Roja was my benchmark, says A R Rahman

A meeting between two musical geniuses was in the making but fate cancelled it. Composer A R Rahman, two days before he won two Oscars forSlumdog Millionaire, had received an e-mail invitation from late pop singer Michael Jackson to discuss projects. Rahman talks about Jackson, spirituality and the film that set off his career with CNN-IBN’s Rajeev Masand on To Catch A Star.

Rajeev Masand: May I start by asking you, at an average, how much time do you get to sleep these days? I know that you are committed to doing a lot of work both in India and in America, do you have enough time to really rest?

A R Rahman: I need to sleep, otherwise I fall ill the next day, at least six to seven hours, but sometimes it's in installments.

Rajeev Masand:When you keep the Oscars at home, does everyone want to look at it, touch it?

A R Rahman: I have not seen it for ages. I don't know where it is. It's somewhere in the building I guess.

Rajeev Masand: You have always said that healthy arguments with your directors and lyricists often result in the creation of some very good music. I am guessing after the Oscars no one really wants to argue with you anymore, no one really disputes your suggestions anymore.

A R Rahman: I don't know if it works that way. Because in the interest of any big films, there's always an argument and a vision which is most the director's and if you are sensible you have to go through with that vision. You can't say, "I have written a beautiful song, fitted in the movie, I don't care."

Rajeev Masand: There is a popular perception even amongst your greatest fans that Jai Ho and the music of Slumdog Millionaire isn't necessarily your best music.

A R Rahman: They are not giving me the Oscar for my life, they are giving it for the film and that particular moment the film came in and how different the music and the whole theme was for the film. I am really proud about Slumdog Millionaire’s music andJai Ho

Rajeev Masand: You have always said that you wouldn't like your commitments here in India to be affected by the work that you want to do outside. And yet the first casualty of success turned out to be Rajiv Menon's film Dhun, he is an old friend of yours, but you are unable to do his film?

A R Rahman: It's a bullet which I have to take and had to give him also. His film is very musically demanding and it requires 24 x 7 attention. I can't give a tune through Internet for that film and I didn't want to stop his film in anyway by delaying. I think he is a great filmmaker. He is like a mini Raj Kumar for me. I am sure he is going to come up with really great film and music.

Rajeev Masand: Did you break his heart?

A R Rahman: I don't know. But I needed to take a stand somewhere, I needed to make a choice of not annoying people. But of course there is always a next time and better things are going to happen.

Rajeev Masand: I am sure that you had chance to look at your biography that was published recently?

A R Rahman: I didn't see much of it because but I have heard of different comments passed by people, good and bad about it.

Rajeev Masand: I think your fans are quite eager to know your reaction to the book especially it was fairly critical of you as well. It did speak about you having abandoned your family after you converted to Islam, it spoke about you having abandoned old band mates?

A R Rahman: I wouldn't say that is true because once I seriously started getting into music, I became spiritual, I wouldn't visit my own sister (laughs) and sometimes music needs that. You can't be everything. And a particular time in life comes in when you can compensate.

Like Gandhi, (I am not comparing myself with Gandhi), but for Gandhi the nation was important, for me the music is important.

Rajeev Masand: The book says you abandoned your band mates, the moment Mani Ratnam signed you for Roja There is a critical view of you. It even talks about references to black magic and voodoo. Did you fee betrayed by this book?

A R Rahman: No, I don't want to hide any of my past. There was an incidence in my family about my father. Lot of people believed that he was killed in black magic. So when you are a child you tend to believe everything. And then my overwhelming spiritual thirst made me vanish all the stuff and now I am clean. I am following the Sufi path and I don't care about anything. About the band, it was supposed to be a temporary band.

There was never a thing like I would have to leave my life to come and play in the band. It was a fun thing. We did one number for an album and I became busy in Roja and my band mates were impatient because they wanted to finish the album. So I said if you are impatient please go ahead because I had taken up something, which doesn't come to every individual. I had the best film director asking me for music. I wanted to give my hundred per cent to the film. However, all of them are living their successful lives today.

Rajeev Masand: The acclaimed playback singer S P Balasubramaniam has a complaint. He says that Rahman has very little regard for language and pronunciation. He is happy to use singers from the North to sing Tamil songs, as long as the tune is fine, he doesn't mind very much the words and language or the accent is mutilated often.

