Friday, August 22, 2008

Maalai Ilam Manathil - Aval Oru Pachai Kulanthai

~~Aval Oru Pachai Kulanthai is de first movie for director S.A. Chandrasekar. S.N.Surendar's first song in Raaja sir's composition {according to him, however, websites may say some other movie...(wink)} and for Soba Chandrasekar as well. After anyone's first listen, they may say that this song sounds like some L.R.Eswari's song for Shridhar sir's movie and should be composed by MSV {smile}.

I just got obsessed to dis
song {at least in de recent days} because of its core melody and orchestra arrangement. I am afraid my vicinity is completely filled wid dis song. Magnitude of this song is its freshness/color, which brings de retro ambiance {say late 70's} because of de usage of Classical guitar {eh?}, Acoustic guitar, Accordion, Bangos, Congos, Drums played with brush, Guiro (scratches my soul) was extensively used throughout de song, Moog synth, Clarinet and Piccolo.

Though, a Classical guitar initiates dis song wid Moog synth accompaniments in de prelude, Accordion steals de spotlight {mabbie de reason, it is not being used very often nowadays other than instant mesmerizing melody played through it}. I always stunned at our composer's timing/calculative usage of orchestra. Scintillating Classical guitar and charismatic Accordion take de responsibility of prelude, which were used as more like for coda at 1st interlude {wid Piccolo} and 2nd interlude respectively. Similarly, usage of striking Piccolo at 1st interlude and pleasing clarinet at 2nd interlude are elegant.

~~Another interesting factor is last word of charanams continue wid pallavi, which is an avant-garde factor {even today}. It has been attempted in very few songs only, I guess {smile}.

1st charanam ends like Ithu than indruuu “Maalai Ilam Manathil “…

2nd charanam ends like Vazhvellam sugam aarambam aagumm "Maalai Ilam Manathil..." {pallavi again wid vocal harmony of de lead singers}.

Ins and outs: Somehow, its core-melody reminds me Maalai nerathu mayakkam and Naanamo naanamo. It has very Raajish presentation, though.

Vazhvellam sugam thodarum with Raaja sir's such haunting compositions...

always

~~Raaja rules!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I am not attached to titles: Raaja sir

COIMBATORE: Ilayaraja, the acclaimed music director, said he was not attached to titles that had ‘‘no meaning’’. Explaining why he chose to write the two Tamil books, Venpa Nanmalai and Gnana Ganga, that were released at a function here on Sunday, he said he was not responsible if people called him a Raga Devan, Isai Gnani or a saint.

‘‘I am not attached to any title. I want them to be abolished,’’ said an emotionally surcharged Ilayaraja, who had slowly drifted into spirituality after enthralling Tamils with his film music for a few decades. ‘‘Please do not compare me with saints
like Vallalar and Ramanar,’’ he pleaded, adding such comparison was an insult to them.

He said he had written the books for those commoners who had no formal education like him and thereby could not understand the classic Tamil literature. ‘‘I neither write for me nor for you nor with the intention of changing the world,’’ he remarked. Poets Sirpi, Puviarasu, M Metha, P Chidambaranathan, Palani Barathi, Muthulingam, Karunanidhi and others offered felicitation.

Source: newindpress

Comment: Raaja sir, for you Vallalar and Ramanar are great saints, however, for me ya're a great Saint! En Swamiji!!!

always

~~Raaja rules!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Raaja sir in Guiness Book



~~Almost 10 years before I read an article, which said Raaja sir was credited in Guiness book of world records by early of 90's, however, it is highly embarrassing that none of the websites reveal/confirm about this. Anuradha sriram confirmed it in a couple of her interviews {TV/Radio}. Eventually, Thank god, I was invited to an astounding blog by Mr.Mohan Jayaraman {Emjay} wherein Thesis of Anuradha sriram - "Ilayairaja: Composer as phenomenon in Tamil Film Culture" has been posted. It reveals that Raaja sir's record was credited in the Guiness Book of World Records for music composed for more than 600 films in five languages within 16 years. So, this is de only proof for Raaja sir's name credited in Guiness Book Of World Records...!!!

blog:
http://7swara.blogspot.com/2008/06/thesis-on-isaignani.html

always
~~Raaja rules!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Funky Wah-Wah effect


Wah-Wah effect:

Guitar, which would have a Wah-wah pedal to produce that unique mimic sound.

Definition from wiki:

A Wah-wah pedal (wah pedal) is a type of guitar effects pedal that alters the tone of the signal to create a distinctive effect, intended to mimic the human voice.

Eric Clapton first played wah-wah with Cream on "Tales of Brave Ulysses" on the Disraeli Gears album and used it for both background riffs and an extended solo on "White Room". Also, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin did use it for their compositions.

As Manirathnam said, Raaja sir's compositions are the point wherein east meets west. I personally feel Raaja sir has influence of Jimi Hendrix in HIS 80's disco/peppy compositions.

* A couple of seconds at prelude of Voodoo Chile with wah wah effect strongly reminds the wah-wah effect at prelude of "Senyorita I love you" from Johnny.

* "Senyorita I love you" has prelude with solo "wah-wah effect" through electric lead guitar alike Voodoo Chile/ Voodoo child does. My point is Raaja sir had not replicated the same chord of Wah-Wah effect as in Voodoo Chile/ Voodoo child, however, he did attempt the idiom of prelude with solo Wah-Wah effect. That's it.

* In the movie Indru poi naalai vaa. A scene starts with synth/organ chord makes morning ambience. Once "Ennaththa kannaiyya" pops out from the ditch, Wah-Wah effect had been made through pedals.

* In the Kannada Movie - Pallavi Anu Pallavi {Priya O Priya (tamil)}, when Anil shows the hidden snaps of Deepti Naval, funky Wah-wah effect was made in its pedal through Electric Lead Guitar.

* Even, in the songs - 2nd interlude of Ithu oru nila kaalam from Tik Tik Tik & theme music of the same movie have Wah-wah effect.

* Netru intha neram from Presto kinda string orchestra originates this interlude with Wah-wah pedal, which continues to accompaines jazzy piano.

* Interludes of Panivizhum malarvanam & Neethane en pon vasantham from Ninaivellam Nithya have Wah-wah effect.

* Kavidhai paadu kuyile kuyile is supposed to be a soft rock song, which has stunning usage of bass guitar and flanging effects & Wah-wah effects.

Ratchasan {Tamil} or Rakshasudu {Telugu}:

* Nee mutham thanthal inikkum or Nee Meeda Naaku: It has accentuated beats throughout the song with stunning bass guitar & Wah-wah pedal effects.

* Accha Accha's prelude has mind-blowing jazz rhythm with cymbol and spin & span harmony by Janaki amma and choir or her echo effect {eh?} would steal de melody. It has interesting brass arrangement, synth chords and Wah-wah pedal effects.

* Hey naugthy {even in thamizhil also, Hey naugthy} has very rock structure: At 2nd interlude, bass guitar & Wah-wah effect with synth chord, which transfers to drum machine with funky sounds are so peppily peppily rock elements!

Mela Mela from Nirnayam: String orchestra arrangement at 1st interlude gives new color to the song whereas funky wah-wah effect of electric lead guitar through pedal at 2nd interlude gives more pep to the song.

So does many funk, Pop & Disco numbers of Him have the funky usage of Wah-Wah effect through Electric Lead guitar.

always

~~Raaja rules!