The Unheard Years : Raja in the mid 90s

[app_engine]

Sureshji,
Like I mentioned once before - there are songs where at least one great singer compensates for the not-so-great-companion (EdhO mOgam EdhO dhAgam) and the greatness is retained.

And in others, the background orch is phenomenal that mind switches off the singer part (kARRaikkonjam niRkachchonnEn).

'arumbum thaLirE' does not belong to either of these groups, IMHO.

Great melody but sumAr orchestration overall, adhilum the most difficult section for me in the saraNams are where rAsA almost switches off instruments and let the singer alone, to completely bare their inadequacy...

BTW, I have never heard the tablA version before, which is much superior (compared to the man-woman duet)...

[kiru]

..
Great melody but sumAr orchestration overall, adhilum the most difficult section for me in the saraNams are where rAsA almost switches off instruments and let the singer alone, to completely bare their inadequacy..

I think that was not the intention The last line is pretty bare just with a few bass plucks mainly to contrast with the onrush of the string section in the pallavi.
These sort of songs - low and high end of the scales are better sung by highly trained singers. No wonder, UnniK makes a difference in the tabla version.
In general, I have a weakness for the orchestra that I am able to ignore mediocre singing and synths and enjoy. Another synth song, that all of us love that way is - thenRal vanthu theendum pOthu.
BTW, the same synth instruments and phrases are used in the JaganMohini songs, more fast-paced and recorded at a higher volume level than here for the instruments, making it sound "thin".

Try listening here - http://www.hummaa.com/music/album/chandralekha/37249

[app_engine]

I think that was not the intention

kuRumbu!