A R Rahman: Not every time. Sometimes it’s good to have something funky. Not for the shake of hurting anything but for entertainment sake but that shouldn't become a habit.

Rajeev Masand: Your music for the film Blue is your first album right after the Oscars.

A R Rahman: It's probably the first time I am doing a film like this which is an entertainer and which is about underwater, so the music naturally became fast and beat oriented but we have tried maintain a balance between making sense of melody speed.

Rajeev Masand: You recorded a track with Kylie Minogue for this film.

A R Rahman: It was the wholesome effect of Kylie Minogue they wanted to have in the film. They wanted her to dance and feature in the film in a small part. And she also wanted that to happen for a long time. So she found it a great opportunity. And strangely, she gave me the BAFTA Awards, and next day we recorded the song.

Rajeev Masand: Are you a fan of her music?

A R Rahman: I do like stuff of hers, she is a really lovely person.

Rajeev Masand: It's popularly and very justifiably believed that some of your best work is with Mani Ratnam. You started with him with Roja and Raavan is your eleventh collaboration with him?

A R Rahman: I think so.

Rajeev Masand: What can we expect?

A R Rahman: I am looking forward to this movie because it is turning out to be a very interesting movie.

Rajeev Masand: Your son recently sang for the film Kapil's Retreat, the American film, which you have composed the score for. He has also sung before for Bose, The Forgotten Hero

A R Rahman: No not for Bose

Rajeev Masand: Which was then?

A R Rahman: It was an animation film, which is still a work in progress and the other song is also work in progress. He (son) is getting musical slowly. I just played him the track and he started singing something, which I recorded and happen to use it. In just a very small portion of the song.

Rajeev Masand: Your daughter has sung for Mangal Pandey as well. What's it like working with your kids?

A R Rahman: They have to be programmed in a way, they have to be told what to do and what not to do.

Rajeev Masand: Your music for Delhi 6 is probably your best since Rang De Basanti. What's your favourite song on that sound track?

A R Rahman: Most of them, Rahena Tu, Maula.

Rajeev Masand: Danny Boyle has bought the rights to Suketa Mehta's book Maximum City. Are you committed to scoring that?

A R Rahman: I spoke to Danny but I didn't hear anything about this. But definitely, it's going to be a very interesting film I guess.

Rajeev Masand: You met Michael Jackson shortly after the Oscars. Tell us about that meeting. He has been your influence in your growing years.

A R Rahman: I was supposed to meet Michael in 1999 but because of his mishap in a concert, I couldn't meet him. After nine years, when I went to Los Angeles, my agent said, “I am gonna meet Michael Jackson's manager”. So I just told him, "can I meet him." He said he would email and see if Michael wanted to meet me. So three or four days before the Oscars, we got an email saying Michael Jackson wanted to meet me. So I went to meet him after winning the Oscars. I thought the meeting would be five minutes but it lasted for two hours.

We talked about my music and how I had written them and that how India adored Michael Jackson. Then he called me saying why don't you do something like We Are The World and you conduct the whole thing. I was shocked. Before getting into that he started going to rehearsals for the This Is It concert and the next thing you hear that he is dead. It was a real shocker.

Rajeev Masand: In your first film album Roja was declared by Time magazine as one of the best film soundtracks of all time, how different is the experience of making music now. Has the process changed very much now?

A R Rahman: Roja was my benchmark. I told Mani Ratnam that this was what I wanted to achieve. He helped me do that in a way, patiently waiting and giving productive inputs. So that continues even now. Today, it's easier to put across my musical vision to musicians because they have heard my music. It was difficult to do that in the initial years. People are more thoughtful that ways. They are doing well.

Rajeev Masand: Thank you so much for doing us proud and speaking to us.

Courtesy: ibnlive.in.com

Rahman becomes Oscar juror

Seven months after winning two Oscar titles, A R Rahman will take on a new role as a voting member for the Academy Awards — from next year. The music composer is one of the 134 artistes to have received an invitation to join the Oscar roster of voting members for 2009.

