he had to cancel a scheduled trip to London last Friday night. 


Work back home has also been suffering. Rahman was not able to complete the song that was filmed on Sanjay Dutt, Kylie Minogue, Akshay Kumar and Zayed Khan in Film City for Blue. And, reportedly, a scratch recording is being used for the shooting. Confirming these developments, director Anthony D’Souza said, “It’s true. But what a song! Even a scratch recording by Rahman is worth far more than the final recording of many other composers.” 


Rahman fell ill and was bed-ridden this week, thereby further putting behind his pending assignments. “I’ve returned from LA to complete three film assignments — Mani Ratnam’s film, Shankar’s Robot and Blue. And then I’ve to go back to Hollywood,” said Rahman. He admitted that the song that Kylie Minogue danced to in Mumbai with Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar and the rest of the cast for Blue was actually a rough cut. “I’ll finish it soon,” he said. “I’m in Chennai for two weeks. Then I return to LA.” The question is, what happens to the pending assignments back home?


Courtesy: timesofindia.com

Kylie Minogue To Sing For Indian Musician A.R. Rahman

Popular Australian singer Kylie Minogue has been roped in by A.R. Rahman, one of India's best known composers to sing for a movie called "Blue." The song will feature in the film which stars many Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta.
Reports suggest that Minogue will be paid a hefty amount for this song, which will be composed by Rahman. The recording is expected to happen next month after Minogue lands in India with her entire troupe. The singer is also expected to be featured in the video of the song.
It is still not clear if Rahman will just be composing, or singing with her as well.
Rahman has just won a Golden Globe nomination for his score in "Slumdog Millionaire" - a first for Indian music.


Courtesy: allheadlinenews.com

International pop star to sing for AR Rahman

Kylie Minogue, the international pop star, will croon for the first time for ace Indian music director AR Rahman. It may be noted that earlier Madonna was approached but she could not confirm her participation due to her ongoing divorce. Kylie Minogue has reportedly been paid Rs. 5 crores for this deal.

The song will be shot for the Bollywood film Blue, which stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt and Lara Dutta, probably in Hollywood. It is expected that Kylie will visit India sometime in January 2009 for the song recording. The budget of Blue has so far touched Rs. 130 crores, minus Kylie's pay and other expenses.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com