Here is part two, of two notes written to Vinay Jain of the Pancham group. The comments from Jose Flores, lyricist for Pantera, English album composed by Pancham-da
Hi Vinay.
Well I am glad you got the reply I wrote I did not know if it went through. Yes I know it is Punchams birthday in a few days. I always remember him on that day and on the other day.
Well I have to think about some of the things that were going on but one funny thing happened. It was when Puncham walked out of the recording studio and no one knew where he was for about 8 hours when decided to take a self guided tour of the City. I guess he was waking around downtown San Francisco. Of course we were recording in the downtown area of the City and the area is urban and sometimes quite risky especially if you dont know which sections are bad or
good. However, Puncham fit right in with the City scene and always looked cool so no one ever messed with him. In fact he was usually greeted by people as if they knew him everywhere we went. So later on several hours we were all in front of the studio and it was getting dark when he pulled up in a taxi cab loaded with bags of clothing, shoes, shirts and jackets inside shopping bags from some of the best stores and tailors in the City . The producer Pete Gavankar was so relieved when he saw him that he almost cried..Puncham just cracked up at us and showed off his new grey Members Only Jacket which he was wearing and said...dont worry Im a City
boy I know my way around... every one had to help him carry his bags back into the studio about 20 bags in all. It took the cabbie five min to unload...I think he gave the cabbie two $20.00 bills or like a $40.00 tip on top of his $ 5 fare and the cabbie was all smiles..
That was Puncham, drama, generosity, style... what a guy.
I think it is time for a toast to my friend with double Johnny Walker and 555 cigarette while I listen to him sing a Gypsy song...
Thanks and keep in touch.
JF
Monday, March 24, 2008
Jose Flores mail - I
Here are two notes written to Vinay Jain of the Pancham group. The comments from Jose Flores, lyricist for Pantera, English album composed by Pancham-da
Dear Vinay:
Thank you for your invitation. Puncham and I were very close and we had a great time working together. I learned a great deal about life and not just music. I have a few stories but don't know where to start.
Puncham was the funniest person I had ever met and he made me laugh all the time.
On the same day he arrived in San Francisco, Puncham gave me a gift of some traditional clothes, (silks) that he had brought with him (a Kurta and a Loongi) and some sandles.
Later on that evening we were at his suite at the hotel with our producer Pete Gavankar and
the producer suggested I try on the silks. Puncham was hungry and had changed from travel clothing to the same kind of clothing (Loongi and Kurta) By then I had tried on the silks and thought they were really cool...SInce He also had the same clothes and felt comfortable he said well lets go eat... I said dressed like this and Puncham said yes... lets go just like this...so we put on some sandles and while still dressed in the silks went out on the town to the most exclusive, expensive and fanciest seafood restaurant in San Francisco where we told the Tuxedo wearing staff that Puncham was the crown prince of Bombay... we got the best service I have ever had ....and they referred to him as your Royal Highness during the whole meal...and you know what he really was a prince so it was fun... he really impressed everyone including the owner who personally came to ask for his autograph... We laughed about that dinner every chance we got whan we talked about it.
Later on a few years ago, Asha came to San Francisco and we had lunch at the same place... we sat at he same table and remembered Puncham fondly...
I really miss the guy...
Thanks
keep in touch
Jose Flores
Dear Vinay:
Thank you for your invitation. Puncham and I were very close and we had a great time working together. I learned a great deal about life and not just music. I have a few stories but don't know where to start.
Puncham was the funniest person I had ever met and he made me laugh all the time.
On the same day he arrived in San Francisco, Puncham gave me a gift of some traditional clothes, (silks) that he had brought with him (a Kurta and a Loongi) and some sandles.
Later on that evening we were at his suite at the hotel with our producer Pete Gavankar and
the producer suggested I try on the silks. Puncham was hungry and had changed from travel clothing to the same kind of clothing (Loongi and Kurta) By then I had tried on the silks and thought they were really cool...SInce He also had the same clothes and felt comfortable he said well lets go eat... I said dressed like this and Puncham said yes... lets go just like this...so we put on some sandles and while still dressed in the silks went out on the town to the most exclusive, expensive and fanciest seafood restaurant in San Francisco where we told the Tuxedo wearing staff that Puncham was the crown prince of Bombay... we got the best service I have ever had ....and they referred to him as your Royal Highness during the whole meal...and you know what he really was a prince so it was fun... he really impressed everyone including the owner who personally came to ask for his autograph... We laughed about that dinner every chance we got whan we talked about it.