Rahman has received an invite from the Board of Governors, considering his contribution to music — in recognition of his score in the films Slumdog Millionaire and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

The 43-year-old ‘Mozart of Madras’ was unavailable for comment, but sources close to him confirmed that Rahman would join the 6000-plus voters of the elite list for the Oscars from next year. With this, Rahman will be in the company of Will Smith, Quentin Tarantino, Jack Nicholson and Mira Nair to choose the winners of the most famous international awards.

Membership for the academy voters roster is limited, and open only by invitation. Those who have been nominated for the Oscars are eligible to be on the voters list. Joining Rahman this year are Casey Affleck, Hugh Jackson, apart from Peter Gabriel, who was Rahman’s contender in the Best Original Song category.

Rahman, who won an Oscar each for Best Musical Score and Best Song this year for Slumdog Millionaire, has now signed on a complete Hollywood project, Couples Retreat, apart from working on an international short film with Shekar Kapur, A Night of Passage. He is said to be eyeing more Hollywood projects.

Courtesy:expressbuzz.com

Akshay Kumar and John Abraham team up for a midair action thriller

Blue director, Tony D'Souza, is not letting the grass grow under his feet before launching his next action film, headlining Akshay Kumar who has wowed the director.

The debutant director is bubbling with excitement, and as with Bluethinking big, he plans breathtaking midair stunts in the deserts of Las Vegas for his next project. Taking a cue from what we have heard about Blue, the audiences can look forward to an exhilarating adrenalin rush from the director and two of Bollywood's best action heroes.

The action lover Akshay has been on board for this project right from its conception. Tony visualizes Abraham to be a perfect fit for this kind of action film.

"Akshay was on board for this project right from the start. After Blue, I couldn't dream of making a film without him. As for John, with his physique and body language, it's strange for him to have not done a full-on action film in all these years," said Tony.

Blue producers, Shree Ashtavinayak, will produce the film. AR Rahman, who has scored music for Blue, has consented to team up with Tony again.

The film will go in pre-production next year.

Courtesy:sawfnews.com

Gautham Menon ropes in Dileep

Tamil film genius Gautham Menon has cast actor Dileep in one of the three films that he will be directing the next year. AR Rahman will be the music composer for the film. It promises to be an entertainer and the rest of the details are yet to be divulged.

Dileep is currently acting in Swantham Lekhakan, which also happens to be the comeback movie of the actress Gopika. He also has other projects at hand like Papi Appacha and another with director Kamal which will have Telugu actress Charmi in a key role in the movie. Kamal's movie was to feature Mamta Mohandas with Dileep, but things taken a different turn and Charmi has replaced her in that slot.


Dileep is slowly delving into his capabilities as a complete artiste, rather than as a comedian and Gautham Menon's offer is a indicator in that direction.

Courtesy: oneindia.in

Title singer changes for Rajini

Superstar Rajinikanth has one of most enviable fan following in the industry. His punch dialogues and style of acting has wooed many people across the globe.

One of the highlights of his movies are the title songs which have been targeted at the masses. These songs have usually been sung by popular playback singer SP Balasubramanyam.

However there seems to be a change in the latest Rajni flick 'Yanthram'. Sources indicate that it will be the talented and fusion based singer Hariharan who will render his voice to the title song composed by A R Rahman.

Well let us see the impact of Hariharan’s voice for Rajini this time.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Title singer changes for Rajini

Superstar Rajinikanth has one of most enviable fan following in the industry. His punch dialogues and style of acting has wooed many people across the globe.

One of the highlights of his movies are the title songs which have been targeted at the masses. These songs have usually been sung by popular playback singer SP Balasubramanyam.

However there seems to be a change in the latest Rajni flick 'Yanthram'. Sources indicate that it will be the talented and fusion based singer Hariharan who will render his voice to the title song composed by A R Rahman.

Well let us see the impact of Hariharan’s voice for Rajini this time.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Rahman's brief on Jai Ho - images

