Laxmikant-Pyarelal :: Phenomenal Music “Night In London”

Laxmikant-Pyarelal :: Phenomenal Music “Night In London”

In the year 1967, Music Directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal in supreme form. The duo officially confirmed their number one position. Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s Many musical hit films, released around 1967, like, “Patthar Ke Sanam”, “Anita”, “Jaal”, “Taqdeer”, “Farz”, “Shagird”, “Milan”  as well as “Night In London”. It was like a “Tsunami” of songs from Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

NIGHT IN LONDON, thriller film was directed by famous director Brij Sadanah who was known for thriller films. Biswajeet, Mala Sinha, Johnny Walker, Helen in lead roles. 

The film has phenomenal music. Laxmikant-Pyarelal have composed most of the songs in Western Style to give a feel of London.

Mohammad Rafi has sung as many as five songs, including three solo + two duets with Lata Mangeshkar. ‘Night In London” also has one beautiful sweet duet sung by Lata Mangeshkar - Mahendra Kapoor. 

Pyarelal, Biswajeet and Laxmikant

Lata Mangeshkar has sung two Cabaret songs, solo +  title song, duet with M. Rafi,  synchronising the mind-boggling orchestra from Laxmikant-Pyarelal. In a solo cabaret song Lata Mangeshkar has awesomely uttered / rendered the word Jameela...aaaa. with almost NINE different versions, which enthralls the listeners. 

All the songs of the film Night In London are written by Anand Bakshi. It is from the year 1967, the ‘trio’ of Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant-Pyarelal gained the momentum and went to creat a history (304 films with 1680 songs)

The orchestra arrangements in “preludes” and “interludes” used to be the assets of the songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It would be more proper to listen to the songs  after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each of the songs,  you will enjoy it more.

Nazar Na Lag Jaye Kisi Ki ….Mohammad Rafi

Mesmerizing Prelude of 66 seconds starts with GUITAR for 20 seconds.

Awesome take off by Rafi saab ओ माय लव. At 0.28 BASS GUITAR starts.

and synchronized with the rhythm of ACOUSTIC GUITAR. 

At 0.45 FRENCH HORN starts and overlaps other BRASS instruments. 

1.02 to 1.06 glimpses of GUITAR. Rafi saab starts नज़र न लग जाए.

The song has Toe-Stepping ‘rhythm’ synchronized with the ACOUSTIC GUITAR.

Electric GUITAR is used as a filler after ओ माय लव, at 1.22, is a ‘killer’.

It repeats after every lines ओ माय लव. First ‘interlude’ starts with FRENCH HORN and later harmonizes with other BRASS instruments. Second ‘interlude’ beautiful display of solo GUITAR which enthralls the listeners. Third ‘interlude’ melodiously played symphony VIOLINS. 

The song is filmed on Biswajeet - Mala Sinha 

Late Mr. Gorakh Sharma, Pyarelal’s younger brother, has played the GUITAR.                                                                           

Bahosh-O-Hawas Main Deewana …..Mohammad Rafi

Wonderful Westernized Orchestra Arrangements In SYMPHONY Style. "PRELUDE" of 51 seconds is just mesmerizing. Use of VIOLINS and VIOLA for first 33 seconds and than again huge "pick" at 48 seconds as well as in the first "interlude" from 1.25 to 1.45 is just ear pleasing. Both the interludes have different tunes. There are some glimpses of 'pauses'. The "symphony style violins" vow around MOHAMMAD RAFI's voice that gives an additional mellifluousness and romantic feeling to this song. Each and every moment of this GEM of song makes you "thrill" and that is why it is one of my all time favorite song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. 

Mera Nam Jameela …..Lata Mangeshkar

JAMEELA ssssssss:: JAMEE sssssssLA::JAMEELA::

Superb CABARET song with Rich Orchestra Arrangements.

Almost NINE different versions of rendering the word “JAMEELA” by Lata Mangeshakar in this song.“Prelude” of 50 seconds is worth listening to with Heavy and Rich Orchestra with Lata’s lovely voice. All the three “Interludes” have different tunes. 

Use of the BRASS instruments, in the entire song, is the asset of the orchestra arrangements. The entire song is brilliantly synchronized with the fast rhythm of BONGO DRUMS. Electric GUITAR is also used in-between the orchestra. 

Another beauty of the song is Lata Mangeshkar’s beautiful voice is being surrounded by the MALE CHORUS. And top of it actress, HELEN has danced this cabaret numbers with the different style. 

Lata Mangeshkar has sung many of western style, cabaret songs under Laxmikant-Pyarelal.  

This song is a sheer variety from this combo.

Sun-E-Bahar Husn Muze Tum Se Pyar Hai ….Lata Mangeshkar - Mahendra Kapoor

Very melodious duet. 45 seconds of ‘prelude’, is orchestrated with MANDOLIN, followed by Aalaps & Humming by Mahendra  Kapoor, finally SANTOOR. 

First ‘interludes’ are orchestrated with MANDOLIN, FLUTE and VIOLINS. At the end of each ‘antara’ there is a ‘rhythmic’ pause. 

The song has a melodic DHOLAK / TABLA rhythm.

--Bagh Main Phool Kisne Khilaye Hai         Lata Mangeshkar - Mohammad Raff

Anand Bakshi has penned this lovely duet on “question” - “answer” theory. Almost each and every line of this song has “Question” - “Answer”. ‘Prelude’ is instrumented with NADASWARAM / SHEHNAI. All the ‘interludes’ are designed with ‘symphony’ VIOLINS. It has a conventional TABLA / DHOLAK rhythm.

Night In London , Night in London,    Lata Mangeshkar - Mohammad Raff

A club dance, Cabaret is beautifully instrumented with the use of BRASS instruments as well as symphony VIOLINS. It has a tuneful BONGO DRUM rhythm. 

O Mere Yaar Tomy      Mohammad Rafi.

A naughty song filmed on Johnny Walker. Barking of DOG is included in the song.

Ajay Poundarik, Atlanta (Georgia) USA. 23rd June, 2020.