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We can together sponsor an IR album !!!

Topic started by SR Kaushik (@ elroy.cs.wisc.edu) on Fri Aug 28 13:44:52 EDT 1998.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Guys & gals, I have already put this stuff in one of the therads. But, owing to the poor response, I am starting it as a topic. I am sure if some of us get together, we can sponsor an album of say, IR's great BGM pieces or something like that. I really miss listening to them. I am sure we could raise the funds over a period of time.

Interested people, please respond in this thread. We will have to plan out the details also.

Do visit the page dedicated to this project.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss04.co.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 13:22:59 EDT 1999
  
  bb:
  Because we need to make a start somewhere ! Let me tell you a story that would gladden a skeptic like you -
  
  My best friend in Madras knows a guy who is now in the U.S learning music. This guy supposedly met Elton John in his class and played HTNI/NBW (I don't remember which) and the theme from Bombay. Elton John then goes something, "IR is ok...not too bad. But ARR is really interesting ! Bombay is good work !!!" I lost all respect for EJ after listening to this :-)) This is just to say that I don't expect much - but atleast we would have tried !
  
  
• From: bb (@ compq1.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue May 4 13:27:55 EDT 1999
  
  bombay is definitely not worse compared to htni/nbw.. just his taste..
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss04.co.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 13:33:11 EDT 1999
  
  "Paruvame" would go into my probables list for its interludes alone !
  
  Madhan, konjam take it easy ! If you bombard the CSO like this, you might turn them off ! Alavukku meerinaal Amirthamum nanjaagum ! We should not over-do anything including the introductory letter. It would be like advising them what aspect of WCM they should watch out for - as if they are not aware already ! We should keep the list simple - think about it, they won't have the time or patience to listen to even 3 or 4 songs in a foriegn language.
  
  Arul:
  Aanalum neeng romba strict :-) But that's the approach we should have, as first impressions matter a lot !
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss04.co.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 13:36:47 EDT 1999
  
  C'mon bb, you ought to be able to differentiate between form and class ! Even I am not too impressed with HTNi or NBW. But Bombay....?
  
  
• From: aruLarasan (@ psiphi.umsl.edu) on: Tue May 4 13:38:04 EDT 1999
  
  paruvamE is out of my even proabable list because the drums in the interludes is BAD. that's out of the list.
  
  a digression. i never had any good opinion of elton john (eventhough i admire his piano skills). this anecdote you have narrated reinforces my doubt ...
  
  
• From: bb (@ compq1.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue May 4 13:40:29 EDT 1999
  
  sri..don't force ur ideas on me:) the theme music was a milestone in his career/in recent TFM.
  i would like to see madhan's answers to my qns. (aah, still not able to digest the continuing education part!).
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss04.co.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 13:40:45 EDT 1999
  
  drums in paruvamae ? is there a link to this song on the web so I can check out myself ? I know there is atleast one interlude without any percussion !
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss04.co.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 13:42:20 EDT 1999
  
  bb:
  Is that theme anywhere on the web ? Let me listen to it carefully and then comment again ! I'm pretty sure that ARR will disappoint me ! or will he ? ;-)))
  
  
• From: bb (@ compq1.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue May 4 13:44:37 EDT 1999
  
  ask rex to put it up as an IR song and u won't be disappointed:)))))(just kidding!)
  anyway, that will be a digression..
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss04.co.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 13:49:27 EDT 1999
  
  bb:
  I have heard this theme before - it was definitely lacking something. I don't remember what ! But I am man enuff to admit it if I am wrong. ARR simply lacks the stuff to come up with something that can match or surpass IR in WCM. Let me listen to it again and then I'll let you know. Are you really skeptical enuff not to write down your own list for the CSO ? I'm surprised !
  
  
• From: bb (@ compq1.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue May 4 13:52:46 EDT 1999
  
  yes, i am... looks like this is a quixotic stuff.. anyway, the concept of "introducing IR to western world" never fascinated me.. let him come up with a pukka WC number and release his symphony...
  
  
• From: aruLarasan (@ psiphi.umsl.edu) on: Tue May 4 13:57:26 EDT 1999
  
  bb
  
  i admire you. i request you to keep visiting this page before we make a complete list to send. a skeptic a day keeps distaste away :-)
  
  
• From: SitaRam (@ portal.ameritech.com) on: Tue May 4 14:36:13 EDT 1999
  
  I want to say something. Madhan's cover letter for Kaushik will easily accomplish the goal. Madhan, that letter is brillianlty composed. How did you manage to write that in a lucid manner, simple english and covering all important facets of IR? Madhan your belief in IR and the fact that IR is a rare composer all is said in that wonderful letter. Kaushik, just copy the letter word for word. I would.
  
  Srinath's point about Edho Mogham is what I also feel. I don't fancy that song at all, honestly. I have a good collection of IR CD's, and I have been planning to buy a CD to CD recording system. I can record some excellent numbers, if you gave a few days. Any takers and I can FedEx it to Kaushik.
  
  
  
  
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.22.112) on: Tue May 4 14:43:56 EDT 1999
  
  Sri, Sitaram:
  
  konjam aachcharyama irukku. I am really surprised that "yedho moham" did not enthuse you at all. It, along with "ennullE", takes me to a dreamland of harmony.
  
