Neither I am a huge fan of pure dehaati, folk music (I love my music very well orchestrated, rich in sounds) nor I understand a word of Bihari language. But still, its the universal language of Music that got me hooked to Sneha Khanwalkar & Piyush Mishra's Gangs Of Wasseypur. Gradually, after 4 days, finally i am totally sucked into the awesomeness. So you can understand this delay.
Jiya Ho Bihar ke Lal - is catchy like anything I've heard recently. Having a perfect voice, Manoj Tiwari, and those thumpy beats that transforms with desi twist (nachi gaayi sabke dil..), this, perfectly sets mood for this 'bhaiyya bhaiyya bhaiyya' movie. Reaching towards the conclusion, the song becomes treat in terms of lyrics and vocals.
And a hilarious treat comes next as the Hunter song. This, outrageously addictive song is surely a gem. ;) This 'calypso sounding' 'double meaning' 'lazy feeling' song is somewhat weird yet instantly likeable. Sung by Vedesh, Rajneesh and Munna this one is a killer. Surprise, why the album doesn't have a 'remix' of this. This will burn the floors, surely.
Then suddenly, a nearly 'piercing' voice come up from the speakers. Wondering wtf is this at first, you are sucked into the loop of O womaniya Aaa Aaah womaniya . The live version has minimal arrangements, a live feel of ladies sangeet, with all the 'desi' chorus, and fun lyrics - all these stumps you all over. An earworm for sure. While this 'Live' version has everything in place, the remix version (that is not titled so) has a similar start, but different all over. Still, it works perfectly. The reference to oldies (Neele gagan ke tale especially) is fantstic touch. Whats more? No regular names singing here (Sona, Rekha B., no no) Its Khushboo Raaj & Rekha Jha !! Fab !!! One thing I want to ask to lyricist here, (Varun Grover) Was this 'O Dulhaniya' earlier?
Starting off with dark, really dark sounds, Keh Ke Loonga is a freaky composition. Mixed with (most probably) sirens of the mine works, Sung by two composers, Amit Trivedi and Sneha herself, the song reaches its height with lines 'Jismein ghoosna hai ghoos le, ghoos meri jaan, teri keh ke loonga' !!! Whoa !! (as 'Magik' puts it,) #KVLT !!!
Bhoos !!!! Now, that's the very first thing I asked the meaning of, to my Bihari colleague. (Surprised, that even he was confused first). As far as I knew is 'Bhoos' (also called 'Bhoosa' in local language) means a bunch of grass (a special kind of one). Anyways, so here, Manish J Tipu and Bhupesh takes you in Bihari mohalla music. Do not expect to understand meaning of this one, just have fun singing 'naa mili hai naa mili hai naa mili hai naaaa'.
After all those mad mad tracks, you get surprised by sound of serene sitar. Few seconds in the song and you know its Piyush Mishra's composition. Sung by himself, Ik Bagal Mein chand hoga is his trademark stuff. Simply, moving. And with the sound of tarang and violins it reminds old classics. And the words by Mishraji... Sigh..
Bhaiyya - the track that hasn't gone well with most of the bloggers. It doesn't work like others just because of the lyrics. One hardly understands a word, and that too, only one line repeats throughout. No doubt the composition is quite good, sounds that reminds of a train ! (really!!). At one point, it reminded of Theme of Pardes. Yes, find it out for yourself.
Tain tain to to to ti ti ti taan - yes, have you ever thought a song can be like this ? Well, that's what I call creative freedom. AnKash has given full on freedom to Sneha and see what addictive thing she has come up with. Even the interludes goes in same way - ka ka ki ki ki ku ku ku kaa - wtf !! such a hilarious piece of work. Can't get it out of head.
Soona Kar Ke Gharwa & Humni ke Chhodi Ke both has that distinct desi feel with minimal arrangements. Just Manjeera in first and Harmonium in second one. This reminds me of my childhood when for just few years I lived in a village, had attended such 'concerts' which happened at nights in festival days. Nothing else, but the vocals talk in both of the tracks. A welcome change from all 'Guitared' reprise songs which we used to call 'minimal arrangements'.
Aye Jawanon and Loonga Loonga are almost same tracks, except the later one features the lines Loonga Loonga - in loops, and fast paced (remix, yaaar) beats. Aye Jawanon is just a situational track while Loonga Loonga is a mish-mash with added 'Jhankar Beats'. Still, works well.
And, last one is a real gem. Manmauji composed by Piyush Mishra, is a real gem. It has that simplicity that makes you fall in love with the voice, with the simple arrangements and with the song itself. Sung by Usri Banerjee, Manmauji is something like you have heard it so many times on radio when you grew up, but can't remember what exactly it was. That old world charm led by flute, leads to nostalgia instantly. Another highlight is lyrics that goes in a continued singing (u know what I mean to say?).... arre yeh furrrrrr karti jo baithi shaakh daal par !! And the sound of Morchhand. Oh My ! But all of a sudden the track ends prematurely, leaves craving for more. Why oh why?!
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Phew....such a long post. Perhaps the longest I have ever read. But seriously, this album deserves it. Such a fantstatic soundtrack that is part innovative part funny and overall awesome ! What fantastic work by Sneha Khanwalkar and Piyush Mishra. This, now, has raised the bars higher for the film. Bach ke rehna, AnKash abhi aur lene wala hai.....
My Picks : ('most favorite' five) Manmauji, Ik Bagal, Tain Tain To To, Jiya Ho, Hunter.
Note : Many tracks seems derived from local folk music. Is there any official word about it??