Jai Ho Live concert – Joy of giving
The Jai Ho concert will be held at MARG Sawrnabhoomi on the East Coast Road (ECR), after Mahabalipuram, in Chennai on October 11th.
The proceeds from the programme will be utilized to provide education for deprived children. This is an initiative taken by A R Rahman Foundation and the Shakti Foundation for the welfare of the underprivileged.
The MARG Swarnabhoomi is gearing up to launch the mega event on October 11, 2009 at 6 p.m. A 10000 sq ft stage will be constructed with light and sound facility and LED walls and an array of pyrotechnics is all set to make it a one of its kind event.
Plenty of parking space also will be made available for the event. There will be parking space for 800 buses, 5000 cars and10000 two wheelers.
Around 80 performers and top guns in the music field like Hariharan, Sivamani, Sadhana Sargam, Blaaze, Benny Dayal, amongst other celebrated artistes will perform on stage.
At the press meet today, October 1, 2009, Mr. GRK Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, MARG Group said, “We are very happy to be associated with the music genius A R Rahman and the Shakti Foundation for such a great cause. A R Rahman has made Chennai and every Indian proud not just by winning the Oscar, but also for his outstanding contributions to the music world. Through this concert, it‘s our great pleasure to bring his music to the music lovers of Chennai, and in our own humble way, this would be Chennai’s way of felicitating the great maestro.”








Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Chennai gears up for Rahman’s live concert

A R Rahman’s live concert, Jai Ho, is scheduled to be held on October 11, 2009 from 6.00 p.m. The concert will be held at the MARG Swarnabhoomi site on ECR after Mahabalipuram.
Organized by MARG, the concert is aimed at raising funds for ‘The Shakti Foundation’ and in support of the A R Rahman Foundation. Madras Transport Corporation has also announced free bus rides for fans to and from the venue that start from various locations and snake through the city touching various important pick points.
Transport will be available at the following points:
Parrys Corner
MGR Samathy
Central
Saidapet
Guindy
Anna Nagar
Vadapalani
CIT Nagar
Airport
Pallavaram
Tambaram
Medavakkam
Adyar - Gandhi Nagar
Adyar - Indra Nagar
Thiruvanmiyur
Velacherry & OMR
MARG Office, Sholinga
Guduvancheri
Chengalpattu /kancheepuram
Mathuranthagam
Melvaruvathur
Dindivanam
Pondi
Marakaman
Mamallapuram
Kalpakkam
Tirukalikundram
Ticket Details

Donor Pass Rs 5,000
Donor Pass Rs 2000
Donor Pass Rs 3,000
Donor Pass Rs 1000
Donor Pass Rs 500
General Seating Rs 300
Student Pass Rs 200

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Couples Retreat Music Review

Couples Retreat – Wordlessly mind-boggling

If A.R. Rahman had proved off his extraordinary adeptness on Indian touch with ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, he strikes marvelously with complete Hollywood-fangled melodies. The tunes are stunningly melodic and indeed aptly sound in accordance with film’s title ‘Couples Retreat’. The original soundtrack of ‘Couples Retreat’ has 15 melodies with uniquely spelled attributes.

SAJNA… SAJNA Re

Just heed to the fortepianos and mild-strike of chord with crystal-chimes accompanying them. Rahman adds to the Indianized touch by adding the Hindi word ‘Sajna Sajna Re…’ The English lyrics are mesmerizingly touching and perhaps, the western people wouldn’t have listened to such an appealing melody.

KURU KURU…

Vocal: A.R. Rahman

Fine! After uttering ‘Ellam Pugazhum Iraivan Oruvanukke’ – it’s one more turn to express his gratitude for his TAMIL. The song starts off with slow-rhythms of 6/8 March on soft-guitars later with slow-stringed running notes. The Tamil lyrics tuned in complete Hollywood style happen to be the best flavors. Totting up to the best panoramas is the unique-patterned rhythm on scissors. Sound engineering has been marvelously performed… Doubtlessly, KURU KURU is the best pick of soundtrack.

Jason and Cynthia Suite

Realms of stringed instruments as it keep playing on various octaves. The melodic notes are played on solo guitar and Cello joins the instrumentation in latter part. Merely after couple of minutes, the song is shifted to higher scales and it goes on with same notes. Trombones and oboes are played in final part. Moreover, it’s the best song that sweeps all on your senses.

NANA

It’s a Spanish-styled hip-hop with Blaaze’s specific vocalisms on rap lines. The beats over the synchronized drum pads keeps repeating while fill-ins over Brasses and trumpets over synthesizers does takes you straight into those ambiences.

TOUR OF THE VILAS

If you ever spellbound listening to ‘SAJNA SAJNA’, Rahman delivers the same tune over instrumentals. All through the track, the scales are raised and lowered. Beats over Congo-drums with vibes mingled in makes it sound yet more embellished. More than all, Rahman has utilized more instruments on various parts, say, like cymbals, solo violin, flute and pan flutes.