  
• From: bb (@ compq1.crhc.uiuc.edu) on: Tue May 4 14:46:50 EDT 1999
  
  yes, EdhO mogam is a wonderful song. one of the few songs where the chorus singers are bearable:))) (usually in IR's songs, they are unbearable:) ). The song is typically not a WC song though it is wonderfully composed.
  
  
• From: aruLarasan (@ psiphi.umsl.edu) on: Tue May 4 15:45:05 EDT 1999
  
  any improvements?
  
  sithArAm,
  
  can you list the movies or songs you have with you. we might be able to pick out the good ones from them.
  
  shrinAth,
  
  did you listen to O pApA lAli?
  
  
• From: raja (@ ws-209-201-91-35.icon.com) on: Tue May 4 15:46:11 EDT 1999
  
  Hey guys:
  
  More suggestions:
  
  Idhu Oru Nila Kaalam ( for the starting humming)
  Vaa Pon mayile - Poonthalir - for its unsual but definite Indian touch and a great tune.
  
  Chinnakannan azhaikiran - the 2nd interlude where there are 2 flutes which end in a santur.
  
  Am I on the right track of way off??
  
  
• From: SRK (@ nc760.doit.wisc.edu) on: Tue May 4 16:12:55 EDT 1999
  
  First of all, we should not load those guys with tons of songs. Let us begin with a cassette or two atmost. So accommodating all songs you guys talk about is difficult.
  
  As bb pointed out, we must look for numbers that are largely WC. However, I do not agree that pure WCm alone will impress. I think fusion music with more emphasis on WCM will be ideal since it will highlight the fusion aspect also. IMO, the following have large quantities of WCM:
  
  1. I met Bach in my House: HTNI.
  2. Singing Self: NBW; The starting piece of this should rank as an exceptional WC composition.
  3. Mozart, I love you: NBW
  4. Do anything(or Do something?): Quality fusion of Indian folk music and WCM.
  
  Songs:
  1. Whole of Guru except Minnaram Manathu and maybe Thataram - interludes are largely WCM although tunes are Indian.
  
  2. Chandirarum Suriyarum- Avatharam
  3. Enulle enulle - Valli
  4. O Butterfly - Meera
  5. Sundari - Thalapathi
  6. Rakamma - Talapathi (just for catchiness)
  7. O papa laali
  8. O priya priya - for the choir
  
  These songs don't need attentive listening to tell you about their WC aspects.
  
  In addition, most of them have western tunes which I expect these people will more readily identify with.
  
  What's the problem with older songs? other than guitar, most instruments, esp violin, were played by below average performers. The beauty of Paruvame's interludes is hidden by the manner in which it is played.
  
  I think these songs will easily fill in a 60 minute cassette.
  
  The problem with CDs is you cannot filter out stuff. I think this is the way to go.
  
  Some one will have to send me NBW.
  
  I think the above would be most impressive.
  
  bb: I don't think ARR surpassed himself in Bombay theme. I think he did a far better job in Thiruda Thiruda. However, since I doubt the latter's originality(given that he has never repeated this performance although he works for the best directors), I would grant that Bombay Theme is his best effort.
  
  
• From: Srinath (@ ss08.nc.us.ibm.com) on: Tue May 4 16:36:52 EDT 1999
  
  Kaushik:
  Take my word for it, sending them more than 6 songs is going to be a sheer waste of time and effort! We must put ourselves in their boots - I can't imagine a westerner being mesmerized by anything we've listed so far (for that matter, I can't imagine any westerner being mesmerized by anything !). "Enulle" and "Butterfly" are too typical of WCM and that is why I did not include them. We must show something that is different and yet easily recognizable by them. The point that I am trying to make here is that any competent WCM composer could have come up with a number comparable to either "Oh! Butterfly" or "Enulle". Maybe not as good - but definitely along the same lines. 'Whole' of anything is going to bore them ! How can I put this ? I know for a fact that if you try to flood them with IR's music, they are going to be turned off by the sheer number of songs. A very select few songs would interest them enough and we can provide further samples if they as for it. The curiosity factor will be lost if you dump 15-20 songs on them.
  
  "Raakamma Kayya thattu" and "Sundari" are also not good choices because like bb said we don't want them to dump IR into some World Music Section in a music store. These songs will sound weird and alien to them. Tread the middle path - nothing too foreign, nothing too familiar. The latter is also the reason why I do not want HTNI or NBW. How different do you think they will perceive it from the other fusion masters from India that have gained international fame.
  
  My list remains -
  
  1. Poongatru
  2. Katril Endhan Geetham
  3. Chandirarum Suriyarum
  
  and interludes from "Yen Vaanile" and a couple of other songs. You could refer them to HTNI and NBW - but I fear that may slot IR as yet another fusion musician from India :-(
  
  
• From: MS (@ 129.252.22.112) on: Tue May 4 17:40:39 EDT 1999
  
  Sri:
  
  I agree to your (1) and (3), but not (2). The very reason for this being, that the tune is essentially carnatic. I think, they will not appreciate it very much.
  
  You idea of giving then just the cream is definitely acceptable.
  
  SRK:
  
  Oh priya, IMO is not catchy in the interludes at all. One interlude has the violins repeating the same score from the beginning to the end. Regarding Oh paapa laali, it will be better if we get the telegu version rather than the tamil. You have SPB in telegu. Rest of your collection seems to be perfectly acceptavle.
  
  Regards
  
  MS
  
  
  
  

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