Just when you thought Andrew Lloyd Webber was stuck in a rut, he pulls off a new success. But maybe the reason Bombay Dreams is so lively is that Lloyd Webber only acted as a Svengali producer, helping Indian composer A.R.... more » Rahman (Lagaan) make his debut on Western stages. And that move proved to be inspired. Indeed, at a time when many people complain that new musicals have become dreary and have lost all sense of fun, Lloyd Webber imported talent from the one place where entertainment for entertainment's sake is still alive and well: Bollywood. The Indian film industry cranks out hundreds of movies every year, a huge number of them deliriously gaudy musicals, and so it was a natural resource to mine. The plot of Bombay Dreams is on par with your usual musical-theater fare, but the songs are unlike anything ever heard on Broadway or the West End. Sure, the lyrics by Don Black (Sunset Boulevard) flirt with sheer idiocy, but the music that surrounds them is so irrepressibly lively that you'll simply focus on it and it alone. Borrowing both Indian (ragas) and Western (electronic dance music) elements, Rahman and his co-producer, Marius de Vries (who's worked with Björk), have come up with a delicious musical treat. --Elisabeth Vincentelli« less
Just when you thought Andrew Lloyd Webber was stuck in a rut, he pulls off a new success. But maybe the reason Bombay Dreams is so lively is that Lloyd Webber only acted as a Svengali producer, helping Indian composer A.R. Rahman (Lagaan) make his debut on Western stages. And that move proved to be inspired. Indeed, at a time when many people complain that new musicals have become dreary and have lost all sense of fun, Lloyd Webber imported talent from the one place where entertainment for entertainment's sake is still alive and well: Bollywood. The Indian film industry cranks out hundreds of movies every year, a huge number of them deliriously gaudy musicals, and so it was a natural resource to mine. The plot of Bombay Dreams is on par with your usual musical-theater fare, but the songs are unlike anything ever heard on Broadway or the West End. Sure, the lyrics by Don Black (Sunset Boulevard) flirt with sheer idiocy, but the music that surrounds them is so irrepressibly lively that you'll simply focus on it and it alone. Borrowing both Indian (ragas) and Western (electronic dance music) elements, Rahman and his co-producer, Marius de Vries (who's worked with Björk), have come up with a delicious musical treat. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
"I saw Bombay Dreams this past Saturday on Broadway and fell in LOVE with the show. I couldn't wait to get the recording, but I've found that MOST of the songs are different :-(
I really would love to be able to hear the songs I just heard in the show, especially the Bhangra song. Since the show has obviously changed quite a bit from the London version, it seems silly to be selling an album that doesn't match the show.
bummer"
If you can't watch the show, this is the closest you can get
desidash | Austin, TX United States | 01/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw the show in London in December (Stephen Rahman Hughes played Akaash instead of Raza Jaffrey) The show totally blew my mind. I have friends who had seen the show and said the music is nothing new, nothing great if you've already seen a Bollywood movie. But it was fantastic!...I loved every bit of it and wanted more. The music is very haunting, and such a lot of fun! Listen to Sweetie as he sings 'Love's Never Easy' or the beautiful ballad 'Closer than Ever' by Priya, Akaash and Sweetie. Preeya Kalidas is superb in all her songs. Thank you Andrew Lloyd Weber for bringing A.R.Rahman and his music out for the world to enjoy..Sure the music is not like the other musicals, but then, we've enjoyed the other musicals enough! Bombay Dreams is a refreshing change."
Rahman does the business
P. Greenhill | London, -- England | 09/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw 'Bombay Dreams'performed in London last week. The plot is silly and throwaway but the songs and dancing are truly fantastic and so I've just ordered the original cast recording, which for some reason is not available in London.Much of the music is vibrant but with strong melodies.There are also some beautiful ballads.'Love Never Easy', 'Shakalaka Baby', 'Chaiyya Chaiya', 'Salaam Bombay', 'Journey Home' and 'Wedding Qawali' made a particular impact but I'm just looking forward to hearing the whole score when my CD arrives.I was not familiar with A.R Rahman's work until 'Bombay Dreams' but he is a real treasure.If you can, see the show but get the CD anyway!"
Opens the door
Gary M Rees | 09/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A R Rahman is the finest melodic composer and arranger on the planet. Hopefully Bombay Dreams will be the key to the kingdom of his amazing work. His first soundtrack was composed in 1992 and in the ten year period he has revolutionized music in India. Those who recognize his gift from this soundtrack will be happy to know that they have just had a glimpse of the tip of the mountain. Personally, most of the English lyrics detract from the music in Bombay Dreams, but nevermind, his music is strong enough to affect the listener in a profound way. When searching for his work be advised that he composes in three languages; Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Some of the same music appears in all three languages and often there are Tamil soundtracks, in my opinion his best, that don't make it into the other languages. Bombay Dreams has five strong songs but he has written at least 50 hits of high quality, maybe more. Most of his work is available in Indian music stores."
Good representation of A. R. Rahman's best
Zuri | Austin, TX USA | 07/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Warning: Anyone who has seen the musical or merely picked up this CD soundtrack but knows absolutely nothing about Bollywood won't get the big hype surrounding this music. If you know A. R. Rahman's work and have followed his music throughout his amazing career, though, you will adore this CD. Another reason to adore it: even if you don't speak a lick of Hindi, you can still follow along with the English snippets and the catchy Hindi phrases. However, if your lack of Hindi skills is paired with no knowledge of what Bollywood is all about, the lyrics will come across quite easily as cheesy and the premise of the show fluffy. I'm not here to convert anyone to the style of Bollywood, but merely to ask you to appreciate this soundtrack as a play-on version of the real deal. A. R. Rahman's work is legendary and, when it comes down to it, the show is all about the music. And look at that- that's what this CD is!
My personal favourite songs: "Chaiyya Chaiyya" (from Dil Se) and "Love's Never Easy" (based on Ishq Bina from Taal), also "Shakalaka Baby" and "How Many Stars." All orchestral background on this track is paired with fantastic vocals, so be prepared for some quality composition on the whole.
If you like the sounds of this music, I would recommend checking out the music from the movies Taal, Dil Se, Lagaan, Bombay, Swades, and Rang De Basanti. All fantastic, all A. R. Rahman."