MEETING MARCEL

Sounds quite unique from previous numbers… It offers the touch of meditational relaxation music with the style of percussions inherited from Tai Chi. the melodiously refreshing tune suddenly transforms into an emotional genre with flutes, cellos, violins and other stringed instruments coalesced on the parts. We get to hear orchestral-hits here and there.

ITINERARY

Starts off with overpowering instrumentations over percussions, keyboards and stringed ones… Rahman has to thank his music supervisor John O’Brien for having engineered the entire group with such grandeur. Finally, after the fast-rushing instrumentals, you’ve Rahman’s vocalism echoing on higher tone.

UNDRESS

Wow! This is the prettiest work that any music lover would’ve heard. On the beginning note, we have Mridangam, veena taking off with predominance later with sync-bass. A perfect ‘Jugalbandhi’ treat for everyone.

SHARKS

The track has some traces of previous number MEETING MARCEL and the notes are almost the same. Precisely, it would be more appealing with the visuals on screens.

LUAU by John O’Brien

Making it blissfully done over the sound supervising, John O’Brien scores on his show with country music with 12-string acoustic guitars. The running beats on Congo-drums make an impressive sound.

SALVADORE

The song sounds much similar to Tamil song ‘Jumbhalaka’ that has the prelude starting off with Arabic intonation. The song has guitars and beats played on similar touch. As well, it has similarities with Rahman’s previous score for ‘Mein Alabeli’ in ‘Zubeida’.

INTERVENTION

The maestro roars again! Of course, put your best verdicts for the brilliant orchestration of symphony based track. Rahman’s vocalism on higher pitch emblazons it stunningly. If our guesses are right, the track should precisely be inserted somewhere during emotional sequences.

The Waterfall

Sounds to be a romantic track with guitars and slow-stringed instruments on show with dominance of flute in initial parts….

JASON AND CYNTHIA – PIANO THEME

The track doesn’t differ from the previous version in any vistas. Rahman trenchantly brings the mix of various soft instruments of piano, guitar and violin. The slow stringed chords do accompany right throughout the song.

ANIMAL SPIRITS

The musical track of ‘Couples Retreat’ winds-up with ‘Animal Spirits’ that has astoundingly marvelous score. It’s a track brimmed with full of high-spirited delight. So are the beats and instruments with perfect blend. The middle part has slow-running orchestrated stringed instruments while, again the last 20 seconds get back to the same cheerful touch.

Final Take:

Trust us! if ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was Rahman’s ticket to Hollywood, ‘Couples Retreat’ has more probabilities of making it big for more fetes again. Especially the songs, ‘Sajna Sajna’ and ‘Kuru Kuru’ are sure to create sensational ripples all over the global market.

Cast & Crew:

Produced: John Isbell, Micah Mason, Udi Nedivi, Guy Riedel, Sandra J. Smith, Scott Stuber, Victoria Vaughn, Vince Vaughn

Music: A.R. Rahman

Cinematography: Eric Alan Edwards

Cast: Kristen Bell, Malin Akerman, Jason Bateman, Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Ken Jeong, Kristin Davis, Jean Reno, John Michael Higgins, Faizon Love

Director: Peter Billingsley

Writers: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn

Genre: Comedy

Verdict: Stunning, spellbinding and beautiful

Courtesy:cinefundas.com

Listening 'Passage'

Shekhar Kapur’s “Passage” (an A.R.Rahman musical in a way, the only moment there is no music behind is when a character says “the music has stopped”) opens with most unlikely sound for a film set in Venice - A Saarangi. Also in Shekhar Kapur’s “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, Rahman used the same instrument for the track “Divinity theme”. So, we don’t know whether it really is Rahman’s choice or Shekhar Kapur’s. The melody that is played on Saarangi could have been easily replaced by a cello, while Saarangi is pitched higher, a cello if pitched lower playing the same melody would have yielded the same effect. With a Cello, it would have easily sounded European grounded in the soil where the story takes place.

