Thursday, June 24, 2010

Anjali - Sudha Ranjit

It is said each CD has on average 2 good songs and the others are average - no good. I have found this to often be true no matter how good the musician. These 2 songs in the album "Anjali" by "Sudha Ranjit" would be "Ganeshaashtakam" and "Sri Guru Om Guru Sadguru Om". Take me deep and high each time i hear them.

Sudha Ranjit has a mellifluous voice not unlike that of Chitra Roy or Gayathri ( 2 other melodious AOL singers). Clearly she is a Carnatic trained singer whose voice effortlessly reaches high notes without losing the swara.

Songs Listing :
  1. Ganeshaashtakam
  2. Mano Mohini Naaraayani
  3. Gopala Gopala
  4. Shivaya Namah Aum
  5. Nand Kishore
  6. Nanda Nanda Madhava
  7. Shree Guru Ohm Guru Saad Guru Ohm
  8. Shankara Chandarshekra 
Jai Guru Dev,

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Best Of Chitra Roy

I bought this CD containing some of Chitra Roy's popular number from the Divine Shop this morning. For the uninitiated, Chitra Roy is known as Art Of Living's "Kokila" (nightingale). Having heard several of her CDs and sung several of her songs in satsang over the last few years, I was naturally excited at this offering. I just finished listening to the CD and I must say it does not disappoint.

1. Guru Ki Mahima  : An old number originally from "Eternal Grace" - Lovely.
2. Ambe Ma  : A personal favorite from "Uma Maheshwara"
3. Mere Sahib : A lilting number from "Mere Sahib"
4. Har Har Jagadeeshwaray : A peppy number often sung in satsangs
5. Vishalakshi  Devi : A haunting number also from "Uma Maheshwara"
6. Mujhko Zameen : I think this is from "Nivedan"
7. Shiva Om Shiva : A medley from some well known Shiva bhajans.

Though I thought the CD was a good buy I have a couple of gripes :
  • The person who compiled these songs has shown a preference for the later works of Chitra Roy and left out some of the oldie goldies such as "Om Jyotirmaya" from "Geetanjali" and the oh-so-haunting "Oh Radhe" from "Nivedan". I do hope there is a Vol II of this CD and these songs make it there!
  • Though the numbers are great to hear - too much instrumentation makes it not-so-easy to sing in a satsang.

My rating  : 8/10 .

Available in Divine Shops across India and online.

Jai Guru Dev,