Later on a few years ago, Asha came to San Francisco and we had lunch at the same place... we sat at he same table and remembered Puncham fondly...
I really miss the guy...
Thanks
keep in touch
Jose Flores
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Rafi-Sahab sings for Pancham: my liking
Brilliance of Rafi-ji and Pancham-Jadu was evident on their earliest days around 1965/1966 when you think that the very 1st song recording of Nassir-ji' big banner, starring then Superstar Shammi Kapoor, was ok after first-take. Can you guess the song? It's the magical number - O Haseena Zulfo Wali Jaane Jana....7 mins of brilliance, only by Rafi-Pancham team....
Another magnificent composition and singing by Rafi-ji in Chandan Ka Palna, Zulfon Ko Aap Yun
Another blockbuster till today, came out in 1971, Caravan; Rafi-ji and Lata-ji in super melodious form. And the tune? Out of this world. Rafi-ji leads in all form...Kitna Pyara Wada Hai..There is absolutely very few duets that can even come closer to this one in composition, singing, orchestration...over 5 mins of immense pleasure, as a bonus gets Pancham's Mouthorgan....
Wadiyan Mera Daman...What a sweeet melody? Listen to the choice of instruments and above all Magnum-Rafi-Sahab's rendering...total justice to a very very hummmmmable melody!!!! Ufffff!!!!
Zamane Ne Mare Jawaan Kaise Kaise...
One of my all time best. I think the pain of suffering soul is very evident in this composition and off course out-of-this-world singing!!!!!! Just listen to the sheer power in Rafi Sahab's singing in Zameen Kha Gayee Aasmaan Kaise Kaise......rhythm of "Zamane Ne Mare", it could be well played in tabla only but our Pancham-da's genius is such that he converted would be simple rhythm into an ear-pleasing-theka.......Rafi Sahab's way of saying Zameeen Khaa Gaaayeee......truely brings out the pain in this tune...Vaah!!! Waah!!! :Bow:
in 1969 Pancham came up with a tune that rocked the world...Rafi-ji's super romantic singing won all hearts....and is still winning as it's been played around the globe...Tum Bin Jaun Kahan-- it's a pleasure to listen to it over and over and over. Rafi Sahab's powerful and soul touching singing brought Pancham-da's tune to life.
Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara - another masterpiece...integral to Rafi-Pancham jugalbandi. Variations in composition were executed with utmost excellence. Splendid fusion of Hindusthani traditional and string instruments.
Maine Poocha Chand Se - excellent singing by Rafi-Sahab and a super melodic tune, singing and orchestration certainly are out of this world. Amazing selection of instruments by Pancham. The Sax itself is a Diamond in the song. I simply love the creative rhythm pattern. What a magical way of playing "tabla" and other percussion, totally changes the overall effect.
Kabhi Kabhi Aisa Bhi To...from Waris...one of my very favourites....it just get better with each passing note...I simply can't think of any other artists singing this one. A very very captivating song...more so of "rhythm" -- how creative????? I was just listening to this one over the weekend. Sweeeeet melody.
Sanson Mein Kabhi Dil Me...from Parchhaiyan, particularly if you listen to the part where Rafi Sahab sings Kabhi Bairi Hai To Kya Tum Humse Juda..... what a beautiful composition, orchestration and off course soul-touching singing.
Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kajal Tera... - if you think the base tune is from "South India Raga"; but Pancham's creative genius composed that into a splendid, memorable masterpiece. Rhythm rules in this one from start to end...only Pancham-da could create such non-traditional beats that totally change the overall listening pleasure. And who else but Sahensa Rafi gave the perfect justice to the melody.
Pucho Na Yaar Kya Hua from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai is absolutely stunning in all respects. Beautiful would be an understatement. It has everything - good melody, spell bounding rhythm and brilliant singing by Rafi-Sahab. In fact if you listen to the Bangla version and compare, this one certainly stands out for totally different treatments.
Nagma Hamara Gayae Ga Sara Zamana....so very true...Sara Zamana is Singing.... isn't it? This was composed and recorded 30 yrs ago, but still this one is sooooo modern, yet periodic. What a beauty this one is?????