We may also need to completely understand the intensity of emotions that are on display here – loss, separation, reconciliation - to understand why the loudness is. How big the loss is? How long they have been separated? What this reunion means to them? Only if all these questions are clearly answered and understood, one can understand the loudness of the emotion put on display with the Saarangi. Only a non-Indian who has never heard the sound of ‘Saarangi’ before can say what it did to him while listening to it with the visuals. So, while I am sure that it is great music as a stand-alone track, I am not sure if it is a great score. But I must admit that this piece is such an important narrative tool for Shekhar Kapur without which it wouldn’t have been possible for him to convey what he wanted to in a short time. With just the sound of Saarangi you get that there was something devastating that “happened in the future” of those 3 little girls merrily playing there on the streets.

The very sound of Saarangi has a feel of longingness in it which is much louder and instantly striking than that of a Cello. But adding a universal touch

COUPLES RETREAT – MUSIC REVIEW

I didn’t quite like the vocals in Sajna (which I believe is done by Vince Vaughn, he is supposed to have recorded a song for the movie), mainly due to the corny lyrics, but Rahman’s mesmerizing arrangement is more than enough to have you hooked to the track. The big surprise comes in the next track. How often do you get to hear Tamil song playing in a Hollywood soundtrack? Well here is one for you, Rahman crooning a chirpy Kuru Kuru set to a mildly folksy orchestration. A really addictive track this one, as I am discovering at this precise moment (thanks to a close friend for deciphering the lyrics). Jason and Cynthia Suite on the other hand begins on a more solemn note, Rahman employing all his orchestral splendour to a gradual buildup over three minutes before springing a surprise mode change to a more folksy segment led by the flute for the next two minutes. Nana which comes next, has a lot of tribal sounding words interspersed with rap in a carnivalesque track. I couldn’t discern Blaaze’s voice among the rappers. And I think the kid’s voice belongs to Rahman’s son Alim who had reportedly recorded a song in this movie.
In spite of a slight resemblance to Jaage Hai’s orchestral sequence in its grand opening, Tour of the Villas is an absolute treat, an instrumental and more elaborately orchestrated version of Sajna. Strangely enough for a minute-long segment in between the song goes into a karaoke mode without a leading tune, just the backing instruments playing on. Of course that takes no credit off this short and sweet track. Meeting Marcel, the next track, is a spiritual song, albeit arranged in a sinister manner. While the first half with a folk tinge is dominated by the flute, the latter half taking on a darker tone belongs to the violins. Itinerary is typical background track material rather than something intended for a CD. It is made up of a sequence of different tunes which wouldn’t make much sense unless listened to while watching the movie. Undress sounds very Indian and very nicely so, thanks to the extensive use of ghatam, no negative connotation intended mind you. Lasting just over 1.5 minutes, this track would have been a perfect fit in a movie like Lagaan or Swades. It will be interesting to see how the picturisation of this happens (my interest has nothing to do with the title I assure you!).
Sharks is another mindblowing track albeit a totally classical-oriented one (Puriya Dhanasri/Panthuvarali the raga is I guess). With the violins playing at a frantic pace to an equally frenzied percussion, this song took me back to Rahman’s classic Hai Rama for a moment. Luau refers to a Hawaiian feast. And John O’Brien’s sole score for the movie is quite evocative of the party mood with its very native arrangement. Salvadore is superb fusion, Kailash Kher’s well executed Hindustani tarana (similar to thillana in Carnatic) mixed brilliantly with a Latin/Middle Eastern instrumentation. Intervention is another track marked by its orchestral opulence, and the combo with Rahman’s soulful humming is quite deadly! The result, another totally riveting track.
Similar to Itinerary, The Waterfall also features a collation of varied tunes which would be better viewed than listened to. Rahman produces an elegant reprise to Jason and Cynthia Suite with Jason and Cynthia Piano Theme, cutting down on the orchestral elements and making it more easy on the ear. Things are rounded off with another bouncy track, Animal Spirits, which starts off as a spruced up version of Jason and Cynthia theme but then moves on along a different line for about two minutes where things take a turn, with a revisit to the opening sequence of Tour of the Villas.
After a long hiatus post winning the Oscars suddenly there is a deluge of Rahman songs. While Blue was more commercialised and Passage at a more esoteric one, Couples Retreat combines a bit of both. Honestly I didn’t expect a Rahman soundtrack to displace Passage from the position of his best soundtrack this year, so soon! And now the million dollar question is, will the movie turn out to be worth such a brilliant effort. Hope it does. You can listen to the soundtrack here.
Music Aloud’s rating – 8.5/10
Recommended tracks – Kuru Kuru, Salvadore, Intervention, Tour of the villas, Undress


Courtesy: musicaloud.com

Rajini’s confession!

The Ulaganayagan Kamal 50 show, organized by Vijay TV to honor the achievements of Kamal in the world of cinema raised quite a few eyebrows. The Nehru Indoor Stadium was bursting at its seams with the who’s who of the film fraternity attending the same.
Few interesting occurrences spiced up the event, like the superstar’s confession about where he learnt acting. In his address, Rajini mentioned that during his earlier days, when he worked with Kamal in KB’s movies, the latter tipped him on how amazing an actor Kamal was and that how Rajini should learn the art from him. “From then on, I started observing Kamal in the sets and began to infuse his flavors in my acting. I learnt Kamal’s nuances when I worked with him and tried to bring it in my performance,” Rajini confessed.
He also revealed that he wasn’t comfortable signing up for Robot since the movie was scripted with Kamal in mind. “However, Shankar convinced me that he has made necessary changes and modifications to suit it to my character. Only after deliberations, I decided to take the project,” he added.



Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Listening 'Couples Retreat'

‘Couples Retreat’ is in a way the true entry of A.R.Rahman into Hollywood. He did some stage musicals, there were some Hollywood movies which used his Indian songs, he was a co-composer in ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’ and also it was a movie by an Indian Director, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was never meant to be such a huge success and even A.R.Rahman didn’t believe it was his ‘Ticket to Hollywood’ while working on that movie and moreover it was a movie set in India. But with ‘Couples Retreat’ is none of the above. The world knows who A.R.Rahman is and they expect him to go ‘Jai Ho’ again. Has he?

‘Sajna’ is a breezy romantic ballad done on a template ripped straight out of ‘Dreams on Fire’ (a gem which is yet to get its due) with simple lyrics and a catchy Hindi hook phrase ‘Sajna Re’. Except for that hook, the melody of song sounds simple and too much worked upon as they have tried hard to fit in lyrics for Rahman’s tune. It gets better with vocal harmony countering the main melody and is truly elevated at the end with a soulful string section smoothing the rough edges of the melody. But overall, this song is a very underwhelming start to the soundtrack.

But wait, a full instrumental version of the song comes up in ‘Tour to the Villas’. The melody of the phrase ‘Sajna Re’ is almost the main theme of the movie. The sweeping grandeur of this theme as played on full throttled string section begins the track ‘Tour to the Villas’. I can imagine ‘Tour to the Villa’ being played when the couples enter the ‘Eden Resort’ in an Island and take a tour around the resort checking out what is in store for them. The music just follows them as they move through various sections. The track shifts from the main melody to another beautiful melody played on ‘Erhu’ (a Chinese Spa in the resort or a mediation or Yoga centre??), and to more ambient, soundscape music filled with ethnic percussions and exotic instruments that effectively puts the listeners right in the middle of the mood and space that it wants to create.

There is another main theme in the movie which first appears in the track ‘Jason and Cynitia Suite’. It is a simple, soothing melody oozing romanticism. The melody is introduced in the very beginning on a guitar solo, and then it turns into a guitar concerto with strings joining in and replying to the guitar phrase by phrase. The melody slowly ascends up and turns into a full throttled orchestral piece proving that A.R.Rahman