Another magnificent composition and singing by Rafi-ji in Chandan Ka Palna, Zulfon Ko Aap Yun
Another blockbuster till today, came out in 1971, Caravan; Rafi-ji and Lata-ji in super melodious form. And the tune? Out of this world. Rafi-ji leads in all form...Kitna Pyara Wada Hai..There is absolutely very few duets that can even come closer to this one in composition, singing, orchestration...over 5 mins of immense pleasure, as a bonus gets Pancham's Mouthorgan....
Wadiyan Mera Daman...What a sweeet melody? Listen to the choice of instruments and above all Magnum-Rafi-Sahab's rendering...total justice to a very very hummmmmable melody!!!! Ufffff!!!!
Zamane Ne Mare Jawaan Kaise Kaise...
One of my all time best. I think the pain of suffering soul is very evident in this composition and off course out-of-this-world singing!!!!!! Just listen to the sheer power in Rafi Sahab's singing in Zameen Kha Gayee Aasmaan Kaise Kaise......rhythm of "Zamane Ne Mare", it could be well played in tabla only but our Pancham-da's genius is such that he converted would be simple rhythm into an ear-pleasing-theka.......Rafi Sahab's way of saying Zameeen Khaa Gaaayeee......truely brings out the pain in this tune...Vaah!!! Waah!!! :Bow:
in 1969 Pancham came up with a tune that rocked the world...Rafi-ji's super romantic singing won all hearts....and is still winning as it's been played around the globe...Tum Bin Jaun Kahan-- it's a pleasure to listen to it over and over and over. Rafi Sahab's powerful and soul touching singing brought Pancham-da's tune to life.
Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara - another masterpiece...integral to Rafi-Pancham jugalbandi. Variations in composition were executed with utmost excellence. Splendid fusion of Hindusthani traditional and string instruments.
Maine Poocha Chand Se - excellent singing by Rafi-Sahab and a super melodic tune, singing and orchestration certainly are out of this world. Amazing selection of instruments by Pancham. The Sax itself is a Diamond in the song. I simply love the creative rhythm pattern. What a magical way of playing "tabla" and other percussion, totally changes the overall effect.
Kabhi Kabhi Aisa Bhi To...from Waris...one of my very favourites....it just get better with each passing note...I simply can't think of any other artists singing this one. A very very captivating song...more so of "rhythm" -- how creative????? I was just listening to this one over the weekend. Sweeeeet melody.
Sanson Mein Kabhi Dil Me...from Parchhaiyan, particularly if you listen to the part where Rafi Sahab sings Kabhi Bairi Hai To Kya Tum Humse Juda..... what a beautiful composition, orchestration and off course soul-touching singing.
Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kajal Tera... - if you think the base tune is from "South India Raga"; but Pancham's creative genius composed that into a splendid, memorable masterpiece. Rhythm rules in this one from start to end...only Pancham-da could create such non-traditional beats that totally change the overall listening pleasure. And who else but Sahensa Rafi gave the perfect justice to the melody.
Pucho Na Yaar Kya Hua from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai is absolutely stunning in all respects. Beautiful would be an understatement. It has everything - good melody, spell bounding rhythm and brilliant singing by Rafi-Sahab. In fact if you listen to the Bangla version and compare, this one certainly stands out for totally different treatments.
Nagma Hamara Gayae Ga Sara Zamana....so very true...Sara Zamana is Singing.... isn't it? This was composed and recorded 30 yrs ago, but still this one is sooooo modern, yet periodic. What a beauty this one is?????
Friday, March 7, 2008
DVD of "Tribute To Pancham" Show
We recently had a great show "A tribute to R.D.Burman" - at
KalaMandir, Kolkata on Feb 08, 2008 with the original musicians of RD
Burman's Team. From Calcutta it was Rocket da's team who shared the
stage with them. The uniqueness of the event was that, the entire
show was instrumental without a single vocal to assist.
The DVD of "Tribute To Pancham" show is ready for release.
Priced at 250/- this double DVD should be a treat for all Panchamda fans.
Please get in touch either at bookdvd.euphony@gmail.com
OR contact at
09836927479 for further details.
KalaMandir, Kolkata on Feb 08, 2008 with the original musicians of RD
Burman's Team. From Calcutta it was Rocket da's team who shared the
stage with them. The uniqueness of the event was that, the entire
show was instrumental without a single vocal to assist.
The DVD of "Tribute To Pancham" show is ready for release.
Priced at 250/- this double DVD should be a treat for all Panchamda fans.
Please get in touch either at bookdvd.euphony@gmail.com
OR contact at
09836927479 for further details.
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