OST Couples Retreat

Music: A R Rahman
Rating 4.5/5
A first peek into the music of Couple's Retreat was revealed by A R Rahman yesterday through this official facebook post. "The music of my first Hollywood comedy is unveiled! What do you think of it?" he wrote. Since then, his post has been abuzz.
Though the album 'Couples Retreat' Original Motion Picture Soundtrack comprises of 15 tracks and is yet to be released officially (physical/ digital downloads), here's a lowdown on some of the appealing tracks from the album.
The music has a world music appeal to it, and most likely, if you understand it or not, you'll still love it. For instance, Sajna (No, it’s not a Hindi track!) is a soothing English number with beautiful string sections and a resonating chorus line. This is the main soundtrack of the film and one can hear the core melody of this track throughout out the album.
Another gem is Kuru Kuru Kan (Afro Nisha) which is based on good old reggae music and has Rahman singing in Tamil- it's 'chillax' music, easy and going. The track Nana also treads on the same path, but is a lot more common. The best, however, is Salvadore. In this song, Rahman finds a common thread in Hindustani alaaps and Spanish tap dance music through Kailash Kher’s voice – the result is unbelievable.
Among the tracks that instantly hook the listener is Animal Spirits – you might well get transferred to the Caribbean’s! while Luau by John O’Brien may throw you in Hawaii thanks to the fun African rhythms, ukulele and slide guitars.
Other tracks (relatively shorter) like Jason and Cynthia Suite, Tour of the Villa’s, Meeting Marcel, Itinerary, Sharks, Intervention, The Water Fall, Jason and Cynthia Suite Piano theme are equally interesting melodies and are set to an operatic mood – wait till you watch this on screen.
The album credits Rahman as a producer and composer of the 'OST Couples Retreat'. So, these are not songs to which actors ‘shake a leg’. Needless to say, 'soundtracks' offer much larger canvas for composers to play with and Rahman has quite likely made the most of this opportunity.
Music of Couples Retreat truly sets Rahman into the International league. The grand international feel and the impeccably playful sound of this film will definitely find a way to a matured listerners heart. For those into shake-a-leg bollywood songs, will have to go for a walk.
LAST WORD
'Couples Retreat' will certainly enchant Indians accustomed or open to western music. However, feedback from International listeners will give a larger perspective about the soundtracks popularity. Who knows, Rahman may just cast his second global spell!





Courtesy: radioandmusic.com

Hrithik or Aamir in Telugu remake?

The producers of Hindi Ghajini – Allu Aravind and Madhu Mantena – are considering a remake of the Ram Charan Teja starrer Maghadeera in Hindi. The duo are reportedly working on it and trying to obtain the dates of Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, sources say.


Speaking to the IANS, Mantena said, “Yes Allu Aravind and I are remaking Magadheera in Hindi. As for the cast, it’s too early to talk about it. But Magadheera is definitely being planned to be bigger than Ghajini”


It is worth a mention here that in the original, Ram Charan Teja played a dual role, while in the remake two different heroes are being roped in. Wonder what the producers have in mind.






Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Couples Retreat Music Soundtrack

www.couplesretreatsoundtrack.com/

Exclusive: ARR’s ‘Couples Retreat’ tracks unveiled

Come thou art diehard fans of A.R. Rahman. The ‘Madras Mozart’ has all made it with a stupendous musical score for his Hollywood project ‘Couples Retreat’. The musician had expressed his gratitude of uttering few lines in Hindi and Tamil on the dais of Academy Awards, has again rendered his act.

Yeah! Couple of songs in the musical album has a song ‘Sajna’ and a full-length Tamil song ‘Kuru Kuru’. The musical album has 15 tracks with stunning instrumentations of various genres.

1.    Sajna Re

2.    Kuru Kuru – A.R. Rahman

3.    Nana – Rap by Blaaze

4.    Tour of the Vilas

5.    Meeting Marcel

6.    Jason and Cynthia

7.    Itinerary

8.    Undress

9.    Sharks

10.  Luau – John O’Brien

11.  Salvadore

12.  Intervention

13.  The Waterfall

14.  Jason and Cynthia – Piano Theme

15.  Animal Spirits

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Rahman takes Tamil to Hollywood

For the first time in the history of Hollywood, a full-length Tamil song would feature in 'Couples Retreat', thanks to 'Mozart of Madras' A R Rahman.

The number 'Kurukuru Kan....' has been sung by Afro Nisha, whose voice has a striking resemblence to that of Rahman.

The Oscar award winning music composer said a few days back that his music for 'Couples Retreat' would be completely Western but with a touch of Indianess.

"There's no point in doing something I've already done. I've reached a stage where I've to do new things. There're so many avenues to be explored. So Couples Retreat will be their kind of music with my touch, done in my way," Rahman said.

Directed by Peter Billingsley, the comedy revolves around four couples who settle into a tropical island resort for a vacation. While one of the couples is there to work on the marriage, the others fail to realise that participation in the resort's therapy sessions is not optional. It stars actors like Jason Bateman, Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman and Kristen Bell.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com